Do you reckon that this is a welcoming forum?

[CameronPotter]

Hi all,

This post is especially directed at newbies (people who have been a member for less than a year).

PLEASE take the time to respond (even if you have only just joined or even if you are a lurker).

I personally reckon that it is a very welcoming forum...

If you are in doubt as to whether you are a newbie or not, assume you are a newbie and recall how you were welcomed.

Cam

NOTE: It is a private poll so don't be afraid of retribution.

[Zed]

keep the riff raff outa here!

[CameronPotter]

I was waiting for that response... I reckon that I was asking for it though!

[outback]

I'd hate to be a member of any club which would have me as a member.

[Christopha]

I always do my level best to insult, annoy and disgust new members so that the poor newbies feel that EVERYONE ELSE on here is REALY REALLY nice in comparison...... just doing my bit for ongoing harmony.....

[echnidna]

so how did you lot get in then?

reddie expected.

but reddies are so old hat :eek: :eek:

can yer find sumthin new

[CameronPotter]

I'd hate to be a member of any club which would have me as a member.

So would I Outback!

All jokes aside, note (for anyone who can't see the orange room or missed the post) that this was started as the welcomingness of the forum was questioned in open slather and I wanted to get a better picture of what most newbies thought.

[CameronPotter]

I always do my level best to insult, annoy and disgust new members so that the poor newbies feel that EVERYONE ELSE on here is REALY REALLY nice in comparison...... just doing my bit for ongoing harmony.....

Actually, you were one of the most helpful to me when I joined (sorry to bust your badboy rep.). You pointed me to Carroll's and suggested a few P&N gouges to get... both bits of advice have served me well since.

[Mirboo]

We need another poll asking the question "When does a Newbie become a Stalwart?" I voted as a Newbie. I've been hanging around for a while but I've only made 130 odd posts.

[CameronPotter]

Yeah, I struggled a bit with that myself, but that was why I put the line, 'if in doubt, claim newbie status' - afterall, it will make you feel younger!

[doug the slug]

Hi Cameron, interesting poll, and under your definition im still a newbie for another month, having joined last may.

I have found this forum to be very welcoming. In fact when Jools and i went to melbourne in march we met many of the forumites living in melbourne and were welcomed into their homes and workshops, i even had nearly a full days tuition in woodturning by a highly respected forum member in his workshop. we also on a different occasion met a few of the toowoomba and brisbane members when we were touring down that way.

I have really enjoyed being able to help the less experienced members with advice on how to do things and have picked up a lot of good advice from inexpereinced and experienced woodworkers alike.

It has only been in the last month or so that the forum has taken on a different air, and from where i sit its because a few people have the rep points to do serious damage. they seem to now be known as the purple circle, although i doubt any serious collusion is practiced amongst them, and more than the odd reddie flies around amongst the top 20 rep points members (or is that just Zed)

[echnidna]

Hi Cameron, interesting poll, and under your definition im still a newbie for another month, having joined last may.

I have found this forum to be very welcoming. In fact when Jools and i went to melbourne in march we met many of the forumites living in melbourne and were welcomed into their homes and workshops, i even had nearly a full days tuition in woodturning by a highly respected forum member in his workshop. we also on a different occasion met a few of the toowoomba and brisbane members when we were touring down that way.

I have really enjoyed being able to help the less experienced members with advice on how to do things and have picked up a lot of good advice from inexpereinced and experienced woodworkers alike.

It has only been in the last month or so that the forum has taken on a different air, and from where i sit its because a few people have the rep points to do serious damage. they seem to now be known as the purple circle, although i doubt any serious collusion is practiced amongst them, and more than the odd reddie flies around amongst the top 20 rep points members (or is that just Zed)

OK

FESS UP

WHOOO is the purple circle


or are they pink dots

[TEEJAY]

Yeah I'm only 9 months or so into this forum and have been to a few get togethers and find both in the forum and in the flesh (so to speak) it is a very welcoming forum.

There is a broad spectrum of members and diverse opinios so if you chose to jump up and down on personal preferences then others will take an opposing view - so be it. Some get offended - that's life.

Try and help one another and boast about your works (as you should ) then many are here to support you.

It's very Australian and we enjoy stirring one another up.

All in all it is a great forum.

[CameronPotter]

Whoa! Under a year - you have been busy!

I read about your trip to Melbourne and was most jealous... It sounded awesome. Mind you, Sheddy cut down an apricot tree recently and guess who is getting the wood? Nice to have friends eh?

I also reckon that it is very welcoming and I have loved being a part of it (and will certainly continue to do so).

As for the rep. points counter - I got a green from Al the other day and BOYO do his pack a wallop. My rep. went through the roof...

I think that maybe an upper limit on the effect of a red (and green for that matter) should probably be put in place. That would mean that the guys at the top would pretty much be guaranteed of staying there, but what the heck?

I have noticed that most of the reddie seem to be sent among the top guys too (or at least most of the ones that are advertised). I think that once you get to a certain stage, you are pretty safe and the simian doesn't even have to feel all that bad (NOTE to Zed - I am not yet at that stage!! )

As for collusion, I reckon that is very unlikely, sure some of you up the top are mates and may think similarly, but I don't really think it is collusion. That being said, maybe sending multiple reds to someone is unnecessary? ie Once one person has sent a red (or at least one of the ones that hit hard) the rest of the hard hitters could lay off? However... if the post is really offensive maybe it is warranted... Hard to make judgement calls on this kind of thing.

Possibly a better option again would simply be to keep the sending of reds private (that way no-one knows that you are sending one and you can't be accused of encouraging antone else)??? I haven't sent a reddie and haven't felt the urge. I have seen a few posts I found objectionable, but by the time I had thought about it, the poster was already well aware of what people thought.

I dunno. :confused: Anyway, as I said - I am really happy with the way things are going here. At the end of the day, I would probably prefer nothing to change.

[ozwinner]

Newbie: Absolutely yes. It is the most welcoming forum I have ever found.

I voted as a newbie..........
















Didnt really, I didnt vote.

Al