I agree that I've seen some poor quality online preaching of devotees or Krishna friends. If possible, I tried to talk to them and point out problems without discouraging them. So the common sense stressed by Srila Prabhupada is that everyone should preach according to one's realization and not more than that, speculating and misleading in the process.

"Yes, your study program is nice. By writing according to our realization we become more and more convinced and all doubts are destroyed. I have looked over your essay and I think you are understanding our philosophy rightly. Why don't you write something for Back to Godhead?" (Letter to Pusta Krsna, Hyderabad, 23 March 1973)

"The two essays which you have sent are very nicely written. It appears that you have good talent for writing, so kindly continue to develop in this way and write more and more of your realizations based upon our books. There is no need to concoct anything new. You simply have to study carefully our books and then in your own words try to express what you have read. This will automatically make you a very successful preacher." (SP letter to Dasanudasa, Hrsikesa, May 13, 1977)

"He was sharing himself with them by having them chant very simply and read his books without speculation, so that later, when preaching Krsna consciousness, they would remember. Srila Prabhupada would always be with them as they went on chanting simply and preaching without speculation." (SPL 6.52)

"After kirtana he asked each of us to read from the Bhagavatam and then speak something according to our realization—what we had learned from him, in other words. I relished such a gathering with Prabhupada even more than a big public preaching program, and I wished we could stay indefinitely in Hawaii in this way." (Satsvarupa das Goswami, Life With The Perfect Master, ch. 2)

Re strategy—Let everyone list what they already do and then we can discuss preferences and approaches. This strategy should find its way to manuals I mentioned before. Who will compile them?

So far I can see, very few inputs from new members though. Maybe they are waiting for some ready-made material they can use? 8)

So let me start by describing my basic strategy in public forums like Beliefnet:

1. Try to understand the desa-kala-patra and adjust to it:
   1. Who are the people present?
   2. Who's accepted as 'local authority' and why?
   3. How do they differ from our conclusions?
   4. How to bridge the gap?
2. Quote primary sastra sources and quality academic research, best as active URLs since most people won't go to the library to verify it but they may click. 8)
3. Not to speak only for ISKCON or Gaudiya point of view, but for the general Vaishnava and devotional monotheistic one. (This applies mainly to Beliefnet's "Learn about Hinduism" forum where I speak for Vedic culture in general and point out Vaishnavism as its most prominent stream, without getting a sectarian label.)
4. Give URLs to resources on our site.
5. A nonconfrontational but assertive approach to opponents, asking them for quotes (often they cannot come up with any so stress that just personal opinions are not enough to make a substantial case) and making them understand my points, even though after all my evidence they may not agree. In that case point out that dismissing evidence is irrational and leave them at that. I'm sure other, more open forum readers will agree since effort is ours but results are up to Krishna.
6. Detached dealing with stupid and nasty people, esp. avoiding ad hominems. Sometimes it may be difficult but take the inspiration from lotus untouched by water.

Feel free to expand on this.

ys Jan