For next week’s Courier & Press column I am planning on writing a column about Internet netiquette and the snark that seems to have plagued most user forums. Read the comments on any Courier & Press article and you will find it dripping with cynicism, bigotry, and tons of snarkiness.

In the past, I’ve blamed this decline in online social skills to sites like Digg and many online forums that are frequented by the technofiles. These days, however, it seems the Internet asshat virus has spread to even the common folk who chime in on the newspaper’s site.

Luckily, I think that the It’s Evansville crowd is capable of conversing in a civil and friendly manner even when we don’t agree. It’s refreshing.

Because of this, I thought I’d open up the forum for you to share your suggestions for rules to live by when trying to interact with people on the Internet. If you have a suggestion, share it in the comments.

Since I’m presently between offices, I am spending most of my afternoons hanging out at the Green River Road Starbucks. It’s a great hangout, but I can’t help but think there are some better local coffee shops that I could check out a few days a week? As long as they offer good drinks and wireless Internet, I’m happy.

What’s your favorite?

_photo courtesy of Leonid Mamchenkov

Chris at Evansville Blog brought up an interesting topic and something I’ve grown frustrated with as well.

My pet peeve of Evansville Public Transportation is that there appears to be a bus stop on every single block, at least on main street. Is it too much to ask that people walk a block or two so that they can get on the bus? It’s actually a hazard, when you consider cross traffic pulling out in front of buses, people trying to pass buses picking up people, and then the idiots riding bikes that don’t obey any laws.

I agree completely. On the way to It’s Evansville’s downtown headquarters there are bus stops seemingly in front of every major building.

Another thing that is frustrating with the bus system is the lack of courtesy the drivers have. It’s hard to tell when a bus is going to begin moving again, so if you try to go by it, they don’t tend to wait for you to pass. Nothing like driving three wide on a two lane road.

On the east side the bus stops seem to be at the most inopportune places. There is a bus stop in front of the old Putt-Putt building on Vogel Road that can cause trouble on a busy day when traffic is coming in from 4 ways.

What’s your take?

photo courtesy of Bus Explorer

It’s another weekend, so here’s another open thread. Talk about whatever you want. The goal of open threads is to give It’s Evansville readers an outlet to chat about whatever is on your mind. If you want to talk football, use the comments here. Want to talk politics? We can do that too. I just ask that you follow the comment guidelines and are halfway civil towards each other.

photo courtesy of Jabzg

It’s another weekend, so here’s another open thread. Talk about whatever you want. I’m spending the next two days immersed in college and pro football. The Boilermakers are actually on ESPN2 this week, so I am totally stoked.

The goal of open threads is to give It’s Evansville readers an outlet to chat about whatever is on your mind. If you want to talk football, use the comments here. Want to talk politics? We can do that too. I just ask that you follow the comment guidelines and are halfway civil towards each other.

BTFU!

photo courtesy of Jabzg

Seeing that today is September 11, I find it appropriate to dedicate this open thread to what happened six years ago. Here’s what I’m interested in knowing:

1. Where were you when you heard?
2. Do you think we have forgotten the significance of the event a mere six years later? Why?

I was a freshman at Purdue in my second week of class and was watching the morning news shows when the news came in. I couldn’t be pried away from the TV. It was a surreal week of nonstop news for me.

As for forgetting September 11, I definitely think we have. I think a lot of it has to do with the Bush administration’s lack of approval, and his Iraq war deflecting our attention from the tragic event. It’s hard to focus on 2000 lives lost six years ago, when our troops our losing theirs every day.

What’s your take? Tell us in the comments.

photo courtesy of by victoriapeckham

I think last weekends open thread turned out pretty well, so let’s do it again. The goal for this is to give you an outlet to chat about whatever is on your mind with other It’s Evansville readers. If something comes up over the next few days you want to talk about, use the comments here. For example, if you want to talk about the college, professional or high school football games, do it here. I honestly don’t care. I just ask that you follow the comment guidelines and are halfway civil towards each other.

I’ll be around this weekend and will post stuff on the site if it’s interesting. Happy weekend!

photo courtesy of ZRX1200R

I’m going to try something different. I’m taking the labor day weekend off from the site to recharge my batteries a bit. Between client work, trying to finish my book (pre-order it now people!) and writing here, I’m worn out and need a few days of rest. If something comes up over the next few days you want to talk about, use the comments here. If you want to talk about the merits of Starbucks vs. Penny Lane, use it here. I honestly don’t care. I just ask that you follow the comment guidelines and are halfway civil towards each other.

This might fall flat on its face, or it might work. We’ll see. :)

I’ll be back Tuesday.

photo courtesy of Jenna2794

Back in May I had an open thread asking what summer movies people were most looking forward to. Now that the summer movie season is essentially passed, let’s reflect.

What was the best movie you saw this summer? Was it something you thought was going to be great? What was the biggest flop in your opinion? Going into the fall, what movie are you most looking forward to seeing?

Personally, my favorite blockbuster film of the summer was Die Hard. Cool stunts and a fun way to spend 2 hours.

Anyone that tells you dessert isn’t part of the meal is a liar. I have an unhealthy addiction to ice cream, but I also enjoy the macadamia nut brownie cake at Bonefish just about as much as any dessert you can find.

I have my opinion, but I want yours as well. Where is the best place to get dessert in town and what is the dish we absolutely have to try?

Tell us in the comments.

photo courtesy of Sashertootie