C&H etiquette

Lorien

Lorien

Nose to the Grindstone
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Dec 5, 2005
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I'm opening this thread to you all so you can suggest your Golden Rules of C&H.

I'll compile and condense them into an easily digestible format that we can all use to guide us in our efforts to both stimulate conversation and to maintain comity.

Thanks for your help!
 
Manners manners manners

We are all guilty at times of answering or responding to people in snarky ways

I know I personally have had my moments over the years

I see both sides of the coin

Many forums have just been reduced to slaps on the back and many would like more meat and potatoes and thought producing discussion

the problem is people by nature love train wrecks

so even though we all don’t like threads that go down the slippery slope there is no denying that those threads garner many more views than any other

it’s the world we live in

the mods have become the police and this is unfair to them

they take on added responsibility for no pay ....and in ones busy life it is a lot to ask from someone

so their job becomes one of a playground supervisor

so to not show favoritism they must draw a line

this is the manners part

when someone steps out of line as long as the bad manners flag does not go up they have to let it run

we all know what bad manners are

direct insults ...name calling.....things that in general you would not say to someone in person in public

now we will always get the .....I speak to people the same way in person comments

well let me tell you being someone that has been here awhile and knows many on the forums that is simple not true

I always said everyone on any forum should have to all be in the same room at least once a year together..... you would see a lot more civility if people had names and faces to associate with

anonymity of the internet has made people rude

I participate in a few forums

there was a time when I had a rather large presence in the world of archery

it is the same there

you would eventually see many of the key players at the numerous archery shoots around the country so the actual ones that would attend shoots seemed to treat each other with more respect

regretfully forums in general are dying off

platforms like Instagram are where the views are at

that leaves the forums as the last bastion of discussion

some of us do not do Facebook

so it is a double edged sword

we want the conversation not just the slaps on the back and if we are ever going to keep the forums alive we need to encourage the conversations but the edgy ones are the ones people flock to

It’s quite the conundrum and i do not envy the mods

We are fortunate to have Lorien

I said it in another thread

He cares more than we deserve

He’s been around and loves the world of knives and knows manny of the players so he tries to be fair

Even if we can’t find common ground at times between each other we need to try and adhere to not making the mods job harder

Manners
 
1). Maintain or enhance the self esteem of the person you're agreeing/disagreeing with.

2) Coat everything you say with sugar because you may have to eat it later on.
 
Yes...be polite. You can say anything that needs to be said but be tactful and respectful.

Get rid of the "LIKE" button. It's lazy. I'm guilty of using it too. If you want to promote discussion then don't make it easy to click the button and move on. If you want people to engage in your posts then have the courtesy to take a few moments to offer your thoughts in others' posts. It has been discussed many times how the forum needs fresh blood. If you want to build more participation from newer makers then encourage them. Take the time to give some useful constructive criticism if necessary. I like the slaps on the back too, if it is justified, but my interest is more focused on improvement. I look to you more experienced makers and collectors as "big brothers" who can pass on the benefit of your experience and expertise.

I might also add, that giving is the flip side of getting. So many of us have benefited from WIP threads. If a maker feels they are at the point in their development where they have their process pretty well dialed in then perhaps they should think about giving back and offer a WIP of their own.
 
No rules other than courtesy. Forum rules = BS to protect special interests. By the way, per the rules, this thread belongs in Tech Support :)
 
Common courtesy, as is expected anywhere. A subset of rules will create a hesitation to participate in my opinion.

A more productive thread might be "What is the goal of the Customs & Handmade Sub?" (Sorry, C&H just reminds me of the old pure cane sugar jingle and it sticks in my head). A thread like that might clarify things because I don't see any new blood starting threads. Instead of a welcome mat for new enthusiasts, it seems to be a bit of an echo chamber. I don't mean that in a negative sense but shouldn't this be the place for members to learn about Custom knives?

My apologies for being off on a tangent, but I think we should be considering how to welcome folks instead of giving them suggestions on how to behave.

Lorien, I am at your service.

John
 
I think we should call Lorien, "Mando" from now on for moderating this forum.
 
I think in terms of etiquette, it's covered above. "Do unto others..." Kind of like dealing with kids (or other humans), balancing criticism with some complements or positive feedback makes sense. Constructive criticism vs demoralizing critique if you will.

This is straying off topic, but since it was mentioned...Interesting comments about forums dying off. One of the major downsides to Instagram is the LACK of discussion, so I sure hope forums are not dying off. I haven't noticed that. But there is certainly the shift to IG for sales. And on the sales front, there are some scary pricing trends based on fame or adoration for relatively new makers...like veteran, highly sought after maker pricing from newbie makers who are still learning the craft...and people are paying it!
 
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ALL online forums are a bit of the Wild West: Good behavior is aspirational at best, and futile at worst. Can't change that.

JParanee JParanee set this straight: I remind myself, no matter how rowdy the words are, there is a REAL human being at the end of every keyboard.

I choose my words VERY carefully. I have 11k+ posts here and I had almost that many in other forums combined.

I HAVE to stay neutral and kind. EVERY one of the members or viewers is a potential client or source. However, being kind isn't a stretch. It comes naturally.

'Attaboys' are not simply Kumbaya. They are nurturing and effective to our NEED to be validated and to continue our paths.

Positivity is good.

HERE IS WHAT I FEEL IS NEEDED:

There is a constant grey area of "Can I add a critique or not? I see something I want to comment on...."

90% of display threads are just that. Without an invitation to offer feedback, it's 'Show and Tell'.

When a new thread is posted there are options:

Screen-Shot-2019-12-17-at-12.10.04-PM.jpg

What if...... there was a prefix: 'Feedback OK' (This is different from 'Review'.)

It would open the door to meaningful discussion, because it's allowed. There for all to see, and the SAME rules of courtesy apply. Be kind!

If nothing labeled, then it's simply 'Show and tell'. Unless you ask.

BTW: I see a LOT of Display threads by talented makers who never add into our discussions. It does not go unnoticed. :(

This is MY suggestion going forward. This would take some convincing to @Spark, yet THIS forum (and others?!) would easily benefit.

Instagram/Facebook/Others are growing. We CAN'T stay stagnant. Discussion is all that elevates us, so let's ENCOURAGE it.
 
#1 general rule of Internet discussion forum use: If you get angry, you lose. :D
 
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