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Please do your best to avoid conflict with other ASF members. The moderators and I dislike getting caught in the middle of online brawls as we often become targets ourselves when we are forced to intervene. I have put together the following tips to help people avoid conflict with others.


Some tips for avoiding conflict on ASF


If you are engaged in a debate with another ASF member and it is becoming clear that you are unable to find any common ground, consider just agreeing to disagree rather than persist with a debate that is likely to end with an exchange of insults.


Tone and inflection is sometimes not so apparent in the written word. It is possible to misinterpret the tone or intention of a post very easily. If you are unsure what someone meant, it may be a good idea to send them a PM and ask them to clarify, rather than respond in an argumentative or confrontationalist manner.


If you find the posts of another ASF member  irritating to the point that it is affecting your enjoyment of the forums then consider putting that person on your ignore list.


When composing your posts, imagine that you are standing in front of the person you are addressing and only post what you would say to them in person. It is easy to be far more provocative and combative when you are posting anonymously from behind a keyboard in your home/workplace.


If you feel you are being provoked or goaded by another ASF member, don't take the bait! Simply ignore them or, if you feel you are being targeted by somone, report their posts.


Do not put words in the mouths of others! This is one of the surest ways to start a fight. If you are uncertain of someone's opinion on a particular issue or are confused by their stance then ask them to clarify.


If you find yourself getting angry at the opinions of others, consider avoiding threads on topics that tend to get you worked up. Online communities are supposed to be places that are enjoyable to visit. If you find yourself getting angry or frustrated, get up, walk away from the computer and go and do something else for a while. Do not let anger get the better of you!


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