This came from someone on a work-related Talk/Discussion list. Thought
it was something to think about, so I am passing it along to the lbc
lists.
NO LBC Content
-------------------------------------------- Original Message Follows
PC Week recently published a short column by Bill Machrone about the
tone of posts to discussion groups. It's called "How to tell if you're a
donkey's patootie" excerpt below:
Since no one admits to being a flamer, and it's always the other person,
this quiz will help you determine if you are, in fact, that other
person.
1 You read a message that contains information you believe to be
erroneous. You:
a sigh and go on.
b reply with a query that elicits more information.
c draft an angry response in your mind.
d post that angry response NOW.
2 Have you ever posted a message with any of the following phrases:
"You (descriptive adjective or pejorative noun)" or "You
obviously don't =
understand/know/appreciate ..."?
a Never.
b Sometimes.
c Often.
d It's in my signature file.
3 Your postings...
a what postings? I'm a lurker.
b ask what I need to know.
c answer questions when I'm sure of the answer.
d restate the replies of others, only better.
4 Within the group or forum that you most often frequent, you are:
a less knowledgeable than most.
b about average.
c more knowledgeable, but I don't flaunt it.
d without me, the group would fall into an abyss of ignorance.
5 Everyone else in the group is:
a encyclopedic and intimidating.
b just folks.
c in need of guidance.
d functionally incapable of understanding my simple,
well-articulated points.
6 Replies to your postings most often take the form of:
a sneering silence.
b reasonable discourse.
c multiple, angry diatribes.
d death threats.
7 When first entering a new group, you:
a read all the threads in awe.
b read everything but hang back.
c engage in discourse where I feel comfortable.
d respond to as many messages as possible, so people know I've
arrived.
8 Online, you most enjoy:
a reading others' conversations.
b give and take.
c getting a rise out of people.
d really making the fur fly.
9 The most important thing in an online group is:
a consensus.
b keeping threads on-topic and relevant.
c introducing new ideas and asides.
d hawking my product or service to a new, ripe audience.
Score yourself one point for every "a," two for every "b," three for
each "c" and four for each "d."
9-15 points: You're holding back.
16-22 points: You're a team player, if a bit on the quiet
side.
23-29 points: You probably get on people's nerves occasionally.
30+ points: Burn your keyboard before you inflict yourself on
anyone else.
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