Actually, Asin, I know I was just saying earlier that your 'ideas' seem more like 'loose thoughts' but so do your posts.
I'm not sure about bay12 but on most internet forums, making multiple posts (also known as doubleposting, tripleposting, etc.) is frowned upon. It clutters up threads and makes it harder to see individual users posts. Rather, what you should do is refer to individuals in your posts
using the '@' symbol
for example,
I might make the general bulk of a comment towards no one in particular, or addressing the thread
Then I would use the '@' symbol to refer to you as such:
@ Asin : Dude, you don't have to doublepost... there's a modify post button with which you can retroactively change the contents of your post, or to add responses to other forum members who might be looking over the thread (hint: if they're looking over your post and pressing f5, it means that they like you. Or they just happened to be scrolling by randomly.). In any case, people look at threads over days and responding if they're interested, so they'd probably see any edits, especially if you add the conjunction 'edit:' signifying that what is written beyond the semi-colon is intended to be understood as an additive edit, i.e. you wanted to add something to what you said, but didn't want to make a whole new post about it.
Another way to get the attention of other forum users is to use the font size and colour options. But please don't make text too loud because it hurts our eyes, and not too big either because it's distracting when you're trying to read a thread. But please, feel free to use them as you see fit and responsibly and wisely.
Actually, there is one condition: please don't just say random thoughts and turn them up to size 132 in lurid shades. (some are can/be positively eye-torturing). It's as much a case of politeness than anything else. Just common courtesy.
DEFAULT Font, Size and Colour (set to default) is generally expected for most forums, threads and posts, and some even prefer it, but some rare genius have mastered the art of online forum posting and know how to use it skilfully and artfully. The trick is to put a little effort into it, a lot of care, and a bit of restraint (cuz a lil mystery is sexy). In some places it's frowned upon to abuse/misuse the font options.
If you hope to achieve mastery over the realm of internet forums, you have to pass various social hurdles to gain acceptance. Even then, it is arduous and not guaranteed. On the other hand, some places don't have high standards. Like 4chan. But AFAIK bay12 is quite an upscale place, rarely employing "le maymays" and opting for Original Content. Which is a high standard, but we are all worthy to share and contribute, and our worth is our share, and what we share is our worth. Whatever is contributed be it so little but contributed lovingly is accepted.
Still, as long as you're not offensive, some people will downright tolerate your presence. Some will even worship you
and others will never worship you for they are
dyed-in-the-wool at-the-altar-for armok,
df=god~df=!fun!,
one-transcendent-dwarven-superreality in the workshop of life etc. forum goers. (note: replace armok/df analogy with whatever that forum is about)
@ Evans: I'm quoting your post (which was edited for brevity) as a point to Asin, and also because I want to say something to you further down the page (later in this post. see you in a bit.).
Here is a free soft for doing just that:
http://www.xmind.net/
Not that anybody will care but still it is a good practice to organize your own thinking into something that might be useful
(note to Asin:
although "quoting" someone is quite a nice compliment (depending on what's been said)
it's usually frowned upon to quote excessively (mostly because of clutter).
Even though it removes subtext, context etc.
you can just 'snip' a post to the relevant points.
Some people might not like if you remove some parts of the original post in a quotation.
because it can be misleading when someone is reading your post
and they refers to the "quote" for a shortcut instead of checking the original post.
In any case, add [spoiler] tags (the gnarly radioactive looking button) and you can hide content in your posts. If anyone wants to see it they can just click the Spoiler button
Actually, not checking/reading the original post is also frowned upon in some places.
Make sure you do and read everything carefully so that you have things worth posting and understand the thread properly.
After all, a good debate or discussion comes from understanding.
Also, I'm not sure what kind of youtube videos you've been watching, but the comments are usually about the video.
In a similar vein, threads are about their thread topics (some derailing is okay, for example, to make a big, one-off point or just a temporary diversion or fantasy.
Internet forums are a place for directed debate (usually. some of them. sometimes.) and so are expected to keep any clutter off the pages. Don't litter! Recycle.
(@ Asin: see, I didn't use the @ sign earlier, but I still referred to you simply by mentioning your name or referring to you)
@ Evans : That's very kind of you to offer utilities and references to Asin, but more literally, you've offered it to everyone in the thread, presumably because you understood the quality of your post has some kind of relevance to readers of the forum, and included links, OC, and information for others to benefit from.
@ Asin (a (further) note) : Evans' post is the kind of activity or post which garners merit, approval and inclusion.
But there is also a strong human element. Whatever you think is visible in your posts. Whatever kind of person you are can be seen. The same is true when you open your mouth, because expressing yourself shows who you are. That's why you need to use your human nature (some would call it buddha nature) to be interesting/relevant. Otherwise you are no more than a machine or A.I., and a machine can as much write your posts as it can write a play. Actually, some A.I.s are quite good, and even better at posting than humans. But whereas a machine can only copy and imitate what it already knows, a human being can deal with each unique situation with intimate, personal responsiveness. Only a human being can truly act like a human being and respond to their lives with courage, awe, joy etc. that can never come from (or be understood by) a mere machine.
Let your speech pass through 3 doors: "Is it Necessary?, Is it Good?, Is it Right?"
Let your posts pass through 3 doors also: "Is it Boring?, Is it Helpful?, Is it Relevant?"
EDIT: Also be careful when sharing links. Users have a right to be warned about objectionable content.
Don't excessively edit threads or posts if possible. It can be annoying to monitor. Rather try to save the content which is in each post.