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?
Excellent.
Wish somebody in the missus family had been with it like that.
Instead, everyone dithered and told me I didn’t know what I was talking about.
Armor plating, weapon, what’s the difference except one is stationary and the other is being wielded?
It can be both.
As well as a deterrence.
It certainly serves as a warning to others...
My mother used to make fruit cake every year just after Thanksgiving, and when it was done, she poured brandy over it, covered it with cheesecloth, and set it aside till Christmas. I loved the cake and nuts but the fruit sucked.
My brother made her recipe a few years ago, but didn’t use the brandy because he doesn’t drink. By the time Mother’s was ready to eat, the alcohol had long since evaporated, and nothing was left but the flavor.
He sent me some and I just couldn’t eat it. Not even the cake part...it was like eating sand.
I told my mother every year, “Don’t send me fruitcake.” Every year she sent me fruitcake. Of course, now, I would love for her to send me a fruitcake. :o|
My grandmother would make this raisin loaf bread that was some bizarre cross between coffee cinnamon cake and raisin muffins.
Weird part was that it was good.
Hi all. Home for the day. Early — had another bout of the cough into heaves and decided that’s enough. *\:^(
That’s not good, sion. I hope you feel better soon. Slow down and take care of YOU!
It was a beautiful sunny day here, but at home the fog is rising from the nearby river.
So how are you today?
Going away for a bit.
I’m a little better, thanks. Sprinkling my water with chili pepper until I can get some cayenne pepper tomorrow. My stomach feels better already.
Howya! Looking forward to bedtime, here. Lots of coffee is keeping me conscious.
I ALWAYS look forward to bedtime! LOL!
I try to stay upright as long as possible, but some days, I just can’t do it.
I’m about half-way through “Gulag” and wonder what I’ll be reading next. Maybe it’s time to tackle LOTR again...
I have an interesting book about the international antiquities trade. Frank likes to knock books out of my hands, now, and chew magazines, which cuts into my reading time!
I keep forgetting: I walked into the grocery store yesterday and saw a stack of cases of sparkling cider. The sign said,”NOW! $1.98 A Bottle!” Under that in smaller print, “Or 2 for $6.00”
That sounds like an interesting book!
Some times that stuff can be riveting.
What's "Gulag"? The Internet is cutting into my reading time heavily -- I used to polish off an SF paperback novel in a day or two. Now a short story can take two or three days; I can still speedread, but the glasses make it harder.
Reminder to self: tell LoM I'd like Bob's books for Christmas. (It's outside our gift-pricing policy though...)
“Gulag” is by Jane Appelbaum, and is a comprehensive history of the soviet prison system. It’s really quite good. This is my second time through it.
I will have to find out about my grandfather -- my father was into photography (he doesn't do much any more), a sister and I am, and the younger sionnsareens have an eye for it too.
Go to Ancestry.com and if you can’t find anything there, head for the LDS.org website and look up family search. Actually, both might be productive.
I’m off to bed. Later!
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