The Show Must Go On...

So, the question is "What good will ignoring another poster on the boards do?  SHE started it!"

And the answer...?

One of the best ways to stop the little annoyances in a Message Board Community is to use the Message Board Filters available to any AOL Member!  When used right... no <click> stuff, no friends with good intentions e-mailing you content you chose to ignore, no replies to problem posts at all, no big announcements - "I'm putting SoAndSo on FILTER!" - the AOL Message Board Filter is the strongest line of defense you have to make your time spent on the message boards more enjoyable.  Well, of course, unless you enjoy bickering with folks!  <g>

Y'see... I've been on AOL and other online venues for many years.  These little personal spats between members sometimes go on for years.  I know some online folks who have been nitpicking and bickering at each other for more than a decade and still counting!  Really!  Now, I know most folks don't come online to the message boards or chat rooms to argue or get upset (some debate communities aside).  And, of course, folks can discuss different views without demeaning and insulting others who hold an opposing view.  We all know that - it's just being respectful of others.   If we all thought alike, this would be one big boring world.

But, what about that one member who tends to get under your skin?  Every little thing she posts annoys you.  Some things she posts may be directed at you for the sole purpose of annoying you to get a reaction.  Yep, some folks are like that both online and offline.  We all know folks who thrive on irking others.  My little brother comes to mind. ;-)

Trust me... putting that annoyance on filter will be the best thing you could ever do to make your time online more pleasant.  With no response, no reaction... eventually the behavior will stop or she'll move onto someone less savvy than you.  If you don't filter and keep reacting, it's very possible you may end up getting yourself in the hot TOS water!  Instead of taking the chance of risking your own account due to a response posted in anger, Filter! 

Arguments against the use of the Message Board Filters:

"She started it!" - Great!  Be the better person - ignore her.  :-)

"But people are quoting her posts!" - Ignore it.  If you wish to respond to the comments others make, cool.  But, just because someone quotes a person you have on filter doesn't mean you can't put that person on a Mental Ignore and just respond to those you enjoy more.

"Okay, I'm not using my filter because she may just be talking about me.  I want to know what she says." - Fine, but if you don't reply, perhaps she'll think you've got her on filter.  Be the more mature person!  Don't allow yourself to be drawn in by foolishness!

"I don't use my filter, but I don't respond to her, either.  But, look at THIS post!  This is WAY out of line!" - If you believe the post contains a TOS Violation, use the Notify AOL link on the message board window.  Don't announce that you reported it... just report it.  :-)  I'll be delving into what TOS violations are and how to report them in a future entry.

Okay... convinced yet?  Would I steer you wrong?  Want to know all about Message Board Filters?  No?  HEY!  Yes?  Aha, much better!

At AOL Keyword: HELP, you'll find Can I filter messages on a board? which will give you the full official information on Message Board Filters.  I'll give you a Quickie Course...

To IGNORE AUTHOR, the easiest way is to simply click on the Ignore Author hyperlink you see when you have a post open.  Voila.  Done.  That person's posts will never darken your monitor again!

You can also go into your Set Up (old board format) or Preferences (HTML format boards) to filter by Author or subject header contents.  In either format, Set Up and Preferences can be found at the top of the message board window.  The filter Subject Is or Subject Contains come in handy if there is one of those neverending threads or OT (Off Topic) labeled posts you don't want to see. 

To wrap this up... please use your message board filters.  They really do workwhen used right.  You'll have a lot less aggravation; the other person will most likely move along when she (or he!) realizes you're not falling for the bait.  And, of course, the AOL Volunteer Community Leaders and other members in the board community will dance and sing with joy in our hearts!

Er...   ;-)

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