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<snipped to conserve space>
Tim is right, we do need to take some time and reflect. Let us 'Selah' for a
time and make some constructive changes to the community to improve things.
I have been participating in LUGNET for several months now and must admit that
at first I was intimidated. That is proven by the fact that I lurked for years
before that on both LUGNET and RTL. When I was first starting to post I was in
the weird situation of knowing a lot of people from the years of observation,
or at least thinking I knew them. But I remember being excited to get a reply
to something I posted, frankly I still am. I would not be surprised that there
are other newbies who feel the same way.
In my time here I have seen good things, great things and bad things. I have
said positive and uplifting things, inoffensive things and down right stupid
and cruel things. I am no more innocent or guilty than the rest, but I think
we need to change. My manifesto a couple of weeks back [1] was hard to follow.
And in fact, I failed to meet the challenge I gave. As a person studying to be
a pastor, I am taught that I am to live what I preach. I do know even if I
don't live it, I don't invalidate the truth, I invalidate my authority to
share it.
Thanks to Todd, who put the brakes to me instigating things further, I was
able to correct my mistake yesterday and move on. Frankly, I feel dirty for
failing my own challenge.
LUGNET has over 500 members and more participants than that. It is impossible
for the Larry's, Todd's, Tim's, Suz's, and others to get to know each and
every one in a personal manner. Yet these leaders [2] are part of everyone’s
lives. We share the parts of their lives that they show us.
Personally I would like to contribute in a positive manner to the community
but it seems all the choice spots are already taken by individuals like Todd,
Kevin Loch, Tim Courtney, Steve Bliss, etc… I would love to learn to create
new Ldraw elements and further my Lcad Model collection (which is happening
slowly). But I must say it is hard for a newbie to get actively involved; in
that it is like trying to get into a moving car. And most people do not have
the aggressive personality to break in like Shiri Dori for example. Thus we
need to do something in regards to making it easier to participate.
[3] One idea I have is a new LUGNET group like lugnet.newbie or something.
This group would be a non-topic group that anyone can post to and just get to
know one another. It can also be used by individuals who do not understand
where to post things (Shiri can then redirect them :-). Of course there would
have to be rules such as a zero tolerance in flaming even is followed up in
another group and no market advertising i.e. auctions. It would then be the
responsibility of everyone to participate.
Even if this does not come into being, we need to each take a little time and
find the newbies and make sure they are encouraged. A simple reply can go a
long way in brightening up someone’s day.
I know we are not going to solve all our problems and of course we will not
always agree on everything but I think we can improve, and it will start on a
one-on-one basis.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jude Beaudin
shiningblade@home.com
AIM: ShiningBlade1
MSN: ShiningBlade
ICQ: 77656388
1 - http://news.lugnet.com/people/?n=1168
2 – I do not know the word I should use to describe the pillars of the
community
3 - This is the reason I xposted to .admin.general
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"Jude Beaudin" <shiningblade@home.com> wrote in message
news:G2ovu8.n12@lugnet.com...
> LUGNET has over 500 members and more participants than that. It is • impossible
> for the Larry's, Todd's, Tim's, Suz's, and others to get to know each and
> every one in a personal manner. Yet these leaders [2] are part of • everyone's
> lives. We share the parts of their lives that they show us.
Regardless of 'leader' status, I think that the good thing here is that we
can get to know each other personally through LUGs, etc. You're right,
people of any position can't get to know everyone, but also average users
can't accomplish that task either. I find that I have a lot of people who I
do know for various reasons, whether it be CAD, I've met them at a Legofest,
or just from random discussion. There's probably 20-30 people on Lugnet I
do know well outside the context of the group - and probably half of that
who I know well in person.
Yes, we're all sharing a part of our lives by what we contribute here. We
unfortunately get a better perspective on it when someone passes away - like
James and Gary Louie.
> Personally I would like to contribute in a positive manner to the • community
> but it seems all the choice spots are already taken by individuals like • Todd,
> Kevin Loch, Tim Courtney, Steve Bliss, etc. I would love to learn to • create
> new Ldraw elements and further my Lcad Model collection (which is • happening
> slowly). But I must say it is hard for a newbie to get actively involved; • in
> that it is like trying to get into a moving car.
I think that we've seen something like the .com businesses reflected on a
smaller scale here in the community - that those who were there to do the
big things early on got in, and now they may be so comprehensive that
others' efforts may fizzle before snowballing.
But!! That doesn't mean you can't make that positive impact here. You want
to create LDraw parts, go for it!! Get involved and do different things
here, try your hand at what you like. People will respect you for
contributing, and you never know where it can take you.
> And most people do not have
> the aggressive personality to break in like Shiri Dori for example. Thus • we
> need to do something in regards to making it easier to participate.
LOL! Knowing Shiri in person fairly well, I wouldn't characterize her as an
aggressive personality ;-)
...wait, then again there was Brickfest. <gdr>
> [3] One idea I have is a new LUGNET group like lugnet.newbie or something.
> This group would be a non-topic group that anyone can post to and just get • to
> know one another. It can also be used by individuals who do not understand
> where to post things (Shiri can then redirect them :-). Of course there • would
> have to be rules such as a zero tolerance in flaming even is followed up • in
> another group and no market advertising i.e. auctions. It would then be • the
> responsibility of everyone to participate.
Good idea for a group - something to transition people from civilian life to
Lugnet life ;)
> Even if this does not come into being, we need to each take a little time • and
> find the newbies and make sure they are encouraged. A simple reply can go • a
> long way in brightening up someone's day.
Yep. This old timer gets a bit bummed even when he doesn't get replies -
how much more of a positive impact would a cheerful reply have on a newbie?
--
Tim Courtney - tim@zacktron.com
http://www.ldraw.org - Centralized LDraw Resources
http://www.zacktron.com - Zacktron Alliance
ICQ: 23951114 - AIM: TimCourtne
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Tim Courtney writes:
> Regardless of 'leader' status, I think that the good thing here is that we
> can get to know each other personally through LUGs, etc. You're right,
> people of any position can't get to know everyone, but also average users
> can't accomplish that task either.
True. Personally, I got to know a few people after repeatedly trading with
them, because we used to slip in tidbits about RL happenings within the posts
or emails. Even those little things go a long way later on.
> I find that I have a lot of people who I
> do know for various reasons, whether it be CAD, I've met them at a Legofest,
> or just from random discussion. There's probably 20-30 people on Lugnet I
> do know well outside the context of the group - and probably half of that
> who I know well in person.
I'd say the same for me.
[..]
> > Personally I would like to contribute in a positive manner to the
> > community
> > but it seems all the choice spots are already taken by individuals [..]
It's too bad that you feel that way. There's always room to help. Take for
example Cary Clark who has taken upon himself a project with the FAQs. This is
just going on right now, and I'm sure he could use help, there's a lot of
posts to go through. And that's just one example that came to mind. There's
*always* room to improve and help. ;-)
> > But I must say it is hard for a newbie to get actively involved;
> > in that it is like trying to get into a moving car.
>
> I think that we've seen something like the .com businesses reflected on a
> smaller scale here in the community - that those who were there to do the
> big things early on got in, and now they may be so comprehensive that
> others' efforts may fizzle before snowballing.
>
> But!! That doesn't mean you can't make that positive impact here. You want
> to create LDraw parts, go for it!! Get involved and do different things
> here, try your hand at what you like. People will respect you for
> contributing, and you never know where it can take you.
Exactly. True, the more people and ideas there are, the easier it is to
accidently overlook something great, but that doesn't mean everything will be
overlooked.
> > And most people do not have
> > the aggressive personality to break in like Shiri Dori for example. Thus
> > we need to do something in regards to making it easier to participate.
Hehehehehe.... oh my ;-)... aggressive personality? Hmmmmm.... you know I
lurked for *quite* a while before joining in... but if you say so ;-)
> LOL! Knowing Shiri in person fairly well, I wouldn't characterize her as an
> aggressive personality ;-)
>
> ...wait, then again there was Brickfest. <gdr>
Yeah, and yesterday afternoon too <grin>. Shoving you around is just too
fun. ;-)
Aggressive... well... I guess ;-)
> Good idea for a group - something to transition people from civilian life to
> Lugnet life ;)
Yep, it was thrown around here a bunch of times - I'm glad Todd finally put it
in motion!!
(see lugnet.people.newbies)
> Yep. This old timer gets a bit bummed even when he doesn't get replies -
> how much more of a positive impact would a cheerful reply have on a newbie?
Definitely!
-Shiri
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"Shiri Dori" <shirid@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:G2uEK7.81r@lugnet.com...
> > > Personally I would like to contribute in a positive manner to the
> > > community
> > > but it seems all the choice spots are already taken by individuals [..]
>
> It's too bad that you feel that way. There's always room to help. Take for
> example Cary Clark who has taken upon himself a project with the FAQs. • This is
> just going on right now, and I'm sure he could use help, there's a lot of
> posts to go through. And that's just one example that came to mind. • There's
> *always* room to improve and help. ;-)
Yup.
> > LOL! Knowing Shiri in person fairly well, I wouldn't characterize her as • an
> > aggressive personality ;-)
> >
> > ...wait, then again there was Brickfest. <gdr>
>
> Yeah, and yesterday afternoon too <grin>. Shoving you around is just too
> fun. ;-)
I know, you're mean!
> Aggressive... well... I guess ;-)
Hehe ;-) As I said before, I'm really glad I'm not attached to you :-P
(and I pity the person who is) ;-)
j/k
> > Good idea for a group - something to transition people from civilian life • to
> > Lugnet life ;)
>
> Yep, it was thrown around here a bunch of times - I'm glad Todd finally • put it
> in motion!!
> (see lugnet.people.newbies)
Cool!
--
Tim Courtney - tim@zacktron.com
http://www.ldraw.org - Centralized LDraw Resources
http://www.zacktron.com - Zacktron Alliance
ICQ: 23951114 - AIM: TimCourtne
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