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?
Well, having been a Mod in the past, I will admit that I HAVE called out two or three trolls over the years; and I was spot-on each time. *SHRUG*
I’ve made some great friends here, who have traveled with me all over the ‘Internets,’ LOL!
And yes, I'd hit it.
I think I was unclear. I have NO problem with mods pulling the trigger. My meaning was us great unwashed stomping on newbies in the first few posts before even reading the article. Those are the IBTZ posts I mean. There are a lot of them that should probably not happen. Some zots are self-evident but a newbie may simply have had immature (Freeper-wise) judgment.
This viking kittie always defers to the powers-that-be. I learned that early on.
Yep. If they’re not who they say they are, they’ll hang themselves in time.
I’ve been quoted, therefore I am!
Ping to read later
I’ll drive the FR Welcome Wagon for awhile. I’ll start the FRWW ping list. I’ll write a “How To” thread for newbies and offer it up for sacrifice to the great Red Pen of the Admin gods and old-timers for edits.
I love this dang place, warts, kitties, curmudgeons and all. It’s home.
All- Please ping or freepmail me if/when you encounter a newbie who needs a hand.
Regards,
Tex
Yep. I know that.
I apologize for the typo virus.
But I have noticed that as more are infected, I have less typos.
That’s great!
The Viking Kitties know the Good Guys from the bad. :0)
Then we know we've got at least one more coming!! mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm
It was the smell afterwards... HORRID. The armadillos were something to watch though... I still get the heebeejeebies around armadillos... who KNEW?!
LOL!
Excellent Idea BT! Could you do a ping list so we could stop by and say howdy to the new folks?
I don't get on as much as I used to and would probably miss them. (Fact is, I read the threads now and run across lots and lots of folk I've never met before).
If you do a ping list, please include me.
“What do you think?”
I think FR has a really good balance right now. Most places either have an abundance of trolls, or a crackdown on pretty much any fun.
I’m really surprised FR manages to maintain the balance. I don’t know of anywhere else that does
Well said, needs repeating!
Thanks Buckeye
OOOOOHHHH NOOOOO.
How are people to learn the world of FR without feedback.
Trolls run for the hills if they slip though.
True FR stock, hang in there and are determined to be apart of the community.
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