OLM (On Line Messaging) Tips

The messages you leave in the OLM system are of two general types; IC (In Character) and OOC (Out Of Character). Most of your messages will be IC, in that they will relate to your playing out your historical role (or character, thus "In Character.") The Post Office type messages are (as designated in their descriptions) are for both IC and OOC postings, the place for announcements and/or discussions of any sort that do not quite fit anywhere else. In the Post Office messages, just about anything goes so long as it does not violate system policies. Though even there, it is advisable to keep your IC and OOC stuff separated simply to avoid confusion. Some of the other topics, such as the public Courts, are distinctly IC, and in these areas, OOC posts should be limited to either brief comments on pertinent game mechanics or informative posts by Staff members (HYW staff or Heralds) which should be clearly OOC if posted. For example, messages not signed with character name except for a brief mention of who you play if necessary, and not mixing IC stuff in with whatever was necessary to post OOC. That way they can be easily noted as information or advice, and then skipped over, leaving the main thread of the topics completely IC.

Some online customs and etiquette for those new to this sort of thing.

1- Don't use all capital letters when writing messages in the OLM. All caps is considered shouting, and it's more difficult to read.

2- You should include your screen name in your messages to the sysop, as some sysop functions require the screen name, not the player ID number.

3- Many messages you read will include acronyms and emoticons (punctuation marks representing sideways  facial expressions.)