Nice job, MsCarmen!! I agree with all of them......but if we don't feed the trolls and just poke them a little, is that okay?

I duck in the corner and talk to myself, that's how I deal with the forum sometimes.

Thanks Eileen. And well, I guess if you feel you have to, a little poke ain't gonna hurt nobody

Trolls belong under a bridge where they are not seen or heard

Step1
Read the forum rules. Even if you're excited to be a member of a new forum and can't wait to join in, take the time to find the group policy page and read it thoroughly. Some forums are fussier than others about Internet etiquette.

Step2
Lurk a little before you dive right in. Read a number of posts, or check out the group's archives. Get a feel for the tone of the forum so you can participate accordingly.

Step3
Remember your face doesn't show. Words alone can convey sentiment, but without benefit of inflection or facial expression, they can be misconstrued. Use descriptive wording or emoticons to ensure your meaning is clear. By the same token, don't jump to conclusions about another person's intent in posting an unclear comment. When in doubt, ask for clarification.

Step4
Type in lowercase or standard case, not in all caps. By the rules of netiquette, all caps equates to shouting. If you type with all caps, you will annoy and possibly offend other forum members.

Step5
Say online exactly what you would say in person. In other words, if you wouldn't say it to the person's face in front of your Grandmother, you shouldn't type it into a forum.

Step6
Be respectful. Internet etiquette is similar to standard etiquette in this area. Appreciate that your opinion is one of many. You can disagree with another person without being disrespectful or rude online.

Step7
Ignore Trolls. Netiquette guidelines are very specific where they're concerned. If you engage in conversation, you'll raise your blood pressure and empower the Troll. You can't win a flame war, and you can't sway a Troll's opinion. Often, they don't even care about the subject; they live for the conflict and nothing more. Trolls are common and not worthy of your time. Ignore their posts—no matter how inflammatory—and eventually they'll get bored and move on.