Mortime Business Software
12th February 2006, 07:03
Hello All.
I would like to offer an opinion on why I think some misunderstandings occur between members of the UKBF, and also a possible solution.
As we all know, in text-only discussions, we do not have the benefit of using facial expressions or body language to aid our communication, and communication is performed at a slower speed than face-to-face communication. It is therefore easy to read through a message too quickly, and misunderstand what the message is trying to say.
I urge anyone who wishes to participate in a debate to read the relevant messages thoroughly, and if there is anything that is not fully understood, simply to request that the poster clarify his/her position.
I think this would prevent much of the bad feeling which occurs during some very interesting debates, and instead of having threads locked, we can continue in an adult manner.
I usually find debates very stimulating and educational, but in order to maintain order in the house so to speak, I think we should impose some rules. Here are a few which I think should be adhered to...
1. Before entering a debate, read all the relevant messages thoroughly.
2. If you don't have a reasonable answer for a particular argument, do not resort to personal insults. Doing this will only decrease your credibility, and make you look like an amateur who doesn't really know what they're talking about.
3. If you need to use statistics and data to prove an argument, then make sure you have solid and trustworthy sources such as government departments which compile data and statistically analyse it.
4. If you need to use hearsay to back up an argument, then again, try to use solid and trustworthy sources such as the major news networks.
5. Do not argue simply because you're out to 'settle a score' from a previous debate. Even if you dislike a certain member, there is no reason why you cannot agree with that member in a different debate. If you do, then this could be a good way to rebuild any bridges you may have burned in the past.
6. Do not ask someone a question, then go on to answer the question yourself. Give the person a chance to answer the question, and don't assume the answer from previous comments that the person has made.
If anyone has any further rules that they think are important, please add them, and perhaps a moderator can post them as a sticky thread.
I think that having rules for debates will prevent a lot of bad feeling, and make this wonderful conference even better.
Dave
I would like to offer an opinion on why I think some misunderstandings occur between members of the UKBF, and also a possible solution.
As we all know, in text-only discussions, we do not have the benefit of using facial expressions or body language to aid our communication, and communication is performed at a slower speed than face-to-face communication. It is therefore easy to read through a message too quickly, and misunderstand what the message is trying to say.
I urge anyone who wishes to participate in a debate to read the relevant messages thoroughly, and if there is anything that is not fully understood, simply to request that the poster clarify his/her position.
I think this would prevent much of the bad feeling which occurs during some very interesting debates, and instead of having threads locked, we can continue in an adult manner.
I usually find debates very stimulating and educational, but in order to maintain order in the house so to speak, I think we should impose some rules. Here are a few which I think should be adhered to...
1. Before entering a debate, read all the relevant messages thoroughly.
2. If you don't have a reasonable answer for a particular argument, do not resort to personal insults. Doing this will only decrease your credibility, and make you look like an amateur who doesn't really know what they're talking about.
3. If you need to use statistics and data to prove an argument, then make sure you have solid and trustworthy sources such as government departments which compile data and statistically analyse it.
4. If you need to use hearsay to back up an argument, then again, try to use solid and trustworthy sources such as the major news networks.
5. Do not argue simply because you're out to 'settle a score' from a previous debate. Even if you dislike a certain member, there is no reason why you cannot agree with that member in a different debate. If you do, then this could be a good way to rebuild any bridges you may have burned in the past.
6. Do not ask someone a question, then go on to answer the question yourself. Give the person a chance to answer the question, and don't assume the answer from previous comments that the person has made.
If anyone has any further rules that they think are important, please add them, and perhaps a moderator can post them as a sticky thread.
I think that having rules for debates will prevent a lot of bad feeling, and make this wonderful conference even better.
Dave