Posted by Zeebadaboodee at spider-te071.proxy.aol.com on October 14, 2000 at 19:27:07:
In Reply to: Suggestion for Ming/HolyToads posted by Jennifer_ann_7 on October 14, 2000 at 12:35:47:
: The summaries are wonderful, but they are a very long read. Some people want to jump in right away and post. The result is
: 1. A question already answered
: 2. people jumping on this person
: 3. that person leaving the board because the people here are mean
I understand the need for people to want to post right away, but that is the very reason they get flamed. It really isn't that people are mean, but that the folks who "jump in and post" are not following the rules.
: I understand that some people like making fun of other people's posts. Same as a 4th grader picking on the new kid, it makes them feel smarter and in control and they get attention for being witty. Unfortunately, as I learned when I almost left the board, many people have stopped posting because of the nature of some of the board "regulars." I think this is a shame. I got quite a few emails from people saying "I dont like those people either but I stick around anyway because I love the movies, BUT I dont post anymore."
I've been hanging around here for a fairly long time, and in my honest opinion the "regulars" are not really the ones who flame people. Most of the people that have stuck around for a long time seem to really try helping new people with questions, although the new folk who don't read the summaries like they are supposed to sometimes get told to go read them.
I honestly think that is you could check the people who are flaming those around them, in general they have only began posting here within the last 6 months or so.
Besides that fact, your logic is slightly skewed in a sense. You say that new people are treated badly by the "regulars," and yet the only thing most regulars really ask new folk to do is read the summaries, which is the ONE thing you are supposed to do before posting. By process of elimination it can be deduced that the new poster's actions are the direct cause of getting flamed (I'm not a math teacher, but isn't that the law of syllogism? If A=B and B=c, then A=C?).
: Here are my ideas to help solve this: Is there a way to put the most commonly asked questions (i.e. What happened to Clerks 2? and What is the cast list for VA5) at the top of the board page? Or maybe have a page in the middle of where you subscribe that lists these most frequently asked questions.
I'm not trying to criticize, but here's why that wouldn't work. For those of us who have been here a long time, the list of questions that would have to be included on this page is enormous. Certainly the questions go in waves (like the Clerks 2 question right now), but the list is huge.
:Personally, and I can tell others feel the same, I'm getting tired of flipping through this board and all I read is "Read the summaries you idiot" over and over again. I'm sure someone on here would be glad to make a list of the most annoying questions. And I'm sure even this wouldnt cure our problem 100%, but I think it would make a big improvement.
I can tell you that the most annoying question asked on this board is, "why is everyone so mean?"
The "regulars" as you put it, are also tired of seeing that same stupid "read the summaries" post all the time. We're also tired of people not reading the summaries. It's such a simple thing to do, and yet some people feel the need to break the rules (set up by Kevin I should add) because they are too lazy to take 20 minutes and read something.
My advice has always been to new people on this board that you should do two things when you first get here. First, read the summaries. A quick read through answers so many questions that it helps everyone out. Second, take a week or so and just read the posts on the board. Get used to the feel of the board before you come in and piss people off. I waited 3 months before posting for the first time, and that was in the day when Kevin was here every day answering questions. That time period worked for me, and everyone should find their own. But coming in and posting inappropriately because you assume the board works like every other bored is just plain stupid.
: Last thing. Stop being asses! Thats all I have to say.
: Jennifer
: Trying to make this world a happier place
The irony of you coming in here and claiming that the "regulars" are asses does not escape me. Over the last few years we've had several people come onto this board and "lecture" about how it should be run and how the people should behave. This board has developed a personality over the years, and those who don't like it don't have to stay. A lot of the older posters have left, and a lot of the newer ones won't stay. But the board is the board, and coming here and leaving suggestions on how it could better suit the way you would like it to be seems like the definition of being an "ass" to me.
The greater irony, is that most people know I'm one of the nice, helping friendly folk around these parts. Must be male PMS.
ksb