General Chat

Hi

Someone directed me to this thread, and also the one that Susan(numbers) started. They said I might find it interesting reading.

I've been away for a few days, so this is why I'm so late, and resurrecting an old thread.


You see .................. I did not post on Chat for years after I joined.

I joined in April 2004, started posting on the Help boards and even on General within a couple of weeks ........... but almost never on Chat

Why?

Well, the couple of times that I looked on there in the first few years (from about 2004 to 2009), it always seemed as if there was a riot going on ............... and the once or twice I posted on a thread, I was completely ignored.

It seemed that everyone knew everyone else ............... and yes, it did feel cliquey, and as if I, as a newcomer, was excluded.

But what is a clique?

In its simplest terms, a clique really is a group of people who have got to know each other over a period of time. In its worst sense, it is a group of people who have got together and plan nefarious activities.

It wasn't until about a year ago that I began to post on Chat ..............and even then there were hundreds of threads that I would read, and not have the nerve to post on


.................. and if you know me at all from the Help boards or from General, then you will know that I am not easily scared off, yet threads and people on Chat did, and still do, just that!


So, yes, Chat did, and probably still does, seem very unfriendly to newbies.

Question is ........... what can be done to make it friendlier, and bring new blood on to the board?


I have been a member of a national society for many more years that I care to count (probably since before Hayley was born :-D), and one of the things that I and the OH have always done at the annual meetings is to deliberately go up to newbies, most of them usually of student age, and introduce ourselves, and chat to them. We'll join "newbies" at the lunch break ......... and bring them into the fold.

We now, I suppose, count as a clique, bcause we have been in that group for so long, and know so many people, some of whom have become good friends over the years .......................... but WE put ourselves out to greet newbies.



May I dare to make the suggeston that it isn't up to newbies to this board to introduce themselves, but for the regulars to "meet and greet"?

There are threads which might be 'perceived' as 'just between friends' ( not cliquey', that says much more about the person looking in than it does the people on the thread) But on an average page 1 that is maybe 2 threads at most?

Leaving plenty of others for a newbie to take the plunge on.

The first post on here doesn't have to be a chore lol, or establish who you are, mine was

"half-penny,one pence and 2 pence cadbury bars (yes that's old money) ,penny arrow toffee bars, and tiger tail bars, and barley sugar twists!" in reply to a post about 'pocketmoney sweets'..

Hardly earth shattering stuff lol.

Are the boards 'cliquey'? To be honest, yes they could appear to be so.

Many posters have shared experiences or history, and it could be daunting for a new poster to the boards to jump in. When I first posted on a thread a few years ago, although I was acknowledged politely, the thread died and a new one started by the various people who were chatting, instead of continuing on that one. It made me feel that I'd intruded on a private conversation. That put me off for some time.

But to anyone who is considering posting for the first time, I'd advise them to read the various threads until they find one they are 'comfortable' with and politely jump in, or to start one of their own.

There is a place on the Boards for everyone - the more the merrier. So come on into the water!

Morning all from a wet and miserable Aberdeen.

When I first ventured on to the chat boards I went into
say hello to a lovely bunch of nutters lolx and I was lucky
because I was made to feel welcome by the lovely Daff
and her chums <3 <3

Take the plunge and enjoy.

Emma x

and neither has anyone else been appointed/endorsed to a status to do anything other than be a member of this site.

have GR appointed people then? I am well out of touch, I kept noticing all sorts of new things on the site, like people whos tree you access too it shows if they have update it and stuff... keep finding alsorts hidden a way that are new or I didnt know they were there... :-D

and said person who shall remain nameless WAS appointed I suppose.
It's that kind of pouncing on innocents that puts people off, and I hope they did come back and found your help useful Mau.

I welcomed a newbie last week seeking help.
We were doing fine until someone 'pounced' on him for using the wrong board and he became so confused with more advice I'm now left wondering if he ever came back.

Last comment on the thread I was given a rude reminder (by she who must be nameless) that I was not appointed to help a member break the rules!! :-S

I didn't give a reply as I didn't want to up my blood pressure tabs. nuff said....

Have a good weekend everyone :-D
Mau xx

Ha another Gardens of Time addict ;-)

OK, here it is. and certainly no offence intended if anyone should take it the wrong way.

I've seen the word 'excluded' in here a few times now, (this thread I mean). My answer to this is, go ahead and post, see what replies you get, THEN say you're excluded. It won't happen :-D You're only excluded if you don't post and exclude yourself.

The message boards are open to all, anyone can post on them, and like Rose the Rambling labrador, you can wade in with opinions or comments on any thread you like, so just go for it.

Was with any other internet forum, arguments may get a bit heated at times, but as said, it happens anywhere and everywhere, and believe me, some forums are far worse than anything ever seen on here.

All newbies are welcome, so just get in and post. We are a friendly community here.

I lurked for months before I posted. This was the first online forum I joined and contributed to. It "looked" cliquey then but I was welcomed when I finally did start posting but by then I'd worked out which people I thought I'd get along with.

Someone once said on here that a forum is like a pub. Everyone is welcome but when you go into one you tend to hang out with your friends. I've made some very good friends via GR and see them away from the forum, usually in real pubs.

I don't visit or post here as much as I used to but there are other forums and other distractions *cough* facebook *cough*. To say nothing of a busy work and home life at the moment.

As far as I can see new people are usually welcomed unless they jump in aggressively.

Work for me today and new levels on Gardens of Time but I expect I'll pop in later.

Gwynne

I have one of those Puffer things you puff it onto the keyboard and yesterday's lunch comes up. It comes in a tin you with a straw like thing attached.

Vera

The trick is not to be eating or drinking whilst reading........unless of course you can afford a new keyboard :-D

Must get in quick I'll try out lol :-D Keep them coming

Vera

That's what I say Vera......this lot are so quick sometimes that it is all I can do to add a quick Lol now and then.....I luv em....but don't tell them that though.

I also think that if newbies come on here......they are the most welcoming lot you could ever find :-)

I have never had a problem adding to the chat, especially if the subject gets 'my gander up' and that is probably the reason I don't join in with the banter. Its easy to blame others and say they are cliquey but I wonder if my reluctance to join in with the banter is me being me rather than others excluding me.

I do laugh at the banter especially the ones where you all go off on a trek 'just getting my wellies out of the cupboard' and very clever too given that its not done face to face but I can't see me joining in - well maybe.

What I am trying to say is I don't feel excluded rather maybe at present I am not joining in but why should I spoil your fun.

Vera

you can chat wherever you like....as long as we can talk genealogy wherever we like :-D :-D :-D

I did get right into it when I signed up ... well, not when I signed up, I was one of those who just poked around in trees for some time ... :-)

and like I said in the other thread ( I think it was the other thread ! ) , a little serious for my age, yes, I was an anorak at school and I still love research, I will promise to try to 'lighten up' but only if I am allowed to 'chat' in the help threads ! :-D

Sorry Chrissiex I didnt see it...the thread was moving fast as I am a little out of practice.. ;-)

Judging by Chrissie's many threads and manner on the genealogy boards I would not have marked her down as being either muddled or shy ;-) and to be honest....perception of some of the threads would, in my opinion, have been rather intimidating for a newbie. but then that is just my perception......we all differ I suppose.

:-D

Hayley I guess that is not me then :-D

but you didn' t laugh at my 'bust bunnies' joke ............ I want a little crying face .....