Are You A Flamer?

Since no one admits to being a flamer, and it's always the other guy, this quiz will help you determine if you are, in fact, the other guy.

• You read a message that contains information you believe to be erroneous. You:

  a) sigh and go on.
  b) reply with a query that elicits more information.
  c) draft an angry response in your mind.
  d) post that angry response NOW.

• Have you ever posted a message with any of the following phrases: "You (descriptive adjective or pejorative noun)" or "You obviously don't understand/know/appreciate ..."?

  a) Never.
  b) Sometimes.
  c) Often.
  d) It's in my signature file.

• Your postings ...

  a) what postings? I'm a lurker.
  b) ask what I need to know.
  c) answer questions when I'm sure of the answer.
  d) restate the replies of others, only better.

• Within the group or forum that you most often frequent, you are:

  a) less knowledgeable than most.
  b) about average.
  c) more knowledgeable, but I don't flaunt it.
  d) without me, the group would fall into an abyss of ignorance.

• Everyone else in the group is:

  a) encyclopedic and intimidating.
  b) just folks.
  c) in need of guidance.
  d) functionally incapable of understanding my simple, well-articulated points.

• Replies to your postings most often take the form of:

  a) sneering silence.
  b) reasonable discourse.
  c) multiple, angry diatribes.
  d) death threats.

• When first entering a new group, you:

  a) read all the threads in awe.
  b) read everything but hang back.
  c) engage in discourse where I feel comfortable.
  d) respond to as many messages as possible, so people know I've arrived.

• Online, you most enjoy:

  a) reading others' conversations.
  b) give and take.
  c) getting a rise out of people.
  d) really making the fur fly.

• The most important thing in an online group is:

  a) consensus.
  b) keeping threads on-topic and relevant.
  c) introducing new ideas and asides.
  d) hawking my product or service to a new, ripe audience.

Score yourself one point for every "a," two for every "b," three for each "c" and four for each "d."

9-15 points: You're holding back.
16-22 points: You're a team player, if a bit on the quiet side.
23-29 points: You probably get on people's nerves occasionally.
30+ points: Burn your keyboard before you inflict yourself on anyone else.