Making SabreSpace more friendly to new posters

[thesportsbuff]

One of the things that always intimidated me and still does is the fact that a lot of the regular posters are just really really smart, which is great because I have learned so much about the game since coming here, but means I x-out of a lot of pages before submitting a comment because I think it's probably stupid and laughable and providing nothing, which might be a feeling that a lot of those lurkers get.

 

i do this all the time. lol

[Weave]

This place is a gold mine of hockey knowledge (and knowledge of many other aspects of life). There isn't a place on the internet that I've enjoyed, at times, being a part of. The discussions can be fun to sit back and watch when some of the more knowledgeable posters get going... The organized feeling and ability to get a well-thought out opinion from somebody at nearly any moment is a beautiful thing, really.

 

(Here comes the but)

 

But there is definitely a trial period when you're new and don't understand or go with the flow of things around these parts. My adjustment period was long and strenuous (I'm not sure that it's over based on the way several still seem to treat basic thoughts and opinions of mine).

 

Obviously being defensive and trying to fight every little backhanded comment that comes your way, as I did, isn't going to get you far when there's an established "community" of sorts. You've got to learn quickly to ignore, ignore and ignore some more. Then you've got to learn which posters speak in which ways. Understanding other posters is a big part of being able to operate freely and in an appropriate manner here. Most posters around here have already done this, which might be a big part of the reason that new posters always end up looked at so strangely. Nobody knows who you are or where you're coming from. It's hard to understand what somebody is saying if you aren't familiar with the way they speak... So when you come in just spewing out posts and battle with people that have been around for a while everybody is going to get on you a bit. THAT'S where I think this board could improve.

 

If the masses could do a better job of letting a new poster breathe and give them time to establish themselves and make their opinions clear then it might help everybody understand them before a bunch of battles poke out. When New Poster X doesn't understand why Old Poster X is giving them snark they're going to come back strongly. It often results in an exchange of insults, and Old Poster X will always get the benefit of the doubt from Old Poster Y and Z. If Y and Z could either just stay out of it or, even better, step in and try to help both sides out. Tell OPX that they shouldn't be so quick to bring down NPX for their opinion or the way they present it. Let NPX know that they should come at it from a different angle, keep posting and develop a voice on the board.

 

We've all got something to say. Some will say one thing and some will say another. The way we say what we're trying to say is what ultimately decides how we will be responded to. At times the content of a post gets completely ignored for the sake of pointless beefs posters have with one another or a dislike for the style in which somebody expressed their opinion.

 

No board is perfect. There will be posters who butt heads from time to time and several will keep grudges.

 

 

This place is awesome. I feel like somebody should post a link to The Aud Club in the Awesome thread, but once in a while it should go in the Complaint Thursdays thread. If we could all just learn to give those who seem to at least be making an effort to sanely and fairly enter into the discussion the benefit of the doubt and support when things get a little rocky it might make everything easier. And don't hold it against posters for so damn long when they've had a tough time adjusting to the ways things are done. It's unattractive.

 

This is just my experience. I'm still here.

 

 

Your posting has changed.  For the better.  Alot better.  That is part of what we were looking for out of you.  You adapted to us.  A large community (if 12 regulars is large :P ) isn't going to adjust much to a single individual.  The individual is going to have to adjust, That's just the way it is with good sized tight knit groups.  And this is most definitely a tight knit group. .  You had great things to say right from the get go, but the delivery often wasn't "with the flow" of the community here.  But you get it now.  I'm glad you stuck it out.

[darksabre]

It's gotta be tough trying to break into this forum during these drought times too. I came in here when the team was at it's brightest in 07 so it was easy for me to adjust because there was so much to talk about that I could just interject here and there without much concern. It's no secret that with less to post about in recent years that posts and posters have become fewer and more deeply scrutinized. We're a product of Regier.

Edited June 3, 2015 by d4rksabre

[beerme1]

We were all noobs here at one point. I've come to learn that everyone here, to a man (or woman) is one smart cracker, even if I don't agree with their politics or the like.  And that I can still rely on people here to engage in a conversation on a level I'm comfortable with.  It's not stupid talk in here because not one person here digs the stupid talk.

 

 

I don't go into the politics thread either!

[GoPre]

It's gotta be tough trying to break into this forum during these drought times too. I came in here when the team was at it's brightest in 07 so it was easy for me to adjust because there was so much to talk about that I could just interject here and there without much concern. It's no secret that with less to post about in recent years that posts and posters have become fewer and more deeply scrutinized. We're a product of Regier.

 

Don't ever say that again! Ok, think happy thoughts GoPre. Just happy thoughts. Yeah, yeah, that's all you need. There was no Regier... There was no Regier....

 

 

And guys, I'm not a noob. Been w/ the board since 07'. Had 2,000 + posts, but when I attempted to change my e-mail it froze my SabreSpace account! Formerly known as.... Thanes16. I asked the Mod-Team to fix it, but they ignored me! Those sons of bitcchhes ignored me! Can you believe that?!  :lol:

[LabattBlue]

 

 

Seriously, as long as they are SFW, I am perfectly okay with stuff like that ^

 

I realize my media content thoughts have nothing to do with making new posters more welcome.  Just my personal preference.  :ph34r:

[darksabre]

Don't ever say that again! Ok, think happy thoughts GoPre. Just happy thoughts. Yeah, yeah, that's all you need. There was no Regier... There was no Regier....

 

 

And guys, I'm not a noob. Been w/ the board since 07'. Had 2,000 + posts, but when I attempted to change my e-mail it froze my SabreSpace account! Formerly known as.... Thanes16. I asked the Mod-Team to fix it, but they ignored me! Those sons of bitcchhes ignored me! Can you believe that?! :lol:

Thanes!

 

Can't someone get this man his name back?

[shrader]

I agree with that.  

 

The other thing that is a real turnoff here and on other forums is when two posters derail a thread with a "meta-thread", a series of posts that are pretty much to each other which is basically an argument between them and has only a passing relation to the topic of the thread and is of NO interest to the other posters.  I really wish those would be banned.  I mean, it's okay to go off-topic like a normal conversation might, but when two or more people start to bicker with each other about posting styles or personalities or agendas, I pretty much give up on the thread.  This happened most recently in the Bylsma thread when it took a turn toward religion.  It was worth mentioning in passing but not worth the knock-down, drag-out discussion that it turned into.

 

People don't use the PM system enough... or at least I assume they don't.  That's where these little thread jackings that you're talking about should happen.  "You're from North Tonawanda?  So am I!"  That stuff doesn't belong in threads, 95% of the board doesn't care where you went to high school when we're talking about whether or not Ryan Miller's eyes are too close together.  Take it to a PM.  Hell, you might find out that the other poster was your next door neighbor 15 years ago, stuff that you might not typically want to be public knowledge around here.

[GoPre]

Thanes!

 

Can't someone get this man his name back?

 

:cry:  of happiness! 

 

The support here is over whelming. ha ha  Noobs, pay attention to this stuff! 

 

Let's use an example from 09' or so. I believe it was Godd or Deluca that did this. I mentioned in a thread, probably one for video games, my 360 had crashed and I could no longer play NHL 09' on it. After hearing about it, Godd or Deluca sent me his copy of NHL 09' for the ps2. Godd/Deluca and I do not know each other, but this shows how friendly/great this board can be. 

 

If it wasn't Godd or Deluca that did this, I apologize to the person that sent me the game. SabreSpace is a great "community" to be a part of. 

Edited June 3, 2015 by GoPre

[PASabreFan]

[LGR4GM]

You have been a great poster in my opinion. I don't piggyback too much on things i agree with. It was nice in the day when there was a thumbs up function, as that is a lot quicker, but it turned into some junior high nonsense for some.

 

Speaking of that we haven't heard from Korab in awhile.  

[PASabreFan]

Remove post counts. Force new members to upload their own avatar, so no more Connolly Tip-offs.

[shrader]

In terms of making this place more friendly for the new posters, hopefully this thread can keep going the way it has so far.  It may be a good thing to have pinned for a good period of time.  So far it seems to give a decent idea of the mixed batch of personalities we have around here.

[GoPre]

Remove post counts. Force new members to upload their own avatar, so no more Connolly Tip-offs.

 

 

Not a bad idea. Noobs would feel less "intimidated." They'd eventually catch on to who the daily posters are, but by the time they do they'll feel more relaxed when posting. And yes, get rid of the Connolly Tip-offs. That right there is a "Hey guys, see the noob. What do you think of this one?" 

 

And a big ha on this one. I'm not going to mention the member's name or when he joined SabreSpace, but this guy started out rough. Not due to the vets on this board, but because of his quick temper. If you didn't agree w/ him, he'd take it the wrong way and go off. People were being very welcoming to him, but for some reason or another he took things the wrong way. Eventually he realized how respectful this board can be, and he is now a member I'm sure many are glad to have. 

Edited June 3, 2015 by GoPre

[shrader]

Remove post counts. Force new members to upload their own avatar, so no more Connolly Tip-offs.

 

I wonder how often people actually notice post counts.  The only time I ever really notice them is when someone specifically mentions them.  I like the avatar idea though.  I usually identify people by their avatar far more often than by their name.  Of course, constant changes mess with that.  I know many probably don't care about having an avatar at all, but it is a good way of distinguishing yourself from the masses.

[LGR4GM]

One thing that can be intimidating to noobs is that some of the posters that are really smart will make sure everybody knows it. Even if they aren't that smart. So it's not always about the intellectual level you speak of, it's also the condescending remarks that follow making a casual fan want to leave. 

 

One thing I have noticed is most people here have an incredibly dry sense of humor. I love it, others might not catch it as quickly. 

 

Oh,  and the post merging.........  No other forum I'm on has post merging when there is no issues with post ######. Noobs that show up might think they're still stuck in 2003. 

I like post merging.  

[That Aud Smell]

Remove post counts. Force new members to upload their own avatar, so no more Connolly Tip-offs.

 

I think these are both good ideas. As to the first, maybe remove post counts from the message board environment, but make them available on the profile page. As to the second, is there a way to do that? Even Twitter has to allow the "eggs" to persist among its users.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

:cry:  of happiness! 

 

The support here is over whelming. ha ha  Noobs, pay attention to this stuff! 

 

Let's use an example from 09' or so. I believe it was Godd or Deluca that did this. I mentioned in a thread, probably one for video games, my 360 had crashed and I could no longer play NHL 09' on it. After hearing about it, Godd or Deluca sent me his copy of NHL 09' for the ps2. Godd/Deluca and I do not know each other, but this shows how friendly/great this board can be. 

 

If it wasn't Godd or Deluca that did this, I apologize to the person that sent me the game. SabreSpace is a great "community" to be a part of. 

 

I was the one who sent you the November '92 Hustler mag. Props to the video game fella.....

[LGR4GM]

I think these are both good ideas. As to the first, maybe remove post counts from the message board environment, but make them available on the profile page. As to the second, is there a way to do that? Even Twitter has to allow the "eggs" to persist among its users.

I think the avatar should remain a Sabres Player and one we ridicule. It takes about 10 seconds to go into your profile and change that avatar and if a new poster can't be bothered, I think that is on them. 

[nfreeman]

hi first time poster. iv'e been reading post for 2 years. hard core sabres fan since the imlach days. part of me thinks it's not unfriendly and many are like myself. i live in ontario and feel so fortunet that i can read up on post as liveing in the so called moronic leaf nation. i am waiting for the days that we kick leafs around the rink. one takes alot of ###### and abuse liveing in leaf country. anyway back to the reason for this post. i tend to think sabres space is very poster friendly and so many new posters are just a we bit nervous about opening up about there deep love for the sabres and bills.i just want to say thanks for makeing me feel good about starting to post. i found this sabres space to be so well informed, that was a great post to read after my open heart surgery. kept me up to date while in hospital for 33 days. i make time to read sabres space everyday and would like to say thanks to all posters .keep up the great post people as you all make my days a little brighter. don't mean to rant  ,but this sight gives an old sabres fan  alot of cheer. thanks to everyone involved  darrell

 

 

Awesome.  Welcome!

 

Are wings and fries on the recovery diet?

Agree with above. Higher hockey IQ posters on here than I. Also some posters seem to be on 24-7, don't know when they sleep. So a few times I have had a thought, someone has already posted it when I looked at the thread.

 

But really enjoy reading here, makes following the team more fun.

 

Thanks

From long time lurker.

Hi, first time poster here, been a lurker for a long time, yeah I know. I have enjoyed the many debates and have learned a lot from this board. I'm going to defend the long time posters here. A lot of new posters come in with a "something to prove" mentality. Most of you are polite and give them a chance and give good advice. I lived in Buffalo for a few years in the mid 70s as a young kid. We moved south and lost track of the Sabres for a long time. But thanks to satalite the last few years I have been able to watch them all the time now. Its been a rough couple of years but the future is indeed bright.

 

Welcome gents. 

 

 

As a new poster, I haven't felt that the board is unwelcoming at all. I had been lurking for quite a long while before I started posting, so I think I probably had at least a decent read on how things are and maybe a bit of the "personality" of some of the posters (At least whatever can come across on a message board). I intend to post regularly, but it will take me a good long while to reach the gaudy numbers put up by other posters, as I try to read the entirety of every thread that I'm interested in/intend to post it. I tried to read through everything I could when I was lurking, I always find I get a good range of information and opinions by doing so. (edit - I'm sure many people read the entire threads too, I probably just read through a little bit slower haha)

 

As for any idea of feeling "unwelcome", I don't think I'd ever find that to be an issue. When I post something, the only time I get a slight feeling of disappointment is if it doesn't trigger any kind of a response. In those cases, I assume I probably either posted something that has already been said, or something that perhaps doesn't need to be expanded upon/addressed. I would hope that if I say something highly disagreeable, somebody would call me out on it and give their opinion, I'd much rather be disagreed with than get no response. I would hope that no one would find being disagreed with, even in a fairly bold way, as being unwelcoming. I would greatly welcome such things.

 

Anyways, I've had a blast posting so far.

 

Good stuff.  Keep it coming.

[GoPre]

I was the one who sent you the November '92 Hustler mag. Props to the video game fella.....

 

Ha I remember getting the hustler mag from ya. Why were the pages sticky? Oh, wait....  :sick:  

 

Just kidding on that!

Edited June 3, 2015 by GoPre

[Doohickie]

Remove post counts. Force new members to upload their own avatar, so no more Connolly Tip-offs.

 

Disagree.  You seem to think that advertising that someone is a noob is going to count negatively against them, but the opposite is also true; if I think a noob has committed an obvious breach of the norms, but then I can see he is a noob, I'll probably go easier on him with that knowledge.

I wonder how often people actually notice post counts.  The only time I ever really notice them is when someone specifically mentions them.  I like the avatar idea though.  I usually identify people by their avatar far more often than by their name.  Of course, constant changes mess with that.  I know many probably don't care about having an avatar at all, but it is a good way of distinguishing yourself from the masses.

 

My avatar has become my trademark around the internet.  A friend took it at my birthday celebration a few years ago and I liked it and made it my FB profile and have been using it on several forums as well.  It certainly is unique, and when I meet someone new that may end up as a FB friend, I point out to them that my profile pic is me with a chicken on my head.  People always remember.  My dad was a salesman.  Even if he wasn't smoking, he always had a cigar in his mouth.  It became his trademark.  My trademark is a chicken hat.

[X. Benedict]

Disagree.  You seem to think that advertising that someone is a noob is going to count negatively against them, but the opposite is also true; if I think a noob has committed an obvious breach of the norms, but then I can see he is a noob, I'll probably go easier on him with that knowledge.

 

I can't keep up with the name changes, so I use the post count to tell me who is new. 

 

But maybe it is time to change the newbie avatar to Rene Robert. That gets a little cred from us oldtimers. 

 

[nfreeman]

I can't keep up with the name changes, so I use the post count to tell me who is new. 

 

But maybe it is time to change the newbie avatar to Rene Robert. That gets a little cred from us oldtimers. 

 

 

That is a great photo.

 

One issue, though:  one of the reasons for the TC photo being the default avatar was to incentivize new posters to choose and upload their own avatars (on the theory that by then, TC was so loathed that no one would want him as an avatar).  If the default avatar oozes retro Sabres coolness, do we not risk them simply keeping #14 indefinitely?  And thus diluting the awesomeness of the photo?

[darksabre]

We had an entire poll on this issue didn't we?

 

http://forums.sabrespace.com/topic/23205-the-original-avatar/

Edited June 3, 2015 by d4rksabre