.jpg)
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?
Lucianne has to be the buggiest forums I’ve ever seen. (at that, it isn’t even working right now).. Its too bad she bailed here over her little soap opera thing with drudge.
Perhaps I am blurring the distinction between name calling and profanity (which I view as equivalent). The foaming at the mouth hatred directed at Mrs. Obama seems the same as Hillary! got. I made the same observation then, that I make now - there's no need to name call, their actions speak for themselves.
I probably made hundreds of parody graphics of Hillary but never saw the meanness of speech that I see now.
There's always a tendency in online forums to look back to the period near when one signed on as "The Golden Age". At least that's what I've observed.
If I complain it's because I never want to see that happen here.
Ditto. I happen to think we're better than that. Thanks for the link. I guess I will start banging on the abuse button a bit more, no matter how much I hate doing it.
Be nice to newbies. Be polite to everyone.
“Good is better than evil, because good is nicer.” — Granny Yokum (L’il Abner comic strip).
Here are some links that may help you get acclimated around here.
FR Posting Style Book - format for replying
Statement by the founder of Free Republic
There are tons of links and a lot of info on the FR Home Page
If all else fails, just ask! That is how I learned most of the stuff I needed to know. Such as posting pics, hotlinking, what BTTT means etc.
Most of all, enjoy your time here!
I wasn't raised that way and don't desire to change. My parody gifs are my way of doing things. Shoot, I may be on ‘some’ list by now, lol.
“I have to say when I joined, I read ...a lot first. “
I lurked for two years before posting—1998-2000. Then I registered and posted.
As far as netiquette goes, I learned on Usenet in the early 90’s. Talk about flame wars! No moderation at all—only embarrassment and ridicule and the kill file kept trolls in line.
LOL!
[Lucianne has to be the buggiest forums I’ve ever seen.]
Lol, I’ve gone there to read but it’s like ‘everyone talking to themselves’ over there!
Unfriendly waters with storms on the horizon...
Tell me you don’t get headaches form the evolution-creationism threads?
IBTZ!
Oh, wait...
“You’d be surprised what gets posted on the anti-McCain/anti-Romney/anti-RINO threads. LOL”
Not after seeing post 220 ;-)
Lol, that may be true. I thought PIAPS [Pig In A Pant Suit] was about the worst we said, but may be forgetting.
I DO believe we have an influx of many very young FReepers, who are a bit more wordy. That's just my opinion from what I see and I am here every day.
The Mod said to hit abuse on bad language, they don't want it here either.
Well said. I couldn’t agree more.
LOL...
Need to add Romney...
I’m curious. How does one determine what party one is associated with from the words, “held my nose?” Last I saw, there’s no party mentioned in that phrase.
I encourage all to vote the best they can in the primary, then the most prudent in the general election. That is what I and many others did once Sarah Palin was brought onto the ticket last year.
I see no problem with that.
Very true! I had welcome messages in FRmail, but didn't know about FRmail and it was a month before I nosed around and found them. LOL!
Ping lists were very confusing to me, too. Some were putting me on them and I didn't know what to do with them. ;*)
And Gingrich. And Steele.
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.