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Have you ever written one of those articles where you think you'll get a bunch
of good comments on it in the attached bulletin board, but all you got was constant
criticism? That is unfortunately what some writers have to face all the time.
Even Times Writers have to deal with numerous complaints about their articles
each week.
And that's the problem. I'm not saying that we shouldn't practice constructive
criticism, but timing and technique are important -- done badly, it's annoying
and upsetting to many people. There are two major ways that your criticism in
a BBS can go wrong.
The first one is to be stupid. "THIS IS STUUUPID, WHY ARE YOU SO DUMB?"
is useless. Without giving any reason why you don't like the post, all you've
done is waste your own time to act like a boor, stating your opinions in a very
puerile way. Whatever you do, NEVER attack the author -- never make it personal.
It's hurtful and only makes other people think less of you.
Here's a good way to phrase a post, in my opinion:
"I do not like this article because a lot of the advice is common knowledge
to every Whyvillian. There are plenty of other sources where this can be found.
It is mostly a repeat of things that have been said before. Although this it
was a very well thought out article."
The second way for a BBS post to go wrong is for the writer to be persistent.
Fine, you don't like the article. But you don't have to keep going on and on
about it. Saying things repeatedly to someone so they will get the picture is
what you do to a young child. One or two threads is enough, especially with
people commenting, don't you think?
By the way, if you are a writer and you want to criticize someone else's work,
don't just say why it's bad, talk about how you or the author could improve
it.
Also, don't post a post that isn't "on topic." On some forums, you
can get a warning for posting off-topic. On sites like Neopets, I believe it's
zero-tolerance -- you can get your account frozen (banned) for writing something
in a BBS that has nothing to do with the board's purpose.
Here is a great example of a post by qtgirl003. It is obvious that she really
did have her senses about her. Well done, qtgirl003!
"I really like the thought of freeing up server space as a main focus,
but I believe you are tweaking the rules a bit too much. There are reasons why
there is a limit in clamgrams and strict face factory rules. I do think you
make a good candidate, though. Good luck to all who are running!"
Oy! Stop whispering amongst yourselves! Yes, this had to do with the last senate
race, but ettiquete rules cover everything in the Times.
Well there are some thoughts on what you should and shouldn't do in the Times
BBSes. I don't quite know what the punishments are, but I'm sure if you do something
really bad (worse than what I've talked about here) you'll have your BBS privileges
taken away, at least.
Don't forget, being able to use the BBSes is a privilege, not a right.
This is cobd, hoping my article will be criticized politely!
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