I've checked and i was unable to find a posting about this anywhere (which doesnt mean there isnt one, i knowww), i've had this problem in other forums too, bit of a newbie to the whole internet thing. Could some people please tell me what flaming is without using the word flame because i have no idea what it is and in the rule books they only describe it with the word flame. I always worry that i might be doing it without realising because i can be quite persistant with my arguments as long as they hold ground.

Any ideas?

NICE ONE!!!
nn23

Flaming is the performance "art" of posting messages that are deliberately hostile and insulting, usually in the social context of a discussion board (usually on the Internet). Such messages are called flames, and are often posted in response to flamebait. Flaming is one of a class of economic problems known as The Tragedy of the Commons, when a group holds a resource (in this case, communal attention), but each of the individual members has an incentive to overuse it.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaming

Basically it's just being insulting and a jerk towards others.

Good question....My interpretation would be 'to light fires', 'start a fire' , 'to heat things up'...

I could be wrong but that's how I see it.....

BTW Welcome sweetie.....

Kratos's explanation pretty much covers the meaning of the term, with the particular emphasis on overuse being the primary concern. There are plenty of people who feverantly believe their opinions are the only correct ones, flaming usually occurs when said beliefs are repeatedly offered up in a discussion as undeniable 'truth' in a manner that becomes increasingly hostile and unpleasant towards anyone who opposes them. While there is basically nothing wrong with sticking to ones priciples or viewpoint, members are also expected to maintain a measure of maturity and civility when participating in any discussions.

BRILLIANT, i think i feel more confident of my understanding now,
Cheers Magikman


nn23

good luck and welcome to UM....just dont take the bait....

Sometimes, flamers are attempting to assert their authority, or establish a position of superiority. Other times, the flamer is simply a closed-minded or biased individual whose conviction that theirs is the only valid opinion leads them to personally attack any "dissenters." Occasionally, flamers wish to upset and offend other members of the forum, in which case they are trolls.

Link[/url]

yea they got it right, it is pretty much in my own words, attacking someone using words. . . the worst form of attack of them all, you may not know it, but if you are flaming u are hurting them psychologically. they wont know it either, but over time they will tense up and then burst, i almost did in PE 2 days ago, but i kept the cuss word to a whisper so the teacher didnt do anything about it, she is nice, but gone now cause she was temporarily filling in for a few weeks.

Its quite a mad concept really, Cheers for the link Aztec Warrior i found this line at the bottom of the wikipedia definition of flaming VERY re-assuring...

but it is not a flame if it is seriously intended to advance the discussion.

Its scarey to think that something i might write could be misinterpreted as flame bait or flaming....or even actually BE flame bait or flaming without me being aware?

Do you get like "flame blankets" who complain a-lot about being flamed and sort of recieve a little stigma for doing so?
The same way a "school grass*" might?


*snitch, tell-tale etc

hmmm, sometimes i like to put rediculously sarcastic comments at the end of my return in a discussion, with the purpose of lightening the mood if its a sombre topic or lightening the mood if its heated, a sort of "look, i'm not taking this too seriously so theres no need for you too" kind of approach. Is this flaming? Is it viewed as flaming in some circles?

I'ts insane. Welcome to the internet and UM

Basicly, Be nice and be yourself to everyone and just ignore the people who mouth off or try and irritate you

It will have different effects on different people, unfortunately, tone and intent are not very easily discernable in internet discussions. Some will employ 'tags' [sarcasm] [/sarcasm] or various 'emoticons' (smilies) with their comments to help distinguish their tone, but that isn't always effective. Truth be told, its a tool not appreciated by many, more often than not the tactic is perceived as a means to taunt and/or ridicule whoever its directed at. Sporadic use probably won't cause much concern, but be aware that some may become offended.

I hate when people reply to a topic just to raise their postcount. Pffft..