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As a new forum questioner I think I'm finally understanding a little of the rules. I understand that typing in capitals is the same as yelling. And I read the forum rules and they said they can remove a 'thread' if they consider it unacceptable. So, I gather a 'thread' is a specific subject, and it is not polite to post a question or information on that subject separate from that of the original thread. Is that right, or have I misunderstood again?Annabelle

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Threads. [View All], annabelle1, 03:16 PM, Mar-10-03, (0) RE: Threads., derekmorton, Mar-10-03, 03:28 PM, (1) RE: Threads., John 136 6000 GO, Mar-10-03, 03:48 PM, (2) RE: Threads., DTA, Mar-10-03, 04:14 PM, (3) RE: Threads., obo, Mar-10-03, 05:24 PM, (4) RE: Threads., OTTODAD, Mar-10-03, 07:25 PM, (5) RE: Threads., obo, Mar-10-03, 07:39 PM, (6) RE: Threads., OTTODAD, Mar-10-03, 07:51 PM, (7) RE: Threads., obo, Mar-10-03, 08:01 PM, (8) RE: Threads., OTTODAD, Mar-10-03, 08:14 PM, (9) RE: Threads., derekmorton, Mar-10-03, 08:21 PM, (10) RE: Threads., Johansteam, Mar-10-03, 11:08 PM, (11) RE: Threads., OTTODAD, Mar-10-03, 11:20 PM, (12) RE: Threads., derekmorton, Mar-10-03, 11:24 PM, (13) RE: Threads., OTTODAD, Mar-11-03, 00:04 AM, (14) RE: Threads., Fodda, Mar-11-03, 05:19 AM, (15) RE: Threads., OTTODAD, Mar-11-03, 08:04 AM, (17) RE: Threads., John 136 6000 GO, Mar-11-03, 09:31 AM, (18) RE: Threads., calr, Mar-11-03, 11:04 AM, (19) RE: Threads., sd70mac6662, Mar-11-03, 07:31 AM, (16)

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Hi Annabelle,Yes to the thread.
If you post a seperate question in a thread it tends to get lost as the subject does not reflect the second question. It is easier to keep to the subject, and ask your other question in another thread.It takes time to learn the 'rules' when they aren't written anywhere.Derek

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LAST EDITED ON Mar-10-03 AT 03:50 PM (EDT)

edited for an error in HTML codingHello Annabelle,While I'm fairly new to this forum, I've been active in a couple of others for quite a long time ( www.XpertSS.com & http://www-10.lotus.com/ldd/ssforum.nsf/Resources/$First?OpenDocument ). If you have a look at your original question, you will see that it is followed by a couple of replies, including this one (at the time of writing). In course of time there may be more replies either directly to your original posting, or as responses to replies. In the listing of responses underneath the original message you will see that some are indented. Each repsonse is indented a bit from the message it replies to, and in this forum they are listed cronologically. You will see that in some of the busier topics that you may see several subsets of indented responses. The overall group of messages constitutes a "thread".As Derek pointed out, it's not a good idea to post a new question in an existing thread. It's just a matter of good manners, it's a practical matter - it's likely to get lost, as Derek wrote. Each thread has a topic, and off-topic posts tend to disrupt the logic of the thread. Likewise, if you want to follow up on responses to a question you or someone else has posted, it's far better to add them to the existing thread, rather than start a new one. It's much easier for anyone trying to help if they can see all messages about the topic in one thread - it's easier to follow than if you have to jump to new messages.I hope this is of some help to you.CheersJohn

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Don't worry about it! Just do your thing, the moddies are tolerant on here. Some regard all caps as shouting, me and OTTO prefer it as it helps us to see! LOLSome threads get way too long, so it is sometimes worth starting a new one on the same theme. Anything over 30 threads is way past it, but u will see some over 80! Yawn.This forum is largely run by its members, and what they decide to do.
And it works very well.My only concern, is that people with 0 replies do not get answered sometimes.David

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>As a new forum questioner I think I'm finally understanding
>a little of the rules.As in any community, newcomers are well advised to observe for a while before jumping in, lest they inadvertently cause offense. In this context, simply reading the forums for a while will give you a pretty good idea of how things work. You're well past this stage, of course.>I understand that typing in capitals
>is the same as yelling.This is an old internet convention. I've actually become fairly sensitive to it and now find myself involuntarily wincing when reading capitalized posts!>And I read the forum rules and they
>said they can remove a 'thread' if they consider it
>unacceptable. So, I gather a 'thread' is a specific
>subject, and it is not polite to post a question or
>information on that subject separate from that of the
>original thread.A "thread" is what you just started by posting your message. Anyone replying to your message is adding to the thread. Most threads do start out addressing a specific issue, but as in any discussion, a certain amount of "topic drift" is to be expected and is acceptable. Abruptly changing the topic, or "highjacking the thread", is however frowned upon in most quarters.Again, what is or is not polite or appropriate is determined only by the conventions of the community and the whims...erm, better make that the wisdom...of the all-powerful administrators.>Is that right, or have I misunderstood
>again?Hey...stop being so hard on yourself.Rob.

Obo's MSTS Locomotive Catalog: http://msts.banal.net

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LAST EDITED ON Mar-10-03 AT 07:33 PM (EDT)

CAPITALIZATION is an old-fashioned Bulletin Boards, etc, dislike, created by some who were then used to program and write everything in lower case, UNIX and other proramming languages insisting on it, ruining everybody' eyesight in the bargain.You may have noticed that the Media is making use of it more and more to emphasize a "Point", "SHOUTING" about something ! As for you "Nerds", this is a FREE WORLD where everybody can speak their mind in what ever language and character type they chose, as long as it is within rules of decency.Nobody in this wide world is telling me what to say and how to say it ! I would suggest that you and others like you refrain from doing so !O t t oEdit-P.S. In answer to your question, Annabelle, it does not matter what you want to say as long as it is not offensive and beside the point.If you want you ask questions about more than one subject, MSTS or not, just go ahead. There are no LAWS in this forum to the contrary ! I for one am willing to respond to any reasonable question !!!

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>As for you "Nerds", this is a FREE WORLD where everybody can
>speak their mind in what ever language and character type
>they chose, as long as it is within rules of decency.
>
>Nobody in this wide world is telling me what to say and how
>to say it ! I would suggest that you and others like you
>refrain from doing so ! "Nerds"? "Me and others like me"? Do you have any idea how rude this is? You disappoint me, Otto.Read what I wrote again. Nowhere in my post did I tell you what to say or how to say it.Rob.

Obo's MSTS Locomotive Catalog: http://msts.banal.net

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Sorry Rob, but there are certain things which get up this here OLDTIMER's nose.What, CAPS again ? Am I forgiven ?O t t o

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>Sorry Rob, but there are certain things which get up this
>here OLDTIMER's nose.Well me too, but SOMETIMES you have to cut people some SLACK.

>Am I forgiven ? YES!Rob.

Obo's MSTS Locomotive Catalog: http://msts.banal.net

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Thanks, Rob !I forgot that you are one of the guys I like in this here Forum ! Take Care, O t t o.

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Otto,Who are you trying to upset now? Derek

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LAST EDITED ON Mar-10-03 AT 11:09 PM (EDT)

Otto,
>Who are you trying to upset now? < Me wondering too?
Johan.

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O.K. Guys, I REALLY LOVE YOU ALL !!! You are all TRAIN SIMMERS and anybody who likes Railways can't be all that bad ?Here I go again, all these CAPS !!! O t t o

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I am a bit worried about you poms. Derek

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You should be, Derek !What the blazes am I doing, having a Coke and Cognac at 5 AM U.K. time, posting messages in the Forum ?I just love it, that's why ! CHEERS, O t t o.

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Interestingly, the above "argument" (although it hardly constitutes the term as it was resolved in such a friendly manner) shows just how easy it is for a thread to be pulled 'off-topic'. And OTTO... I'm surprised you allowed yourself to be called a pom... I thought you were Austrian by birth. Have you taken pomdom upon yourself now?

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I have been called many names in my time, Gary, mostly friendly and complimentary ! The only name I object to is being called a "German" ! Not that I do not like them, half my relations are, it's just that I am proud being an AUSTRIAN !My attitude as a "Foreigner" having lived in England since 1956 is to "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" !I like "Poms", as I do "Yanks", "Aussies", "Japanese", "Chinese", my daughter-in-law in the States is and most other nationalities.Being regarded a "Pom" is reflecting justly that I am a Senior "Pommie Resident" ? Take Care, O t t o.

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Actually, most matters of etiquette are convention, often no longer having much relation to the real world (no matter what the historical origins may have been).As far as the all capitals question is concerned, I can think of 2 reasons to avoid it.1) By convention, it's considered by many to be bad manners. Whatever the origins of that convention, and no matter how logical or rational that convention may be, it still is widely observed. Since there are still many around who will take offense at all caps, why do it? I don't mind observing a convention which doesn't harm me and avoids offending others.2) Good writing practice: It's just as hard to read text which is all capitals as it is to read text which is all lower case ( and I've seen a few of those on this board also). Proper punctuation makes writing easier to read and understand. Correct use of capitalisation is part of good punctuation.I would also comment on the suggestion of mutliple questions in one thread, and writing from the perspective of someone who has been heavily involved in providing the answers on a couple of other boards (not related to trains - related to Lotus SmartSuite usage). Two or more questions in the opening post may be quite OK, or may be confusing. This depends on how closely related they are. My advice it that if they are not related it may be easier for those who try to help if they are in separate threads. Oto is quite right, however, to say that questions will be answered if possible however they are posed. I would, however, strongly discourage someone posting a new question, unrelated to the thread, in the middle of a thread. When hosting on XpertSS.com I have sometimes moved questions to a new thread when they have been posted in the middle of an unrelated thread, and my co-hosts have also done the same thing. Follow-up questions, which extend the original topic and follow on from it, are another matter, of course. Also, as another respondent pointed out, different communities have different conventions and practices regarding how far threads can wander from the original topic. This board seems to be quite broad in that respect.
CheersJohn

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I think this thread has been hijacked, LOL!Cal Rasmussen
Beaverton, OR
cal.rasmussen@verizon.netColumbia Gorge Route (Phase 1 track completed, building roads, buildings, planting trees.)

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LAST EDITED ON Mar-11-03 AT 07:32 AM (EDT)

Oh yeah annabelle I hate that. It's bad well I can't spell the word but you all now what I mean (and no it's what your mom used to teach you like sit up straight)looks like I really missed the point, it's 7:30am here and I'm not really with it.edited to add the last paragraph

formerly known as sd70mac666 until the forum software decided to hate me

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