Online Ettiquette
Well, another point to be made on chatting and email (kinda an extension from my last big post)... Nearly everyone I've ever had a conflict with has agreed on this point, especially in retrospect:
If you have an issue with someone online (or offline as it also does apply, although less often nowadays), what is the best way to respond to it?
a) message the entire list/channel with your issue
b) message the person involved directly with the issue
c) message everyone else you know with the issue
d) ignore the whole thing/stay angry but keep quiet
While you would rarely answer a) or c) here, those are the most common ways in which people respond to problems. d) is also common, but problems don't always get solved that way.
How differently do two (or more) people act during an argument when it is in a public forum or a private forum? The difference is HUGE. Instead of just dealing with the issue at hand, those involved are playing for a crowd and inadvertantly swaying others' opinions as well as being affected by third party comments.
It's natural to want support in an issue, but there is a difference between getting support and trying to alter opinions or create sides.
I've seen enough fights and messes online to see a pretty straightforward pattern. In real life things apply the same way, but since mass communication is harder/slower, this sort of problem is less common.
Anyone have any opinions on this? Experiences? Random thoughts?
If you have an issue with someone online (or offline as it also does apply, although less often nowadays), what is the best way to respond to it?
a) message the entire list/channel with your issue
b) message the person involved directly with the issue
c) message everyone else you know with the issue
d) ignore the whole thing/stay angry but keep quiet
While you would rarely answer a) or c) here, those are the most common ways in which people respond to problems. d) is also common, but problems don't always get solved that way.
How differently do two (or more) people act during an argument when it is in a public forum or a private forum? The difference is HUGE. Instead of just dealing with the issue at hand, those involved are playing for a crowd and inadvertantly swaying others' opinions as well as being affected by third party comments.
It's natural to want support in an issue, but there is a difference between getting support and trying to alter opinions or create sides.
I've seen enough fights and messes online to see a pretty straightforward pattern. In real life things apply the same way, but since mass communication is harder/slower, this sort of problem is less common.
Anyone have any opinions on this? Experiences? Random thoughts?