I have noticed recently that a few newbies have been slightly eager beavered in their posting attitude, which can be classed in a term as loathing as "keyboard hero" and believe me, no one likes a Keyboard Hero.

There's nothing worse for "seasoned" members to see a newbie "young gun" come here, throw his weight about and then end up looking like a tit or any other word that starts with t and ends with t.

So... based upon a few years of experience in this internet forum malarky I have decided to compile a set of simple reminders for both the newbies and the season ticket holders among you, on how to post your feelings in a modern forum of discussions without making a prat of yourself. And please feel free to add your own too!

1. You are looking at a screen! (I find that realizing this very fact makes a world of difference) The screen doensn't know who the xxxx you are and neither do the rest of the people reading you. Remember this before you go all high and mighty.

2. ALWAYS read your posts before clicking "Submit" You must read as if you were the person reading someone else's post and not the t**t that wrote it! Get it? See how you like it.

3. The internet is not your alter ego, it shouldn't be, please trust me. If you think it is, and you think you can go online and become Super Lee rather than Lee the plumber who lives at number 30 park view and drives a nissan micra... then there's something really wrong and sad about you. Go back to point 1.

4. Your newbie status is... short lived. Specially here, we've got an average of 7 new members per day, today someone welcomes you in the Newbie Reception Lounge and tomorrow you are doing that to the new guy, which means you are no longer a newbie, they are. Make them feel welcome same as we did with you.

5. Opinions. It has been said before but it's worth repeating this: opinions are limited to the poster. Some may agree some won't. Unless some opinions are expressed in an offensive way, there is no need to argue them to the last man standing. We are not here to be brainwashed and made to conform to one ideal and one way. Keep your strong opinions, creed, religion, sexual tendencies and weird sh|t personal. No one gives a toss

6. If you've got it flaunt it. Qualities that is. If you are very good at something then please share it with the rest of us. You can fix stuff, make stuff? let us know, your skill might help other so that's what we are here for. Without these skills and the ability to comunicate them with the public, we would have never had Kev, Freez, Miguel, Ranni etc etc.
(Which reminds me: I need a freelance (as in not paid) wizard web page designer willing to help us in developing and maintain our website front end, if you're that man get in touch with me pronto, please)

7. Smileys / Emoticons they are there for a reason, sometimes we can't tell where you are coming from with a typical "bold statement" so unless you expect us to mind read please use emoticons to certify your moods, often something said without smileys can be badly misinterpreted.

8. FOR GOODNESS SAKE please do a search before you ask. We have a search feature in which you can type a topic such as "surging" for example and you will get a listing of ALL the threads containing that subject. Please use the SEARCH feature or at least read the forum mains headers to find out what you are looking for. Do not post your "What are the best tyres" in the Meeting Subforum and viceversa, we have pretty much a sub forum for every topic so search and post adequately. Thanks

9. If you are in doubt let me remind you that post count means nothing to us. Your ethos is not based on the number of posts you make, rather the quality of it. Confucious said man who talk little has more to say.

10. You are here to enjoy yourself first and foremost, so make that pleasant for the rest of us too. Thanks

anymore? please add