This is the third version of the guidelines at 2008, Apr 07.
This article discusses how to handle the opponents' tactics on online forums like newsgroups, blogs, and others. The article offers a number of recommendations but is not assumed to be complete.
Please cite or link this article on your messages if you decide to follow the guidelines. Readers will see for themselves that you are a reasonable person.
Visit also the canonical code of conduct and behavior.
There is nothing to be gained by taking an angry tone, hurling insults, name-calling, etc.
Some messages are very annoying and offensive. Hard to ignore but they must be ignored. keep a cool head. Remember that their tactic is to turn a civilized and well informed debate -they would lose- by a succession of insults.
Read your reply at least twice before submitting it. A good rule of thumb is to wait a day and review what you want to send.
Any scientific theory or model has its weak points. Admit it! Science is about modeling nature such as we observe and measure it. Science is not about how we want nature to be. Nature does not care how beautiful you believe that your favorite theory is.
You may be a recognized specialist on some specialized topic but you continue to be a human. Remember that specialists on some old paradigm are the first ones to be wrong during a scientific revolution. For instance, do not forget the difficulties of Einstein during the quantum mechanics revolution.
Be aware that some people will argue indefinitely over a moot point. One of their favorite tactics is to overemphasize a minor point while totally ignoring a major issue. Avoid this trap! It fills the network with useless noise and waste time.
Some people strongly argue over a topic they did not even take the time to study. Some of this people even reject to read the references you provide to support your point!
When you correct some of their mistakes, they often reply by making more mistakes. Avoid this trap also! It fills the network with useless noise in some exponential way.
It is a pointless waste of time, energy, bandwidth, and disk space to respond to these insults. Flames and red-herring are intended to confuse the reader or divert attention away from the subject.
Some people are masters of changing the subject. This even includes the subject title. Flames often are attempts to hide the poster's ignorance on some topic by inciting a series of angry responses. Ignore this nonsense.
Be careful when quoting others' messages. Acknowledgments would include people who tried to help you even if they were of no real help.
