Accepted Forum Usage
This discussion forum section presumes that you are aware of your accountability in terms of communicating via social or internet media. It is assumed that by using this site you will abide by the following policies. All discussion forum will be reviewed on a regular basis and inappropriate messages will be removed without warning.
At the heart of these policies is the confidentiality of all parties therefore think carefully before you post.
If you are posting on a forum, you should keep in mind the following:
Communicate Clearly: Write clearly when you compose a message. Review your message carefully before posting it. Typing errors can be confusing. Remember, if your message can be misunderstood, it will be.
Refrain from using ALL CAPS: Typing in all capital letters is frowned upon; it’s the equivalent of screaming. It’s considered an aggressive way to post and it doesn’t come off as being very friendly. It also makes your message more difficult to read.
Utilise Formatting Codes and Emoticons: Since tone can be difficult to convey simply using the written word, most forums are equipped with coding options (such as HTML) and emoticons (). Using these options can help clarify what you are saying. Italicising a word may help the reader understand what you are stressing. Putting a winking smiley in your message will help show you are just kidding or teasing and help avoid a person taking a comment personally.
Correction and Retraction: If you realise that you made a mistake in a previous message, please add a new message acknowledging the mistake and correcting it promptly. You will find most people are understanding of mistakes if they are dealt with immediately.
Be Respectful, Kind and Honest: Don’t issue personal attacks, use profanity, or post threatening, abusive, harassing, or otherwise offensive language or images. Keep your messages appropriate and courteous at all times. Please disagree with other opinions respectfully. If you are unsure if something is inappropriate, ask yourself these questions: Would you say it to the person if she were standing right in front of you? Would you say it to your best friend or loved one? How would you feel and react if faced with the same message from someone else? If it would anger or upset you, you might consider reframing your thoughts in a less objectionable tone.
Be Careful When Posting Personal Information: Be careful about including private information about yourself, such as phone numbers and street addresses. It’s not only a personal risk to you, but can also make other members of a community feel uncomfortable or wary. If you must share information of that nature, it should be sent by e-mail or private message.
Be Kind to Newcomers: Writing a first topic on a forum can be daunting, so please be friendly and welcoming. Also, while sometimes members may feel apprehensive about opening up to those they don’t know, remember that everyone was a “newbie” at one time or another.
Forum Expectations: Most forums are provided as a service to the internet community. As a result, posting on forums should be viewed as a privilege, not a right. You would not consider acting hostile or inappropriately in a restaurant or other “public” location, and therefore you should not expect the right to do so on a forum.
Remember the Golden Rule: It is very easy to misinterpret a person’s word when you cannot see them and/or hear their tone, so please keep in mind the Golden Rule of Forum Etiquette: It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it.