Netiquette for 'Catters - personal safety

Subject: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: lamarca
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 11:47 AM

Acting as Miss Manners again, I thought I'd post a small reminder for 'Catters new and old...

This is a real friendly place, but folks should remember that things put up on threads are available to EVERYONE on the Web, not just our own community. Please bear that in mind when discussing things like medical problems, personal addresses and phone numbers, and other stuff that you might not want viewed by the person you're criticizing (or praising). If you're going to post personal information about another person, please make sure you have his/her permission to do so. (You have the right to post as many embarassing facts about yourself as you want to!)

Anyway, Miss Mudcat Manners will get off her soapbox now and go gossip about Big Mick's slinky evening gown...

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: Magpie
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 05:28 PM

I read you loud and clear. It makes sense to me.

Magpie

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: lamarca
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 02:19 PM

I double posted this by accident, but since the other copy is degenerating into discussions of Mr. Potato Head (can we re-name that thread, Max?), I'm refreshing this copy to keep the reminder up a day or so longer.

Please note: this thread, Gentle Readers, is not directed at anyone in particular, but as a quick reminder that the Mudcat isn't a private chat room. It's more like an international phone booth, so please be careful what info you leave written on the walls...

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 12:03 PM

LOOK WHAT I FOUND

After noticing so many threads coming down with the "mudcat grumps" I thought I would start a thread on Mudcat Manners and decided to search it first.

Reviving this thread for the newbies as well as lifers. We are never too old to learn.

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: GUEST,afraid to sign my name
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 12:38 PM

It is well to consider how others may read posts and whether what you say does more harm than good.

Remember that posting with dual identities is not allowed nor necessary on the Mudcat. You should feel free to post your views and stand by them. There is no reason to be afraid of using your handle. Should you encounter a problem of personal attack, please contact Joe or Mick. This will be allowed to stand, but please do NOT make a habit of it. Thank You, Muderator

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 12:45 PM

And remember it isn't just a matter of being seen by people who happen to open up the Mudcat. It's liable to turn up through a Google search on anything you mention in the post as well.

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 01:04 PM

netiquette

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: GUEST,also not signing my name...
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 01:45 PM

My mother's maiden name, coincidentally, happens to be the same as the surname of a certain musician who became very famous in the 1960s. It's a not-very-common Irish name that is quite similar to a much-more-common name.

Before the celebrity in question burst onto the worldwide public stage, people would invariably get the name wrong and we'd have to correct them. After that person became famous and ever since, no such problem.

I have a number of funny anecdotes about the confusion surrounding this accident of fate, some of them involving starstruck teenage girls calling my Grandma on the phone and asking if {first-name} were there. Gram would assume they were inquiring after my kid brother and tell them, "no, but he'll be here for Sunday dinner."

Were it not for the fact that "mother's maiden name" has become an important identifier for protecting personal identity on the web, I would have told you these stories years ago. As for now, I'm taking the double precaution of posting anonymously and also omitting the name...

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 01:52 PM

Brilliant The Villan. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: peregrina
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 02:03 PM

Thanks VirginiaTam and Villan.

So why is the muderator posting by anonymous handle?!

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 02:21 PM

The Muderator appended the text in green italics to the post by GUEST,afraid to sign my name as a message to that person.

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: Big Mick
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 02:31 PM

One thing to remember is that Max decreed his intent in the last week, and one of the things he said was:

Perhaps you all can help me to not have to use a broad sword to bring a more academic/useful/professional/courteous/polite tone to specifically the UK discourse by doing it yourselves. Unlike your government, I wish not to get involved, but it seems I must.


By extension that means that it is his intent that we get back to the environment that has no need of going anonymous for fear of flames. And this fits in with our policy of not using dual identities. Stay civil, remember we are a village of sorts, and that we can discuss things (even controversial things) in a civil manner. Nothing in the Muderator comment suggested that one cannot use a handle. But one must use a consistent identity, and take ownership of one's comments.

Mick

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 03:11 PM

Unless one is posting in the Secret Santa threads or needs to remain anonymous for personal reasons such as asking about a health concern. We've had that instance come up a time or two and it was okay to post anon. to avoid embarrassment, but not in excess.

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: Big Mick
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 03:13 PM

kat, those things are the rare exception rather than the rule. If it is something of that order, it is fine. But the idea of not using your handle to avoid having to stand accountable for your posts is not allowable. The biggest offenders in the past have been those that use these multiple handles to continue flaming and trolling activities.

The general rule is easy. Use a consistent handle. A justifiable exception can be made, but it should be rare.

Mick

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 03:23 PM

A justifiable exception can be made, but it should be rare.

I have found it helpful, when I've thought it a good idea to do such a thing, to drop a note to a trusted clone in advance. Not for permission, but for transparency and so that there is a sense of potential, negative incursions.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: Megan L
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 04:17 PM

Mick I take it the following was a quote please could you direct me to it so i can read what was said for myself. Thank you

"Perhaps you all can help me to not have to use a broad sword to bring a more academic/useful/professional/courteous/polite tone to specifically the UK discourse by doing it yourselves. Unlike your government, I wish not to get involved, but it seems I must."

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: Big Mick
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 04:24 PM

Sure, Megan. To get the context, bear in mind that the posting was done by Max within a day or so of his update thread. It shows you where his head is at, and that is to return civility to the forum, end the bickering, and see to it that the forum reaches its potential.

The original post is HERE in the sixth paragraph.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: gnu
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 04:50 PM

Mick said... "...bear in mind that the posting was done by Max within a day or so of his update thread." Ya gotta read em both.

Subject: RE: Netiquette for 'Catters
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 07:32 PM

Of course, Mick. I was not arguing the point. Just making sure newbies etc. know it is okay in certain cases.

(Maybe ye could whittle that shillelagh doon a wee bit?*G*)