In general (not a defined rule or anything), threads in Members are more personal. When you want to say something that's more personal in the post and encourages more personal replies.

Go to any of your posts and click the Search link below your post. This will show you all posts for yourself.

Thanks for the tips.
But it is my threads I'd like to see in a list, not posts. Posts come and go, a thread is for life. :)

bump

There are so many good pointers to starting a thread and keeping it going and the suggestions made here are valid in all the forums.

We encourage people to post, to get involved with the community but it is also good to learn the best practices of a community.

So I always suggest looking at the people who do the best posts, reading the notices, and having fun.

I am glad this got bumped by Hal. I hadn't seen it the first time around, and I think it is important to keep discussions going. I assume that it was bumped because things are starting to degrade back again.

But the interesting theme I was getting from the prior posts was that the non mod's seem to have a concern over offending the mod's. I know I have at times had that concern. I also have had doubts about either starting a thread that would be deemed useless, partially my own self doubt, partially I don't want to potentially annoy a mod with a waste of space. Probably becuase of this, I actually prefer commenting on other's threads, and hopefully I have been informative, funny, supportive, whatever. I also hope it has been taken in the appropriate manner.

At the same time, I have been hesistant to comment on certain member's posts becuase of the nature of either the post or the member. (note that this post is predominantly responded to by mod's - not a safe territory to have a contrary opinion.) My point being: in a mature community, I know that there is a need to guide the membership in a direction, so I hope that future suggestions on style do what is intended - help not hinder the posting on TFP.

Keep in mind, I have enjoyed the TFP in all facets, and over time my focus has shifted as I have explored more. I think that the mod's are on target 99% of the time (we are all human, nobody is perfect), and as someone suggested before, it's your court, I'm just trying to get in the game and do the best I can. Hopefully I can keep up the standard that has been set by Hal and his crew.

As long as you don't flame us, we won't be offended. :)

As long as you make a visible effort in the thread to start a conversation, it won't bother anyone. Think about how you'd start a conversation in a room with a large group of people. There won't be much conversation if you ask a simple yes or no question. We're trying to promote discussion in here, so give us something to discuss. It may seem like a lot, but it really isn't. For example, rather than posting the thread "TV: Good or Bad," try "Has TV led to a decline in civility, and your thoughts on why" or something similar. A simple rewording takes a yes or no question and makes it into a discussion. Also, add your own thoughts. It doesn't take much time to add to a topic that you want to post and the effort isn't that much.

If you have a contrary opinion, post it. What we don't want is petty name calling and flaming. Keep the conversation mature and there's not a problem. If you've paid attention, there are a lot of topics (especially politics) where the mods and admins will disagree. A difference of opinion is welcome, just be civil in how you state your opinion.

You're doing great. Just kick back and have fun. That's what this place is here for. :)

For the record, when I started this post, the only members who responded to it who were mods at that time were cheerios, spectre, redravin40, and rogue49. The rest were all regular members at that time.

And never be afraid to comment a contrary position no matter who posts in the thread. As long as you are respectful of the person you are contradicting, all is good with the world of TFP. This is our stance. Polite, intelligent, thought-provoking threads.

You'll always know when you step out of line, because one of us will give you a little tap on the shoulder to remind you of where you are.

None of us (except for maybe Lebell or eyeseepeedude) bite. :lol:

i thougth you bit.. on request.

Only when asked nicely :D

I appreciate your responses. You responded how I had hoped, and I think others can learn from the posts.

Spectre - the Bears? How could I not flame you...(major sarcasm intended)

Methinks this needs a bumping. Lots of this going on, it seems...

I can't believe I never saw this thread it's first turn around. I don't think I spent as much time in GD, I was still hanging in Sexuality, writing long-ass posts about relationships. Oh well.

thank god this bubbled up to the top... this doesn't apply to just General Disussion but almost ANY forum here...