Mod Lecture Series- Freeper Community Update

[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?

[XenaLee]

That’s hilarious! And appropriate too. Now, if jslade could make a graphic of the usual RINOs jumping up and running over to kiss the donkey’s @ss.....(RINOs all over...from one end to another).

[Sally'sConcerns]

I haven’t forgotten at all about HTML bootcamp. The thing is though, not all newbies need to learn about html. It’s not as if it’s an unknown. That thread also doesn’t have a Welcome Newbies sign, it’s directed towards those needing help with html.

It’s also not a sticky thread which is always on the top page and easily accessible. Someone would have to know to go looking for it.

[An Old Man]

Instead of bitchen about what's wrong, why don't ya fix it!

Darn Noobs. I'm outta here.

[Sally'sConcerns]

Instead of bitchen about what's wrong, why don't ya fix it!

Darn Noobs. I'm outta here.

A. Not my thread, not my board so I have absolutely no way to fix anything.

B. The admin mods started this thread asking for feedback. So, how in the heck can you even make the idiotic claim I'm bitching. AIN'T MY THREAD...GOT IT?

C. I'm hardly a noob. You, however, are rude, discourteous and uncivil.

[XenaLee]

Well stated and ditto!

[azkathy]

THANK YOU for all the work you do. I truly appreciate Free Republic. I learned about this site when I did an internship with a conservative talk radio station-the host checked FR for news stories daily.

I signed up to post when I was actively fighting the environMentalists.

I have been guilty of enjoying the benefits without contributing money. I will have to change that. Americans truly need Free Republic and we do appreciate your efforts.

[Impy]

First let me say 'admin moderator' is right we should be welcoming to newbies. Most people aren't that politically astute, someone may join up and previously only relying on Sean Hannity for conservative news be convinced Myth Romney is a scholar and a patriot. So I'd give them the benefit of the doubt until they show they don't deserve it.

Now, Cinnamon Girl let me tell if you are bothered by the "level of discourse" then you should go post on some crappy heavily-moderated/censored GOP party forum. FR is a free speech zone. Feel free to not read posts you don't like. Personally I find all the posts made be people who pat themselves on the back for being "civil" to be grating.

And look at all the people who left or dropped out for the most part because of the gang mentality of some hater groups-- like the anti-McCain crew, or the anti-Romney crew

If Hillary runs in the GOP primaries are you gonna castigate people for being in the "Anti-Clinton" crew? LOL

As I'm sure you know most of us even those that voted for them don't think McLame and Myth would have made anything but lousy Presidents.

Someone posted a link to your vitriolic pro-McCain vanity. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1994443/posts

I find it odd that you seem to like McCain AND Bush since Johnny was about 1 misfired synapse away from becoming John Kerry's running mate in 2004. And that ain't no lie. In my opinion any Republican when asked by a socialist democrat nominee to be their running mate and doesn't respond with an "FU" or hysterical laughter followed by an "oh you're serious? Are you insane? FU." shouldn't ever be nominated by the GOP for any office ever again.

Aren't I skunk for daring to criticized my own parties' lousy candidates. I ougta just fall in line and welcome RINO disasters.

the folks who must go on every single thread about Israel and Jews and say: "why do all the Jews vote for democrat? why are they such idiots?" It's not very welcoming. Especially considering that Jews that are on FR must generally feel they have some shared conservative values.

Not welcoming? LOL. I'm just guessing but I bet Jewish freepers (besides yourself if you are Jewish) are the first to be disgusted that Jews vote heavily for the democrats even if they're anti-Isreal commies like Obama. I guess you're tired of hearing it huh? Well welcome to to the internet, things are gonna get said over and over.

And I think anyone who doesn't love Bibi should be banned.

Love is a strong word. I'd say I like him. But Bibi shouldn't have invited the Labor party to join his government.

[STARWISE]

Thank you ... ;)

BUMP FOR THE FREEPATHON !

[Pan_Yan]

True FR stock, hang in there and are determined to be apart of the community.

THIS IS FREE REPUBLIC, AND TONIGHT WE DINE ON TROLLS!

[Doogle]

..your zot beats my suspicions

[Doogle]

and the wrong one (Obama2win) immediately alerts the Kitties.

..ain't that the truth...hungry kitties..*LOL*...I must admit, I like watching the feeding

[potlatch]

[Only one unhappiness.]
[It’s a reminder we don’t live in Perfect. LOL]

Lol, the “time” in FReepMail is a pain! I also often notice that the ‘time’ in comments is different than the time of the comment on the actual thread!

I am not a thread poster, have only posted 4 in all my years here. No doubt, there are many who constantly watch for new news so they can be first to post it. Even in the AM hours.

[Squantos]

That mistake will follow you to yer grave....:o).

[Weirdad]

I agree with your post. Thanks!

[Tainan]

Worth repeating for the late arrivals:

"Actually, in our conversations, donations never came up. This is out of frustration seeing some potentially good people sign up and after a few comments, were driven off simply because they didn’t understand our culture.

For most, this isn’t about doing more, it is simply about being civil and understanding how internet communities are changing."

[chris_bdba]

A “how to” page would be most welcome. I still don’t know 1/2 of the things that are here because I don’t do many forums. Just last night someone finally told me what the “to XXX” (XXX would be number of post) meant at the bottom of the posts.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

I stay away from the Michelle threads also - for the same reason. Sometimes believe those threads are demeaning to conservatives who are supposed to “operate” on the analysis of one’s philosophy, core values rather than on one’s appearance (though they are often tied together as I clearly understand).

I tell many about FR and what a news source it is plus a place for witty and insightful commentary, as well as a place where people ask for advice and for prayer.

The Michelle threads just make me wince sometimes....so now I just skip them and hope they don’t get many posts.

Agree with the Welcome Wagon Idea. (Can’t be in that group myself - because I really don’t pay attention to who is a newbie and who is not unless there is a particularly outrageous thread where one can get IBTZ.)

Agree with giving the benefit of the doubt to newbies, even ones who want to link to their own blogs right off the bat. (I just don’t read threads where the source is a blog I don’t know about already).

Greatly appreciate all the Admin Moderators do - so thanks!

[sickoflibs]

RE : “someone may join up and previously only relying on Sean Hannity for conservative news be convinced Myth Romney is a scholar and a patriot.”

Doing a post on that phony Hannity is on my list. Again yesterday he repeated “I am a conservative before a republican” on his TV show. Then he had McCain on tonight.

No, Hannity is an RNC drone that supported GM bailout (he had a contract with GM) , woshipped GWB, Romney, McCain and promoted Steele.

He was completely wrong on the GWB economy, then last Fall contradicted his prior statements to try to make republicans look like the heros (few bought it)

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

By the way, thanks for the ping!

[sickoflibs]

Here's a site a bit better ‘idea regulated’ that some complainers might feel more comfortable (although it looks like their moderators are not currently enforcing the rules but they were earlier this year) :

www.democrats.com:Home » Frequently Asked Questions>>rules

Democrats.com members who wish to participate in our message boards should observe the following rules:

•You must generally support President Barack Obama, and you must not misrepresent his positions or actions, smear him, or attack him (1)
•You must generally support the principles and candidates of the Democratic Party, and you must not misrepresent their positions or actions (2)