Message Boards

I'm not sure whether having this blog has had an influence, but in the past few weeks, I've had a number of new registrants on the Message Boards at my website, The Grammar Curmudgeon. Perhaps having a presence here at Blogger serves a purpose.

Web surfers are no doubt aware that the Internet has many Q&A sites, message boards, and forums on just about any imaginable subject. Indeed, years ago, when I first connected, my main activity on the Web was participation as an "expert" on grammar and writing at a number of such sites. Some of these sites folded, however, and many of them deteriorated because they were not monitored by the site owners and became playgrounds for hackers, spammers, and juvenile delinquents. Few of the people who answered questions were true experts, and the sites were overrun by lazy kids who wanted someone to do their homework for them.

In the meantime, I had established a website and was beginning to receive some queries, via e-mail, about English grammar and writing. Since I was already bored or disenchanted by many of the generic Q&A sites (although a few good ones still exist), I introduced some message boards on my site – a grammar discussion board, a board for ESL students, and a general board that was open for any topic. (I have since added literature and education boards.)

Registration was slow at first, but I now have more than 650 registrants. Only a small percentage are regular, active contributors, but (to my great satisfaction) we do have a small and sociable virtual community. Part of the success of these boards, if I do say so myself, is that (unlike the managers of most such sites) I am not an absentee landlord. I watch what goes on there, actively participate in the discussions, and ensure that the tone remains civil. We have disagreements – grammarians can be a contentious crowd – but "flaming" and personal attacks are not tolerated. I revoke the registration of anyone who steps out of line by being mean-spirited and confrontational (for no apparent reason other than to be a pest), but I haven't had to do that very often.

Sadly, some of what passes for dialogue on the Web is just plain silliness, and a lot of it is nasty. Some people abuse the cloak of anonymity by hurling verbal brickbats, making mean comments and using language that (I trust) they would never make or use in face-to-face conversation. I've seen many potentially good forums become the Internet equivalent of a barroom brawl. It takes only one or two troublemakers to destroy the tone of an entire site.

That's all the more reason why I think my site's discussion boards (limited as they may be) make a useful contribution to the Internet. I guarantee privacy and anonymity and don't link to any spam-generating venues, but I maintain a presence so that anyone who abuses the privilege of anonymity is promptly expelled. I am proud to have several contributors who respond to questions intelligently and participate in discussions with wit and grace. Naturally, I welcome anyone who wants to be part of this group, whether to participate actively or merely to kibitz for the fun of it.