Rules for Playing on the Internet

(at least these are the ones I try to go by)

1. Assume good faith. (Lifted directly from dpchallenge.com).
Whenever I read something someone has written, I try to remember that I do not have their body language or voice inflections to tell me if it is sarcastic, a joke, or serious. I also try to remember that most people don't set out to deliberately offend me. So, assuming good faith means that I am simply going to give you the benefit of the doubt if you are a complete and total jerk online.

2. If you wouldn't say it to their face, don't say it to your keyboard.
People will post much differently online than they would act in "real life." This can be good, but more often than not, it is used for *evil.* When you are posting something, try to remember that the person reading the resultant pixels are someone's daughter/father/grandmother/uncle/best friend (hopefully not all at once).

3. It is JUST the Internet.
You don't have to be right. AND, you don't have to prove that you are right. Rather than argue about the semantics of the definition of "is," walk away, hug your kids and cook a pork roast or something. It really isn't worth getting your blood pressure up because someone you have never met disagrees with you.

4. Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold.
If you must argue, don't call people (even in broad sweeping brushstrokes) names -- that just makes you look beligerent and unintelligent, know what you are talking about (let google be your friend), and KNOW WHEN TO SHUT UP!!!!! And, when it is time to shut up, SHUT UP! If the "discussion" has come to the point where you are calling someone names, or someone is calling you names, you have passed the point of SHUT UP!, and you probably deserve to be jack-slapped.

5. Know to whom you are speaking.
What I find hilarious could be mildly (or mostly) offensive or even perverse to others. Keep this in mind. If you are on the recieving end of it, refer to rule number 1.


(It may also be noted that PMS nullifies all the of the above.)