The BT Forum Culture - a case for a higher standard? (Page 3)

I'm fine with all that (although I didn't realize it was performance members only).  I wouldn't expect it to be all (or even mostly) triathlon talk.

I guess what I saw the other night just rubbed me the wrong way.  It was a quick 5 minute foray into the chat.  I was bored and thought I'd chat with some other BT members.  What I saw was crude and immature.  I'm sure it's not always like that but I'll stick to my point that the conversations should be kept fairly PG-13ish. 

Tech_Geezer’s Rules for Posting.

I am a long time member of this group and these are my rules for me.  I really don’t expect others to share my views on use of the forums, but I do mean for my conduct to honor the ideals of Ron’s community that he described in the Guidelines for Healthy Discussion.

My goal in posting is to be informative or entertaining or, if possible, both.  I only post if I have something unique, relevant, and personal to add.  I do not repeat the conventional training wisdom; I give my own experience and ideas.  If someone asks how to fix something and I’ve done it and know how, I tell them.  If not, I let other people answer.  I rarely pass on second hand information.  When I do, I post the link rather than explain it myself.  I generally try not to be the first responder to a question. I do not think I am likely to have the best information or most pertinent experience.  Very often if I wait, my response is not needed at all.  I do think every genuine question deserves an answer; so if a thread languishes for a while without a response, I will take a stab at it. 

Humor is tricky.  It makes the forums entertaining, but for me, it has to be good clean fun.  I can make a joke about myself but I never make a joke at the expense of another person whether he or she is on this forum or not.  This includes public figures.  If I give offense, I apologize quickly and privately.  Sarcasm is especially problematic.  It can easily be misunderstood.  Frequently, it has an element of criticism or making fun of someone.  I just avoid it.  

I mean to be the same person online as I am in real life or as closely as I can within the limitations of the medium.  Of course this means to be absolutely truthful and precise about myself and my experience as I can be.  If I ran 34:20, I say 34:20 not 34.  I try to act my age and my marital status.  I am 57 years old and married for 35 years to my high school sweetheart.  I have little to add to a discussion among younger, single people about relationships so I stay out of these topics.  That does not mean I don’t read them.  I do find these discussions entertaining.  Some of you are funny at a professional level.  I just don’t post.

I try to use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.  Most of my professional work involves technical writing.  I keep my Gregg Reference Manual and Merriam-Webster dictionary handy and use them when I need them.  Because I need to be careful all the time, I do not change my writing style online.  I do not mean to be a grammar snob.  I never correct anyone else’s writing.  Other people may not place the same importance on careful writing as I; yet I can almost always understand what they mean.  That is all I need.

When I post something, I want to be understood by everyone.  Most here do not know me personally; so I try to give any information they might need to know to understand the context.  I do not use inside jokes or obliquely refer to things not known to the entire community.

I do not enter into debate.  I rarely post more than once on a thread.  If someone takes issue with what I said, I check my post.  If it is clear and I have not been misunderstood, then I let both opinions stand on their merit and say nothing further.  I find little satisfaction in political debate and avoid these topics.  I ignore any negative, argumentative, or insulting comments made in the forums.  I am not the moderator and do not want to be.

I mean to be a generous, helpful, and positive member of the community.  I used to give to every worthy cause mentioned on the site.  The solicitations have dropped off but I still give to people and causes when they crop up.  These forums are about triathlons and all sorts of personal achievements.  I try to take note of significant achievements from losing ten pounds to finishing an Ironman. 

My posts have dropped off a great deal since I first joined the community in January 2004.  I still read the forums daily but find very little that I can add.  Yes kids, I do know I am boring, and yes maybe I have too many rules.

TW