Kraut, it is easy to get off on the wrong foot in online forums (I am the queen of this). Sometimes our opinions and ideas come through rather harshly - even when we have meant well. I am not sure about your own experiences. You seem friendly enough. I have made the mistake of only weighing in on the negative. I myself have got to make an effort to weigh in on the positive things too. But that is based on my own experiences here.

Often I go 'arrrgh' at myself. Does this happen to you? If it does that means you are being self-aware.

How are your offline relationships? Do your online experiences with people match those you have in real life? What kind of interpersonal skills do you have. Do you recognise when you have stepped on toes or crossed the line? I think this is a good place to start. As with real life encounters, try to observe the communication habits of others in online forums. Perhaps there are individuals who have impressed you that you might model your own words and persona after. Finally, evaluate and weigh down what you have to say. How important is it the point you have to raise and do you think it at all adds to the discussion at hand? Is that point important enough to be firm enough to be worth the cost of stepping on toes?

You have really raised a very good question one that has triggered thoughts about myself. What say we both together endeavour to find positive things to say too? I'd be interested to know if this at all helps you. Great luck. Welcome to this particular forum. And thank you for an opportunity to share my own thoughts and considerations. Know to that I do not direct this solely at you but do so with aim at all of us who find ourselves in similar experiences.