The list below is broken down into specific subject areas with a general tip section at the end.  Thank you for taking the time to review this list and enjoy your time spent with us.

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Caps Lock

Sometimes people who don't realize how it comes across WILL TYPE IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS TO MAKE A POINT. The problem with doing this is that to most people it comes across AS THOUGH YOU'RE SHOUTING.

Emoticons

Using the emoticons carefully can markedly improve the clarity of your message, since they convey nuances, which approximate "body language". Like any embellishment, however, overuse of smiley faces destroys their value - use them sparingly.

Flaming

Flaming is the practice of attacking people on a personal level. It will not be tolerated.  Be courteous to other list members. Respect other people's opinions. If you disagree with them, fine, just don't resort to personal insults, do it politely. If you have a concern about a post or feel offended by a post please either contact the person privately in an e-mail or contact the manager or one of the assistant managers with your concerns.

Acronyms

Here is a list of the most commonly used acronyms.  These are case sensitive. 

• btw = by the way
• BTW = by the way, spoken in a more sarcastic tone, or loudly, to get someone's attention
• imho = In my humble opinion
• IMHO = More pompous version of In my humble opinion
• lol = Laughing out loud
• LOL = Same as lol but heartier
• brb or BRB = Be right back
• kotc = kiss on the cheek
• rotfl = rolling on the floor, laughing
• ROTFL = rolling on the floor, laughing, but more exhuberently
• rotflhms or ROTFLHMS = rolling on the floor, laughing, holding my sides
• more or MORE = the post you are reading is only part of a thought and more is coming next post
• wysiwyg or WYSIWYG = what you see is what you get
• gigo or GIGO = garbage in, garbage out
• ttfn or TTFN = ta ta for now
• ttyl or TTYL = talk to you later

Use of colored text

Colored text is a great way give personality to your message and to define sections of your post.  Many people adopt a certain color for all their posts or choose at random.  Please be careful with the use of red as it can show anger.  Also, too many changes of color can become confusing and make your post harder to read. 

General tips

• Don't expect an immediate answer. Just because you don't get an answer from someone within a day does not mean that he or she is ignoring you, and is no cause for offence.

• In general, keep to the subject as much as possible. If you need to branch off onto a totally new and different topic then it's often better to send a new message.

• Messages should be concise and to the point. Think of it as a telephone conversation, except you are typing instead of speaking. Its also important to remember that some people receive the posts via e-mail and receive hundreds of e-mail messages a day (yes, there are such people), or they are reading them from work and can not give a great deal of time to reading them.  The last thing they want to see is a message that is as long as their arm.  We understand that when first getting to know a person there is a lot of information we convey to each other (Personal Histories spanning 10 to 20 years).  We have a “personal profile” posting area for this purpose, which offers an easy to find area to go back to these histories at a more convenient time. .

• If you do use information not your own, give proper credit     

Above all else, remember that message boards are about communication with other people. When you compose a message, read it over before sending it and ask yourself what your reaction would be if you received it. Any time spent on making our messages clearer is time well spent