Posted by pinksharkmark (64.32.122.148) on June 21, 2001 at 10:07:58:
In Reply to: and I'll never understand... posted by pinksharkmark on June 21, 2001 at 04:44:32:
I'm not saying you are one of the ones who gives returners a hard time.
I have a thick skin, so I didn't get all huffy when I was dumped on for not posting for a while. Surprised, certainly, but not upset. But some people are more sensitive to criticism than I. I have seen many returning clusterheads post something along the lines of "The beast is back and so am I", only to get jumped on. Result? They no longer post. What a buncha wimps, huh? Can't take a little abuse!
The board has evolved over time. It used to be that it was okay to come here, pick up some info, give out some info, and leave again. Now it seems that if you post once, you must post forever, or be considered a callous, selfish dickhead. Sort of like a marriage, but with divorce not optional.
If this is the new etiquette, then in fairness, it must be spelled out clearly in the intro to newcomers. This will either save newbies from future embarassment or prevent them from ever posting at all, depending on how committed they are prepared to be. They will know UP FRONT that their first post is, in essence, a binding contract.
How about something like "Don't bother posting to our message board unless:
(a) you are willing to post regularly for the rest of your life, even if you have nothing to say,
or
(b) you are willing to take abuse for not following (a)."
Okay, now the NEWBIES have had fair warning. But what about the person who left the board before this change in policy occurred? Guess we need a second addendum to the intro, perhaps one titled "Returning posters PLEASE READ!" It might be worded something like this:
"If you haven't posted here since your last cycle ended, don't post again under the name you used last unless you are prepared to be called a callous selfish dickhead. If you MUST post, as a courtesy to our regulars may we suggest you pretend it is the first time you have ever visited the board. This way you won't leave yourself open to abuse (even though you deserve it, you callous selfish dickhead), and the regulars won't know they were abandoned. Thank you for your co-operation."
Okay. I think I've covered all the bases.
pinky