As a follow-up to Fire Siren's blog about choosing the appropriate forum for a post, here is my suggestion: Decide whether to post your thoughts as a DISCUSSION or as a BLOG, then do it. Don't post the same thing in both places.

For all of the newer members, there is a very handy SEARCH tool with which you can surf this site to see if your hot topic has been discussed before. If so, chances are very good that there are a number of responses from other members already; adding your $.02 to the existing discussion "bumps" it back to the top along with the previous dialog.

I propose a new SOP/SOG for creating posts:

1. Decide on a topic you would like to discuss.

2. Decide if you want to discuss a subject or rant abount something. Discussion = Discussion, rant = blog.

3. If it's going to be a discussion use "Search Discussions" to see if it's been discussed before. If YES, then respond to the existing discussion.

4. If there is no previous discussion, choose the appropriate category for the post and proceed.

5. Choose topics carefully; if you want a question answered, be prepared for answers ranging anywhere between yes and no.

6. Once you open a discussion, keep it open. Never delete a discussion. You may not like the answers or information recieved but the information may be of great benefit to others, either now or in the future.

7. Never reply to a post or discussion in anger. Think your answer through before posting. Sleep on it. Think about it. If you still need to reply you can then do it in an objective, intelligent and hopefully non-judgmental manner.

Let's try to keep this excellent site up as long as we can.

Rant off