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?
Interesting. He shows up at Ancestry.com but they want a fee (which I’m not ready to pay — need to coordinate with family). First & last name (only), birth year and state show up on lds.org, occupation possible, but that one was adopted by Swedish parents.
D.C. -- head's up!
You should be proud! When I stopped at the Food Lion after dropping the kids at gymnastics, the cashier asked if I wanted to buy a box of chocolate-covered cherries for the troops. I did, and she said they’re going to give them to the National Guard troops when they get on the plane to leave the US, since they can’t be shipped overseas.
That is one happy pup!
Yah...most of what Ancestry.com has was provided in some form from the genealogical files in SLC. Still; Ancestry.com has allowed a lot of names to be submitted and if you sign up (look for specials) you can ask for relatives to contact you. THAT is priceless!!
I found a photo of my first husband’s father, mother and the two boys by that route. My ex- never remembered his father, and wondered where my son got his dark looks. Paternal grandfather!
Of course, I lost all that when the CPU crashed last year...
Thank you so much!!
Our guys do so much, and ask for so little. (My Knight is my pride and joy!)
It would be cool if more stores did that. I mean, if nothing else, the cherries could be traded for....whatever.
Ohyah! I love dog-happies. They are joyful without restraint!
It’s sunny here, for once. We painted outside today. Starboard side main deck. I saw a seal. It was even kind of warm out. Then I went to base laundry to wash uniforms. The paint didn’t come out, but some of the dust did.
In 1995 my employer put me on two technical standards committees (and on subcommittees of one committee). In 2000 a new testing standard committee was formed and I was placed on it. In 2007 I was placed on a European organization. So far, okay. I can handle 4, not counting subcommittees (which is where most of the work is done anyway).
But one of my subcommittees is related to Smart Grid work. So I was sent to a Smart Grid conference a couple of weeks ago to became a member of a subcommittee there. This is getting bad. Now I am to become a member of an over-subcommittee, and am a member of a corporate internal "shadow committee."
Over half my day today and tomorrow is tied up in meetings and teleconferences.
"Run away..."
“Run away FAST! (And don’t look behind you!)”
I know all my blood relatives back to the immigrant brothers -- we are not many. I will be the last of my line on this side of the pond to bear my surname.
LOL — “Get that thing off my leg!!! Unnngh!”
Enjoy the sun while you can, Anoreth; you might have some more tomorrow. You're not going to see it much anymore here for some months -- it's going to be dark, cold and wet. One reason folks move away from Seattle.
I don't know what time of year is best, but on the ferries across the sound I've often seen seals and sometimes orcas.
*sigh*
I was talking with a co-worker recently about all the travel. She said her husband had had the same issue and fixed it. I asked, "How?"
She said, "Changed jobs."
*sigh*
So did you get the chili pepper today and did it help?
There are a number of bits of good advice that run contrary to popular concepts.
“Don’t be irreplaceable. If you can’t be replaced, you can’t be promoted.”
“If you do a job twice, it’s yours for life.”
More than a few people become tyrannized by their expertise. Often the only way to escape is to make a lateral move in the industry, and go someplace where your previous “specialty” is no longer an albatross around your neck.
And as I learned in the military, never volunteer. (Actually, I volunteered for two things while I was in. They both worked out to my favor, but I was very selective.)
I actually got cayenne, and it helped immensely! The difference is between day and night!
So if you have a flare up, mix some cayenne with COLD water and let it work its magic.
I don’t EVER want to be “irreplacable.” It sounds so much like a dead-end job. ;o]
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