Dear Dr ThomasM
What a great topic to bring up here on the forum
I would have commented earlier, but actually thought that there were already so many great comments from so many clever PP members that I almost stayed away. Too much just to add a small microsopic new angle to something might not always bring the point, but moves sometimes the dialog away from what is the core and essense of it. Anyway, I will give a go
#1 How do you feel about "imho" or "my thoughts are"...
I have to admit, I have never in any posts here or on other fora I have writing on used the "imho" or similar wording. I think they come to cheap as a shortform. If used, than I believe more in writing them out in full. One must remeber this is a forum with members from all over the world. Different religion, different occopation, different culture etc. So shortforms as above sometimes comes cheap and looks like "I am a bit tough in my writing style, but so what, I will give a IMHO at the end to loosen up". But on the other hand you need to loosen up, as the written words as here can and will me misunderstood. Especially on a forum like this where people only, or in many cases only know each others from what and how they write. That said, I have used the "my thoughts are", "I find that a white would look .." etc So I use sometimes the
I think you can and should make a comment, but it depends on the way and the style. Try and be humble and not selfcentered, but make your point clear and understandable. It always helps to read your post before posting, just to avoid misunderstandings etc.
#2 Is there a difference between facts and opinions?
Yes of course (my humble opinion that is..). However, sometimes (as I believe you stated yourself) do we believe we have fact where we might only have opinions or mass-opinions aka "almost facts". So again, be humble in your writing and in the way you treat others (as you would like them to treat you.,.). ALSO, if you find out you made a mistake, and you were talking opinions and not facts or your facts where wrong. A simple excuse or "oups, I was wrong, thankyou for helping me out" will in many cases be more than appreciated...
#3 Should communications preserve pleasantries like "Dear..." and "Hi..." and "Please..." and "Sincerely..."?
For sure, yes 112% yes..
However, I have to admit, I am on this forum (and others) not always doing that. I start something in the heading and continue in the text. But at least I try as respect to mention the posters name in my post (but it is sometimes a bit ackward if you dont know them, and have to say fx Dear Mr (or Ms??) 2346223ytWatch... Also a reason why I call myself hans_jorgen, due to my name. Simple Hans Jørgen. the last bit is the year I was born aand the year my Speedmaster was born as well. I actually used my surname instead of 1968 the first weeks in here, but did not like so many guest and had actually a few unpleasent comments as well..
Best regards
Hans