Advice: Posting on the forums

[Mele]

'If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all.'

I know we all, player and staff alike, appreciate our debaters People who come with facts and come hard. People who stand with white flags for the unpopular side. It gives us perspective, and views we may not have. Keep this up!

I think when several players express a discontent to view forums we need to all take a moment to rethink our posting.

Speaking as a sometimes snarky and quick poster(Though I'd argue moreso misunderstood! ;D) the best advice I can give is this:

- If you know something fuels a certain rage in you, do not reply immediately. Wait a few hours, and come back to it calmer with the initial rage quelled. Evaluate if you even need to reply at all.

- Sometimes writing something when we're angry helps to quell to anger in general, if you write something immediately use the 'save' button, come back and review it later and remove anything that simply doesn't need to be said.

- Don't assume. Lots of things can be assumed and misguide us. A good example is: Just because someones post doesn't include a detail you think of doesn't mean it's against that detail. Add your thoughts! But don't be accusatory of the poster of being against or careless towards the detail. If you're going to assume anything, assume the best of peoples intentions!

- Don't say things you don't need to say. You don't need to call any single person out. If your numbers, knowledge and facts are correct you shine better by being the calmer poster.

- Come with fact, but know all opinions matter. Just because something someone suggests is not the letter of the law doesn't mean it's not appropriate for our setting here. Everyone deserves their chance to be heard.

- If you've made a solid point, it will be considered no matter how many differing opinions are offered. Don't forget that. No one's opinion is a threat to your own opinion's potential.

- Don't take things personally. Just because someone's opinion is directly opposite of yours does not mean it's always against you, or your opinion. Know the difference.

- Take it to PM. Does something bother you so much you feel like you absolutely have to say something? PM the player politely. IE: Hey, I really feel like that was a personal attack is there something we can fix personally? Or debate here as to not derail the thread? (Though in general, it should be something pretty big if you cannot be the bigger person and ignore!)

- If something is well meaning and well said, do you really need to offer more than 'Well said! I agree!' - always think of that before you reply, to keep people feeling good about something they might have put effort into!

- We're all human. If you slip up, only you can 'take it back'. "You're right, I was a little harsh in my previous post and I apologize. Let's get back on topic." - easy and honest words that go far.

Remember, for as much as we push voting we need to back that up with a happy and welcoming environment for new players. A player could easily be turned off with the simple view of angry posts, and the inevitable feeling of unwelcome.

We're a community and every single one of us adds something to this game, everyone has the opportunity to add as much as they like and in posting in the forums they can do that better. Think like a family. Sure your brother and sister annoy you. Sure you think differently. But should you really shoot back with a scathing remark, or let it lie because they're your sibling and as hair brained as they can be, they contribute to your family, and you as a person. :)

[Mask]

Well said. Remember: just because you're right, doesn't make you right. The ultimate aim of the community is to make a better game for everyone. If you are posting to 'win' an argument or 'defend your honour', take it to PMs ...or just go outside and get some fresh air! Everyone has the same ultimate aim: to enjoy playing FK, let's not lose sight of that.

[Tarven]

You guys are absolutely right. I've been taking things far too personally, and letting other events bother me more than is justifiable.

I will endeavor to respect others' opinions, not be so critical, not to take differing opinions as personal attacks, and to step away to post later if I feel myself getting frustrated at another poster.