What Cindy said

I think Julie's post, slightly modified, should be added to etiquette at the end.

To clarify, I'm thinking that it's simply a matter of do's and dont's, followed by:

This isn't a chat room. It's not even a particularly fast moving posting board. Partly, that’s because I bet you dollars to doughnuts the vast majority of the people on this board spend a lot more of their time here reading, than writing. And partly that's because people here are aware that every bit of black text they put up on the screen, and every time they press post message, they are telling the community something about themselves. Most people want that to be a positive message.

If a thread isn't moving fast enough for you then you have two choices. You can leave it alone and not poke it. Or you can make a meaningful contribution that shows knowledge of your audience, is written in language and a style designed to elicit responses from your readers and that makes you accessible to the people with whom you seem to want to share your time.

There are no short cuts to fitting in. And when you’re one of eight hundred registrations and a couple of hundred active posters? The onus is going to rest entirely in your lap.

What I want, is a sense of personal responsibility placed on those who would want to post here. You're responsible for your words, for making a contribution to the board. It seems to me that it is a cornerstone of etiquette to have some sort of empathy for those sharing your meatspace or cyberspace. How does this post affect not only me, but those around me? Is this defensible? Is it clear? Can I clarify it? Can I back it up? And such.

I agree with the simpler version being the default.

I'm also in training for the Olympics RIGHT NOW.

I'm also in training for the Olympics RIGHT NOW.

Seriously people, I've never SEEN anyone chainsmoke like this. She actually moved her computer outside so she could train while she works.

And she's smokin' it out to David Bowie, too.

My ass is a Capri Ultralight Menthol ass, except that I quit a month ago.

And yes, I think the short version should be the default version. Even though I did make it through the filk, without even knowing the tune.

Seriously people, I've never SEEN anyone chainsmoke like this. She actually moved her computer outside so she could train while she works.

Heh. I bet I could giver her a run for her money in the competitive chain-smoking marathon.

And she's smokin' it out to David Bowie, too.

There's a filk to the tune of "Ziggy Stardust" brewing, but I need more coffee first.

And yes, I think the short version should be the default version. Even though I did make it through the filk, without even knowing the tune.

Yeah, I'm afraid I have to agree, although I love the filk and want to keep it prominent. That being said, a jerk's gonna be a jerk no matter what we post, so I'm not so sure it would make that much of a difference.

That being said, a jerk's gonna be a jerk no matter what we post, so I'm not so sure it would make that much of a difference.

Sadly true. I'm almost tempted to have the etiquette page say simply "Let me 'splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up: Don't Be A Jerk."

"Let me 'splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up: Don't Be A Jerk."

Because there can never be too many Princess Bride refs.

Heh. I bet I could giver her a run for her money in the competitive chain-smoking marathon.

Bring. It. On.

There's a filk to the tune of "Ziggy Stardust" brewing, but I need more coffee first.

Just heard that five minutes ago! Eeeexcellent.

Because there can never be too many Princess Bride refs.

I'm at my "okay, that stopped being cute 3 weeks ago" point on "'splain/sum up." But a)I seem to reach that point pretty quickly in general and b)I approve of the ref anyhow, so don't take my grouchiness as a no.

It wasn't really a serious suggestion anyway.