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.)
_____________________________________________
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?
If your graphic is the preferred level of discourse, it’s not surprising to me that people would quit.
Far too many posters here won’t see the humor in that. Or recognize that it is supposed to be funny.
LOL...
Indeed...
Amazing that some still don't get all that.
Though I would not say they are "un-welcome" just that the should know what to expect when peddling such here on FR.
I mean I hate to miss a little entertainment...
Looking back I put it down to being chained to McCain. As we’ve seen from her Facebook postings she is a woman of strong opinions, but she had to fall into line then.
You know, I really enjoy your work here on the forum, but the snarky reply was uncalled for.
So, I like Rich Text Editors, and would like to see one implemented on the site. Your reply seems to indicate that you think I’m slamming FR. Geeeez, brother. Read my posts again.
See post 59.
As a recent newb myself, here’s my input.
I think it would be a lot easier to be a respectful and good poster if there was some sort of post to help new people such as myself - sort of an FR guide. This might be post answering frequent newb questions. When I joined, I searched for, but couldn’t find, something that included all the following topics:
How to create posts (especially keyword guidelines and such, which I still don’t know)
The fact that new members’ posts will be delayed until reviewed by a moderator until it is deemed no longer necessary,
General FR etiquette (such as vanity frequency),
General FR terms and labels (eg. barf alert, vanity, freep this poll, etc),
Some basic html coding,
An explanation of pings - what they are, how they work, etc
And maybe some other stuff I can’t remember at the moment. A post for new members to be redirected might be easier than having to reexplain the same thing to new members constantly. Just to clarify, I do still like the welcome wagon ping list idea though.
Apples and oranges. Socially liberal/fiscally conservative are two different frames of mind in the same body. Minarchy is a viable ideology. I can’t help it that the name is what it is...limited government is the key. Call me minarchist, libertarian, Conservative...it’s all the same to me.
What? You don't like humor?
Tough luck!
Or...is it that you can dish it but can't (or won't) take it? Maybe you support McCain because he tried to overturn First Amendment protections on free speech--certainly that little thread of yours indicates that you don't like people posting things you disagree with.
it’s not surprising to me that people would quit.
If you want to quit FR, by all means, I won't stop you.
“Are you sure it wasn’t a dead RINO?”
I may have to update the saying...lol
Thanks for the heads up. ;*)
Jim’s barely on the road with Tea Party Express and is this “mice will play while the cat’s away”?
It’s very tempting. I’m giving it serious consideration...
Didn't know that. I also don't know what percentage of Freepers post via Blackberries, or iPhones, but I agree that there's a lot to be said for simplicity in some cases.
See 220 for laughs.
In all those years I never once hit abuse on anyone. A thread came up a few months ago about language and the Mod TOLD us to use the abuse button. I used it once in 8 years.
An older thread about profanity and what would be done about it;
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1755064/posts
I probably made hundreds of parody graphics of Hillary but never saw the meanness of speech that I see now. I think there is so much hatred of Obama that people are finding it harder to control themselves anymore.
We've all seen other forums where profanity runs rampant. If I complain it's because I never want to see that happen here.
When I was a newbie back in 2002, several FReepers stepped forward to welcome me and show me around. They introduced me to several of the ping lists, and they were a tremendous help.
Sometimes we just need a little nudge now and again.
LOL! Good one.
You just met our gang leader Rabs. He breaths life back into the conservative movement, something our republican establishment buddies (GWB/McCain/Romney) destroyed the last 8 years. We look forward to his posts.
What is with the anti- Semitic accusations? Where are those? Where are the anti-Israel posts? 80% of Jews did vote for Obama. That is anti-Israel. What is your point?
Teh typeo vireus is ever-present.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.