Sometimes we draw an analogy between the discussion board and the pub. We did so in our Guidelines for Reading a Discussion Board. A discussion board is a great technology for exchange of facts and views, but it is not a good vehicle for an argument.

On the other hand some people relish a good argument down the pub. There is a long established pub tradition in which apparently bitter banter is exchanged between the best of friends. When you are sarcastic in the pub your friends can see the twinkle in your eye, and the smirk on your face, they know that you have just bought them a drink. A rhetorical tone might work well in this sort of face to face conversation, where the participants may respond immediately to the reactions of others. However a discussion board is a text only medium. All we have here are the hurtful words, not the softening gestures. A straight forward style works best on a discussion board.

Similarly, making an oblique reference to another person might work well in a face to face conversation, but in the text only medium it just sounds like your are simply being deliberately rude and inflammatory. Again, a straightforward style is the one most likely to produce useful results. So don't say "Our resident bear says that this will crash and burn...". Instead, either just say what you think or address Barney directly.

Reading Guidelines

1. Can You Trust What You Read Here?

Posting Guidelines

2. Make Your Posts Informative
3. Civil Discussion for Mutual Benefit
4. We Cannot Give Advice by E-mail
5. Make it Readable and People Will Respond
6. You Are in a Public Forum
7. Treat Copyright Right
8. No Advertising or Solicitation
9. No Touting, Hyping or Other Disruptions
10. No Spamming
11. A Message Board is Not a Pub
12. Hands Up If You Have Used a Poll

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