On Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:36:56 -0500, blake murphy
> wrote:

>On Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:39:23 -0600, Michel Boucher wrote:
>
>> Melba's Jammin' > wrote in news:barbschaller-
>> :
>>
>>> In article
>>> >,
>>> ImStillMags > wrote:
>>>
>>>> So, Hi. I'm hoping this board will become a favorite and a place
>>>> where I can have conversations with like minded foodies.
>>>
>>> Don't hold your breath, but if you want to be regarded as an
>>> improvement to the group, don't start any off-topic threads and try not
>>> to get hooked into them. That can be difficult, I know.
>>
>> And don't let anyone tell you there are rules. This is an unmoderated
>> newsgroup, possibly one of the oldest, and as such these suggestions
>> above are nothing more than that and have no more force than that.
>>
>> That being said, you CAN paticipate in off-topic conversations if such is
>> your desire. The only thing that a poster who disagrees with you can do
>> is killfile you, which means they won't see your posts.
>>
>> But nonetheless, here are a few broad guidelines:
>>
>> 1. You will most likely do better if you refrain from using foul
>> language, although sometimes foul language is acceptable. Know the
>> difference.
>>
>> 2. If you don't like the topic, don't open the post. That is in effect
>> the only rule and you are entirely responsible for whatever happens after
>> that. No one will have any pity for you if you whine afterwards about
>> what you read.
>>
>> 3. It's usually a faux pas of sorts to feed the trolls unless you are
>> counting coup :-) Trolls, contrary to some opinions, are not people you
>> (or others) merely disagree with, they are people who post disruptive
>> messages so they can say they "made you look". Around here, a common
>> troll would be a reference to cooking human flesh or some such thing. On
>> a .physics group, it could be posting chemistry formulas and posting pro-
>> Nazi comments on a .jewish group. A troll with self-respect will make
>> sure his post is geared to the particular newsgroup. Nothing is more
>> embarassing than a troll who targets a group with a message that is
>> intended for another.
>>
>> People here will try to mould you into a perfect little rfc'er. Don't
>> let them. Be bold, be interesting, get into it, even if it's politics or
>> religion or woodworking. Feel free to provide supporting comments on any
>> topic of your choice. Threads degenerate anyway. The more interesting
>> discussions are usually not about cooking but about attitudes.
>>
>> Oh, and there are long-standing acrimonious debates and enmities here. I
>> suggest you let those play out before you step in the middle saying:
>> Can't we all just get along?? Because the simple answer is no, we can't,
>> this is why the gods invented killfiles. Learn to use them.
>>
>> 4. Don't take anything personally. You're here to have fun and if you're
>> not having fun then you need to reassess your approach.
>>
>> 5. Try to edit your replies (as I have done) and to avoid top posting.
>> Some people here killfile top posters.
>>
>> Go forth, grasshopper...
>
>this is a pretty good set of advice. my hat's off to you, michel.
>
Except for the top posting part.


--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.