So, I've been meditating on what we can do to make our newbies feel
more at home, and I've decided to use a strategy that's tried and
true: we'll make up something new.

In particular, we're going to use a new word from now on: "trout".

Of course, "trout" is an old word, but it's an old word with a new
meaning. When I say "trout" to you, I don't simply mean the fish, I
mean to say to you: "Listen. I respect you. It's great that you're
here and posting and that we're working together for a common goal.
Nonetheless, I have some polite criticisms."

You may use the word trout as its own sentence, as in:

"Trout. This is in the Trail, section 2.05."

Or, you may use it to refer to your polite constructive criticism:

"Pardon my trout, but we've been talking about this most of the
day... Read about it on CM-mod."

You may use it as a verb:

"I trout you. I think you've gotten confused about this."

Alternatively, you may use it as a pseudo- HTML tag:

"<trout>You must mean Jason Fertors-with-an-s, who IS in
PACO.</trout>"

You may use it as a post label, but try to use it in combo with other
labels:

"Subject: SPEC/TROUT Re: Evan is still alive!"

Finally, of course, you may decide not to use it at all. If so,
please use some form of polite disclaimer whenever you offer
constructive criticism, ESPECIALLY if that criticism is a correction
of some factual mistake. It's very hard to communicate a polite
attitude over e-mail. "Trout" will be one way to do it.

---------------------------------------------------

How will this help the newbies, you ask?

Well, those newbies who know and understand "trout" will understand
that we're not mocking or disrespectful to those with whom we disagree
or to those who post redundant information.

Those newbies who DON'T know what "trout" means will at least avoid
confusing polite criticism with mockery. Why? Because there's
something in the post, "trout," that they don't understand. It's hard
to assume that a post you don't understand is being unduly harsh. It
also leads the newbie to do exactly the right thing: to ask polite
questions.

Maybe this will work... maybe it won't. Either way, I hope that this
place will become a little bit friendlier on account of it.

Use "trout." Make this list a better place to be.

Thank you.

-Dan

BUY SALLA T-SHIRTS!!! http://www.cafepress.com/salla

Cloudmakers-Moderated: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cloudmakers-moderated