I've been lurking with this decorum on the forum thread for a little while (Do you like what I did there?) I'm a member of a large number of forums and each one is different in the expectations of its users. On Barry boys or Rebelv8 they will rip merry hell out of you if you so much as make a tiny mistake. On thirdgen.org if you so much as make a pun, they frown at you.
This forum sits in between but in my experience,although it leans toward the more formal, there is some gentle ribbing and occasionally,a healthy discussion or debate. The problem comes when people take it personally and then the remarks become pointed and bitter. As previously said, we have body language in daily conversation but on here, we use smileys to elliviate tension or show our intent. Sadly these can often be over used and although each face means something to us,it doesn't always necessarily transfer to the person we are chatting with.
I also think its strange that we get so incredibly worked up about people that we haven't even met! Forums encourage people from all walks of like to come together and talk about one thing that they have in common but we are multi faceted and just because we like one thing,doesn't mean that we have anything else in common. I suspect that many of us wouldn't even pass the time of day together in the street.
This debate has now flared to a point that it won't be resolved, there is a great deal of anger in several camps and a feeling of needing to get a point across but why? You know the other party isn't going to listen to it? Surely its now fruitless,just adding fuel to an already blazing fire? Instead of leaving the forum or continuing, why not walk away and then,when ready have the discussion together through PMs? That way busybodies like me will not be involved!