I agree with everything Sourdough says.

There may be something to GUEST,Shenandoah's perception that guests are treated badly or being pressured to join.

The problem, I think, stems from the fact that recently there has been at least one GUEST whose apparent purpose here is to spread paranoia and stir up discord. As a result, when regular visitors to Mudcat (members or regular guest visitors) see a post from "GUEST," there is no way to tell if this is someone who is seriously asking for or offering information--or the troublemaker. The immediate reaction under these circumstances is, of course, suspicion. If I respond sincerely and openly to GUEST's post, I'm not sure whether I'm dealing with a normal human being or with some pathetic sod who is going to respond to my response with something insulting. It happens. A lot! So if there seems to be a cold response to guests (and I haven't noticed this, but I've been around for a while so I don't necessarily see things the way a newcomer would), then that's the reason. Guests are welcome! Provided they behave the same way one can reasonable expect a guest to behave in the 3-D world. If someone behaves this way in the 3-D world, it should come as no surprise if the reaction they get is negative. Here, it's easy for someone so inclined to behave badly, because they can hide behind anonymity. This, unfortunately, can give the sickies an opportunity to go around barfing on people.

And as far as being pressured to join is concerned, what people are saying is "Come on in, the water's fine!" not "Join or I'll break your knees." When I first started hanging around, I got the same invitation and felt because of it that I was welcome (Catspaw49 was the first, bless his heart!). But I never felt pressured, nor did anybody treat me badly until I joined. With my life-long interest in folk music, I found a bunch of kindred souls, so--naturally--I did join. I've since found Mudcat absolutely invaluable on many levels--at least to me.

On a down note, if newcomers do feel that they are regarded with suspicion and are made to feel uncomfortable, I am genuinely sorry. But it demonstrates that our gadfly, the troublemaking GUEST has at least partially succeeded in sowing a measure of discord in an otherwise warm and welcoming place. I hope this troublemaking GUEST is proud. Accomplishing that is really something to tell the grandchildren.

All guests and newcomers of good intent, please bear with us.

Don Firth