Hi Bogdan;
you said...
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there is quite different story when it comes to exchange of information on the forums. There is quite different mentality there. People usually would not say things as directly to their friends in an offline world.
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That is very true. Sitting in front of a keyboard instead of face to face makes some people ruder. I think there are also people who are equally rude online and offline. Many people seek friendships online because they do not have many friends offline. And, to add it it, a post on a forum does not have the verbal inflections that talking face to face has.
When I speak to someone, they can see my smile and they can see my eyes twinkle, so they know when I am teasing. They can not see those online. When I am serious, they can see that, and when I am concerned they can see the look of concern on my face. The internet offers none of that. It is easy to read words more harsh than they are meant, and to type them that way, too.
To me, the line of what is and is not acceptable is any public attack that names another person. That is simply not appropriate. Period. In my forum, I use the guideline that if a name is used, it may not be to publicly ridicule or attack the person named. Period.
It is possible to debate issues and programs without stooping to criticizing people by name. More folks need to learn to think before they hit the post button. If their posts were deleted they would learn to think first. Or they would leave.
If they choose to leave, it would probably benefit Adland in the long run more than allowing it to continue, because each time a public bashing takes place, more and more members stop recommending Adland to non-Adland friends. I know of several members that stopped recommending this site because of the last couple of bashing incidents. The public bashings are harming Adland more than losing a member or two would.
And while I am speaking my mind anyway, I also think that
a) Allowing separate groups (such as the one run by a previous advisor) to exist at Adland does not do you any good in the long term. There is a lot of animosity between those that belong and those that do not - and that's not to the long term benefit of Adland as a whole. Just as one example, when I see them working together to vote in 'their own' in the POTW, it makes it hard for new members to feel like they will ever win that honor. I have actually had newer members tell me that, so I'm not pullng it out of thin air.
b) While it was nice of members to suggest a mediator, if there is anyone to mediate member disputes, it should certainly NOT be someone who has been party to mud flinging on more than one occasion. If anything, it should be a member of Adland administration. That is why other forums appoint moderators that are chosen for their even temperament and problem solving ability.
Just my two cents!
: )
Linda