It all began back at the end of the last century...technology advanced to the point that live images could be captured and sent via the Internet. Jenni blazed a wide trail for others to follow, creating a whole new world for the geeky voyeur. But it was years later before ease of use and lowered costs finally converged, making camming available to the masses. Exhibitionists of every size, shape, color, and sexual persuasion jumped at the chance to show off to rooms full of strangers. Unfortunately, manners and etiquette did not advance as quickly as technology. That's where the times comes in. Take a moment to read and heed the guidelines below, you'll be glad you did! Happy gawkin!

SHOW SOME RESPECT

This is Rule #1. If you follow this one, the other ones should come naturally. I know it's hard for your hormones to comprehend, but that's a person in that little box on your screen. They have feelins just like you and me. If you talk to them nicely they'll probably talk nicely to you. If they're too busy to talk to you, then just sit back and enjoy the view. No amount of whining, PMing, cursing, or 32 point fonts will convince them to do anything other than what they want to do. OK??


CAM BUSTERS

Maybe you haven't noticed, but Yahoo's software can be crappy at times. And most people dont have a spankin new 9 jillahertz machine connected to a T-1 like you. So every time you PM them, or send them a cam invite, or try to add them to your Friend's List, you knock them one step closer to offline, along with the other 20 yahoos doing the same thing. And nothing sucks like cammus interruptus for everyone involved. So if you see someone that you simply cannot live without, stalk them later, when their cam is off.

ONE TRY RULE

So, let's say you finally found that room where people model baseball caps, and you can't wait to start lookin. You request to see baseball_cap_barbies cam, and that little spinner thing starts spinnin. Then - noo! -"You Do Not Have Permission To View This Webcam." What to do? Doesn't she like me? Aren't I good enough? Hey, simmer down bunky, don't take it personally. I'm sure they have some perfectly good reason for bouncing you. Your options at that point are to hang out in the room and talk nicely, or (even better) keep lookin for another cam. Trying to view over and over again is bothersome and, frankly, undignified. Her caps probably weren't that great anyway.

QUIT YER WHININ

I have one rule that some people may not like, which is never ask permission to view a webcam, I just do it. I figure that way I don't clutter the room with the same question 20 other people are typin, and the worst that will happen is that you say no. But I do accept your no as a no. Nothing is more annoying than reading "PLEEEASE CAN I VIEW BARBIE PLEASE PLEASE PLEAES" 20 times in a row in big ass red font. Well, except for reading that in reference to someone whose cam is not even on, probably because they got tired of the whining.

YOU AIN'T TARANTINO

One sure way to run off someone who's on cam is to repeatedly ask to see this or that, or order them to do this or that. It's a waste of keystrokes and screen space, so shaddup. They will do what they want, when they want...people are like that, get used to it, you're not the director, you're sitting in the cheap seats. And by the way, if you happen to be the person on cam, don't pay attention to the directors. They will ALWAYS want more. You could blow a porn star on cam and someone would say, "Gee, that's great, but could you do it upside down now? PLEAES?"

BE NICE (BUT DON'T OVERDO IT)

Like I said at the beginning, those are people out there showin off their goodies, if you can't be nice then be quiet. Pointing out flaws and problems does no one any good. But neither does flattery to the point of being ridiculous. Telling someone that they are the most beautiful thing you have ever seen in your entire life, even if it's true, just makes them uncomfortable and makes you look full of shit. So stick to "WOW!" and "WOOOOOHOOO!", we get your point.

Got it? Good. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to e-mail me and let me know. Play nice cam fans!!!

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