I purposely didn't start another thread about what's happened because I didn't want to drag this on. But I believe we have got rid of the cause of the stupid arguments (I hope so anyway) and I think we can all finally talk about this without taking anything personal or erupting into nonsense.

Looking at what you're saying, it's a valid point and I'd like to put my 2 cents in.

I do see what you're meaning. I've had countless situations in my life when things have been taken the wrong way because of something that has been written. I've actually looked like a complete and utter prick on some forums (I probably have on here more than a few times) and it's usually because i've suddenly become very defensive and tried to fight for my corner with words. it's pretty much impossible to do this with a computer, cause you can't show your emotions effectively - as you mentioned.

I reckon emoticons help, but they should not become a golden rule. I remember up until I started this board, I really didn't know the importance of them. In fact, I'd never used them before this forum started. I still now only use them in joke situations. If you notice - I don't use them when things get heated because I just think they mean nothing apart from a bit of fun.

I think the key with a computer and a forum is to keep away from arguments and any type of insults. people tell me that arguments are healthy for getting things sorted and that we shouldn't have to be all nicey nicey - sure in NORMAL life - but in a forum where words mean everything, I think things can very quickly become very personal, very bitter and very twisted.

I really like the hard trance discussion forum on here cause no-one ever has anything bad to say. They just all obviously love the music and want to tell everyone else about it. This forum though, because it's slightly more political (which is not a bad thing at all - i like that - in fact I really want to encourage this) but that means it's very easy to start a situation like what we've just encountered.

If we all start to realise when it's getting a little bit too much, realise that it's just words, and then pull back, we can't go far wrong. In fact, I think most of you do this anyway.

I think you're right in what you're saying. We have to realise this is a message board forum - not the real world.