Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject: Online Etiquettes [#]
The motive of starting this thread is to attract all those people discussing do and donts of online posting in different threads of this forum or other forums. Let us make things clear here other than making stray posts in threads discussing different and unrelated topics.
From my side I would like to put forward some tips.
1. Make your post concise. Do not make them too lengthy to have the readers' interest wane away in the middle. Lenghty posts also make the reading and browsing a tiring process.
2. Use capital letters/bright colours/ bold fonts sparingly to impress upon/ reinforce ceratain points in a post. However do not use unnecessary capitalization/ bright colours/ and bold fonts in the entire post or do not have posts constituted of such attributes only. These attributes are meant for reinforcing some points but if you use it through out, then that amounts to shouting.
3. Do not cross over. Stick to the topic of discussion and post your text in a suitable thread only. Do not make duplicate posts. Cross-posting (i.e. post the same message in more than one forum board) is rude. Choose the forum topic that is closest to your post, and place it there only.
4. Take online posting as a form of conversation. Be polite. Treat others as you want yourself to be treated by them.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
While posting your text try to run a spell check. Though it is not mandatory to do so, but when done it improves the quality of the post and shows the sincerity of the person posting the text toward the points he or she wants to make.
Making a point is always welcome and most of the times most of us are good at it. However main test for the skill of participating in a debate comes when you have to understand the point made by the person next to you and have to to respond it sensibly even if it counters your point of view.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
Since you are not talking face-to-face to the persons you are talking online, there is no facial clue which could express your real feelings. Therefore written text can easily be misinterpreted. To avoid being misinterpreted, one should himself/herself avoid strong or offensive language and refrain from excessive use of exclamation points. If you feel strongly about a point, it may prudent to write it first as a draft and then to review it, before posting it, in order to remove any strong language.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
Short messaging service (SMS) is meant for mobile phone textual conversation. How tempting it might be, try to avoid sms spellings in online forums. There may be rare exceptions where you are talking offbeat about something in a suitable forum but if you are discussing some serious issue then using sms lingo sends signals that you are being casual and disinterested in the debate. It reduces the value of your post.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
Online forums are different from printed media. While the reach of printed materials is usually confined to a particular geographic area; an online forum can be accessed around the globe by people needing information or willing to participate in a discussion in different parts of the world. What binds two such people is some common interest.
If Ukrainian medical students were discussing about best medical colleges for foreign students around the world; this discussion would be equally important for an Indian, a Sri Lankan or a Bangladeshi aspirant. All of them will be interested in obtaining information from the discussion in that Ukrainian forum. Not even that; this discussion would be useful, not only for me sitting in Kolkata but for you too sitting in say Mumbai or Chennai or any other place in India.
Imagine.. if that Ukrainian forum had some useful tips on selecting a medical college in that part of world. How vital this information would be for a student sitting in Kolkata who is contemplating moving abroad for medical education.
At the same time.. imagine that though the title of that thread in the Ukrainian forum was in English, when you clicked it, you found that all the discussion there, was happening in their native language, and not in English. At that very moment the utility of that otherwise highly informative thread would become zero for me, and you browsing from any part of India.
Imagine.. if the cutting opportunities and the bond information about a college in Tamil Nadu was discussed in Tamil in the forum; the utility of that thread, for any student who is not versed with that language would becomes zero; no matter how dearly he or she might need that information.
This is the reason, why the language of communication is assigned as English in most of the online forums which are accessed over a vast geographic area with multilingual population.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
Hello everybody.
Do come up with your ideas, experiences and suggestions on this issue.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
It is always better to use separate paragraphs and separated sentences with intervening spaces to stress different aspects of an issue. This also makes the statement more legible and accessible to the reader.
However at the same time excessive use of spacing (e.g. all the sentences of a post separated from each other by intervening spaces) makes the entire idea behind the spacing futile. It also increases the screen space of the post. Taking into account that screen spaces are not uniform in all computer screens, unduly long post due to these intervening spaces may make your post a tiring read and prompt the reader to move to next post.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
When quoting someone, use only the portion of the quote that is absolutely necessary. Quoting the entire post makes for a tiring read for other persons.
Author: deepa_aky, Posted: Post subject:
good to bring these points to notice!!
Author: sherlockh, Posted: Post subject:
Why West Bengal forum is readable to only REGISTERED MEMBERS?But other forum like aipg is readable to all.
West Bengal forum was readable to all few months before.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
@deepa_aky Thank you for your ecouragement.
@sherlockh Contact Team with your query.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
Please put forward your queries/suggestions.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
Where ever you go, look around. Look what is happening. Look what people are doing. Then only jump into the crowd. Without knowledge of what is happening around you, you can not achieve the most out of the place and neither others can understand what you were up to.
This applies to online forum too. Before postina a comment you should see what exactly the house was talking, no matter how tempting it might be to post your views outright.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
Being polite is perhaps the most important prerequisite of posting in an online forum.
It is very easy to be rude and offensive because we know that the person in front of us can do nothing in return. And if he/she too behaves rudely then we can easily become uglier than him/her. Such an incidence not only disturbs the bystanders who are browsing the forum with us but also reduces the creditability and likability of ourselves in the long run, no matter how gratifying it might feel thrashing somebody in an online forum openly..
Author: DrSubs, Posted: Post subject:
thanks a lot vit k for posting the rules again...i appreciate it .... particularly the last rule.... and i want to stress upon the fact that its the most important rule in order to maintain a decorum in our beloved RxPG....and also to maintain a healthy atmosphere....
Author: DrSubs, Posted: Post subject:
i have a query though....if there are some issues, how do we contact the moderators? do we need to scrap the moderators of that forum? thanks in advance
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
Hello DrSubs.
Thank you for the encouragement. I shall be posting the relevant points from time to time.
About your query, you can easily contact the moderator through PM/IM or scrap. It is better to contact the moderator of the concerned forum; for faster response. Otherwise you can contact any moderator and bring the matter to his/her notice. He/she shall inform the concerned moderator.
Author: DrSubs, Posted: Post subject:
thanks a lot vit k...sorry for the late reply...
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
The golden rule of online communication is being considerate. Once we start accepting our criticism and hear what our critic is telling we have sort of graduated in this form of communication.
No matter how right I might feel about my opinions, that does not mean that every body will accept my views. And the main test of calibre comes when you have to deal with those who do not subscribe to your views beacuse these are the moments when the tempers go up.
One has to learn and know that he or she can never be universally acceptable try how hard he/she may. And has to accept that he/she will be criticized. To maintain one's composure at these moments is toughest task and probably the gradution line for a good debator.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
Hello everybody. Any new suggestion?
Author: kolpg, Posted: Post subject: In case of unreasoning?
vitamin_k wrote:
The golden rule of online communication is being considerate. Once we start accepting our criticism and hear what our critic is telling we have sort of graduated in this form of communication.
No matter how right I might feel about my opinions, that does not mean that every body will accept my views. And the main test of calibre comes when you have to deal with those who do not subscribe to your views beacuse these are the moments when the tempers go up.
One has to learn and know that he or she can never be universally acceptable try how hard he/she may. And has to accept that he/she will be criticized. To maintain one's composure at these moments is toughest task and probably the gradution line for a good debator.
If it ends in personal attack unmoved by logic ?
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
If it ends in personal attacks, then I think you will agree that such a turn of events is unfortunate and ugly. Personal attacks and fights make the thread/forum unreadable for the neutral people.
If somebody attacks me personally then I shall:
1. First request him/her not to do so and limit the discussion within the topic area.
2. If he/she pays no heed then I shall report it to the concerned people managing the thread/forum.
What I shall not do:
1. Wage counter attack on the person attacking me.
The bottom line remains the same: Do not treat somebody in a way in which you would not like yourself being treated.
Author: DrSubs, Posted: Post subject:
@vitamin k
sir such things are going on in some threads like reservation thread and ministry invites..thread..i have tried to quote from this thread of urs some online etiquettes so that they may stop...but i dont expect much...
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
Thank you DrSubs. I will try to do what needs to be done.
Regards.
Author: kolpg, Posted: Post subject:
vitamin_k wrote:
If he/she pays no heed then I shall report it to the concerned people managing the thread/forum.
Agreed. TOS 18.3. should be followed.
Author: DrSubs, Posted: Post subject:
vitamin_k wrote:
Thank you DrSubs. I will try to do what needs to be done.
Regards.
thanks a lot sir...i highly appreciate it...
Author: gurusinghsskm, Posted: Post subject:
only if some one quoting some message or taking someone's name then it becomes personal attack
and if someone criticise someone he should have the guts to take it to,because as one is going to treat someone you are going to treated same way
but if someone telling some general fact like spotting lies trust which is not personal attack for sure
Author: gurusinghsskm, Posted: Post subject:
and mentioning PM first and releasing PM is clear show of breech of trust,then nobody will PM anyone else with any confidence for sure,that is not etiquette for sure
Author: gurusinghsskm, Posted: Post subject:
Edited by: RxPG Team
Edit reason: Off topic post.
Author: gurusinghsskm, Posted: Post subject:
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Author: drpreeti24, Posted: Post subject:
gurusinghsskm wrote:
and mentioning PM first and releasing PM is clear show of breech of trust,then nobody will PM anyone else with any confidence for sure,that is not etiquette for sure
its condemnable and under no circumstances this is acceptable as it takes trust away among members and people can never make friends here
Author: drpreeti24, Posted: Post subject:
sometime emotions may go high may result some inappropriate act and action,but reference to PM and releasing PM can never be acceptable,because its against moral values and as medicos we expect ourselves to be people with high moral value and etiquette
Author: gmax, Posted: Post subject:
sir pls check scrap ...its urgent
Author: kolpg, Posted: Post subject: false allegation of flaming PM
Edited by: RxPG Team
Edit reason: Off topic post.
Author: kolpg, Posted: Post subject: vindicating a fellow member as thief,lier,cunning
Edited by: RxPG Team
Edit reason: Off topic post.
Author: kolpg, Posted: Post subject: I never made any allegation towards any fellow rxpg member
Edited by: RxPG Team
Edit reason: Off topic post.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
Hello friends.
If one thinks that fellow member is being unfair to him/her then in stead of pointing finger at him/her the person can directly contact the forum moderator with the grivances. This will lead to:
1. Prompt action, if needed; on the issue
2. Spare other bystanding members browsing the forum from unwelcome, heated and sometimes abusive conversation between the said members.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
When there are two people, there are two different opinions. When there three, there can be three different opinions. Or there can be two similar and one opposite opinion. Still further, there can be three same opinions!
This diversity of opinions is the best part of a group or a discussion. It is this diversity where we get the solution of the problem from.
So for a healthy debate, specially online one has to be the part of the diverse opinions and craft the solution of the problem from it.
Author: gurusinghsskm, Posted: Post subject:
if members during difference in opinion always goes to moderator/site operation unless there is constant abusive language is used then it will never result proper discussion
Author: gurusinghsskm, Posted: Post subject:
Edited by: RxPG Team
Edit reason: Off topic post.
Author: gurusinghsskm, Posted: Post subject:
Edited by: RxPG Team
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Author: gurusinghsskm, Posted: Post subject:
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Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
gurusinghsskm wrote:
if members during difference in opinion always goes to moderator/site operation unless there is constant abusive language is used then it will never result proper discussion
Exactly! The fact that there is a debate means that there is a difference of opinion. And responsible members can themselves handle this difference efficiently.
However if at any time one feels that fellow member is being unfair, he/she can contact the Team/Moderator right away.
Author: kolpg, Posted: Post subject:
Edited by: RxPG Team
Edit reason: Off topic post.
Author: gurusinghsskm, Posted: Post subject:
vitamin_k wrote:
gurusinghsskm wrote:
if members during difference in opinion always goes to moderator/site operation unless there is constant abusive language is used then it will never result proper discussion
Exactly! The fact that there is a debate means that there is a difference of opinion. And responsible members can themselves handle this difference efficiently.
However if at any time one feels that fellow member is being unfair, he/she can contact the Team/Moderator right away.
absolutely right
but,that should be the last resort
and individually i do not want to exercise the option
Edited by: RxPG Team
Edit reason: Off topic post.
Author: gurusinghsskm, Posted: Post subject:
Edited by: RxPG Team
Edit reason: Off topic post.
Author: vitamin_k, Posted: Post subject:
There has been a spate of disturbing posts and fights in various forums of late. In this view I am posting my reply in one of such threads which should stand right for any such situation in general:
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Those who create divide, trouble or mess in an online forum yearn for attention by the by-standing members. So if you are stopping, taking note (no matter you are condemning it) their purpose is solved. They have got your attention (and thereby trouble you) and attracted several posts condemning his/her act (thereby wasting the time and space).
The best way to deal with such persons is:
1. Stop taking note and replying to their posts.
2. If you feel that somebody was getting abusive, do not reply or try to make sense with him/her (that in all its probability will increase his/her ferocity as he/she is being able to trouble you). Just report it to Team/Moderator through IM/PM/Scrap.
Author: DrSubs, Posted: Post subject:
thanks a lot sir...its a very good step and a very good gesture..all of us are indebted to u for the clean up....
