How NOT to appear foolish on the internet.

Published on December 23, 2004 By Ravenblack In Internet

One assumes that you have the best of intentions to begin with...

1) If you are new to a website, community, blog or forum, be sure to read the FAQ and rules first.

2) Read everything properly and thoroughly before responding.

3) If you don't want to risk a nasty response, don't post anything at all.

4) Never put more than 3 exclamation marks in a post. If all your sentences end with exclaimation marks, it makes you look like spam.

5) Don't laugh at your own jokes. Avoid ending your sentences with LOL. (Ironically, I just did.)

6) If you aren't sure about something or how to do something, ask nicely.

7) Don't post links without telling people where they lead to. Don't click on links if you don't know where they go.

8 ) Don't post links to prank "click and get counted" sites and scam sites.

9) Poetry.com and its affiliates are scams. Don't boast about entering and being accepted into their contests. (Read about these scams and more: link )

10) Don't post your email address in your signature because you will be spammed. Don't post other people's email address or personal particulars without permission.

11) A cookie file is not a virus.

12) Don't assume everyone's American.

Comments (Page 1)

Sally jacobs

on Dec 23, 2004

Good set of rules, though I have to say I am guilty of a few. Four and Five especially, I am forever laughing at myself and I get a little over excited with exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hehe!

Ravenblack

on Dec 23, 2004

Well, at least you are funny. Some people aren't, and when they laugh at their own jokes, it just grates grumpy-me.

Sally jacobs

on Dec 23, 2004

it just grates grumpy-me.

Ahhh you're not grumpy at all, I know exactly what you mean. I especially like number twelve, so many people are guilty of that.

BlueDev

on Dec 23, 2004

Excellent list Raven. To the first I would also suggest lurk, lurk, lurk.

Before entering and jumping in with both feet it can be a good idea to take some time to read and get a feeling for the site first. I vividly recall learning my lesson with this on Usenet. I was posting in some music group an a thread titled "Greatest Power Trios". Some ham posts something about Greenday and I ripped him a new one about how they are relatively talentless hacks compared to some of the other power trios out their (Rush will always be #1 in that regard for me). He then reposted some really nasty, but pretty funny response about how brilliant Greenday is. It was only later that I realized he was joking, but since I hadn't lurked at all wasn't familiar with the attitude and tone of the group at all.

Lurk, lurk, lurk!

Floozie

on Dec 23, 2004

Agreed, agreed, agreed.

I especially love the last one. Sure, the majority of people probably are, but give us foreigners a chance!

Happy Holidays, Raven.

Suz xxx

Cordelia

on Dec 23, 2004

Excellent advice, thank you!

Manopeace

on Dec 23, 2004

Don't assume everyone's American.

Thank you

Ravenblack

on Dec 23, 2004

Thanks for the responses, everybody. Guess a lot of non-Americans have come across point no 12.

BlueDev
>>It was only later that I realized he was joking, but since I hadn't lurked at all wasn't familiar with the attitude and tone of the group at all.

Good point. It does do one well to lurk for while to get a feel of the community before jumping into it.

Floozie, Happy Holidays to you too.

joeKnowledge

on Dec 27, 2004

I always assume everyone is American (or from the USA).

The internet is free!!! I can express anything I want on any website! Its my right as an... human being!

Jafo

on Dec 27, 2004

The first 12 of probably a thousand.....before you really begin to start to attempt to try to be seen to endeavour to belong...

Solosturm

on Dec 27, 2004

yeah, i am guilty of assuming everyone to be American.
Although for the life of me i wish i was not in america, but Canada.

Ravenblack

on Dec 27, 2004

JoeK:

Jafo: I agree.

craeonics

on Dec 28, 2004

#13: Don't post. You'll always look foolish in the eyes of someone.

Good list though. Though #12 will probably only happen to Americans, don't you think?

WOM

on Dec 28, 2004

WOM posted something like this a few years ago, but a lot shorter. Went something like this:

Pretend your talking to your parents when you post.

But as I've seen since, the kids (not all) talk to their parents like they are talking to some idiot friends. So I guess this is outdated.

Good list and hope people will read and heed it.

butch123

on Dec 28, 2004

craeonicsn i agree with you,that You'll always look foolish in the eyes of someone.Or someone will try to make you look foolish.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!