Forum Tips

I just thought I save you some time on the learning curve of forum use with a list of tips.

-Keep threads airsoft related. Forum goers would go to a paintball forum is they want to discuss paintball, and they'd go to a car forum if they wanted to discuss cars.

-Don't simply ask open questions like "which gun is better?"  There is a great thing called a SEARCH ENGINE and forums commonly have their own search function.

-Make sure to do multiple searches using different keywords on a subject you are considering posting about. Read through most, if not all, hits because even though a topic may say "Upgrading a version 2 mechbox," it could have some great info on hop-up(or whatever you searched for) because, just like a "real" discussion, the topic changes sometimes(although with forums it is much more likely to get back on the original topic than with face to face discussion).

-Stay away from saying "I've searched, but..." Usually these people didn't even click on the search button and it is very evident, so that statement has gotten a somewhat bad rep.

-Don't dispense questionable info without qualifying such(and "I heard..." doesn't cut it. Give a reference if possible). This includes personal experiences too. For example, if you had a bad experience with a cracked mechbox and you were only using a PDI170 spring, don't claim that upgrading to that level requires a reinforced mechbox.

-ALL CAPS IS ANNOYING SO DON'T USE IT!!!!!!!!(EXCESSIVE PUNCTUATION IS ANNOYING TOO)!!!!!!!!!

-badd gRammmEr, annoying abbreviations(like "u," "ur," and "NEway"), nd baad speeleng are things to be avoided. The easiest solution is to write a post in a word processor, edit it, then cut and past. This is also a good way to avoid loosing a long post if the net craps out on you poor AOL or MSN users.

-Exercise basic common sense and courtesy