Posted: Jan. 24, 2007

What is Tosa Town Square?

Welcome to your new Town Square - The Place To Go To Know word on the street, the Buzz, the 'Tosa Lowdown. Tosa Town Square is a Discussion Board, not "chat" and not a "blog." We think you will enjoy this easygoing pace as an effective tool for exchanging your ideas and information.

You're the driver

How this space takes form will be left largely in your hands. It is a community forum for conversation. Discussions will be moderated to move them along and for violations of our common sense forum rules. "Moderating" means the moderator will be online with you. Your posts and replies to each other, however, are not reviewed and approved before they appear. What you write will appear immediately. You can edit and delete your posts at any time. No one else can edit or delete your material, except WauwatosaNOW.com staff. WauwatosaNOW staff reserves the rights to delete threads as a matter of routine maintenance or for policy violations. Please read the rules.

Courtesy and common sense prevail

The world of online discussion has really taken shape over the last few years. Many people using Tosa Town Square will already be very familiar with how to politely interact with other users. For those users who are new to online discussion, however, here are a few tips to know:

Keep it short. Online comments and opinions are usually no more than a paragraph. It is considered impolite to post much more than that. Experienced users often apologize in the title of a longer post like this, "I need advice on our school (sorry, long)."

Stay on topic. In the discussion group format, you'll always be able to start your own "thread" of discussion. So, the online courtesy is to respect the topic of someone else's thread. Changing the direction of the discussion is call "off topic" or "OT."

Don't aim comments personally at people. If you want to use the screen name of another poster to respond directly to him or her, feel free. However, emotionally "calling out" someone is called "flaming." Flaming is a violation of the rules of courtesy.

Try to have a thicker skin. Tone of voice is difficult to communicate in this written format. The Town Square allows you to add emoticons (those smiley faces) to assist in expressing your intended tone. However, it is best if you assume the best intentions from all fellow forum users. Over time, you will come to "know" a person online. Experienced users understand that flying off the handle at someone's comment is usually the sign of an inexperienced online user.

Don't fly off the handle. In the online world, users who continually fly off the handle are called "trolls." A troll is someone who is nearly always rude, provoking, personal, emotional and abusive of board courtesy.

Pick an anonymous screen name or username. We encourage anonymity, along with courtesy, here on these boards because you will get more out of the online community experience. If you choose to reveal your identity to another user in a private message ("PM") or e-mail, that is your choice.

Use the private message ("PM") and e-mail functions respectfully. Users typically use private messages or e-mail to avoid making a public comment to a particular user. Private messages or e-mail should be used to have a private conversation, not to "flame" or harass someone.

Your eemail will remain private. You need to use your e-mail address to register, but your e-mail address is not able to be seen by any other member. If you choose to e-mail someone, then they can see your e-mail address. If you want to e-mail someone without that person being able to see your e-mail address, send a private message ("PM").

Don't advertise. Online communities really want to be free from users who try to promote their self-interests and business pursuits. The Tosa Town Square is meant to be a place for authentic exchange of referrals based solely on personal experience. Think of it this way, if others in your line of work would normally have to pay for advertising, so should you. These boards are not a substitute for paid advertising. If a user violates the "No Advertising Policy," he/she will be warned and potentially banned.

 

We're here to help

While the Town Square is your forum to express your views and share ideas, we are here assist you if you have any problems or questions on how the Town Square works. Chris Johnson, assistant online editor with MyCommunityNOW.com, is your moderator and is available if you need help. She can be reached at cjohnson@cninow.com or (262) 446-6633.

Spread the word

Online communities are a lot of fun when they fill up with vibrant conversation and a broad exchange of ideas. The more people in the Town Square, the more fun you will have. If you haven't participated before in an online community, prepare to be amazed. Bring your friends and neighbors, and let's get started!