How to Be A Good Participant In An Internet Discussion Forum

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By oneloved
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Online Message Boards

The internet is full of message boards and discussion forums where people can meet new friends who have things in common, and talk about anything that interests them. Want to join the discussion? Here's how!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Computer
Internet Connection

Step 1

Many online forums require members to sign up before they can read other people's posts, and that's fine. But be sure to read up and get to know the group before contributing anything. Read some of the older threads and topics, as well as conversations currently in progress. It's considered lazy and annoying to start a new thread for a topic that was just discussed thoroughly a little while ago, when all you'd have to do is take a quick look to find it. Feel free to add your two cents to older topics if you like. It's better than starting a whole new thread to discuss it all over again.
Step 2

Stick to the theme of the forum. Most message boards have a central theme that all the members have in common, such as a cause, hobby, lifestyle, or fandom of a celebrity or TV show. Any new topics that you introduce should be somehow related to that theme.

If you've been a member long enough that you've made some online friends in the forum, and you know they might be interested in an off-topic subject you want to discuss, give everyone a head's up by putting "OT" in front of your new topic title (do this very sparingly).
Step 3

Stick to the facts. Whatever you're discussing, try to be humble in your opinions and back them up with solid reason. Be gracious to people who have different viewpoints, and agree to disagree rather than attack one another. Don't take anything personally or let your emotions get out of control.
Step 4

If you're talking about current events, health choices or other important issues, do your best to provide links to the sites where you got your information, so other members can verify it. This helps to legitimize your advice or position.
Step 5

Be mindful of your audience. Do your best to keep an honest and enjoyable discussion going, without deliberately offending your audience (more often it's the tone and attitude behind the words which offend, not your actual opinion). Don't join a forum about something you're opposed to, just for the sake of arguing or stirring up trouble.
Step 6

Don't start (or continue) pointless debates and arguments. It spoils the fun for everyone else.
Step 7

Fill out your profile. Let other members know a little bit about you, so they have a background reference for the things that you say.
Step 8

Don't share personal information. Never give your last name, location, or other personal info with strangers online. You never really know who you're talking to.