Topic Poll

Personally I don't see private messages as a license to be any less civil than in public, just as a way to avoid taking a thread off topic or taking up board space with something that is only of interest to one person. I have found it to be a good policy not to say anything in email or private message that I wouldn't be ok with the whole world seeing. I don't think that keeping "abuse" private is a good idea in almost any context. Lindsay I don't have a beef with you. I'm not sure that PM should be made public though. In this very thread and others we are told to take it to PM or "get a room" because people don't want to see it. I think that goes for more animated discussion too. I try not to fling poo because someone flings it back and in the end we all just end up stinking. I try not to upset people but of course you cannot please everyone all of the time either. I'll be anyone's friend if given the chance. As for keeping things ordered, which I know you like, I think a few more "back on topic" comments in a thread that's getting a little diverted would go a long way for some on the spot remedial action. Rather that than lying in the culvert of the forum to jump out and attack posters on a clearly labelled light hearted thread. Or even PM the offending party to explain the issue and see if they'll edit themselves. A quiet word in discreet fashion is more likely to work than a confrontation...not that I am a politician by any stretch. Lastly, my comments were not directed at you either Lindsay, just trying to capture the issue and offer some hopefully beneficial analysis.

Personally I don't see private messages as a license to be any less civil than in public, just as a way to avoid taking a thread off topic or taking up board space with something that is only of interest to one person. I have found it to be a good policy not to say anything in email or private message that I wouldn't be ok with the whole world seeing. I don't think that keeping "abuse" private is a good idea in almost any context. Lindsay I don't have a beef with you. I'm not sure that PM should be made public though. In this very thread and others we are told to take it to PM or "get a room" because people don't want to see it. I think that goes for more animated discussion too. I try not to fling poo because someone flings it back and in the end we all just end up stinking. I try not to upset people but of course you cannot please everyone all of the time either. I'll be anyone's friend if given the chance. As for keeping things ordered, which I know you like, I think a few more "back on topic" comments in a thread that's getting a little diverted would go a long way for some on the spot remedial action. Rather that than lying in the culvert of the forum to jump out and attack posters on a clearly labelled light hearted thread. Or even PM the offending party to explain the issue and see if they'll edit themselves. A quiet word in discreet fashion is more likely to work than a confrontation...not that I am a politician by any stretch. Lastly, my comments were not directed at you either Lindsay, just trying to capture the issue and offer some hopefully beneficial analysis.