Do you remember how difficult it was to be accepted on DU when you first joined?

I was one of the early ones. My son encouraged me to join. I lurked for a while and then began to post responses to other peoples' posts. Finally I posted one of my own and it sunk like a stone ( don't remember what it was about but it probable deserved to sink). Eventually it got easier, likely because I was "Will Pitt's Mom" but even that had its baggage! Anyway, I was just thinking about how welcoming we are or not...I wonder what new posters think about this place.

I felt accepted at DU from the get-go (I am also one of the "early ones" around here), but I'm feeling much less accepted as time goes by.

I chalk that up entirely to my being one of the primary JFK CT debunkers on this site.

from Democrats.com and Michael Moore's site (whose message board was overrun with freepers). I saw right away that I was among people who felt the way I did. I registered right away, but made a game plan for lurk for a few days before I started putting in my two cents' worth. I don't think I lurked for more than twenty minutes!

:headbang:
rocktivity

when you were rocknation, of course. :)

Hawkeye-X

:patriot: :puffpiece:
rocktivity

Actually 'discovered' this place following links that led to Bob Beaudelang. Been here ever since, but I think I must have scared old Bob away. D'you suppose he's hanging out at tea parties?

:rofl:

I joined in 2004 after the election, and since I think there were a bunch of us who joined about the same time, we kind of came in like a freshman class, hanging out together.

and maybe you'll get a bit of a breather now that the diva is out of office. Well, it was a thought, anyway. She's about to rise up and show us the monster she's been hiding all these months. Yawn -- it'll be more of the same, I'm betting.

I think we're all suffering a bit up here from Palin Derangement Syndrome, a particularly virulent form of PTSD. With her continual antics over the past year, it's been next to impossible to ignore her, as much as we may have wanted to. I'd be pretty happy to return to my former self -- i.e., posting mostly in the photo group, with an occasional "what (s)he said" post tossed into GD or GD: P, but I fear that she won't go away quietly, and that we'll ALL have to deal with her for the foreseeable future. I hope I'm wrong and that she goes back to Wasilla to take care of her kids and write her "book," but I just don't see that happening.

At least we here in Alaska might have slowed her roll a little bit. TV and book tours may be in her future, but I don't see her attaining any national office now that she will forever be labeled a "quitter." At least I hope the American public is not that stupid.

word quiet is in her dictionary
After tomorrow's picnic she will be available to inflict herself on the lower 48 (lucky us) and at least give you guys a needed break:hi:
Something didn't smell right about McCain's "choice" of Palin as veep candidate

Maybe the picnic was today...oops

and now about to go into obscurity again :)

and I try to welcome newbies.. Back in the day, I used to do "A Day in the Lounge" every day, with welcomes & milestones.. the oldtimers will remember the

:hi:

:hi:

You're been a breath of fresh air on Alaska.
Lots of good posts still sink like stones.

I walk a fine line here on the Alaska news. Some people really like to hear about our weird politics and very-soon-to-be-ex-governor and some people don't. I don't post half of what I could. :) I appreciate the feedback.

I'm glad Strong Atheist is picking up the ball in recognizing newcomers (and celebrations).

of trolls, I've held back a little. Maybe I'll start doing that again.

yesterday. I never did welcome them.

Go figure.

:thumbsup:

Of course, I joined right after the party began in Spring of 2001.

I thought I would never get to 1000+ posts. I asked a lot more questions than I gave my opinions. I still ask a lot of questions, but have stronger opinions, now. I remember getting my ass handed to me quite often. It still happens from time to time.:)

:hi:

Likewise to you. BTW, I never knew you were WillPitt's mom!

and another 6 months before I was brave enough to start a thread of my own (which, as I recall, sank immediately). Took four years for me to reach 1000 posts - which was really depressing at the time because we were still listing the exact number, instead of 1000+.

I don't think we are as welcoming as we used to be, and there are a lot of posters who seem to go out of their way to be hostile - just because they can, I guess. Overall, the tenor and tone of DU has changed quite a bit. Some of it is good and some of it is very disheartening.

sinking topics, a problem I still have.

I try to be good to newbies, even if it appears they are disruptors/freepers. I try to see if I can engage them in a civil conversation. I never assume I can't change minds. Of course if they insist on being assholes, I will smack them down. Usually they don't last long enough to engage them.

Yeah, the first posts are always the hardest. I was excited to get to 500 posts. Just looked the other day and I am at 10659! Time flies...

because I'm too lazy to look at my profile :)

Just a few more to go, right? :)

I was never one of the popular ones in school, though, so I am used to it. :nopity: I was once told that if no one responds to my post it means that I haven't pissed anyone off, so it's a good thing. That might be something to consider!

I hate those damned "heart" fundraisers, though, and seeing how many are amassed by some.

...Or not. I've been posting for years and I haven't a clue.

and I've been here a long time. If you look at my member number, I think I joined fairly early in the game.
Still get treated like a troll. I do try to add to the conversation but mostly I recommend rather than post.
I really hate the 'drive-by snark' i get handed. Maybe my skin is just to thin.

but that won't stop me from voicing my opinions.

Where does one see such a thing?

Julie

To see your number click on the user profile, in the address bar (to the right end) is a number, subtract 100,000. Mine reads as 25337 and yours reads as 13229.
I see we are both long-timers. But, you have a few more posts than I do.

That's kinda cool! :toast:

I've been around for a while but many here do not "accept" me at all. :shrug:

let them silence us. That is when they win. I will watch for more posts from you.

Thank you, and I will watch your as well! :)

Only started a few threads, but they're never lively. Even then, I get helpful information and a few laughs from them. All in all, everybody seems pretty cool with the exception of a few jerks who I write off as having personal problems that have nothing to do with me.

polling results in SC.


The next day I happened to go into the JE forum where there was a rather healthy debate discussing how agonizingly stupid the new posters were, lol.


In retrospect it may not have been the stupidest thing to say but at the time I felt like an idiot. People were nice enough to keep their criticism restrained.

Which, when informed that I have been, I respond with...indifference.

I remember having to clarify myself a lot. I do think my posts were read more thoroughly when I was a newb, judging from the amount of replies each of my posts attracted.

It's been a while. Most of my posts are ignored but I have cats so I'm used to that. I just like having a place where I can be with people who mostly share my views, albeit with differences. I can hide threads that annoy me and ignore people who piss me off. Those are rare. My family is rabid righties and I need to be very careful about expressing political opinions at work so I need a place to vent/rant/share.

Mostly, DU is a great source of information for me.

:)

but I certainly don't feel unwelcome

That was an interesting time here. There were maybe a hundred active posters, tops. Will wrote a lot of us and asked us to look out for you not literally, but in so many words :) I think in the very beginning everyone was highly suspicious of everyone's motives.

Unlike now. :sarcasm:<---- I also hate how if you don't use this little icon, folks don't think you're being sarcastic.

Good to see you old friend. :hug: Hope it's all good in your world.

Julie

source of conflict - found some places I thought I like but left those groups when infighting and meaness happened - have watched that happen again - now when someone has less than 1000, I hesitate in my response if they are seemingly throwing out flame bait. More likely to use ignore or hide a thread when I don't like something - I have been surprised at the mean post on some topics that are emotional for others. Some just seem to like to flame bait.

When I see three or more newbies in one short thread being antagonistic to poster, I assume they are trolls and walk away and sometimes come back later to see what they are up to.

(He is a very gifted, published writer who signed on early and brought depth to many discussions)

way to find out how others feel about this place. I am glad I posted this and just want to say...this is a good place...for all its hiccups and faults and funny times...it was formative for me in the millenium and I cherish it.

Heck, I was tombstoned for criticizing Clinton's free speech zones on some other unfavorable remark I don't recall. My appeal was granted and it's history after that.

DU is too big and strident for me anymore. I don't post or read here as much anymore although I was nearly addicted at one time.

But then again, my sense of humor isn't for everyone.

especially when they come from newbies. That's what got me a few raised eyebrows.

have to post. I like seeing new posters who really belong here and definetly remember how it was for me in 2002..we all had a common goal.

I was new to the computer, too..and couldn't even type well..and there were a lot of peeps who helped me back in the day.

And, I remembered that you are Will Pitt's mum.:) I changed my username, though, after Obama got in just 'cause I felt like it.

SO was also a member and got tomb-stoned for arguing with a past member (who is no longer here)He hasn't come back on his own yet, but he still sometimes rants through me.

Someone even gave me a star!

you say something they can't immediately grasp, or ultimately agree with.

No one gives you the benefit of the doubt as to the rightness of your cause or the goodness in your soul. You will be attacked through every crack in your argument that you don't take the time to cover (though you easily could). Very few are even remotely civil in their disagreement.

DU is crawling with assholes, just like everywhere else. Community is dead. The powers that enslave us (and impoverish us to their benefit) have won.

DU is a group of angry American's (mostly) with juvenile personalities and intellects. Just like the country itself.

And depriving someone else of the childish pleasure, yeah, I know, I'm no different.

insults and name calling.

When I joined I posted a couple of things outside the lounge, but had always noticed if you had less than 1000 posts you were considered a freeper or troll, so I hurried into the Lounge and racked up 1000. :shrug:

Actually, I was welcomed by a lovely lady named Crewleader, but i couldn't resist the joke...

Raven, I think there has been a fundamental change here at DU over the last few years, and I'm not sure that it could have been avoided, really. It is kinda like looking at a very small town and watching it grow. There are good things that come with that growth, but also changes. (You get a grocery store, but you may not know everybody in town anymore, for instance.)

There is still a very strong sense of community here at DU, I think, but I also think there is a sort of diffusion of our kindness to each other. I honestly think that we have a lot of new people that just vanish into the night because our community is not exactly sending out the welcome wagon a lot of times. I hate for that to happen, but I also am not sure what the solution is for a problem I can't even name...

:shrug:

Without a doubt, I do think our new people are not given any breaks and I do not think Du is any way near as kind as it used to be.

Now I'll just go sit in my corner and mutter under my breath like really old cranky people are known to do.


Laura

I don't think DU is as welcoming as it used to be either , but it is kind of overwhelming

:hi: :loveya: oldtimer ~

I guess we "old farts" have to stick together and show these kids how it should be done--eh?

:hug:


Laura

...since I got booted 2xs before this try. Now...I'm thinking most of it isn't really worth the effort. There are some interesting (to me) posts and leads on this forum...but I'm doubting whether it's worth it...especially if you might have the idea you could change things. I'm probably going to just get off the track and wait for the train to hit. It will be fun watching the train's headlight playing on the faces of those still on the tracks...and the gradual recognition of..."maybe that really is a train?" Might seem a gruesome scenario (it's a slow train a comin')...but I'm afraid that's how I'm seeing it...since I really don't see much hope the avg person will comprehend the general trend.

Am I giving up? No...just wising up. Best to put one's energy where it might do some good.

I've posted in a lot of political forums, and DU has been fine. People do argue and pick posts apart, but isn't that part of what discussion is?

The very worst place I ever posted was during the last presidential election. It doesn't exist anymore, but at the time it was a conservative bastion. I thought I would be able to go in and maybe budge one of them into posting other opinions than simply the same talking points over and over again. No way. It was kind of horrifying. Pretty soon they began accusing me of being a "terrorist" and then ostracized me completely. It sure helped to build a thick skin, but I wasn't sorry to leave.

On DU it is much more pleasant. Some members have gone out of their way to welcome me, others have answered my posts. I don't feel I have had a bad experience here. I have seen a lot of humor and read some very good discourse. Oh, and no one has called me a "terrorist." That counts. It definitely counts.:rofl:

Kephra and crewleader made me feel very welcome, but we were a much smaller community then

DU is still a refuge, but not like in the early days. I wish Will were here more , but I understand why he is not. Why do people do that to their own?

Those three were instrumental in my hanging around.

we oldtimers need to stick together:thumbsup: :hi:

I lurked from maybe 2003 and joined in 2007 thinking the primaries and election would be a good time to participate but didn't like the fighting.

My interest is in information and relaxation (haha my dander gets raised regularly).

Seldom do I get responses and I am most hesitant to post on topics where I am educated or experienced unfortunately.

I am anti-war and pro-public health care and pro-civil rights and pro-environment.

or say something particularly witty. Insightful posts don't always get attention if they don't come from any of DU's most frequent posters.

I still don't feel "accepted", but I think that's because the Democratic party-and by extension, DU, is a "big tent" for everyone who isn't in the nut farm of the GOP. There is no cohesive liberal agenda and our reps vote with the opposition as much as they vote against them. The frustration with the situation spills out on this board because no one listens anyplace else.

I was a little left of the masses, but welcomed none the less

I guess people are skeptical of newer posters because of the invasions of freepers.

I'm just a loveable, fluffy, teddy bear I guess.

Trolls make themselves obvious fairly early.

It was easy for me to get in

I really enjoy welcoming new members too

It got better, but this place is spectacularly newbiephobic.

If you say conservatives are dummies, you instantly get a million replies saying "hell yeah dude, conservatives ARE dummies!"

First time ever at the top of Greatest, and it was nice.

Part of it is my own fault, though. I'm a hard-liner about some things (namely poverty issues) and I've made more than a few overly confrontational posts. I also haven't socialized in the Lounge at all.

I had decided to quit DU a while back, but something led me back the other day and now I'm already re-addicted. LOL.

and belonged to a couple of other boards in different places. I was an old hand at message boards by then.

I've never been a prolific writer, but I've nearly always been a long-winded one. :)

Even now, 8 years later, my post count is barely over the 10,000 mark!

I remember on another board, before DU existed, talking about John Ashcroft. I was horrified that he was going to be the AG, even to the point (in my own mind, at least) that he was a very dangerous man--how could I have ever, in my wildest dreams, imagined that there was someone even worse than Ashcroft?

We mostly made it through those horrifying years--poorer, in worse health, and with children taking the brunt of all the worst of Bush's policies, to be sure.

Sometimes, I have to pinch myself to remember that he's finally out of office, because we've seen so much terror, so many shocking things, and frankly, endured a lot. But I've also become aware that there are Dems out there that are just as bad, and that dash of reality takes away a lot of jubilation at the new regime.

It appears that once reaching at least 1,000 posts, one achieves the status of at least being tolerated more then those who have but a few posts under their belt.

Neither of us is timid. Know what I mean?

:dunce:

:P

Nut you. :hug:

It has been a wonderful experience. I felt welcomed and I try to play it fore ward.

DU is actually very tame compared to some other websites I used to go to, so coming here didn't seem rough at all. Plus, Catwoman and Jitterbug Perfume made me feel right at home very early.

I came here in early 2001 after lurking, myself. Your son was fun to read because he seemed madder than I was at the time and that is saying a lot. Crewleader welcomed me and had she not been some warm and friendly, I might have stayed away (which some might wish I would have. LOL.)

I took a break from the DU after the election for my own sanity and to also just to shut up for a while after being so very harsh during the primaries in my support for Obama. I don't feel good that a lot of new DU'ers who supported Hillary felt they should leave.

I can't help but wonder how we treat Republicans who come here because they are beginning to re-evaluate their beliefs and rather than allowing them to incrementally step into the waters of the progressive movement, we beat the hell out of them over some small statement that doesn't fit our collective group-think. I hope I can do better in this regard.

Raven, your message is a good one. Are we welcoming? Probably not as much as we were. We should be. Thanks for your post. Enthusiastic K&R.

Maybe because I've been a member of so many groups before where yes, it was difficult to be accepted and there were one or two where people were downright hostile to newcomers. I more or less developed a thicker skin and realized that no matter how large the group is, there are still going to be smaller groups within the large group with their own particular exclusivity.

That's where persistence comes in.

Just keep posting and being visible and become part of the community.

I don't think DU is much different from any other site I've ever been a member of...

:)

I simply don't have time to take notice of more than a tiny fraction of the tiny fraction of registered DUers who actually post. I have no way of knowing whether or not I'm "accepted," unless the mods' not having banned me yet is significant.

:banghead: