Message board guidelines
Go to the VOC message board now.
These guidelines are designed to help keep the message board more organized. They make it easier to find the information you are looking for on the board, and make things a lot less confusing. Please try to abide by the guidelines as much as possible. Nobody is trying to be mean, so don't take personal offense, it's just nicer to have things in order.
Post a single thread for each topic
For instance, if there is a message board thread to organize a trip, post the trip report and photo links to the same thread. One thread per topic only please; it really helps keep the board less cluttered and you don't have to navigate through a ton of threads to find out who is driving to Longhike (for instance). When, half way through the planning stage, your destination changes, it is permissible to start a new thread with the new destination in the title, and a note (or even better a link) on the old thread pointing to the new thread.
Put the date and destination of a proposed trip in the message title
- Sphinx Hut Ski Trip Jan 12-13 = Good
- Sphinx Hut this weekend = bad. Once the weekend of the trip passes, the title become confusing
- Anyone want to go skiing Jan 12-13. Ok because you haven't decided on a destination yet. Repost a new thread once the destination is settled, or leave it as is if the thread is short enough to read through.
- Anyone want to do something tomorrow = Very bad - does not specify the date or destination
Think about who is supposed to get this message, and to which message you are responding
Sometimes in very active threads, people can't tell which message you are reffering to. There is a "threaded" view option that should help with this, but most people don't use it, so it is better to be clear.
- Meeting is at 7pm Tuesday in the Clubroom = Good
- OK 7 pm = bad. What's happening at 7?
- I want a ride. Not so likely to get you a ride because it isn't addressed to anybody in particular, but sometimes that's the best you can do. At least you asked.
- Jordan, give me a ride in your car, please = Better, but why not phone Jordan and ask him directly, or email him?
- Hey Joe from Longhike... = Better to send an email to all the Joes in the Member List to track him down.
Try to minimize unnecessary postings
Try to avoid meaningless chit-chat on the board. The reason for this guideline is so that people who are trying to organize a trip don't have to keep reading the thread with new messages to see if there has been an important change. Of course everyone posts some funny comments sometimes, and this is generally acceptable, but don't go overboard. Before you post, think about whether it is worthwhile, or whether the banter has been going on too long already.
Etiquette
- Try to keep personal jokes to a minimum, as they create an exclusive/clique-y feel that discourages new members from becoming involved. If you want to make fun of a friend, let us all share in the joke.
- Insulting and judgemental comments are totally inappropriate. Your beliefs are not necessarily shared by everyone else, so keep arguments and discussions polite. Remember when posting that the feeling that you want to convey in your post may not come across to the people reading it.
- DON'T USE EXCESSIVE CAPITALIZATION. IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE SHOUTING AND IS RUDE!!!!!!!
Embed hyperlinks in messages
Enter the text like this (don't forget the "http://"):
<http://www.mec.ca>
And it turns into this:
General interest topics only
The message board is not a substitute for email. If you have a message for a particular person, or a specific group of people, do not post it on the message board. The email addresses of all club members can be looked up in the Member List section of the website. Here is a real example of what not to do (names changed to protect the innocent):
Gordon Campbell Please Read Author: Stephan Harper (---.vc.shawcable.net) Date: 12-12-06 09:58 Hi Gordo, I forgot my draft rape and pillage policy in your car!! Its a black suitcase that was in the front seat between you and Foxy - my Snoop Dog CD is also in your player. If we could me up before I go back to Ontarible on the 21st taht would be great - I will come east. Let me know Stephan