Well we are FULLY into Hiatus.... I know this because the numbers of Forum visitors are down just a tad AND the natives are restless
AND I have to think about what I want to write about here.
Most of my Blogs here center on the Forum and the episodes. I figure you get all the "News" at really better places....LOL
So since I don't have any new Episodes to write about ....well except Dr. Who...which I am COMPLETELY loving btw...that leaves the Forum and all you weirdos who post on there with me
cheers to us weirdos!!!
Sometimes I sit here in amazment as I read things and I have to wonder if people "actually" read what they just wrote... Oh STOP I do too read my blogs BEFORE I post them (here's where I need a NCIS smiley of the "head slap" hee hee).
Ok now that I have you all intrigued wondering if I am going to address anything in particular......... nope :-) I am more general is my amazement...LOL
Some of you are aware that the Moderators get a "talking to" by some our Forum Members from time to time.... by that I mean, people voice the things they are annoyed about and why the heck hasn't the Moderating Staff done anything about it. Well this is becoming an annual "Hiatus Happening" since last year during hiatus it happened. On the Forum we won't defend ourselves to any great extreme nor will we explain ourselves to any great degree. "Why is that?" I hear you asking. Well because the whole purpose for us being there is to NOT be a major player in your on-line fandom experience. We are the authority and we know our jobs, you don't. We also don't want to be just *The Mods* We don't want to "know you" just from a moderating POV. We would really rather know you because we, as members as well, have gotten to know any given person just by being in great discussions with them. Now here is where I stop using the word "we" cause this is just me here and contrary to popular belief all the Mods are not sitting in one room with a line of computers pointing and laughing at all of the extrememly strange posts...
US ->
....
<--- you
I have been around for a little bit and I have come to the conclusion that GUESS WHAT??? It really doesn't matter how long you have been writing on BB Forums nor been a fan of StarGate for it to matter how much your opinion should matter and be respected by other people. If you have just joined GW today. YOU are just as important as the person who has been a member since before "dirt was young". So alot of the hub-bub I read would be alleviated if people remembered that they are really no better then the "Newest Newbie". Sure they may know more about this particular Forum and yes they may know more people and have made some really great friendships but what brought them here to GW in the first place? Stagate and a love for the show. Now granted for some the show is no longer as "exciting" or as "well done" as in the early years BUT the Forum isn't the show. Its the Forum. A "meeting place" for ALL OPINIONS and discussions.
So when I see on "old-timer" having a cow or even a kitten over something silly a "Newbie" has done I just have to laugh because its
A) silly to watch and
B) its a Forum not Brain Surgery. So what if they get it wrong, so what if they ask silly questions, so what if they just don't get it at first. The Forum isn't a patient that is gonna die on the table because that person or even the "mob of newbies" didn't get it right the first time.
As an old-timer you already
know it is gonna happen so why get your knickers in such a twist over it? Scroll over the dang post... I have yet to figure out WHY if it bugs you, you even reply to it. There are a bunch of people on this forum that it really does not bother and they like answering questions and feeling as if they are helping out a "new-guy" Let them do it and you can go on your merry way if it annoys the heck out you. The fact that you can't seem to allow the post to just scroll on by says more about your need to be "in charge" or assert your "something" then it ever will about how the new guy is silly.
As for the "Newbies". Well I won't assume that ALL Newbies have ever encountered an online Forum but for those that have not... why wouldn't you read the rules first?? THAT makes no sense to me in any way shape or form. Unless you are one of those types that tries to put your kids christmas toys together WITHOUT the instructions... well then....
we will just pity you ..LOL
But even for those that have experience with BB Forums why would you join here and NOT read the rules
I mean ...you are coming to a Forum to chat with other fans and be part of the overall "something" here so why wouldn't you at least try to find out what you are supposed to be doing??? No one says you can't ask questions of course. But I do laugh at some of them. Because if the poster had just read the rules well they wouldn't be asking ...LOL
My favorite line of all time is though..... I can't be bothered to read all of the posts before mine so..... and they ask for the regulars of a thread to bring them up to speed on the topic. I sit here and ...
ROLL!!!
You have just informed the entire thread that you can't be bothered to read the discussion that they have spent their time having BUT YOUR opinion should matter to them. THAT is so not the best foot to start off on. I can see asking that or even saying that in say an Episode thread or even in a Ship Thread...where the topic is pretty self evident and you can kind-of flow into the conversation But a thread that is having an actual discussion. ...man you must have an ego the size of Texas.
Many of the complaints I read regarding the moderating are actually "personal issues" and not so much "Forum issues". Some are valid and I know there is an effort to try to help people resolve these issues But some, lets face it, are petty. Two or more people have taken a dislike to another few and we have ourselves a "personal dispute". Now both sides think THEY are on the side of truth and justice so we should just swoop in there and kick those other people sorry butts for them and let them know whats what. Well what ends up happening is the whole lot of them *get it* and the dispute is gone and no one sees it. The ones involved of course remember it and so it is up to them to take a breath and move on. BUT I know I am not mother to any more than the two kids sitting here in my house. So I don't moniter every word written. What happens instead is ... yeah you guessed it they just end up doing it all over again. BOTH sides are at fault but that never occurs to them. Why? Well Because THEY are right of course....
You may have heard the old saying "Every time you point the finger at someone else, three fingers point back at you" What that means is... take a look at your own behavior first before you start claiming it is all "their" fault and you did nothing. Chances are you did even if it was just misunderstanding them.
I too am tired of alot of the negative stuff I see and read but what makes me laugh there is that the people I see complaining about it are some of the most negative people I have read on the Forum. Not negative as in rule breakers or "bad fans" as some would like to call them. No just negative about their opinions in alot of things. No one says its wrong and I would be the firs to say ALL OPINIONS matter. But I would ask one question. If all of the threads you hang out in are basically about the negative aspects of things, be it life, the show or what not.... how exactly were you expecting the positive to creep in? For some... this is how positive reacts upon meeting them ...
On the other hand.. all of us psitive people need to chill out as well. Its not the end of the world if there is someone questioning the show OR our opinions. I mean geez.. if you are just a sheep following the band wagon of fandom
and can't express WHY you are happy about this or that in a decent, respectful way then you really ain't that positive.. Expressing yourself can be harder in the face of negativity BUT it isn't impossible nor does it have to be hostile.
Same for negative people dealing with the positive.... you aren't defending your King and castle here, just your opinion and if you can't do that without resorting to name-calling...well maybe you are dealing with issues that are farther reaching then just a show that is letting you down.
The point here is NO ONE is better, not old-timers, newbies, positive or negative. We are all just a bunch of people that found each other because of a common interest, StarGate. It really is just that simple
and that Gaterites is Enlightment Tame Style...................
Tame is a sci-fi junkie who loves to read, watch movies, and who has too
many pets. She grew up in the Midwest of the USA and now resides in sunny
Arizona, and drives her 19-year-old twins batty ... and still makes her
husband of 20 years laugh.
That's not 'Enlightenment Tame Style,' that's an entire bloomin book 'Tame style' .... well done!
And - bravo on the subject ... i think there's something in there both new and old forum members can learn from.
I would comment more, but there's so much in there to comment on it would take way too long and i need sleep.
Well said.
Hats
I actually had to take an intermission halfway through that thing. ;)
I admire you for taking the time to post all that out. You've totally taken everything that I've though at one time or another and summed it up much more eloquently than I have managed to.
You go girl! Your post has convinced me after a 5-6 year hiatus to rejoin the fandom community. I will essentially be a newbie at this forum, but a veteran of the stargate. I can’t wait until I can teach all the gateworld forum veterans a thing or two about how to behave, I’ll argue them down to a nub…oh wait, your post was trying to prevent that…..ooooooooh, now I get it, yup, never mind all that, I’ll play nice and respect opinions. ;D
Newest Gateworlder (Although I still have to confirm my password which I can't do at work),
Rodan
Dirt was young once? :O
Wow! Feel better now? You should because I sure do. I've never read a more entertaining "lecture" in my life. I guess a "spoonful of sugar" really does help huh? 8)
Ok, I know that 'dirt was young' comment was aimed at me because I am admitedly one of the old broads on the board, but I'll let it pass - this time. :P
Tame, you hit the nail on the head on each of those topics. It was well thought out and well said. It should be required reading for all forum members because it helps us to take a good long look at ourselves and how we treat our fellow posters. I know in reading it I resolved to do better in my little corner of the forum.
Also, thanks for mentioning the newbies. They aren't all bad and shouldn't be made to feel like idiots because they asked the questions all of us have asked at one time or another. You were right: Just move on. We shouldn't need to poke at a newbie to make ourselves feel like the BMOC.
Good Blog as well as an always interesting use of the smilies.
Sela :)
yay Tame! and yes, massive kudos for the most excellent use of smilies! :D
FIrst I am happy to read that something I said enticed a member back to the fold..YAY!!! go get em!!.....er go post responsibly :-D
and Yes Kliggs... dirt was once young...just go ask Sela...hehehehe
((((((((HATS))))))))
SHip Mum thank you for saying that... sometimes I worry that I get to preachy here but I really do just want people to enjoy themselves...and YES Kiw...I am thinking taht since Gipsy brought it up I am going to try to win that *Most unique use of a Smilie* award this year....
If ANYONE who has read my posts knows...I do love them smilies :-)
jonno you get your own response
THANK YOU!!! for always making an effort to pop over to read my blog and say something nice...I think I write just to keep you in reading material
LOL.
As ever tame you have the guts to say what many people think about, but don't want to complain about it for whatever reason, and after reading your blog I can honestly say that I have been "enlightened Tame Style"!! : )
Damn, girl, I should read your blog more often. Makes me feel like I'm not alone! :)
wow great entry. It's nice to see things from a mod POV. hopfully lots of members of the fourms will read it