Regarding new members. [serious]

Well said.

 

It's nice to a see forum promote stuff like this instead of drama for popularity. You're right, we do come here for a reason, mine is because I simply want to discuss and find out more about video games.

 

Excellent post. Always good to keep this fresh in your mind. Thanks for sharing this important information.

 

Awesome post.

 

And this is why I love this place

 

Hmmm.
Double hmmm...hmmm.

I don't think established members generally have a problem with newer members. In fact many established members actively go out of their way to help the new. Asking newer members to turn down their bile and vitriol because this isn't the place for it. Helping youngsters actually get a better idea of how to post threads in helpful and informative ways, not 'Hi, I'm Barney Rubble' as a thread title for a GBA mod query thread for example.

Trouble is, there are a couple of cases where these offers of help, nuggets of wisdom, friendly suggestions etc REPEATEDLY fall on deaf ears. Nothing is heeded, nothing learnt, in some cases the helper is sworn at and criticised, bundled up in a newer member's angst against the whole world. Any constructive suggestions are seen as gross personal insults, rather than the friendly pieces of advice they actually are.

This is an established community...these words of yours below ring ever more true...

But when does it stop. When does continued almost obstinate refusal to act to community standards necessitate action. Bar seems overly high to me.

Let's put it another way.

How far do you expect people to bend over backwards to accommodate such obstinate 'precious' individuals? If someone WILL NOT LISTEN or LEARN, will not MAKE AN EFFORT TO FIT IN, should we keep trying to appease them? People won't go as far as breaking their metaphorical backs...

Longer-standing members started / nurtured this community. Sadly many have already left in my brief time here (yes, 9 years in this community is brief, in case anyone didn't know how long it has been about). I for one hope the community falls no further.




Edit...tl/dr...You're sounding really rather harsh on the older members here ASSEMbler, the vast majority of them being very open, friendly and helpful to the newer members. Unfortunately, as is to be expected, there seem to be one or two bad apples that join every so often, so WTF do you want people to do against repeated refusals, inflexibilities and inactions geared towards fitting in better here? Sometimes you simply can't fit a square peg in a round hole...

 

Well said Assembler.

 

freedom of speech and expression is a mere POV, life is proof of that. never mind a forum.
this subject is required, reminds us to accept the STYLES of posts as well.
so if somebody says something clearly daft (no matter what region reads it, the translation is the same) then a 'talking to' is sure to follow, and be expected. (is a fine line though) grammar is a NO reason to chasten folks when the point of response or thread is about just that, content.
guilty of putting foot in it a few times, 50/50 speaking mind or genuine misunderstanding, not factored in the grammar stuff, as it's base and flimsy, and the sort of thing that counters site growth.
...
and if nobody can be genuine, regardless of emotional frame, then the words 'free speech' have just as much meaning as they always have.
not all of us have the luxury (or wanton delusion) of rose tinted glasses or can paint a fake virtual smile just for the sake of lying to the rest (to ones self)
a balance is to be drawn, that much is certain. (thread for politic BUT when it's not politics but about a game, literally, is it still a square block in a triangle hole just because one stood out and said 'nahh, not for me chef' or 'i'd sooner eat my own spleen'? i really don't know the answer to that here.)
...
some great users met here, not anywhere else, shame they too don't post as massively as some. (and some of those cool guys SUPPORT here and are established too)
i post on other forums in the same way, same style meaning the same thing.
i have NO 'alternate accounts' unlike MANY here, the user 'amiga1200' is all you'll find of me out there, that's a FACT!
when i sign up, the same name is used where possible (unless site DB refuses for some reason, never happened yet) so as to NOT do the 'sockpuppet' thing and be upfront showing my position most clear.
...
valid subject, good it exists!
[edit]
typo.

 

Have an e-hug from me amiga1200

 

I'd like to think we are more tolerant than some forums - we have had young members, gay members, autistic members, female members, members from most countries and all skin colours... they're all seen (hopefully) as one of us - their differences don't matter, because we have at least one common thing that unites us all.

Sure, we have what could be considered an overwhelming amount of rules, but they're fairly easily summed up - respect each other, post in the right place, don't flame and read the rules of sub forums (e.g. the marketplace rules for selling - there to protect everyone). Our initial crowd weren't a bunch of teenage boys as per a regular video game forum. This, the rules and our relaxed (but not overly relaxed) ethos have created a fairly mature community. The moderators aren't overly harsh, reprimanding users for speaking off topic (it's allowed here, as long as it's not TOO far off topic). Conversely, we don't just sit back and allow you all to turn into a bunch of trolls with no respect for each other. We try to keep a presence where marketplace violations have occurred, but moderate invisibly in general.

I don't think it's harsh on the old guys to ask them to be respectful of newcomers. If someone is out of line, either point it out once or report their post and a moderator will deal with the issue. Yes, if we have immature kids on here being disrespectful, we will deal with them appropriately, but it doesn't mean we don't want them to join the community - just have more respect. We can all teach them that you earn respect by giving it and listening to your peers.

 

Well, respectfully (!) I disagree.

I don't think asking for something that already happens in droves - old members being friendly and tolerant - is anything other than harsh, unwarranted and unnecessary. In fact it hits at the heart of the matter, showing quite a lack of respect to those members that their behaviour isn't seen as it is in the first place. Really rude if I'm honest, far ruder than a 'traditional' insult.

Albeit respect / respectful are bad choices of words. Afaiac respect is earned, by both sides, but it is not a given.

And there's the rub. Hasn't felt like this has been the case for a while I'm afraid (since way before you became a mod). It may well ring true, I won't argue about behind the scenes stuff I know nothing about. But it doesn't feel that way. Too much stealth modding perhaps?

 

That's how decent moderating should happen. There is WAY MORE than any regular user knows about going on behind the scenes. If a situation arises, we'll discuss it and (as it should be), users may receive a PM about the situation who are involved. If necessary, a public warning can be given, too - if only to show others that it's being handled.

If you feel there's a huge influx of immature kids here of late, go and spend some time on NG. Come back and let me know how you got on ;-)

 

Lol.
I get it's a first world problem. But a comparison to what's nothing more than a parody board these days?
That would be like a member here crying poverty over a $10 xbox game they can't afford and me saying go to a Delhi slum to see real poverty then report back.

 

Majority of the young members who message me usually ask for help on using the forums and listen to me. Others just spit the dummy and argue, of course I'm not going to argue back I have a bit of patience. I remember when I was young and using forums not really kid friendly . So they have a bit easier today here.

 

I know you are, but what am I?!

 

I'm new here but relatively old in age. I joined this forum because other places I used to frequent are being overrun by children who contribute nothing despite posting prolifically. If you decide to cater to these sorts I can tell you from experience that it will damage the community here. There are enough kids out there able to act mature enough on their own. Those who need special dispensation to act out because of their age have most of the rest of the Internet to play in. Of course if you want to change this place to "Home of the obscure & online etiquette training for young'ns" that's noble and magnanimous and I applaud you for the massive amount of time and effort you're willing to devote to the etiquette training part on top of your already busy schedule.

 

it's true.
as you get old you realize you're becoming that grumpty old man you've been growing up with ^ ^;
guess it's best read more and say less with write only when you have something to offer