Recently, there have been a series of incidents where people have started being quite confrontational and generally unpleasant to other users. It is not necessary to call anyone out or mention any specifics but can everyone please read and understand the SE community Code of Conduct.
Whilst the Code of Conduct is self-explanatory, some might find that this quote, from the historical "Be nice" policy, to be a little more succinct:
Be nice.
Whether you've come to ask questions, or to generously share what you know, remember that we’re all here to learn, together. Be welcoming and patient, especially with those who may not know everything you do. Oh, and bring your sense of humor. Just in case.
That basically covers it. But these three guidelines may help:
Rudeness and belittling language are not okay.
Your tone should match the way you'd talk in person with someone you respect and whom you want to respect you. If you don't have time to say something politely, just leave it for someone who does.
Be welcoming, be patient, and assume good intentions.
Don't expect new users to know all the rules — they don't. And be patient while they learn. If you're here for help, make it as easy as possible for others to help you. Everyone here is volunteering, and no one responds well to demands for help.
Don't be a jerk.
These are just a few examples. If you see them, flag them:
Name-calling.
Focus on the post, not the person. That includes terms that feel personal even when they're applied to posts (like "lazy", "ignorant", or "whiny").
Bigotry of any kind.
Language likely to offend or alienate individuals or groups based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. will not be tolerated. At all. (Those are just a few examples; when in doubt, just don't.)
Inappropriate language or attention.
Avoid vulgar terms and anything sexually suggestive. Also, this is not a dating site.
Harassment and bullying.
If you see a hostile interaction, flag it. If it keeps up, disengage — we'll handle it. If something needs staff attention, you can use the contact us link at the bottom of every page.
We're proud to be a large, user-driven space on the internet where name-calling, harassment, and other online nastiness are almost non-existent. It's up to all of us to keep it that way.
In summary, have fun, and be good to each other.
It can be said that we have an incredibly open and helpful community (hopefully much more so than some other communities on the SE network). Currently, this doesn't seem to be a big problem but there seems to be a slight trend towards not being as nice as we should be, and once that trend gets a hold it can be very difficult to shake off. Hence, this is a quick reminder for all members, in order to (hopefully) nip it in the bud.
Whilst the Raspberry Pi Stack Exchange site is intended for users of all abilities, the site gets a majority of its questions from newcomers to the Pi. These newcomers may not be particularly techno-savvy and therefore may not present their dilemma in a particularly clear or efficient manner. These users' posts may need to be "re-shaped" in a more patient manner, with more understanding, than a post from an experienced "old hand".
Another point to remember is that a user is much more likely to respond favourably if asked nicely for additional information. Sarcastic, passive-aggressive comments about missing data are (more likely than not) going to be ignored and put users' backs up (as well as being flagged and subsequently deleted).
So, please, can we tone down the comments, to all users, but especially newcomers? Some examples could include refraining from shouting in capitals (use the italics and bold instead, for emphasis), as well as excessive exclamation marks.
We can all get irritated at times whilst reading or reviewing posts - it just happens. However, when that occurs, don't engage, walk away from the keyboard, and get some fresh air. After all, whatever the issue is, it probably really isn't worth getting all worked up about. :-)
While "thank you" should normally be edited out of posts, nevertheless...
Thank you in advance for your consideration in this matter.
