Hello New Member of Handyman Club Forums!

While I am not an official of Handyman Club, I'm one of the members just like you, let me offer you this advice from experience....

( I'll try to make this short and simple. )

1. Please read the title and check on the content of the forum you want to post a message into.
It ain't that hard, if you don't, well it's sort of like bringing up the wrong subject at a dinner party!
The other people at the dinner party kind-of don't approve.
Also, messages posted in the proper area(s) get answered a heck of a lot faster!
(Hint: this is not the area for a first message!)

2. We like to think of ourselves in here as a family.
There are both guys and gals in here, please act accordingly.
You may see some teasing posts by "old timers", but seriously, wait till people know you before you jump in that foray, again, think of a dinner party.

3. Unless your first post is really an urgent request for advice, please go to the "New Member's" area FIRST and tell us a little about yourself. Sort of like an introduction, where you are at, (generally speaking), maybe what your experiences and abilities are. So jump down there first and get a more personalized welcome from individual members.

Thank you for reading this and Welcome to the Handyman Club forums!


EDIT: This message may be temporary in nature, as of this writing, we are experiencing a new forum software. Later on a more permanent message from the Handyman Club staff may replace this.

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To:  ALL HCOA HANDY Members

This is NOT INTENDED to CRITICIZE ANYONE, nor is it directed at ANYONE IN PARTICULAR!!!

It is INTENDED TO BE INFORMATIVE in nature and make those new to 'forums' aware of certain types of behavior one may encounter at times.

SUBJECT:  "TROLLS" and "ANTAGONIZING" other FORUM MEMBERS

Like a few other members here who have web sites of their own and/or frequent several different forums, we have observed those who have come to web site forums and create 'problems'.  These can take several different forms, but their intent is to simply CREATE  HAVOC or ANTAGONIZE other forum members.  Sometimes, they will often attempt to HIJACK another person's thread by changing the subject, or making TOTALLY IRRELEVANT COMMENTS or ATTACK or CRITICIZE ANOTHER'S COMMENTS (often by directly 'sniping' or attacking another member).  Even if not using common 'insulting' words, they will 'type around the censor' just enough to prevent being banned from the forums.  In many cases they will not care because it is their MAIN GOAL to BRING ATTENTION TO THEMSELVES or "CREATE HAVOC" amongst the members.... even if only for a short period. 

These types of individuals are ofter referred to as "TROLLS".  For the most part, they are NOT WELCOME ON ANY FORUM that I've been a member of.  Once the membership or forum moderators have seen a pattern in their postings that identify them as "TROLLS" or POTENTIAL TROUBLEMAKERS for the forums, they will TERMINATE THEIR FORUM MEMBERSHIP and their sign-on screen-name is put on a 'black-list' and distributed to other associate forums also.  This is easily and often circumvented by such individuals by simply using a 'new' or 'different' screen-name.  But their method of writing or claims made by them are easily identified by other forum members very soon and reported to administrators or moderators. 

Many "TROLLS" who do this think that they have 'anonymity' on the Internet and CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED.  This is 'far from the truth'.  When using the Internet, each computer has a 'unique' IDENTIFYING NUMBER assigned to it, and once assigned, it doesn't change.  The web-master or forum administrators can trace this 'unique' number back to the IP (Internet Provider) and eventually identify the user by their TRUE NAME and BILLING ADDRESS or account they pay their bill through.  This is how different law enforcement agencies have identified potential 'child molesters' or those who pretend to be teens to attempt to arrange forum relationships with young adults and teens for 'sexual exploitation'. 

When one is using any form of TALK FORUM, one has to remember that these forums are often PRIVATELY OWNED and OPERATED by an individual or corporate enterprise.  It is THEIR FORUM and THEY MAKE THE RULES one must follow and abide by.  These rules are often laid out and explained in the TERMS OF USE one agrees to when registering for the forum membership.  All members SHOULD READ THESE "Terms of Use" and be familiar with WHAT IS NOT PERMITTED ON THE FORUMS before using them.  If a member repeatedly violates these "Terms of Use", then the forum administrators or web master for that forum CAN REMOVE THEM WITHOUT EXPLANATION or DEBATE.  "FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION/SPEECH" DOES NOT APPLY when using an Internet forum, unless permitted by the forum owner of that web site.  If that is a person's goal, then there are Internet web sites that have few if any restrictions available for your use.... finding them is relatively easy just by reading a few postings and noting the language and interaction between the members.

The goal of most forums are to provide a friendly "family oriented" type of environment for their members.  The HCOA HANDY web site is one of those and is oriented for those who like to DIY or do repairs on their own house and belongings.  It is frequented by many members who have a 'WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE" and EXPERIENCE in many different trades and fields. For the most part, all are welcome to this forum and all that is asked in return is to treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.  This means addressing others in terms that are not INSULTING nor DEROGATORY IN NATURE.  Unfortunately, some who are not experienced with Internet forums don't realize that the 'written word' is sometimes difficult to convey since guidance in using the forums in the most efficient manner to get the answer or results desired, is often misinterpreted as demeaning or insulting to them.  When using a talk forum one must develop a somewhat 'thick skin' and 'tolerance' and learn to accept advice given in a 'constructive manner'.  Not everyone is gifted in conveying the written words and misspellings and grammar errors are common, so please be tolerant and forgiving in this area. 



Many HCOA HANDY Forum Members have developed the following creed:

"Take what you need, and give what you can."


In closing, I would like to add one quote by a famous writer I cannot remember the name of:

"When one tells the truth, you DO NOT have to worry about remembering your lies."


This post will be copied and posted separately for further discussion.