Required Reading: How to prevent a flame war

[GLJIMT Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close GLJIMT]

Great and useful advice in light of recent happenings

http://www.ehow.com/how_4504946_avoid-flame-war.html

[ion.nai existential absurdist Find all posts View Profile Close ion.nai]

this is actually very well thought out.

[GL_2814 Bond, Lantern Bond Find all posts View Profile Close GL_2814]

I agree, take a look everyone!

[Caleb Lancaster The Time Traveler Find all posts View Profile Close Caleb Lancaster]

Step1
Know the community. To prevent a flame war, wait until the etiquette of the website is known before posting a message. This is called “lurking,” and it is a socially acceptable practice for learning the rules of an unfamiliar group. Prevent flaming by reading other members’ email and responses; the tone, focus and pet peeves of the posters will become clear. If somebody wants to flame another, stay out of it. In addition, it is often bothersome to others when somebody posts something off the topic of a message board thread, or carries on a personal conversation with another poster in a public forum.
Step2
Think before posting or sending an email. Because of the nature of texting versus talking, so much is lost in translation and a misunderstanding can provoke a flame war. Read all written material before posting, and examine it from every angle for words that could be offensive, insensitive or violate the etiquette and rules of the website. The most benign message can be misunderstood as a flame. Emoticons, such as a smiley face, can clarify that something is a joke rather than an insult. By exercising sensitivity, one can prevent flaming.
Step3
Don’t take the bait when somebody is flaming. Sometimes people visit websites specifically to start a flame war. These people are known as "trolls" and should be ignored. If a flame from these trolls is particularly offensive or disruptive, send an email to the site administrator, who is responsible for enforcing the etiquette and rules of the website. When a troll doesn’t get the attention that he craves, he will move on. Also consider people who may just be having a bad day; don’t say something you’ll regret later.
Step4
Clear up any mistakes that could be taken as a flame. Sometimes an email will accidentally make its way to an unintended audience, and they will think it is flaming. For example, somebody may be trying to send another person a private message, and it is inadvertently is broadcast to the entire group. In this scenario, it is good etiquette for the person to post a clarification and apology for the mistake. The rules of the website govern what kind of content is appropriate and inappropriate. Read these rules and know them.
Step5
Respect the group. Nobody likes the grammar police, but at the same time respect the forum enough not to be sloppy when writing email. Sometimes a simple grammar mistake can draw a flame, and this type of flaming should be ignored. While it’s good etiquette to try to write well, the rules of the website will almost never dictate spelling and grammar. However, thoughtful writing sets a tone that demands respect among the online community, and it will decrease the chances of a flame war.

[Marvelous Iggy God Of Turtles Find all posts View Profile Close Marvelous Iggy]

This should be a chapter in the Internet Bible

[Caleb Lancaster The Time Traveler Find all posts View Profile Close Caleb Lancaster]

This is very well thought up. I'll practice these tips from now on.

[Old School Guardian of the Universe Find all posts View Profile Close Old School]

see something like this should be stickied.

[Caleb Lancaster The Time Traveler Find all posts View Profile Close Caleb Lancaster]

Yes Sticky this.

[Nite Owl Parallax Host Find all posts View Profile Close Nite Owl]

I think this thread could be considered baiting.

[GLJIMT Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close GLJIMT]

I think this thread could be considered baiting.

How so?

[xionice The Artist Find all posts View Profile Close xionice]

That's a good idea, we just have to have Atrocitus take care of the trolls hehehehe!!!!

[Mycroft unable to translate Find all posts View Profile Close Mycroft]

Maybe the Mods can send this through email to all members..

[Bob Sachs Voice of Guy Gardner Find all posts View Profile Close Bob Sachs]

I read and reread it all, and can sum it up in ONE word ... Ready ???

[Limelantern Better than both the Salami and the Bologna combined Find all posts View Profile Close Limelantern]

I actually thought this was flamebait when I saw it too.

[Caleb Lancaster The Time Traveler Find all posts View Profile Close Caleb Lancaster]

This thread isn't Flamebait! YOU ARE!
Those are Flaming Words!