EndoLounge Etiquette

**webmaster**

EndoLounge Etiquette
Below are a few guidelines for use of the EndoLounge.

Some definitions you may need:

Post: Any message posted to the EndoLounge
Subject: The title of a post
Thread: A string of posts, all replies, or replies of replies, to an original post
Topic: The subject of the original post that starts a thread - i.e. what the thread is about

Be nice

No 'flaming' - in other words, avoid personal attacks, pettiness, abuse. Respect other users, and if you disagree with them, explain why.
No 'trolling' - trolls are posts deliberately designed to provoke an angry response. That doesn't mean you can't be controversial, if you really mean it.
No personal disputes - if it gets personal, take it offline.
Don't be patronising or sarcastic. It comes across about ten times worse online.
Avoid typing in ALL CAPS, which is considered shouting or yelling.
Learn to let go - don't keep harping on about the same thing, or harking back to previous arguments. It is rarely productive to do so, and you always end up going round in circles.
If someone else's post offends you, don't immediately fight back online. Consider whether they really meant to cause offence. It can be easy to sound rude without meaning to, especially if English is not your native language. However, if you really are troubled by the post, don't respond - use the Report feature instead. More help on how to use the Report feature can be found in the Help section.

Be effective

Post in the most appropriate section (and only in one section).
Stay on topic - try to focus on the original topic. In particular, don't change subject in the middle of an existing thread - just start a new topic.
Conversely, don't start a new topic if your post relates to an existing one - reply to the existing thread instead. Make sure you reply to the appropriate post, not just the last post in the thread
When starting a new topic, make the subject line clear and informative. It makes the topic easy to find.
Make sure you're understood, even by non-native English speakers. Try to write full sentences, and avoid text-message abbreviations or slang.
If asking a question, provide as much information as possible, what you've already considered, where you've already read etc.
Read what's already there before posting. You may be repeating what others have already said or asked.

If you are reported for a breach of etiquette repeatedly, we may have to take action to prevent you from using the EndoLounge in the future, so please adhere to these guidelines strictly.
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Kindest regards
Paul