The Popular Posters

[Blindmouse]

Hey, I've just been looking at the results so far for Flit's survey, and I noticed the comment in "What don't you like about Ober.Net?":

Not wanting to post in some threads because as it sometimes feels as though only the popular posters are welcome.

I don't know who said it (obviously, it was anonymous), but I was kind of shocked. I don't really hang around enough to notice, probably, but do we really have popular posters and non-popular posters? Surely we come here to get away from that kind of schoolyard-ish headache?

blindmouse

[Elspeth]

Yes, it's a bit of a concern. I know that I, personally, am not aware of some people being "popular" posters and others being unwanted. So I might as well state here that EVERYBODY is welcome to join in posts. I remember making my first post on the original messageboards years ago - I felt a little nervous and as though I was intruding - so I can understand why a newer poster might be feeling this way. But seriously - I think we're a very open and welcoming bunch. We're not going to exclude you if we don't know you yet. We'd love to get to know you and we will, if you join in on posts.

[Lix]

I can relate to that

[Roland]

Relate to what Lix? Feeling unwanted now or just nervous initially? Sorry just curious. It just surprises me that you would feel that way seeing as you've been here so long. (Plus it makes me a little sad for you I don't like it when people feel bad).

I do want to say, though, as someone who's only been here a few months, that although I was initially nervous about posting, you guys have all been so fun and welcoming, I'm not quite sure how I would fill my days if it wasn't for my obernet buds! It makes me sad that someone would feel otherwise!

[Swallow]

There have been a few worrying comments, which of course we'll be addressing since that was the point of the survey, to find things out, to fix problems. But i am glad that the overall feeling is one of contentness.... people are loving the boards, and that makes me so very happy... especially as most of the responses were during exams and people are more likely to snap over exams...

but i've been a little worried about the popular comment too... but it was made by a 'newer' member, hopefully, in time, they will be able to get over their nervousness. I was nervous to begin with. If it was the fact that i knew Kayt, and Miska was quite happy to throw veggies at me in the dining hall, i might never have been as active.... so being nervous is something i can understand

[Timm]

Elixa, you have a big post count anyway
But, I honestly don't care who psots where as long as it's relevent, or they're saying something. The only thing that gets me is people who reply with things like 'LOL' and that's it.

Are the survey results open for everyone to look at?

[Elondriel]

sumone said that?
i find u guys heaps welcoming... even when one leaves for a while and then pop back again *coughs n looks ashamed*, ppl old n new r kool. I personally find the ppl here refreshing from the boring ppl in my social circle. hehe.
I don't always post, prob cause i don't want to annoy timm with anything unrelavent (just joking), sumtimes its just kool to browse the threads.

[Dark One]

Its always refreshing to have as many veiwpoints on a subject as possible. I guess it can be overwhelming to newbies sometimes, when there are lots of people discussing a topic, but they are always more than welcome to join in

[Deleted]

Speaking as a newbie here: I think it's just daunting for a newcomer because there's a pretty strong sense of community here [cliche as it sounds]. I was a bit nervous at first too, kind of like approaching a group of really good friends and trying to make friends with them.
But you guys are all extremely welcoming, so I'm sure that whoever felt that will change their minds once they join in one of the threads and realise how 'noice' it all is...in addition to the obvious insanity.

[Dark One]

So what can we do to make newbies feel less nervous about joining in with the conversations?

From all thats said, we do make them feel very welcome, but they obviously feel a bit daunted about joining in.

How about some sort of 'buddy' scheme, where someone takes a newbie 'under thier wing' for a while, till they get used to things?

[Kaylan-R]

That sounds like a great Idea!!!

I second that.

Obernewtyn can be a bit confusing with Norman running around and all the Sus Ridden people!!!

[Blindmouse]

Hey, that could work.

Maybe when you sign up, you could click an option on whether or not you'd like a buddy for the first couple of weeks. It would be good to keep it optional.

The rest of us could let a mod know if we wanted to go on the buddy list, and maybe newbies could even have the option of chosing their own buddy. Or maybe not, actually, that would have the same sort of feeling of having to approach someone you don't know, which you wouldn't want to do if you were shy. So maybe just assigned buddies would be better.

Oh, and Timm, yeah, the survey results are open for everyone to look at. There's a button called "see results" or something like that, once you've completed the survey.


blindmouse

[Swallow]

It's okay, after this weeks done and i close the survey, i'll be putting up a report on the results so we can discuss them....

but i do like that buddy idea, Dark One... I'll put it down for consideration.... Yeah, i could see it working. The only problem with it is that people on the net tend to disappear, and no one works in the same time. So a buddy could be given to someone, but they don't show up on the net for a few days and in that time the newbie loses interest.... something to take into consideration with the rest of it...... But thanks for the suggestions, and keep them coming! Us MoOs and Guardians don't posses psychic powers, sometimes we need a little bit of help... or a lot... and chocca.... timtams would be nice on the occaision....

[Never Undressing Sneer]

its a great idea! i remember when i first joined, i was kinda nervous about joining in, but i had frankie on the site so it wasnt like i didnt know anyone it wasnt that bad.

[Elspeth]

I love the idea of Dark One's buddy system. I think that's something that could really work. It could probably be done quite simply, too.

*toddles off to tinker*

[Lix]

no but i mean some boards i dont feel comfortable posting on, actually thats most boards, i post here, the dining hall and the mystics board. thats about it. I'll occasioanlly post on the other boards but because im not a regular poster there I feel like my imput isnt wanted or necessary or something. I dont know how to explain it without sounding like a sulk
everyone: too late
Me: oh well, ill go hide in the corner!

[Swallow]

That's an interesting problem. I can't think how to solve. I hope i never act like that.... i wonder what we can do....? I suppose it might be because of that close knit thing... mmm..... anyone, ideas?

[Dameon]

I suppose we just need to emphasise that everyone is welcome everywhere. The only way that feeling will go away is if people just take the plunge and post where they feel they aren't wanted/needed. It's helping people make that first step that is neccessary...

And I love the buddy idea! I would have liked a buddy when I first came!

[~Dani~]

The buddy idea is cool!! And I really think newbies (or any other people) shouldn't be having these negative thoughts. I have been posting on obernet for a while and have never found a thread or board where I don't feel welcome to post my thoughts. Everyone here is so friendly and always help other people out.

[Half Empty Teacup]

I can say that I for one just threw myself right into the throng, which is surprising for me, because I normally stand on the sidelines for a lot longer than I did. As a thousand other people said, you all are very welcoming indeed. The one thing that I personally found intimidating was all the inside jokes that are floating around (which, quite truthfully, I still don't fully understand all of them ) But at the same time, I think it's neat that this board is so close-knit that you all are able to have jokes and relationships like that. I've been on other boards that are very cliquish, or so vast that hardly anyone has a chance to make friends.

In short: I do think that the buddy system is a cool idea. Kinda like a big brother/ big sister kind of deal. Just keep up with your friendly hellos....people will settle in soon enough

[Swallow]

I've been here over six months and i still don't get a lot of the jokes.... you should have seen how i hassled Kayt and Clare and Bunly constantly to understand SR+.... I'm a Guardian there, and i still don't always get it...

But i figured sometimes you just have to give yourself up to the flow....

[Half Empty Teacup]

*laughs* Exactly...I'm slowly working out some of the jokes as I go along...and each time I figure something out, it's like....finding an easter egg

Now SR+, that's a whole other story....I haven't set a posting foot in there yet, though I have browsed a few times. It is what it is

[shadowoutcast]

When I first joined I seldomly went to the dreamweavers msg board let alone the Main board. I hang around the RPG board most of my time until I dicided that if I would spend the time joining up I'll get involed. Now we up dated no one goes to that RPG board anymore and I try to have people come to the Dreamweavers Story Den. Also after a year or so of fence sitting I've become a Ward and have mod powers to some extent.

[Dameon]

The reason newbies have trouble understanding Obernet injokes is that usually there's nothing to understand.

Like the Dual-Flush Toilets. It's pointless trying to understand the joke there, because there is no joke. I just like dual-flush toilets, and so they became a sybol of Wandiedom. There IS no explanation for that.

I think that's what confuses people!

[Roland]

I've found that people don't mind if you just ask. And a little enthusiasm doesn't go astray! SR+ seemed intimidating at first, but I went and just started posting, and was welcomed with open arms!! Even if the bathmat/anyaadvark/Bunday stuff still gives me a confused look sometimes.

Basically what I'm saying is I think it's just your attitude. Noone here is out to act like high school and exclude as far as I can see! And I like the idea of a buddy system! I reckon it should work in line with the guild system!