Greek Chat - should membership be closed?

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

Alright, Skylark.... what are you wanting here? Are you wanting an apology for being corrected publicly? Are you wanting "old" GCers to say, "You know, that Skylark really has a good point, what have we been thinking for the past eight years?" Are you the (new) GC-newbie TOS police? What's really driving this thread of yours?

I lurked here for about a week before I first posted; I thought that was enough time to understand the GC-atmosphere. I was wrong. I made a fool of myself. But, after getting a better grip on what GC is like, and what it's for, I have (hopefully) made less of a fool of myself over time. And when I'm wrong... I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong. I don't try to brush it aside with phrases like "my use of the term "whatever". And although you say you admitted you were wrong, it sure doesn't feel like you mean it. I don't remember such an admittance from you; I just get the feeling that you're ultra defensive and trying to convince others you've been victimized.

GC is what it is, and as much as you might want it to change, it probably won't. If you don't like that, then by all means, feel free to leave.

Honestly, I remember helping hand you your ass. And you got the message, and I can now say that you are one of my favorite posters. Above being a good example of why.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Honestly, I remember helping hand you your ass.

Yeah, I remember that, too.

But seriously, some lessons just have to be lived in order to be learned. And thinking GC is going to change for you is one of them. And someday, if you're lucky Skylark, you'll wonder why you wanted it to change. (Well, at least I do, and I'm always right...now.)

[Jen]

Tons of people have managed to find their way to GC and become part of the community over the years. Those that find it easy to mesh with the GC culture are people who have thick skins, know their shit and either lurk for a long time to get the feel of the place, or they do their searching and research so they avoid posting things we've all seen a million times.

My advice for newbies - lurking is the best advice that I can give outside the words USE SEARCH. If I was showing up as a newbie, I'd try and watch the atmosphere, suss out what the place is like, then start posting on a few innocuous social threads in Chit Chat before I'd jump into serious conversation that I might not realize the history to in this place.

If you're coming on here because you have a specific question, make sure it hasn't been answered before (it mostly likely has; be creative with searching). Be polite when you ask. If you get snarked at, ignore it - even better, check yourself. You might be a trainwreck waiting to happen.


*Use of the word 'you' is strictly for demo purposes only. No specific 'you' is being addressed. If you think you're 'you', then you're mistaken. You're not 'you'.*

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by Jen

If you think you're 'you', then you're mistaken. You're not 'you'.*

You've just trigger an existential dilemma for me.

Generally, you're right, but I still think we could be nicer to new folks.

And Lisa's point about dropping back and using google to search may finally mean I can actually search GC with some success. Usually my results have no connection to my search terms when I use the GC search button.

[AlwaysSAI]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Usually my results have no connection to my search terms when I use the GC search button.

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM!!

Anyway, back to the topic at hand....

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I do love the snark, but sometimes, I wonder if we couldn't just give most new people the benefit of the doubt and try to be extra tactful when we correct or challenge them.

Sure, some (and I may be one) are extra dumb about what they post, and some are clearly trolls or lifelong idiots incapable of learning. But because GC is bad about piling on when someone screws up (and I'm as guilty as anyone), and most new users aren't ready for a full on hit by the cult or whatever, couldn't we ease up?

Not a TOS issue, but just a matter of having good manners? Maybe?

Think about how effective MysticCat is. Isn't that something to strive for? He can bring the snark when he needs to, but he avoids just being kind of generally POed and waiting for someone to screw up and I'm not sure most of us do.

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

I've been around GC for a while.

I've been a big mean moderator twice now.

I think we can be pretty nasty for little or no reason.

I also think we've gotten worse.

We could be a lot more friendly.

Originally Posted by AlwaysSAI

I think this thread has veered off topic a little, but since I don't have time to read all 7 pages that have accumulated in one day, I'm just going to say what comes to mind.

GC can be intimidating--especially when you come here and it seems like everyone knows everyone and we're all buddy buddy. Some of us know each other IRL, but most of us don't--only what we learn about each other on GC.

I think being attacked or not within your first few posts has a lot to do with the topic you chose to discuss (ie-am I asking if even though I'm already initiated I can join another NPC or getting on here for your first time and letting Ms. attitude fly)

Becoming comfortable on GC has a lot to do with what first few posts you chose to make. I observed GC for almost a full year before I became an actively posting member. I was also very choosy about the threads I replied to. I started posting only in my orgs and then broadened out.

And, I'm not going to sit here and claim to be a 'senior member' or anything, but I've been pretty active on the boards all summer and have been able to offer insights, thoughts, pose questions-hell, I even let Ms. Attitude fly in the thread about Homosexuality & MS.

Some GC members do take the board wayyyy too seriously others, like me, I just think it's fun. I've been able to meet and network with greeks all over the country and I enjoy that. Sometimes, the atmosphere here is a little less than inviting but only if you take it that way. My most favorite GC members are the ones that say what they want to say no matter how it's seen (ehemm, AlphaFrog ,<333). They make this place the most fun because they often say the things that I want to say, but don't yet have the nerve.

Either way, GC is what you make it. If you think it's a place full of Ms. Attitudes then that's what you'll see.

If you think it's a place to meet people and share ideas, you'll find even more. (Behind the hazy overcast, that is)

I agree with all of the above.
I am a sinner as well.
I have made many errors here-some real and some
just perceived.
And have tried to learn from them.
Can "we" be better? Yes.
Can "we" be worse? Yes.
Should posters watch, learn and understand? Yes.
Are there a few threads best not to jump into ice cold? Yes.
Are there ways to better phase questions? Yes.
Is spell check a wonderful thing to download? Yes.

[mystikchick]

Originally Posted by Jen

Tons of people have managed to find their way to GC and become part of the community over the years. Those that find it easy to mesh with the GC culture are people who have thick skins, know their shit and either lurk for a long time to get the feel of the place, or they do their searching and research so they avoid posting things we've all seen a million times.

My advice for newbies - lurking is the best advice that I can give outside the words USE SEARCH. If I was showing up as a newbie, I'd try and watch the atmosphere, suss out what the place is like, then start posting on a few innocuous social threads in Chit Chat before I'd jump into serious conversation that I might not realize the history to in this place.

If you're coming on here because you have a specific question, make sure it hasn't been answered before (it mostly likely has; be creative with searching). Be polite when you ask. If you get snarked at, ignore it - even better, check yourself. You might be a trainwreck waiting to happen.


*Use of the word 'you' is strictly for demo purposes only. No specific 'you' is being addressed. If you think you're 'you', then you're mistaken. You're not 'you'.*

Truer words were never spoken. I realize I haven't been registered here for a long time, but I lurked for a good year or something like that before joining to ask a question. Before I posted that question, I did my research, went to the website in question, sent an email, and THEN came and posted. What was the result? I got support and extremely helpful advice about how to proceed. No snark, no nastiness, nothing.

It's not necessarily that people are mean, but when you (again, a GENERAL you) come on, post something that could easily be answered by a search, don't take the time to browse around the site but leap straight to posting your new thread, and compound those sins with unintelligible grammar and attitude when called out on stuff instead of attempting to explain yourself in a clearer, more reasonable manner, well, you're asking for it. And for pete's sake, don't take things so personally. It's the internet.

ETA: Clearly this thread has gone other places since Jen posted, but I wanted to get in my two cents.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by mystikchick

Truer words were never spoken. I realize I haven't been registered here for a long time, but I lurked for a good year or something like that before joining to ask a question. Before I posted that question, I did my research, went to the website in question, sent an email, and THEN came and posted. What was the result? I got support and extremely helpful advice about how to proceed. No snark, no nastiness, nothing.

It's not necessarily that people are mean, but when you (again, a GENERAL you) come on, post something that could easily be answered by a search, don't take the time to browse around the site but leap straight to posting your new thread, and compound those sins with unintelligible grammar and attitude when called out on stuff instead of attempting to explain yourself in a clearer, more reasonable manner, well, you're asking for it. And for pete's sake, don't take things so personally. It's the internet.

Good post, good post.

Originally Posted by mystikchick

ETA: Clearly this thread has gone other places since Jen posted, but I wanted to get in my two cents.

Meh...this thread's been pretty much a free-for-all...throw in all the change you want.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Honestly, I remember helping hand you your ass. And you got the message, and I can now say that you are one of my favorite posters. Above being a good example of why.

And that is why you are one of the Special G C Posters.

Thank You for just being you!

[tld221]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Honestly, I remember helping hand you your ass. And you got the message, and I can now say that you are one of my favorite posters. Above being a good example of why.

So should she call you Big Sister AlphaFrog now?

[cuteASAbug]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

And you got the message, and I can now say that you are one of my favorite posters. Above being a good example of why.

I thought I was your favorite poster.

[DaemonSeid]

and as a 'newbie'...may I ask the damning question...

Slylark since u are so new....who are you to say that the folks running this board need to change membership policies?


Just thought I would ask....

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by cuteASAbug

I thought I was your favorite poster.

I said "one of". You and 33 automatically tie for #1. tld221 and CT4 tie for #2...they'd be up there too, except they're SisterGreeks instead of just plain Sisters.

[tld221]

while i could be mad for being #2, it truly is an honor to even be nominated.

::sniffle, sniffle, breaks crown in half to share with CT4::


ETA: i already know what rashid looks like...

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I said "one of". You and 33 automatically tie for #1. tld221 and CT4 tie for #2...

Aw man.... shot down. And by my own BigSis-ass-hander-AF. What a load of crap.

GC really needs to monitor its membership more closely. Grrrrr