Having read the moderator's admnition, I'd like to second his comments.

Please take a cue from this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAeqVGP-GPM

Howard P.
Play Nice, NY

Overheard at the NRHS convention last year in Tacoma between two older railfans:

That, gentlemen, says it all.

I totally agree with and will do my level best to conduct myself in keeping with his comments.

That youtube scene was priceless!!

Ross Rowland

I certainly hope this promise echoes true.

Meeeeeeeeeeybe.

It certainly can be said that the online medium has a much greater tendency to create misunderstandings and amplify disagreements. But I've seen (or heard about) fights just as nasty in the boardroom as the forum.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen a group try to solve their volunteer problem by creating an internet forum. Without fail, it explodes into a foaming pissing match that angers and drives away existing volunteers, and of course, repels new ones like the plague. "Oh welcome new volunteer, come join our Internet forum" says the guy recruiting them, he hasn't been on the forum since it started, he doesn't know what's in there.

Human nature is what it is. This sort of tendency toward conflict can't be scolded out of a person. To deal with it successfully requires effective understanding, that is to say, iteration and experimentation. The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. If you keep doing the same thing because you don't know anything else to do, well, experimentation isn't about what you know, now, is it?

I disagree strongly. I've seenhumans at their absolute worst in the military and I can tell you generally, people will NOT say to someone's face what they're thinking if it's bad, for the most part. But the same people wouldn't think twice about typing the most unspeakable hatred online, knowing they're likely never to meet the other person. I once got into a real pissing match online with someone (the when/where/who isn't the point), this oxygen thief wrote the most horrible stuff I've ever read online. I was at an event a few months later and heard the guy was there. I excused myself from my friends, said I was going pull the guy's lungs out through his rectum (and meant it) and tore off after him. I got to where I was told the guy was, full prepared to give him the beating of a lifetime, and I found out the guy was 14 years old! He quickly realized who I was and what I was there for (my friends caught up, yelling, "please Lee, don't beat him too badly!") and I think the kid then soiled himself. I of course didn't make good on my intentions, but I got really close to him, did my best drill sergeant impression and made it very clear that I would snap in him in half if I ever saw him writing stuff like that online anywhere, about anyone. Now, there's no way I'd have harmed him, but that was only because of his age. Had he been my age, I'd probably be in jail right now.
My point is that there's no way he'd have ever said anything like that to my face, and I think almost 100% of uncivility online is caused by the same reason; people think they'll never meet the people they write bad things about.
I never write anything that I wouldn't say to someone's face. It's a shame so many others online can't do the same, but it's the nature of forums, and I'm sure it's here to stay.
Just never assume you'll won't run across that guy you're arguing against someday, or that he won't carry a grudge when you do.

People drive the same way.

The same folks that will hold a door for you and smile and say "thank you" to your face will get in their car and drive like they own the road. They'll cut you off, won't allow you to merge, and will dodge around you if you're not going fast enough.

Manners??