Message Board Rant!
  Written By Raven

Realising I'm overstating what you already know, there are many fine resource boards on the Internet. Having said that, I've read and continue to read quite a few of them, even before entering the adult world. Since the early nineties, I've seen creative messages that made me laugh, thoughtful, provocative posts that caused me to charge up my brain cells and think.

Too often, I see drive-through personas, with messages that boggle my mind. If it were only a one time deal, I'd scroll and move on. Unfortunately, there are those who find themselves an audience, willing or not, and settle in for the long haul. No amount of message deletions stop them. When their welcome is worn out on one board, they go to another. I cannot bring myself to believe that you don't know who you are.

There is such a thing as Internet netiquette. I appreciate the friends I've made on the Internet. I've met many of these same folks in person. Their personalities, unlike yours, remain true to their personas on the boards. They are helpful and friendly, give great hugs, and know the difference between spam and promotion. Whoever you are in real time is not who you are on the net. You brag, boast and complain the fastest. You're the first to personally attack others and call them names. When you try to sell something, you end your post with "If it's worth my time, I'll cook something up for ya". Your drive-by spam advertising takes up most of the page and is wholly uninteresting.

Not in any particular order, you are also guilty of:

If any of us acted this way in public, we'd be removed. Or given a well deserved spanking. Since few can afford plastic surgery to change their appearance, there's something about being identifiable that keeps our manners in tact. Mostly. Not so on the Internet. It's simple to throw away an identity and replace it with a new one. I've seen men successfully portray themselves as women in chat rooms. And, vice versa. This is not a gender thing. Grown men and women, who should know better, hide behind their keyboards and spew forth invective at any and all.

Here's what bothers me the most. I'm sorry you had a bad day. You didn't get laid. There wasn't enough bourbon or beer to last you through the night. That your web page is designed to sell nothing. When your dog peed on your carpet, I was truly touched. When your drug supplier didn't show up for his appointment, I shed tears. Because you skimmed a post without actually reading, you misinterpreted what was being written. Instead of thinking first, you vomited your reaction.

Whatever your reason for being upset, sad, depressed or angry might be of interest to me, If --
You didn't use the message boards as your personal punching bag.
When you're having difficulty selling your product, you asked, instead of demanded.
Your need for attention takes it's form in angry diatribe.
You introduced yourself first and got to know me.

When you don't have a good day, it's not my fault. It's not even my problem. If you're not making money, why do I have to be the recipient of your words blaming everyone and everything, except your own poorly conceived marketing concepts. If you have a problem with your sponsor, use the email system. If you don't get a response, there's something called a phone. Pick it up and dial it. If all else fails, use snail mail. There's a very powerful tool at your disposal. Remove the ads and close your account. You're not the first person on the Internet to be burned. I guarantee you won't be the last. It's all part and parcel of the business of doing business. Learn from your mistake or theirs. Move on. Your jealousies and insecurities have no place on these boards. If you think resources are the place to vent your spleen, then you have missed the entire purpose of these cozy havens.

On the other hand, if you introduce yourself, realise that tantrums really do NOT work, contribute to the boards of your choice, refrain from instant judgments, you might just make some friends. Even better. You might just get some positive attention and help in marketing your product.

There is never an excuse for poor manners. Never.