Tribute!
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?
Did and done.
Thanks for sharing it last night.
Agree completely.
As someone who once wrote a rather large application in the same language the FR software is written in I think John deserves great kudos.
When you do something right it is invisible. It seems easy. But it ain't.
Go John!
Within the last 20 years there is a 95% chance the elector is a Republican. Most Democrats cast a partisan vote but are not uncomfortable with their choice.
I see no problem with that
I do. I see a fundamental problem.
Conservatives represent 15% of the voters and will never win any election on their own. They either must develop a once in 100 year candidate or convince a partisan organization to adopt some or all of their political principles.
At 15%, however, conservatives can assure either major party that their base can significantly effect the outcome of the election. Chances are good that conservatives can make a difference. To the Republican Party, absence of the conservative base represents certain defeat.
The Republican Party can be convinced to adopt conservative principles and sponsor conservative candidates, but not if conservatives keep holding their noses while voting Republican.
I can do that. I try to welcome newbies when I see them, but I don’t always see them. Of course trolls get what they deserve.
I've been here about a year and am still learning stuff.
(Hey Danae! What can you get if you suck up to the mods?)
Thanks for the post and the offer, Admin! While I am not a continuous Freeper, I do work n’ freep a lot. So, I’d be happy to be a welcomer.
While most of us will admit the inherent tension in defending conservatism during this war-like Obamanation Administration, your point is well-taken. Let us not weaken our forces with friendly fire.
What I’ve seen work on other forums is to have a designated “forum” (like chat or blogs, etc.) where newbies could post an introduction thread and specific people are semi-appointed to greet them. Of course anyone other FReeper is also free to offer their welcomes to the newby, not just the semi-appointees. Needless to say, it wouldn’t be a requirement for the newby to have to post an introductory thread but could if they wanted to.
Yeah. It took me a few years of writing checks every quarter to JimRob to wise up, too!
One does have to have a tough skin for any internet forum; I moderated for many years on another forum, and it could be a bloodbath at times.
But...do we want weaklings, or do we want warriors? Let’s not go all wobbly, here. ;)
You betcha.
I’m not mad. Just pointing out the duties of a Mod. I was a Mod on another large, public forum for many years; the job here should be a lot easier as it’s a privately held site, here for one stated reason; to promote a Conservative agenda.
Do we want weaklings or do we want warriors? ;)
Times have changed and you see that change occurring here on FR. Nothing new really as it has been here in some form or another over the past but seems to me it is much more prevelant than before.
There's no reason to go soft on anybody. The point is maybe not have such a hair trigger on the IBTZ posts and cut down on the crude language/pics.
Having vigorous opposition without being snarky is what makes this site work.
“Snarky comments work better when you have your facts straight.”
It wasn’t snarky; it was HUMOR, lost on so many...
Secondly, I’m a monthly donor. I pull my weight around here, as do many others. :)
Don’t ask. Its not pretty. That whole yacht thing with Sidebar Mod... ugly. Poor bugger. He’s lucky he just got the closet this time...
LOL
I remember that night. Strong men were weeping...
50 bucks for a suspension?
I did the opposite one time. I challenged Jim Rob. I promised to pledge 20 bucks if he would UN-suspend Laz.
He did and I paid.
What the hell was I thinking?
Are we gonna require a sprinkling of custard or full immersion?
Sprinkling or full immersion? After the ninja hippo does a cannonball into the vat, I'd say both.
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