Forum Subjects

One year ago, I wrote an article for NetNacs' Helpful Hints entitled "Writing a Successful Article. In the article, I clearly stated to "Pick topics that you can handle, not ones that baffle you. Whenever possible, choose subjects you are familiar with." Since I started surfing the net 4 years ago, I quickly picked up on forums to help me better understand certain subjects. I'm very "familiar with" the way a forum operates. In all instances.....forum members have something in common.

Picking a Forum

My very first encounter with forums began when I discovered the Web Studio message board. I cannot begin to list everything I've learned from that particular forum......starting with copy and paste. Find a forum which has subjects you are interested in and proceed from there.

Moderators

The majority of forums have 1 or more moderators. This is to keep topics from getting out of hand if a person tries to slam a product or make flaming remarks about other members of a forum. Never, and I can't repeat this enough, never make derogatory comments about the moderator. At most forums, moderating is strictly volunteer. Of course, there are some forums which don't have moderators and any topic/subject is fair game. I don't really care for this type of forum because children could accidentally encounter them while out surfing the net.

Forum Rules

There are many guidelines when visiting a forum and most have set rules. Abide by these rules or you will soon find yourself "locked out" or gagged. Refraining from the use of vulgar language, harassment of other users, racial or ethnic slurs, sexism, or slander is a set rule at most forums.

Spamming Forums

This is definitely a big NO-NO, and you will soon find your post deleted. A forum spam is no different than emailing spam.......both are highly annoying.

Watch What You Post

The old expression, "anything you say can and will be used against you" comes in handy here. If you don't want the entire world to read what you've wrote.........don't post.

Common Courtesy

Speak your thoughts without hurting other forum members feelings. "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you."

Forum Lurking

This is a touchy subject for me because I'm a lurker. I've visited forums where the owners look down on lurkers. Never make a "lurker" feel uncomfortable by ridiculing them. I consider myself a lurker, even though I'll post something once and a while. Since my introduction to the net 4 years ago, reading my forums has taught me so much without having to post. With all the forums I go to......I don't have time to post because I spend at least 1 1/2 hours every night getting through all them.