              Using the Wisconsin Network - Part 22
                    by Andy Nemec, KB9ALN
 
     We've all gone through it. Getting Comm-Port settings
right, adjusting to the new packet program, and finally,
understanding what is truly going on when we communicate by
packet radio. It takes time to learn how to navigate through a
packet radio network, and still more time to deal with the
ins-and-outs of using a BBS. When looked at from a beginner's
point of view, it seems like a rather daunting task.

     As if there wasn't enough complication for new packet
operators, there is always the risk of sending out a flood
message, only to receive a "flame" message in response.
"Flames" are unkind messages (sometimes downright hostile!)
that may alert the originator of some improper or disagreeable
content of a message. Ocassionally, they will be misdirected
attempts to educate a newer packet radio operator who
unknowingly makes a mistake, or violates a regulation. Other
times, the sender of the "flame" will misinterpret the content
of a message. Ocassionally it will just be an inability to
express an opposing opinion in a civil manner. In this part of
our series, we will offer some clues as to how to avoid the
dreaded "flame" message.

     The first step in avoiding a flame message is to try and
keep your message simple, legal, and conforming to "good
Amateur practice". "Good Amateur practice" is a rather
ambiguous term, but perhaps these hints will help you meet
this standard, whether you are responding to a message or
generating a flood message. Not to mention avoiding the
dreaded Flame!

1) Only offer items for sale that have genuine amateur radio
   use.  Avoid CB radios, cars (with or without 2-meter rigs
   installed in them), or any item that cannot be legally used
   for Amateur radio. Treat packet radio "For Sale" ads as a
   big swap net.  A net control on a swap net would not allow
   you to list an automobile on the net, so why would this be
   permitted on packet radio?

2) Like debating? Keep your contributions civil, thoughtful,
   and to the point. Don't insult someone for their point of
   view.  Don't say "I think all people who vote for candidate
   John Q.  Politician have holes in their heads!". This is
   only asking for a flamed response. The surest way to turn
   your audience off is to insult them! This may sound like
   common sense (and it really is), but is so easy to forget.

3) Don't inadvertently advertise for anybody, this includes
   yourself. Although it is perfectly legal and commonplace
   to have your company name and position on Internet E-Mail,
   it may be construed as a subtle advertisement when done on
   packet radio.

4) Keep your signature file short. A long signature file with
   cute pictures, American flags, and other unnecessary
   information will only serve to alienate someone. If you do
   send a signature file, make sure you do not have an excess 
   number of blank lines in it. A good signature file will have
   useful information in it - such as how to respond via packet
   or Internet E-Mail. A bad signature file might have a large
   American Flag with the words "Vote Straight --------" (fill
   in the party of your choice!) in it.
 
5) Avoid using Upper-Case lettered words to emphasize a point.
   THIS is considered SHOUTING and IMPOLITE. (See how easy it
   is to be irritated by this?)

6) Consider whether your message will be of interest to
   others.    If you are interested in say, astronomy, you may
   find an interested party or two to converse with. If you are
   looking to correspond with someone regarding 13th century
   romance languages, you may have a much tougher time.
   Consider sending a CQ message first - Don't send a bunch of
   messages that few are likely to respond to.

7) On the subject of CQ messages, it makes no sense to send a
   CQ@WW message when you want to make a packet contact to
   Arizona. If you are targeting a particular state, use the @
   symbol followed by the two-letter state abbreviation. Most
   BBS's are set up to forward based on the state abbreviation,
   and you will be able to target an area rather than
   needlessly flood the country (or the world) with a message
   intended for limited distribution.

8) Keep your message content in good taste. Long, graphic
   descriptions of invasive medical procedures are not only 
   unnecessary, but in poor taste. Remember that you cannot
   always target your audience - someone may read such a
   message out of curiousity. And not all messages (or
   conversation) are suitable for all people.

     These are a few hints to help you avoid the dreaded
flame.  Believe it or not, I have seen messages that are
contrary to one or more of these suggestions, and recently.

     There is one more that you should take to heart, though.
Use the old "tincture of time" prescription to help you avoid
flame messages.

     When you read a message that you disagree with, or find
really offensive, save it to a file while you are reading it.
Then let it sit for a day. Re-read it and try to determine if
the words used actually mean what they seem to mean. Remember,
humans make mistakes, hit the wrong keys, and choose the wrong
words. Someone may have had a bad day, and may have taken it
out on their keyboard.

     Once you have saved this message, re-read it, and decided
to respond to it, it will be easy to intellegently debate.
Simply edit the file with a text editor and remove the lines
in the original message. Add your own, and you have a reply.
If you need to quote the originator, you can add a > sign in
front of each line. Some packet programs include this feature,
so this may not be necessary. Once you see the original text,
you are not caught trying to remember what was said by the
originator.

     Once you have typed a reply, let it sit for a day or two.
Nothing is so important that it can't wait a day. Some packet
debates take place over the course of weeks, or even months.
Then look at what you have typed to see if it is really what
you meant to say. This will pave the way for a civil response.
Once you are satisfied with the way it is worded, use the
upload feature of your packet program to send it to the BBS.

     After all is said and done, you may still get a flame
message. Some folks do not always interpret what you say in
the same way that you might. Some folks just like to flame
others.  If this is the case, simply follow the above steps
(saving the message to a file, re-reading it, and then editing
a response) to try and keep from falling into the same trap.

     These suggestions will not guarantee a "Zero-Flame-Zone"
on your local BBS, but it sure can help to make it a little
better. And the fewer flames that are forwarded by the BBS
network, the better Amateur Radio is for all of us.

  ***End of Part 22***
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