Posted on 10/26/2009 4:32:01 PM PDT by Admin Moderator
This is a public service announcement from your friendly neighborhood Admin Moderators (Sidebar gave us some attitude so we shoved him in the closet for a while. He never recovered from the Yacht incident) For a while, we have noticed some things happening that we need your help with. The Free Republic community is strong; we are almost a family, albeit very dysfunctional at times. Like any community, we have new members joining us daily. Unfortunately, the air of suspicion and the desire to keep things “the way they are” has fostered a feeling of distrust with new members. Almost every day, we see new members join, then, because of comments of suspicion, they often don’t return. For any community to thrive, it must grow. Because of this, we are asking for your help. Here are some important things you should know:
The Internet has changed greatly since Free Republic first started. When we formed, few people had their own websites, now, everyone has their own blog. With this, there is an attitude change where someone who doesn’t understand how our community works may be more interested in self-promotion than we have been used to in the past. We don’t want to change the overall feel of this site- it is about our shared values, not about self promotion, however, we don’t want to drive people away simply because they link to their own blog. There are blog “pimps” who want nothing more than to promote their own sites, but for most people, it is simply how they start out sharing their thoughts on a matter. Encourage these members to take part in existing discussions.
Many new members may not communicate well what they believe and it gives the appearance they are not 100% kosher in their Conservative beliefs. This may have nothing to do with their Conservative credentials but simply how they are communicating their beliefs or how the media/pop culture has told them what to think. Be an example and discuss what you think is wrong. A liberal troll’s true colors will reveal themselves while a new member who is honest, but may not communicate well, may learn from the conversation.
Remember, how you respond to a topic not only reflects your thoughts, but also is a reflection of the community and Conservative values. We need to be an example of positive conservative values when responding to members, especially new ones. As mods, we make a strong attempt to screen all new members. Every new sign-up goes through a period where their posts are reviewed. This helps us eliminate most trolls, porn and commercial spammers, and those who don’t fit in with our Conservative values. This isn’t a perfect system, but it does help us make sure that by the time a new member reaches the community, there is a greater chance this person is the type we want around. Some slip through, yes, and you can always help us by hitting the abuse button. (of course, we do let some world class morons through every once in a while as “Live Chow”- after all, the kitties have to have toys.)
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With all that said, we need to grow. We need to be far more welcoming to new members and guide them into how to use our community best. With this said, we are issuing a challenge to our long time Freeper family. We would like to start up a ‘welcome wagon’ type of ping list or group whose job it is to welcome new members, show them the ropes, and guide them through our community. This could be as simply as giving new members a kind welcome, guiding them to how to post topics or replies, or just making the experience pleasant.
As this is your community, we would like your thoughts, ideas, and most importantly, for some of you to step up and help us with this.
We are passing the ball to you. What do you think?
Bump
Good idea. We need to build our team!
Okay, now are you one of the new Admins?
Good idea. I would be happy to offer myself as a welcome wagon person. I don’t tend to clobber people before I have an understanding of their point of view and we may find some interesting people who have small blogs that they are wanting to share more than “pimp”.
I’m not much of a clobberer in general.
I commend you on you use of paragraphs. It makes reading what you easy to understand. I can’t remember any threads with out paragraphs that made since.
I probably should have been nicer to that guy who was a gay furry fox on Second Life.
I’m not a newbie, but I’m still learning things on here,
so I’m in favor of talking and maybe changing some minds
with the facts. Of course, shaming them outa unrealistic
notions can’t hurt.
(Sound of ZOT cannon charging in background...)
Oh, well, OK, if yer gonna put it like that. I'll be nice. BTT.
Good advice, and what separates us from the leftists.
I definitely agree that we should give all new members the benefit of the doubt.
I think the biggest mistake newbies make is that they have a “mr. know it all” attitude.
Some also like to post vanities where they are lecturing people.
If the new ones could add some humility to their first posts, it would go a long long way to solving the “hostility” problem.
I’d say to look beyond the language to the intent. I’ve seen too much flaming at new posters who have a different slant on thing.
Freepers are looking for the best answers. I’ve been able to change an initial opinion based on the introduction of new facts. Let’s give the universe of those who join here a fair trial and try for the best observations among us.
Actually, my 32-year old son (long hair and beard not-with-standing) has reinforced by pride that I raised a good kid when he said “The Congress in killing us” and then went on to vent about the crowd that Obama has put around him.
ROFL!!!
I think it is a great idea. I came on here in 1999 and was welcomed by some Freepers who taught me how to post. Deport was always helping me when I coded something wrong to find out what I did wrong.
You want to feel lonely be supporting George W Bush when I came on here in early 1999. Not too much support then. :)
Think a lot of people are concerned about trolls including me but if they turn out to be a troll can we take them out after killing them with kindness?
Seriously, I agree we need to be more welcoming, and I am talking to myself as well. First tendency if someone is new and posts info that is really dumb they are a troll, but that might not be the case. Will start giving people the benefit of the doubt.
I am in for giving new people a chance and will welcome them on board! Caveat if they tout Obama, all bets are off.
I think you should have to be here for at least six months or a year before you can post a vanity. Newbies tend to do more vanities then a lot of us.
New policy would be nice.
I’d love to be part of the Welcome Wagon. ;)
I only got bothered once when I was a newbie, so then I stepped back and did more reading than posting.
Maybe you need some type of way to alert people that someone is a new user, like a little avatar or something else distinguishing fortheir first 30 days?
Is this another "Newt" post?
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