New Forum Users

Yes, I'm new to the game. Yes, I'm new to posting in these forums. Yes, I have read the forums for quite some time now and just recently decided to try and post a few things. No, it has not been productive.

I am referring to the way people are jumped all over when they post and are considered "newbies" by the established forum posters. I have seen people trashed for expressing their opinions, called names, and insulted for trying to speak up about something .. myself included. We are told that we haven't been around long enough ... things were much worse back in the beta days ... we should stop complaining and deal with the lag, tp issues, etc.

Well, I have seen the way some posts are responded to, and it truly upsets me. I might understand this if I though I was dealing with a bunch of teens and pre-teens who get off on insulting and bullying others. However, I guess I expected more from a game which has a predominantly adult user base.

I have posted my concerns and comments about the problems I see within the game. That, in no way, meant that I am not supportive of the game and linden labs. It does mean that I do not just want to sit around and let things go without voicing my opinion. I do not think that sitting quietly and keepign our opinions and concerns to ourselves is a productive way to get things addressed.

The forums should be a place where anyone can express their ideas in an open manner. I have not seen that be the case here (or in many other forums to be honest). I have seen the forum veterans jump all over any negative comments made by what they consider newbies and have seen much immaturity in the posts. So ... as unpopular as this may make me, I wanted to express my concern about the state of the forums.

I will continue to read the forums with interest, but will have to think very hard about adding any further posts myself.

Respectfully,
Dain Lambert

If most people chose the same path you just did, and addressed the situation in an adult like manor, then there would probably be less of what you see happening in all forums

No matter where you go, there will always be people who defend the sandbox they play in.

BTW, Welcome to SL...

Not really sure what you're talking about. I've checked your recent post history, and with the exception of a little drama in one of the tiny little group forums over yonder, no one even really quotes you or responds to you. I've not seen any name calling, and all I've really seen is the occasional Linden going in and cleaning up their land twice when you mentioned it, and then you turning around and complaining about the lack of Linden responses to problems.

So... I guess I'm just kinda lost as to what you mean.

Welcome to SL Dain.

Nope not unpopular at all - good for you for speaking out!

I agree Dain - too often the forms get personal and then then the drama begins.

I would like to add my support that we should NOT jump on anyone in the forums and you are to be applauded for speaking up about it.

To clarify:

My post was not totally in reference to my own posts. I was talking more generally about the posts of new people in general and the reactions they get. Perhaps I am overreacting and shouldn't worry about other people, but that would go against my nature.

Just wanted to clarify and I should have made that more clear in my original post. I would agree that my posts have not been met with hostility. I have, however, witnessed much of that happening.

Dain

Don't worry, Dain. You are just new. You will get used to it.

I could be wrong and I expect to be persecuted (big time) for posting this, but my interpertation of your response to a respectful but critical post is that it appears to be dripping with sarcasm. (perhaps this was not your intent?)

I am new and I have been reading the forums and I am shocked at some of the responses that I seen given to new people, particularly when they post in frustration about known bugs in SL.

My general observation is that many people who have been in SL for awhile (beta) feel that new people are ruining their SL experience. That they could not have an original idea to save their lives and that it's all been done before "SO GO AWAY". (That's direct quote in from more than one thread).

Well maybe it has all been created before, just not from their perspective. When they make something it's a first for them and they are excited about it, even when it's just a dumb old box.

When they are trying to learn how to use the tools in SL it's triple frustrating when they don't actually work and when they can't attend events or walk around because of extreme lag. It's not like they know all the tricks on how to get around the problems.

Things that are obvious to people who have been in this game for awhile should not be assumed to be obvious to people who are just starting.

One last thing, I'd just like to thank Merwan as he has always been helpful without looking down on noobs and the Awakening Avatars has been really helpful too in world.

'nough said - so now I'll just go away.

Originally posted by Dain Lambert---
... the way people are jumped all over when they post and are considered "newbies" by the established forum posters. I have seen people trashed for expressing their opinions, called names, and insulted for trying to speak up about something .. myself included. We are told that we haven't been around long enough ... things were much worse back in the beta days ... we should stop complaining and deal with the lag, tp issues, etc.

Responded to by Molecular Satyr ---
...I've checked your recent post history, and with the exception of a little drama in one of the tiny little group forums over yonder, no one even really quotes you or responds to you.

I think this is almost exactly what Dain (in this thread) and Brianna ( ina single post in another thread) is addressing. Mole obviously can't/doesn't see the barely veiled insult in his reply or simply doesn't give a rat's ass about it. I am sure a few others can and do.

If the first thing people here in the forums do is take a glance at the poster's age, then run and look at prvious post histories and only then evalute the content of a post --- I gotta say that people with skin a lot less thick than my own can easily be intimidated into just keeping their thoughts to themselves rather than risk the assault that is sure to follow any even neutral comment.

On a personal note, and I admit to being a contributor in some posts, this is one of the most harsh forums I have ever participated in. The drama and invectives flash and reflash on nearly a daily basis - albeit in relatively predictable ways if you think about it. Despite a nearly ridiculous amount of verbiage and posts crying community, community, community there is nearly an equal amount of drama, including defending others against non-existent yet perceived attacks which most people would sluff off in the real world with barely the blink of an eyelash.

Truth be told... the forums are becoming relatively useless to me... notice I said relatively. I might get interested in a single thread each day now... and that is declining in terms of averages. There're are some bright and well-intentioned people here.. but I have trouble with all of the idealism that I perceive in some of the threads (notice I said that I perceive - take that as an insult only if you absolutely must).

Lately I have begun to wonder if part of the reason some of the "oldbies" we non-oldbies hear about left or are leaving at least in part because of the state of the forums/forum drama/forum discussions. I'm beginning to wonder if I ought to ever read the forums any more myself - not just not post - and I've only been here since June.

Then again, I love the masochistic aspect of being a curmudgeon.

Dain, dude keep worrying all you want it will change nothing. I am not sure what you are bitching about. People who come here for the sole purpose of causing drama or disrupting shit will be met will hostility…that is a fact. I have personally made this promise countless times. However if you are respectful and show a true interest in the community and a desire to engage in contrastive debate I cant imagine why would you have a problem.

Bro there are many new people that have been accepted and assimilated into the community. It happens daily and it will continue to happen. Torely is a great example. He is quite vocal in the forums and has been since the day he arrived yet I know no one who dislikes him. Dude there are so many others examples. It sounds to me like you are already on the defensive. I find your post condescending and disrespectful to those of us you have indicted.

Did you really think this post is the best way to introduce yourself? One of your first threads it a sweeping indictment and rant about how people’s ideas are not welcomed…whatever dude. It is precisely this kind of post that is not welcomed. You’re already bitching about something that by your own admission hasn’t even happened to you. What did you hope to achieve in creating this thread?

I will gladly welcome you if you quit bitching and start posting shit that actually matters. This has nothing to do with having different political, personal or religious beliefs and everything to do with your intentions. If you intentions are beuno I really don’t see anyone giving you problems, however, if you came here to cause problems I can promise you that is exactly what you will get.

One love!

I believe that my point has been proved by the numerous sarcastic, rude, and condescending replies to my post.

I honestly don't care what any of you think about me, I didn't start this thread to cause drama or to incite a debate. I started it because I saw a need for something to be said. Did I expect everyone to be kind and nice to one another here ... no. I guess expecting that would be unrealistic.

I suppose since nothing ever seems to get solved by posting in here anyway, there is no real point other than to feel like a bigshot because you put someone down or made them feel like crap. I guess bullies exist everywhere and SL should be no exception to that rule. In saying that I have learned my lesson - and will fade into the woodwork like so many others that read these forums daily but are to cautious (or smart) to post. It's a shame to think about how much useful and helpful information is out there but people are to worried about posting.

Have fun everyone - try to enjoy the game and your lives. I have learned my lesson - been beaten down and can take a hint.

Aww, Dain. You are perfectly welcome to post here. I was just funning with you, and Darko is upset cause I flushed his stash, so he is taking it out on everybody.

Dain I'm newish too. There's alot of good but also there's not so good here, like everywhere I guess. I find it's not hard to filter out the negativity since for the most part, the people I've met here are super. And I'm not even on prozak. Go ahead and post... if you get flamed, who cares really... it's just an online game forum. (*expects to be flamed for calling it just an online game forum )

Later douche bag!

whoa...kinda harsh to the newbie don't you think? I know most newbies are trolls and griefers nowadays, but gotta give some who aren't a chance.

Hmm...I thought I was 'Diaper Boy'?

Devlin you did not find my good stash, you found my schwag bag. Do you really think I leave the good shit lying out? Come on man!

You know who I was talking to silly boy!

ummm ???

I deleted my post because I did not express myself clearly. What I meant is that there are many people who come here to cause problems. I did not mean to imply all newbies. i just meant we see a large of number of people with this intention. I did not feel Dain was one of these people. I thought Darko was a little agressive. I am sorry for that statement Ingrid.

The only time I really see anyone jump on anyone else is when the post is completly obsurd (such as the post regarding the "sit trick", or in the Feature suggestions forum where features are often suggested almost every day of the week.

If you can cite some links to examples of what you mean I'd like to see them, feel free to PM them to me if you'd like.

Not saying I don't believe you, just that I myself would like to know of these instances as I may have missed/ignored them.

Also if you've found *me* doing any of what you've stated, please let me know as its not something I'd like to continue.

no worries.

Dain,

Freedom of speech was never intended to stand for 'say what you want, and expect everyone to listen and agree with you'.

The moment you say or write something, you should be expecting a mass of people saying or writing something against what you said, or simply making fun of it, no matter how intelligent or factual what you said was.

That is simply the nature of the beast, and no matter how much you, me, Bush, Kerry or anyone else complains about it, there is nothing that can be done.

I don't mean this in a bad way. Just know that there will always be negative people no matter where you go and you just have to learn to deal with it.

I guarantee that someone will have something to say to me for this post. I will listen to what they have to say with an open mind, and if I don't like it f*** i*, life goes on.

But anyway, welcome to SL and the forums. You will find that there are a nice people here, even though you may not agree with them in many issues. Enjoy!

-tito