Professional

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

What is your definition of being professional on forums?



Do you think certain people or people who have certain responsibilities should maintain a certain level professionalism on forums?



Do you find people trying to act professional in situations that don't call for it (does that annoy you)?



Who ever said that forums even need to be professional in the 1st place?



Discuss being professional on forums...

 

[Skillet]

Well, I'd say for the most part, I try to act somewhat professional, but laid back at the same time. Say for dealing with a rule infringement. I try always to take the steps in an orderly, and organized fashion. I always spell everything correctly, and use proper grammar. I just feel as a staff member, it looks a lot better me using proper speech instead of abbreviations. For me, it's not a turn off when people talk like that, unless it is a staff member. Even if it is a general forum, there is no excuse if you are staff to not be formal in your speech.

 

[Tom]

Professional to me means using proper grammar, decent spelling and being calm.



Otherwise, there's no need to be: You have violated rule number 2.1 under section 2 for disobeying a staff member.



Now that's just --- too much. But I'm guilty of doing it from time to time.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

I dont label myself as professional nor do I try to be.

I handle situations civilly and maturely but I wouldn't call it being professional.

 

[Evil Eye]

Professional should mean exactly what it says, that you're good at your profession.

On forums this means that you know how to use stuff I suppose.

 

[Ashley]

I would say that my definition of being professional is just what it says to me. Having good spelling and grammar, if at all possible, among other things.

 

[Crusader]

Don't really care for professional but one thing every forum must do is not to have staff arguing in any threads visible to normal members.

 

[Ashley]

Don't really care for professional but one thing every forum must do is not to have staff arguing in any threads visible to normal members.

Agreed. If you guys have to argue something out, that's fine, but by all means, use your staff lounge if you have one, or talk it over via PM, IM, MSN, whatever. We members don't need to hear about it.

 

[Kasynlie]

If the forum is corporate one, ie a company support forum, then all the staff need to uphold the good name of the company by being professional at all times.



Otherwise, on a general forum like this, there is no need to be anywhere near as professional as the above scenario,

 

[Princess]

On a forum like Off Topix, professionalism would be best carried out by staffers not letting their like (or dislike) of another member influence their decisions. (Nebulous is posting again, I hate that guy....I'm going to tell him exactly what I think of him)

Not a 'professional' attitude at all.

 

[Skillet]

On a forum like Off Topix, professionalism would be best carried out by staffers not letting their like (or dislike) of another member influence their decisions. (Nebulous is posting again, I hate that guy....I'm going to tell him exactly what I think of him)

Not a 'professional' attitude at all.

You hate Nebulous too? Let's tell it to his face!

Just kidding. =] I agree with you here. Do not let bias get in the way in making the right decisions.

 

[Princess]

Snarky posts make an enjoyable forum crappy--real fast....

 

[Ashley]

Snarky posts make an enjoyable forum crappy--real fast....

Erm, snarky?

 

[Bluezone777]

If the forum is corporate one, ie a company support forum, then all the staff need to uphold the good name of the company by being professional at all times.



Otherwise, on a general forum like this, there is no need to be anywhere near as professional as the above scenario,

I agree.

 

[Princess]

Erm, snarky?

Snide, sarcastic, something posted out of irritation with another.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Snarky posts make an enjoyable forum crappy--real fast....

This is true. This is why Ive stopped visiting a few forums so much (if I do its rare now).

 

[nolvorite]

some admins act like they're immature and don't know what they're doing. that's unprofessional

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

some admins act like they're immature and don't know what they're doing. that's unprofessional

Those admins probably arent acting.

 

[Ashley]

This is true. This is why Ive stopped visiting a few forums so much (if I do its rare now).

Likewise. I remember one forum where it seems like every little problem needs to be addressed in public. I'd rather staff members took their problems to the staff lounge. Like I said before, we members have enough on our plates... we don't need to hear staff problems as well. Okay, I'll admit I'm guilty of bringing stuff up with my co-administrator in public threads, but that shouldn't be happening. Although we have been better at bringing it up in private, though.