NationStates Jolt Archive


Smokey's Great Big Guide to Forum Fires

Smokey the NSer
31-08-2005, 19:20
Hello, kids. Today I’m here to share with you a guide I’ve written. It combines information from the updated version of On The Prevention of Forum Fires (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=8457463&postcount=9) and On Putting Out Forum Fires (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=427708) and in addition tells you what a forum fire is. I hope that this more centralized guide will be useful to you.

On Forum Fires

The following is a description of forum fires and an explanation of why they are harmful.

1. A forum fire is what happens when forum posters start flaming each other. Generally forum fires start when: a poster flames another poster and that other poster responds in kind; a poster flamebaits another poster; a poster engages in trolling. These acts may not start a forum fire in all cases, but they are very likely to do so. For definitions of words like flaming, flamebait, and trolling, see the One-Stop Rules Shop (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=416023).

2. Forum fires are harmful because they create an atmosphere of hostility and encourage verbal abuse. One of the problems with these things is that they create a much less enjoyable forum experience for the serious debaters, those more interested in socializing and sharing, and even the lurkers out there. Everyone suffers from forum fires, including those directly engaged in the forum fire, who generally experience very negative emotions and will not feel very good about it. Forum fires decrease the quality of our experience here, and are generally destructive for the community rather than being constructive.

On The Prevention of Forum Fires

The following are tips for helping to prevent forum fires from occurring.

1. Be Understanding.

Sometimes people are joking or have not stated their position clearly. Take this into account when you feel like slamming someone for their posts. Carefully consider whether their current behavior is consistent with their past behavior, because an inconsistency may mean that they are joking or being unclear. Instead of jumping on them, ask them to clarify their position or ask them if they were joking.

2. Be Cool

Whenever you feel like doing physical harm to another poster, it would be advisable to move away from your computer and do something else for a while so that you can come back and approach the situation more rationally. You can hit a punching bag, have a snack, do a small chore, or any number of other things.

3. Use Smilies

The appropriate use of smilies is a very helpful tool in communicating your emotional state so that other posters do not take joke posts (or serious posts for that matter) as you being snarky.

These smilies are probably not good to use in joke posts, or posts of any kind for that matter, because many posters find them very annoying:

:mp5: :sniper: :gundge:

These three can be helpful smilies, but you should be very careful about how you use them:

:headbang: :rolleyes: :mad:

4. Avoid Trolls

To save the forum from trouble and to save yourself from irritation, try your best to avoid posting a response to a troll. It is almost always in your best interest to leave them alone and stay out of their way.

On Putting Out Forum Fires

The following are tips for helping deal with forum fires once they have started.

1. Humour is often a good way to get people to relax and take a step back from a heated debate. You can interject a joke (it should be on-topic or related to a post in the thread) into the discussion to help lighten the atmosphere. Even if your joke isn't funny, the people throwing flames around may start laughing at how goofy you are instead of flaming each other, which is what we want. Just remember to make it clear that you're joking, as I mentioned in On the Prevention of Forum Fires.

2. Sometimes people will stop flaming if you just ask them to. You can remind them that flaming is likely to get them an official warning, something that they probably won't want because they don't want to be one step closer to deletion. Expressing genuine concerns for their safety on the forum is generally more effective than threating them with "I'll have to report you to the Mods for this if you don't stop," but sometimes that threat can work as well. You need to exercise caution when using these methods, and remember that being patronising or condescending in using them almost always causes the situation to backfire.

3. If there's a forum fire and you think it needs a fire truck rather than a simple bucket of water (those forum fires can get out of control quickly), report it to the Moderation forum and let the professionals (Mods) deal with it. They have better tools to do so. Remember that using the first two methods can save the Mods some work and lead to a much cooler forum, but don't be afraid to report flaming.

And as always...

http://img209.exs.cx/img209/2807/pd834lg5kv.jpg

Remember kids, only you can prevent forum fires.
Monotonous
31-08-2005, 19:43
*applauds* *then lights a small fire*
Smokey the NSer
31-08-2005, 19:45
*applauds* *then lights a small fire*

Every time...

*playfully sticks tongue out at Monotonous*

*gets a bucket of water*
Jordaxia
31-08-2005, 20:13
...
I'm determined to find out who you masquerade as often times.
I have my suspicions....
Smokey the NSer
31-08-2005, 20:15
...
I'm determined to find out who you masquerade as often times.
I have my suspicions....

All you need to do is become a Mod and then you can check for yourself. :)
Neo Kervoskia
31-08-2005, 22:45
All you need to do is become a Mod and then you can check for yourself. :)
Cogitation, is that you?
Colodia
31-08-2005, 22:56
Cogitation, is that you?
It's Max. It's a giant conspiracy, remember?
Peechland
31-08-2005, 22:57
I love Smokey....he makes me hot. ;)


/pun
Smokey the NSer
31-08-2005, 23:07
Cogitation, is that you?

Of course not. Think about it for a moment. ;)
Smokey the NSer
31-08-2005, 23:14
I love Smokey....he makes me hot. ;)


/pun

A very nice pun it was, too. :)
Neo Kervoskia
31-08-2005, 23:30
Of course not. Think about it for a moment. ;)
God?! :eek:
Smokey the NSer
31-08-2005, 23:33
God?! :eek:

No. God doesn't handle those relatively minor things like informing people about forum fires.

Mod might put them out though. :D
Peechland
31-08-2005, 23:36
Well I really really wish I knew who Smokey was....I wont tell anyone, tg me and tell me who you are....I'll pay! Its mind boggling to me....kinda like the first time I played with a Rubic's cube.

*starts setting fires in the land of Peech*

bait...that should do it.
Neo Kervoskia
31-08-2005, 23:36
No. God doesn't handle those relatively minor things like informing people about forum fires.

Mod might put them out though. :D
There is one thing you left out that I wish you would've included, a scale. You should have included a scale so that people could say "There is a Category 1 flamefest in so and so thread." That would also be interesting.

P.S. I'll figure out this mystery, mwuahaha!
Neutered Sputniks
01-09-2005, 00:59
Good to see you about, Smokey. How've ya been?
Fass
01-09-2005, 01:06
This is some obscure cultural reference, isn't it?
NERVUN
01-09-2005, 01:18
This is some obscure cultural reference, isn't it?
Yup, Smokey started in the US 60 years ago and just about every kid in the country has seen him and learned fire safety from him. So cultural, yes, obscure... no.

http://www.smokeybear.com
Spoffin
01-09-2005, 01:55
Yup, Smokey started in the US 60 years ago and just about every kid in the country has seen him and learned fire safety from him. So cultural, yes, obscure... no.

http://www.smokeybear.com
Well, obscure if you're not an american
Fass
01-09-2005, 03:16
So cultural, yes, obscure... no.

Actually, it is very obscure. Propaganda geared toward children tends to be.
Undelia
01-09-2005, 03:31
Actually, it is very obscure. Propaganda geared toward children tends to be.
Dude, he tells kids to be safe in the woods and put out campfires safely and stuff. How is that bad?

Also, obscure =/= propaganda.
Fass
01-09-2005, 03:40
Dude, he tells kids to be safe in the woods and put out campfires safely and stuff. How is that bad?

Propaganda is not always bad. It can be used for educational purposes.

Also, obscure =/= propaganda.

Oh, then I suppose you are aware of "Bamse - Världens starkaste och snällaste björn" that all Swedish children are aware of and what he has taught them. He can't possibly be obscure, now can he? Or perhaps Grynet? :rolleyes:

Just because something is apparent to you does not mean that it is not obscure to someone not part of your sphere of reference. And a character created to educate children about the dangers of fires is very obscure to those of us who are not USian.
Undelia
01-09-2005, 03:51
Oh, then I suppose you are aware of "Bamse - Världens starkaste och snällaste björn" that all Swedish children are aware of and what he has taught them. He can't possibly be obscure, now can he? Or perhaps Grynet? :rolleyes:
They aren’t obscure. They are cultural.
Fass
01-09-2005, 03:54
They aren’t obscure. They are cultural.

Do you know of them? Are they famous symbols of Swedish culture? Would you be expected, as a foreigner, to know who they are and understand references to them?

They are obscure. And so is this Smokey figure. That they are cultural makes them no less obscure.
NERVUN
01-09-2005, 04:04
Actually, it is very obscure. Propaganda geared toward children tends to be.
Before this degenerates any futher, let me clarify my statement, Smokey is not obscure to Americans. Outside of America's borders I have no doubt he isn't well known (though I have seen t-shirts with him on it in Japan, but that's Japan).

I thought your comment was that he is obscure in America, which is why I responded as I did.

I'm still not too sure on him being propoganda, unless you're going with a broad deffinition of him being used in order to infulance thoughts and actions.
Smokey the NSer
01-09-2005, 15:22
There is one thing you left out that I wish you would've included, a scale. You should have included a scale so that people could say "There is a Category 1 flamefest in so and so thread." That would also be interesting.

P.S. I'll figure out this mystery, mwuahaha!

The category thing is an interesting idea. I'll consider it. :)
Smokey the NSer
01-09-2005, 15:22
Good to see you about, Smokey. How've ya been?

Not bad, Neut. A little busy, but not bad. :)
Jakutopia
01-09-2005, 15:42
Before this degenerates any futher, let me clarify my statement, Smokey is not obscure to Americans. Outside of America's borders I have no doubt he isn't well known (though I have seen t-shirts with him on it in Japan, but that's Japan).

I thought your comment was that he is obscure in America, which is why I responded as I did.

I'm still not too sure on him being propoganda, unless you're going with a broad deffinition of him being used in order to infulance thoughts and actions.

Thank you for reigning them in LOL geez I thought the irony was gonna kill me :D
Smokey the NSer
01-09-2005, 15:44
Thank you for reigning them in LOL geez I thought the irony was gonna kill me :D

Fortunately, no forum fires were started. I would have been very disappointed if one had started in this thread. :(
Fass
01-09-2005, 15:46
Fortunately, no forum fires were started. I would have been very disappointed if one had started in this thread. :(

One would think Smokey himself would know the difference between a discussion and a "forum fire."

Oh, well.
Smokey the NSer
01-09-2005, 15:48
One would think Smokey himself would know the difference between a discussion and a "forum fire."

Oh, well.

I do. Which is why I said none were started. :)

Besides, you're not the type to go around starting forum fires, so I wasn't particularly worried about you.
Mekonia
01-09-2005, 15:58
I have thrid degree burns :p

Well done :D
Smokey the NSer
01-09-2005, 16:19
I have thrid degree burns :p

Well done :D

Just stay away from forum fires and other very hot things and you should be able to keep from getting burned again. :)
Kroblexskij
01-09-2005, 16:30
Mr smokey.

My friends say that forum fires are fun things to make, what should i say to them. [/generic kids voice]
Smokey the NSer
01-09-2005, 16:35
Mr smokey.

My friends say that forum fires are fun things to make, what should i say to them. [/generic kids voice]

Your friends are right. Making forum fires can be fun, especially if you take pleasure in causing other people emotional distress and dealing with your own stress in an unhealthy manner.

I don't recommend doing it, though. The consequences for yourself and others are almost always negative. :)
Monotonous
01-09-2005, 16:51
Every time...

*playfully sticks tongue out at Monotonous*

*gets a bucket of water*

OMG! TEH FLAMEZOR! My feeeeeelings, dude! You're so inconsiderate! I mean... you stuck your tongue out at me. Playfully. I... I'm so offended...
Smokey the NSer
05-09-2005, 18:33
Since the forum is getting a little warm today I thought it might be good to bring this back to a more visible place. :)
Smokey the NSer
29-10-2005, 20:43
*BUMP*

Remember kids, only you can prevent forum fires.
Blu-tac
29-10-2005, 20:47
Well, obscure if you're not an american

what? I'm from Britain and I know good ol' smokey... he's appeared in the simpsons a good few times.
Drunk commies deleted
29-10-2005, 20:51
This is some obscure cultural reference, isn't it?
Yeah. Smokey is known for teaching fire safety and forrest fire prevention to kids. Here's a picture of him in case you've never seen him.

http://www.londonstimes.us/toons/cartoons/Simeon_SmokeyBare6.jpg

Oops. Wrong picture. How about this one?

http://www2.essex.ac.uk/ussc/images/smokey.jpg
Czardas
29-10-2005, 21:02
W00t! He's back! :D

Hi, [vi... er, I mean Max B... uh, Ha... Kar.... Frisb... er, yeah, Smokey. :)
Eutrusca
29-10-2005, 21:05
I love Smokey....he makes me hot. ;) /pun
Peechie! LTNS! Where you been??? :(
The blessed Chris
29-10-2005, 21:05
Your friends are right. Making forum fires can be fun, especially if you take pleasure in causing other people emotional distress and dealing with your own stress in an unhealthy manner.

No fair:p
Czardas
29-10-2005, 21:07
Peechie! LTNS! Where you been??? :(
I heard something about a place called the "real world". I wonder if that was it. First time I've heard of it, and mind you I'm not all too sure if it really exists or not... you can't really trust those aliens disguised as humans called "parents" who come in just to make your life hell, after all. ;)
The blessed Chris
29-10-2005, 21:08
I heard something about a place called the "real world". I wonder if that was it. First time I've heard of it, and mind you I'm not all too sure if it really exists or not... you can't really trust those aliens disguised as humans called "parents" who come in just to make your life hell, after all. ;)

Real world... you mean the big glass panes in my walls aren't just shiny pictures?
Czardas
29-10-2005, 21:14
Real world... you mean the big glass panes in my walls aren't just shiny pictures?
An old storyteller once came my way and told me that no, they were in fact real people and real things. But I didn't believe him and I was too lazy to check. Go remove those glass things, and if there's anything beyond them just step out to see what it is.
The blessed Chris
29-10-2005, 21:15
An old storyteller once came my way and told me that no, they were in fact real people and real things. But I didn't believe him and I was too lazy to check. Go remove those glass things, and if there's anything beyond them just step out to see what it is.

I had one of those crackpot come over too, it was scary....
Czardas
29-10-2005, 21:20
I had one of those crackpot come over too, it was scary....
Don't worry, I'm pretty sure at least that one won't be coming by again. His skull is stuck on a pole outside my door at the moment, so you'll be fine in the future.
The blessed Chris
29-10-2005, 21:25
Don't worry, I'm pretty sure at least that one won't be coming by again. His skull is stuck on a pole outside my door at the moment, so you'll be fine in the future.

Thank god, you're my hero, I wanna grow up just like you....
H N Fiddlebottoms VIII
29-10-2005, 21:37
An old storyteller once came my way and told me that no, they were in fact real people and real things. But I didn't believe him and I was too lazy to check. Go remove those glass things, and if there's anything beyond them just step out to see what it is.
Thank the fates that you didn't listen to him. When the aliens speak of a "Real Life" they are only trying to lure you out with promised fruits, but then they enslave you behind a series of desks.
Sometimes, most times, people sit on the other side of these desks and talk at you. Rarely these desks have multicolored empty booklets, onto which you must write for an hour or so until the booklets are taken away and converted (through voodoo most likely) into a random number between 0 and 100.
Avoid the Desks! Fight the Power! Stay out of the Real World!
Czardas
29-10-2005, 21:45
Thank god, you're my hero, I wanna grow up just like you....
W00t. *enjoys the "admiration" while it lasts*
Super-power
29-10-2005, 21:53
Remember kids, when you start a Forum Fire, God kills a kitten
Yupaenu
29-10-2005, 22:16
very good post, there, smokey(although why do you have the name smokey, which kindof counters what you were saying?)
Zanato
29-10-2005, 22:24
Remember kids, when you start a Forum Fire, God kills a kitten

Mmm, kittens. (http://www.hostinghelps.com/bookman/travel/CookedCat.jpg)
GoodThoughts
29-10-2005, 22:25
very good post, there, smokey(although why do you have the name smokey, which kindof counters what you were saying?)

Smokey the Bear put out fires in American forests.:)
Katganistan
29-10-2005, 23:15
It's Max. It's a giant conspiracy, remember?

I am Spartacus! ;)
Czardas
29-10-2005, 23:31
I am Spartacus! ;)
*understands reference*

No, Kat, you're the difference between [violet] and Rep subtracted from Cogitation multiplied by two and a quarter, or 19. As 19 is the mythical number of Fate divided by 2.210526315789, that means you are really the Meaning of Life, the Universe, and Everything. Therefore, you are God.

Please don't ask me how I figured this out, oh, and I don't believe in you.
Cheese penguins
22-01-2006, 19:26
nice guide!! :D
Smokey the NSer
22-01-2006, 19:27
nice guide!! :D

Thank you. :)
Maldaathi
23-01-2006, 16:37
Remember kids, when you start a Forum Fire, God kills a kitten

Oh.... God no! Not the kittens!

Anyway I love you Smokey... and was the bear in Super Troopers you or not?
Neo-Athenia
27-03-2006, 20:00
Is there still a scale in the making?
Czardas
27-03-2006, 20:38
/commits necrophilia with thread/
Justianen
27-03-2006, 20:39
This guy has no life.
DrunkenDove
27-03-2006, 20:39
This guy has no life.

Ah, sweet irony.
Tatarica
27-09-2006, 12:48
Can I bump this?

Oh wait.. I may have done it already!
Forgive my grave digging, but this is worth re-reading.