The Art of Online Communication

[Linus]

Thanks for the responses. I know that I personally, at times, have stopped listening in some threads but I've learned that when I do that, to try to step back and come back at another time once I've digested things a bit more.


The two of you that did respond (and those perhaps reading) I'm curious if you equate someone disagreeing with a post (let's say that they go through your post point-by-point and address each one individually rather than the post as a whole) as being against you as an individual? Do you ever feel slighted if people are continually on the other side of the fence than you (whatever that fence is)?

[Dude]

Linus,

I was really an ass to you once ( maybe twice? ) when you were talking all computer techy to me.
I was frustrated and sooo lost in your terminology I got snippy ,rude and felt like you were talking down to me.
Anyway , you didnt deserve that and I am truly sorry

and thanks for the horse

[Linus]

Originally Posted by Dude

Linus,

I was really an ass to you once ( maybe twice? ) when you were talking all computer techy to me.
I was frustrated and sooo lost in your terminology I got snippy ,rude and felt like you were talking down to me.
Anyway , you didnt deserve that and I am truly sorry

and thanks for the horse

I appreciate the apology but I'll have to admit that I don't remember (it's something to do with getting old and memory being the 2nd thing to go). And I tend to give people who are in dire tech situations more leeway because I know frustration tends to get the better of us.

Even me at times. Ask Medusa and she'll tell ya.

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by Linus

The two of you that did respond (and those perhaps reading) I'm curious if you equate someone disagreeing with a post (let's say that they go through your post point-by-point and address each one individually rather than the post as a whole) as being against you as an individual? Do you ever feel slighted if people are continually on the other side of the fence than you (whatever that fence is)?

I actually enjoy being disagreed with, if it's respectful. That's one way to learn and grow as a human being. I do, however, start getting snippy and irritated when it's the same person repeatedly addressing my posts, even if there's really nothing to address (stirring the pot, so to speak). I also get upset if I feel I am explaining myself the best way(s) I can and everyone that posts seems to get it except one person and that person lambasts me over and over for no apparent reason, other than personal gripes.

For me, mostly, it's about the tone and the inflection I interpret in folks' posts. If I feel that someone is being condescending and snotty (without having permission to be snotty to me regularly....an example would be Diva...not that she IS snotty to me but it's something that is allowed in our friendship because we're both quite snarky and sassy at times and sometimes it just works for us) to me, I feel my hackles rise. I don't get too bothered if someone's passionate about something. I'm Italian...I can do passion....but if they are obviously (to me, in my own interpretation) falling fast and furiously off the deep end, the length of my rope shortens significantly.

Honestly, I might get my feelings hurt if I was constantly corrected or rebuked for my beliefs but, unless it was extreme, I wouldn't carry it with me beyond that moment of passing hurt.

[Linus]

I read the following two articles:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/16373...ne_forums.html

http://www.pcworld.com/printable/art...printable.html

And some of it was dead on (particularly the comment about the various types of "idiots" on forums today). I'll admit to be a few of those idiots at one time or another. :P

[Medusa]

Originally Posted by Linus

I read the following two articles:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/16373...ne_forums.html

http://www.pcworld.com/printable/art...printable.html

And some of it was dead on (particularly the comment about the various types of "idiots" on forums today). I'll admit to be a few of those idiots at one time or another. :P

Ha! A coworker actually just forwarded the "village idiot" one to me and I admit to having a chuckle over it

[Medusa]

This is one of my personal faves:

http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/

It's a listing of "Flame Warriors". Internet personalities that I bet we can identify

Just click the little drop-down box on the right and there is a huge list with some pretty amusing descriptions.

edited to add: It seems that author has employed a large amount of sexism to get his humor across so, just beware ahead of time.