How to Use Online Forums

Forums allow you to post your views, ask questions and exchange information with other people online. Into beekeeping? Organic gardening? Restoring Model T Fords? Web and ISP-run forums can be terrific sources for new friends from around the globe who share your hobbies and special interests.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Modems
• Internet Service Providers
• Computers

1. Explore the forums and special-interest groups on your Internet service provider (ISP) or online service.
2. Use a search engine and look for Web sites that focus on your interests. Many of these will have forums or chats.
3. Read the "posts" (messages) and follow the current "threads" (comments related to a single topic) for several days. See if the group has a FAQ (frequently asked questions) document and read it.
4. Write a post of your own once you have a sense of the general style and nature of the forum, and submit it for all to read. Be prepared for a mixed response.
5. Explain yourself if someone takes exception to your comments, but do not get into a heated argument via posts.
6. Determine whether your forum companions get together for chat sessions. Join in if they do.
7. Send e-mail to your new friends. Develop relationships over time.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your initial posts short and noncontroversial.
• Befriend a veteran or two and ask about the group's taboos.
• Always represent yourself accurately; you may want to meet the forum regulars one day.
• Generally, forums are open to all. That means you may run into angry, combative people who will "flame" you for posting ideas that run counter to their own. At first, their insults can be devastating, but if you handle the attacks calmly without retaliating, others will respect you and chastise the flamer.