Many thanks go to CrystalArianhod for writing this wonderful piece!!


Magicka School Netiquette

While these are not rules (though some do correspond with the official site rules), these are suggestions and guidelines which we encourage members to follow to help keep Magicka School a pleasant and friendly place. These points are to be utilised for use on the forums and in chat. Thank you!


1 ) Look at what you say and think of how others will react to it!
Imagine how you'd feel if you were in the other person's shoes. Try and look at things from other people’s point of views and how your words may easily become hurtful and offensive, even if that was not your intention.
Example of poor netiquette:
SusanRed says: “People who work clockwise in circles are just being hypocritical. The earths movement is counter clockwise. Its just stupid that some people work against the earth’s tides. Aren’t we supposed to be working with the earth and not against it?”
Example of good netiquette:
SusanRed says: “I personally work counter clockwise in my circles because I believe that I should work with the earths movement.”


2 ) Respect other people’s opinions and beliefs, even if you do not agree with them!
Magicka School encourages members to find what’s right for them and this may mean that many members will differ in beliefs and opinions. It is important to respect such beliefs and opinions even if we do not always agree with them. Yet we also welcome friendly debates and at times constructive criticism is also appropriate.. But there are ways in which we can do this without hurting others.
Example of poor netiquette:
SugarLace says: “I believe that we are all going to be abducted by aliens.”
BillyBob says: “That’s just stupid. “
Example of good netiquette:
SugarLace says: “I believe that we are all going to be abducted by aliens.”
BillyBob says: “I don’t believe in that myself but I do believe that…….”


3 ) Behave as you would in real life
Just because this is online does not mean we can behave inappropriately. When using the forums or chat room it is important that we remember that those are real humans behind those usernames and we should behave and keep the same sort of standards online as we would in real life. In particular, treat other members as though you were talking to them face to face. Sometimes when we are just looking at computer screens we might forget that we are speaking to people with their own feelings.


4 ) Check For Misinterpretation
Often people will misinterpret each other, especially online when we don’t have body language or tone of voice to help us understand what it is the person really means by the words. So when you’ve become offended by something that has been said please first check if you misinterpreted. If ever in doubt, just ask for the person to clarify what they meant.
Example of poor netiquette:
EdgarPoe says: “Well actually Triss I think you know nothing.”
Triss says: “Hey! Thats not fair!”
Example of good netiquette:
EdgarPoe says: “Well actually Triss I think you know nothing.”
Triss says: “What do you mean EdgarPoe?”
EdgarPoe says: “I was being sarcastic Triss. You’re actually incredibly smart!”


5 ) Mind your language!
Please avoid usingswear words and offensive language and comments. Also try to be careful with using jargon and abbreviations which many people may not understand - give explanations when possible.


6 ) Use Tact
Members are encouraged to use tact in their posts and whilst on chat. This means to be diplomatic with your words and to be careful as not to hurt the feelings of others. This may also mean changing potential hurtful words (such as criticism) into something less offending.
Example of poor netiquette:
Snipper says: “That’s absolutely ugly!”
Example of good netiquette:
Snipper says: “Its not my sort of style.”


7 ) Give CONSTRUCTIVE Criticism
There are times where criticism is appropriate and during such times we recommend that the criticism is constructive and tactful. Constructive criticism means giving valid opinions alongside suggestions or giving both positive and negative comments. Constructive criticism involves giving your opinions in a friendly manner with is polite and tactful, not oppositional! Also keep in mind that not everyone is aspiring towards elite professionalism.
Example of poor netiquette:
SashaBlue says: “That was a badly written piece and it was far too long!”
Example of good netiquette:
SashaBlue says: “That was a well presented piece with nice examples. I suggest though that it may be worth checking the grammar and shortening it if possible.”


8 ) Remember That Your Not The Centre of Cyberspace!
Don’t get offended if you find your posts and questions have not been replied to as soon as you had hoped. Members are from all over the world and are in different time zones, and so may not be online the same time as you. There are also several hundreds of members at Magicka School and it is impossible for each persons individual whims and wishes to be taken care of. Magicka School does welcome feedback and suggestions, and we do attempt to take each persons wishes into account. But it is impossible to change the sites’s colour scheme to fit everyone’s tastes or change ritual examples in the courses to fit perfectly with each members own practices.


9 ) Use Some Degree of Good Spelling And Grammar!
Try spell checking your posts before you post them and read through them carefully to make sure they make sense before you automatically jump to the post button. Please also refrain from posting in CAPITALS. For long posts please also space it out with paragraphs; as seeing a big block of writing can put people off from reading your post.


10 ) Respect Other Peoples Privacy
Whenever holding private conversations or messages some of the information said may be very personal or private. It is always good netiquette to gain permission from the other person as to whether you can spread the information or not.


11 ) Don’t Abuse Your Power
Being a member of Magicka School for a long time, knowing more than others or having moderator/mentor/admin powers does not give you the right to take advantage of other members. Claims of degrees and lineage will also not be recognised here at Magicka School as making you better or more important than other members.


12 ) Remember That You Were Once New Too
Remember that you were also once new to Magicka School and to your system of belief. So help out those who are new and be sympathetic to any of their mistakes.


13 ) Be Polite
Pleases and thank you’s go a long way. Its respectful and simply nice. If you have asked for help or advice in a particular post, please remember to come back and thank members for responding.


14 ) Don’t Spam
Spam (undesired or pointless bulk messages) will not be tolerated. Please keep all appropriate comercial posts in the 'Products and Services' board.


15 ) Try To Stay ON Topic
When replying to a thread please try to keep to the topic outlined in the first post. If you find the topic is starting to get off track you might like to consider starting a new thread which discuss the new topic which has been brought up.


16 ) Check Then Post
Before posting a new thread ask yourself two questions:
1. Has a similar thread already been created? (Please check using the search feature at Magicka School)
2. Am I posting this on the right board? (Please check by reading all the board descriptions)


17 ) Do Not Enforce Your Beliefs Onto Others
While you may see no harm in forcing your beliefs onto others in the normal world, on Magicka School this will not be tolerated. Informing us of your beliefs and sharing ideas however is perfectly fine.
Example of poor netiquette:
LucasMoore says: “Worship the great tailed monkey god now, he is the one true god!”
Example of good netiquette:
LucasMoore says: “I believe in a great tailed monkey god.”


18 ) Do Not Threaten Others
Giving aggressive, spiritual or magickal threats are not tolerated. Threats of curses or comments such as ‘You're going to hell’ will also be considered as harassment.


19 ) Seek Permission Before Casting Magick For Other Members
It has been known for members to cast spells or perform magickal acts for other members. Whilst this may is often done out of the goodness of their hearts, it is encouraged that we receive permission first from the person who we wish to cast the spell for. This is because sometimes that person may be against magick being done for them and is a matter of respect.

_________________
I still believe in paradise...
But now at least I know it's not some place you can look for
Because its not where you go,
It's how you feel for a moment in your life
If you find that moment,
It will last forever...

<----BunnyWunny Pancake Head