talkmagic.co.uk

From what I've seen (and I will admit that I have not gone back and checked for this), the people who get single-sentence replies asking for an introduction have usually done one of two things:

1. Asked for some form of generic advice, but failed to give any indication of their level of experience and interests in magic.

For example, "I've got a birthday coming up and want to get a new book. What do you suggest?" Without information on how much that person knows about magic, it's impossible to give meaningful advice. What if he's done magic for five years and knows 'Card College' backwards? Suggesting the Mark Wilson 'Complete Course' wouldn't help. It's no good telling him to buy Bobo's, if he hates coin tricks.

I think it's unnecessary to require an introduction, but fair enough to ask that that person gives some information. The logical place to put it is Introductions, because it will be easier to find it again in the future.

2. Posted something that makes people suspicious or annoyed.

People then ask for introductions as a means of checking the poster's credentials. Is he just a secret hunter, or has he got some actual magic experience? The two are not mutually exclusive, of course. Some people are reluctant to point newcomers in the direction of books/DVDs/effects without making sure this isn't just some nosey parker.

For example, if a person asks for the name of a trick, it might be a genuine enquiry from a magus wanting to develop his skills. It might also be a cunning way of finding out how it's done, as the secret hunter will take the effect's name and head off to Google it and/or trawl exposure sites.

On another magic forum I go to, I have never posted an introduction. I was never asked to. I suspect it was because:

a) I don't write in txtspk.

b) The posts I make, of themselves, often show a knowledge of magic. I don't need to do anything more to prove I have a real interest in the art.

However, that is just my way. I've been doing magic off and on for 30 years or so. I'm also a fairly articulate person. A lot of people have neither of these things going for them.

When I go to a new forum, I always check the lie of the land before posting. This is common behaviour and considered polite on the internet. A lot of people are far more gung-ho than I am and some simply don't understand 'netiquette'. I think we can cut people a bit of slack.

(Also known as giving someone enough rope to hang himself.)

My suggestion to the regulars here is that, while it may well be appropriate to ask for some further information, it's possible to do so politely. Mandrake has a wonderfully diplomatic way of phrasing things. It helps to tell someone why their post isn't acceptable or why an introduction's needed.

For newcomers (not that they'll see this), my suggestion is that, if you come in all guns blazing, talking nonsense, being pushy, or otherwise acting in a gauche or rude manner, you should't be surprised if you get short shrift from the regulars.