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?
Like a moth to a flame, I am sometimes drawn to them just to see what is said and by whom. But they roil my stomach so I leave before I say something, lol. I still recall the one that caused such a brouhaha and was posted on other sites because of the viciousness.
Thanks for writing what you did, I have had a lot of people say it to me in FReepmail. Some are often quick to flame you if you criticize on those threads, they say, “we are just having fun”!
I try to get along and gladly apologize if I am wrong about something. The Mods have a hard job and we do have a great forum here.
I have seen a ‘Welcome’ thread at many other forums and it would be a nice thing to have here. Looks like quite a few have said they would be interested in working with it.
Thanks for your comments. LOL, perhaps I should change my tagline!
read later
Didn’t see the one that caused the brouhaha - and that’s ok - don’t need to see it.
Had a conversation with liberal relative recently who was going on about how those who are anti-Obama show so much hatred towards Michelle especially and even the children.
(Of course, I reminded that person of the vileness spewed out towards President Bush and his children - though not to Laura very much because she was so wonderful even his enemies could find little to attack her over).
Anyway, tried to make the point that the people I KNOW are totally opposed to Obama’s (and the Dems in Congress) policies and philosophy which are destroying this country as we have known it - as it was founded.
Wanted to say that the people I KNOW don’t go after Michelle or the children. Most of them don’t. But couldn’t say it never happens.
Wish I could - wish it were very rare. There’s too much else to “target” as you say.
Your tagline is fine!
I will to the best of my ability; not make the same mistake once!
I was surprise to see that Mods have “about page” like the rest of us???
Shhhhhh. That’s supposed to be a secret.
Michelle's philosophy is the same as Obama’s, so we can criticize her for that. I did make a comment on one thread that perhaps we should all post ‘our’ pictures. LOL, no replies and one woman removed her picture from a link on her profile page.
Amazing to remember that Laura really had no faults to speak of! She is a true ‘lady’.
Yes, of course, (fair game to criticize Michelle’s philosophy and actions that are outrageous such as her fist bump and the patient dumping in her past.....). And even for that scowl that seems to be perpetually on her face!!! But her general appearance and even her clothes - sorry but I just avoid those threads now.)
There is just too much else going on....for instance did you see the latest thread about Zero inviting top donors to use the White House bowling alley, movie theater, etc???
Clinton era revisited and made worse.
GAG.
Lol, looks like the story is still ‘developing’ on Drudge. I'll look for the thread you mentioned. He did the same with the ‘car dealers’, remember that more Republicans lost their dealerships when he took over the auto industry?
Payoffs. There is a thread about Greed tonight. Many don't think greed is a bad thing - the desire for more of something than we need. Like everything, there is a fine line between ‘liking more’ and craving excessively.
Here’s the thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2372472/posts
Yes indeed I remember that Zero closed down more Republican owned auto dealerships and saw to it that his fellow Dem owned dealerships were not closed down (esp some in Arkansas - Clinton land).
Didnt see the thread on greed. Will check it out tomorrow. Turning in for tonight.
TAke care!
Thank you for the thread FWI! Night!
;) Hi BSF ... nice to see ya.
Thanks for remembering the Newcomer Welcome thread!
Howdy STARWISE! :)
“Does this mean I actually have to use Novocaine during those initial welcoming examinations?”
Oh, man - you really do deserve a bigtime ZOT for that post. Here I am trying to get through a few threads because I can’t sleep due to a humongous toothache that aspirin, anbesol, and oraljel just barely keeps me from climbing the walls and you post that pic of the torture chair?
And on top of that, I’m out of cigs - aaaiiiieeee.
Man, you are worse than Marque de Sade. Where are the viking kittys when I need them? Or, more important, where’s my scotch - oh no, it’s all gone, too.
Hey - do you make house calls? in the middle of the night? (just askin’, but don’t bring that drill thingy.)
Sure I make house calls. Not a problem... but you’re out of Scotch... that’s the deal breaker.
Could you please move this article back up to the top in Breaking News? It’s good advice and there must be many who have not seen it yet.
Over the years I’ve seen many comments by folks here who say something like “I’ve been here for years and I didn’t know how that worked”, referring to features of the FR software itself. Many useful features of FR’s unique software may remain undiscovered by users. An example would be the “Add to My Page” feature and how it is used.
Knowing how the FR software works leads to more appreciation and enjoyment of this Forum, and perhaps makes people more likely to support it financially.
btt
Can you add me to your ping list?
My pet peeve is folks who immediately start dumping on folks who post stories that have a liberal slant. Just the fact of posting a story doesn't mean that the person putting it on FR AGREES with the story. I, for one, think it's important to read stories from all points of view in order to better hone my arguments about the subject. In reading thoughtful opposing responses to a liberal notion, it can help all of us firm our opinions, or give us another view of the idea.
For example, it's important to know what the folks who agree with the notion that humans are causing climate change are thinking, so that we can better dispute them using REAL science. We need to learn to craft our arguments better in order for people to better see our point of view.
If we're gracious in doing so, we're more likely to win them over. As my Mama always said, "You catch more flies with honey, than with vinegar". I think folks would rather see 'Honey Conservatives', than vinegar ones.
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