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BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal
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Subject: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: mousethief Date: 03 Apr 01 - 11:04 AM What say we save up all our "welcomes" and at a regular interval -- say, weekly, or fortnightly, or monthly -- give a big WELCOME to all the people who joined over the past interval. This way we can avoid clogging up the Forum with 1001 "Welcome [new mudcatter name]" threads. Just a suggestion. Alex |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Lady McMoo Date: 03 Apr 01 - 11:20 AM Sounds a little impersonal to me...? mcmoo |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Murray MacLeod Date: 03 Apr 01 - 11:24 AM I never got a welcome thread, I just staggered in through the back door and sort of blundered my way around. Maybe we should have retrospective welcome threads, though in my case it is entirely possible that there would be no signatories ........ Murray |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Mrrzy Date: 03 Apr 01 - 11:29 AM Yeah, me neither! At least not a whole thread. But I did get a sweet welcoming mention from Allan C in the post where he found out I'd joined... So Hi There, Murray MacLeod! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Murray MacLeod Date: 03 Apr 01 - 11:42 AM Sorry, Hi there, "Mrrzy" Murray |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: mkebenn Date: 03 Apr 01 - 11:42 AM Me neither, so welcome to the bother of you. Mike |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: catspaw49 Date: 03 Apr 01 - 11:49 AM I just kinda' slipped in through a side door when no one was looking. We didn't do welcome threads back then. I'm big on PM's to new people or a paragraph thrown in on another posting on a thread the person is on. I think that's more personal then the threads and in a lot of cases the person we're welcoming with a thread, never shows up again....or very infrequently. I like welcoming new people and I like the personal touch, but I'm rapidly coming to dislike the "Welcome Threads." Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Eric the Viking Date: 03 Apr 01 - 01:20 PM Well, I didn't get welcomed either, but then no one told me to bugger off either, so I just kept coming back. I posted my welcome "Gaz" thread for a friend who felt a little intimidated about joining such an illustrious group. I have been telling him about Mudcat since I first found it. I know you better now, but I too was a bit unsure some 2 or so years back-is it that! long? So I don't mind welcome threads if I get the chance to say hello. I wouldn't have met so many excellent people, if you hadn't made me feel welcome-so I guess we owe it to the newcomers to help them in. Welcome to anyone new. Eric |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: wysiwyg Date: 03 Apr 01 - 01:27 PM I did welcome threads for new members to introduce themselves for awhile but they pooped out. While they worked though they were nice-- people who had joined but not started posting would come out of the woodwork and get more active. Now though, I just welcome them in the threads where I spot them and insert a FAQ plug. With the clicky to serach on the membernames, it's easy to confirm a "New Member Sighting." And get a clue about the threads they have liked. Or spot one when it's their first post. At Beliefnet they have a whole newcomers board within the site where a link invites you to go as soon as you join. Whoever likes doing welcomes hangs out there and starts or maintains the welcomes. But I can't see Mudcat ever going that route. I think the long and short of it is that people are going to issue welcomes however they feel like, an myriad ways, and will resist any attempt whatsoever to organize it. And I think any attempt to organize it will be just a sort of "We" have "agreed" to do such and such-- which is, sorry to say, kinda like the cliquey behavior that some people are so sensitive to. And it will seem to many like someone is trying to tell others what to do, even if, Alex, what you are actually trying to do is share a reasonable idea and seek a consensus. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: mousethief Date: 03 Apr 01 - 01:40 PM God forbid anybody make any suggestions around here. Thank you for putting me in my place, Susan. Every now and then I get uppity and need to be reminded of who I am and what expectations are for my behavior. alex |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: wysiwyg Date: 03 Apr 01 - 01:50 PM Alex, knock it off. That was not my intent or feeling AT ALL and if you read it that way you were looking for it. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Jeri Date: 03 Apr 01 - 02:34 PM Alex, I think it's a good idea. Unfortunately, past history has shown that even if almost everybody says "good idea - let's do it," this won't prevent others from doing it their way. In a group that decides to abide by the majority's wishes, it would work. This is not such a group. Between 2 Apr 00 and 3 Apr 01, 2,191 new members joined. (Although a few of the new memberships were smart-asses abusing memberships.) Between 30 Mar and 3 Apr of this year - 4 days - 9 people joined. Singling folks out for welcoming threads misses a lot of folks. I also think it's possible some people don't want to be the focus of attention, and would rather get to know people during discussions. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Amos Date: 03 Apr 01 - 02:36 PM I carved my own welcome by posting liberally in everyone else's threads! Woddarwe, a buncha socialists? DON'T ANSWER THAT! A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: GUEST,Matt_R Date: 03 Apr 01 - 02:40 PM Yeah Amos, yer one of those long-haired hippie pinko commies...or something!! Is it just me, or do the new members that individual welcome threads introduce seem to hardly ever post? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Mary in Kentucky Date: 03 Apr 01 - 02:47 PM nor was I welcomed...hmmmm...Murray, Mrrzy, mkebenn, Mary...is there a trend here? Must be a conspiracy. ;-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Hawker Date: 03 Apr 01 - 02:57 PM Interesting thread, as a new member, (of a few months now) I did wonder why I wasn't made to feel as welcome as others, and guessed that I had just got away with sidling in through the back door with Mkebenn, Murray McLeod, Mrrzy and Catspaw49! Still, it's friendly enough, and perhaps sneaking in quietly has its own rewards - our cats sneak in quietly and steal food on the side before we realise they are there!!! - watch out!LOL! WELCOME ALL NEWCOMERS LIKE ME! Lucy |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: MMario Date: 03 Apr 01 - 03:10 PM Lucy - you made such an impression we just all felt like you'd been here forever. *grin*
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: wysiwyg Date: 03 Apr 01 - 03:13 PM Lucy, didn't you start out early posting a thread on favorite hymns? If I recall, I welcomed you by pointing up the other ones you might like, and participating in your thread. I think actually that posting in new members' threads is the biggest vote of confidence the Mudcat bestows. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Bert Date: 03 Apr 01 - 03:17 PM OK. Eric - Bugger Off, There does that make you feel better? Ha - gotcha! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: kendall Date: 03 Apr 01 - 04:01 PM I dont remember being welcomed, but, I also never felt intimidated in this group. There are advantages to being a crusty egotistical prick... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: mmm Date: 03 Apr 01 - 04:10 PM welcome everyone i didn't get a welcome but didn't take it personally , really i didn't ,:) mmm |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: catspaw49 Date: 03 Apr 01 - 04:29 PM Kendall, in your case there was a reason that you didn't get a welcome thread, but ignoring you and insulting you hasn't seemed to have much effect either. I guess you're kind of a dullard not to have picked up on the fact that no one likes you, or probably, you're just used to it...............Look,if we offered you money would you leave? Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: CarolC Date: 03 Apr 01 - 04:32 PM When a friend of mine joins, I like to start a welcome thread. I feel that a welcome thread is a good place for them to get a little practice in Mudcatiquette. And it helps them to get used to posting and not feeling intimidated here, which is a very real experience for a lot of newcomers. I think welcome threads can be very useful for some people. With a big group thread, I would have to wait for one of them to come around before I could help my friends in this way. I suspect other people start welcome threads for the same reason I do. Carol |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Joe Offer Date: 03 Apr 01 - 04:51 PM Well, I guess I have to say that I hate "Welcome" threads. I also hate the idea of the prayer threads and the healing threads for the same reason - they all have the same "personal" feel that you get from bulk e-mail. All of those things might work in a small group, but we aren't small. If we make an effort in those areas, the sheer numbers involved make that sort of thing sound empty and insincere. I think the best thing we can do to welcome newcomers is if one or two or three people (no more) answer them directly and by name when they post something. If some newcomers get a hundred welcomes, we establish an expectation we cannot meet - we just can't come up with a hundred warm, personal greetings for every newcomer that joins us. The best way to make people feel welcome is to make sure that their questions get answered and that their comments get responses when responses are warranted. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: mousethief Date: 03 Apr 01 - 05:02 PM Kendall, if you have a crusty prick, there are medications available -- ask your primary care provider. To answer everybody's unasked questions: I know that a proposal like this will never be implemented. The point of the thread is more to open discussion about these "welcome" threads it than to craft policy for implementation. For myself, I get tired of opening "welcome" threads to see if it's one I've posted in yet. It burns a lot of time, and for very little benefit that I can see. My new policy is to ignore them wholesale. Alex |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Mrs.Duck Date: 03 Apr 01 - 06:11 PM I got a wonderful welcome when I joined and thought it was great. Really made me feel like I was part of it all and gave me encouragement to post to other threads. Can't shut me up now!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: catspaw49 Date: 03 Apr 01 - 06:13 PM Joe, if you get any more anal retentive, I'm gonna' send you some coal.(:<)) Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Rick Fielding Date: 03 Apr 01 - 07:28 PM Joe. Turn around, go back out. Now come back in. WELCOME. Actually I agree with most of your points, but I'm just too much of a damn camp follower....so if someone looks "welcome worthy"... I say welcome. But for what it's worth, I always tell them about Spaw...so I see it as a public service announcement. the welcome wagoneer |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 03 Apr 01 - 08:18 PM I think that if when I started coming here someone had started a welcome thread for me, I'd have slid out the door and either never come back, or changed my cookie and come back in anonymously.
I know it's meant as a friendly gesture, but what really makes people feel welcome is when they get a response to something they've posted that makes them feel what they've written has been read and appreciated. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Little Neophyte Date: 03 Apr 01 - 09:55 PM McGrath I tend to agree with you. I never got the 'Welcome Wagon' and in hindsight, I am really glad I did not. It would have made me feel uncomfortable. I felt much more at ease with how I was greeted in the earlier days.......like a UFO. Who is this strange woman that creates such odd threads and obscure postings. Now that for me is a sign of real welcome. :)Little Neo |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Matt_R Date: 03 Apr 01 - 10:00 PM Lol...Bonnie, for the first few weeks, I thought you were a GUY!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Jon Freeman Date: 03 Apr 01 - 10:09 PM Don't know right or wrong. the only welcome thread I started was a transfer from the FAQ (which no-one reads) introducing himself - should one create a thread or point out that there is a welcoming system (if one is created)or ignore it? Jon |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: flattop Date: 03 Apr 01 - 10:12 PM We could occasionally break the monotony with a Glad-That-Asshole-Left thread. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: catspaw49 Date: 03 Apr 01 - 10:21 PM No problem flattop.....We'll put you at the top the list? When do you want to go? Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: flattop Date: 03 Apr 01 - 10:36 PM Ah, a man who's open to fresh ideas. Any day now, any day now. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: artbrooks Date: 03 Apr 01 - 11:12 PM Well, I'm (relatively) new. The only welcome I got was from Susan (WYSIWYG), which was greatly appreciated. The only other acknowledgement was from someone who was apparently concerned that one of my posts would be confused with him because we have the same first name. Those of us who are immodest will enjoy being noticed, because that offers the opportunity to engage in some sparkling repartee (define that as you like). Those who would just as soon not be noticed won't respond, and the thread will die quickly. My vote would be for individual welcomes...as an alternative to "welcome John, Sue, Fatcat, Bluebird, and all the rest of yuns". |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: CarolC Date: 03 Apr 01 - 11:45 PM Spaw, that wouldn't work. He'd just come back with another name. Better the devil we know, eh? (flattop, don't be an asshole, stick around.) Also... artbrooks, welcome to the Mudcat! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: catspaw49 Date: 03 Apr 01 - 11:52 PM So then you're saying that flattop uses some other names around here Carol? Probably goes with all his multiple personalities then huh? Just curious. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: CarolC Date: 03 Apr 01 - 11:59 PM Nope, just flattop as far as I know. How could you improve on a name like that? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: catspaw49 Date: 04 Apr 01 - 12:09 AM Had me worried about that for awhile there Carol. Now, can it be improved? Hmmmm............... Well he could go by flatass instead, although I have no intimate knowledge of his ass. Whaddaya' think? I mean you have been in closer proximity and all. Maybe we can get hesp and LH in on this too. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: CarolC Date: 04 Apr 01 - 12:17 AM Well, he wears baggy pants a lot, but from the one time he wore bluejeans when I was there, I think I can safely say that flattop's got a great ass. Why don't you go check it out for yourself? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Bugsy Date: 04 Apr 01 - 12:23 AM Well add me to the list of "Never Welcomed". I must say though that I agree with Joe, they do tend to go on a bit, and sometimes the "New Member" is welcomed a full 2-3 months after they joined up. All seems a bit pointless to me. CHeers Bugsy |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: catspaw49 Date: 04 Apr 01 - 12:40 AM Yeah Bugsy......I still go with what I said above. PM's and/or a note in the thread as part of another post works pretty well. Acknowledging a newcomer's postings, in whatever way is appropriate is always a winner. The occasional welcome thread for someone though should not be a problem either. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: gnu Date: 04 Apr 01 - 05:13 AM If I ever have a friend and that friend joins, I will post a thread entitled "WELCOME by PM... "idiot" ( or whatever )" and you can PM the poor depraved soul at your leisure and pleasure, or ignore him/her/it, or post to thread if you want to waste cyberspace. gnu |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Joe Offer Date: 04 Apr 01 - 05:59 AM Hey Spaw - first you call me anal rententive, and then you agree with me. Guess I'd better send you some California Dried Plums. They may help with your anal retention.... -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Wolfgang Date: 04 Apr 01 - 07:06 AM I've counted 24 welcome threads in six months (not counting POL POT and threads welcoming a whole group of new Mudcats). Using Jeri's information about the number of new members in one year, roughly 2000, it means that your chances of getting a personal welcome thread are about 1 in 400. Just imagine we actually had a personalised welcome thread for each of them... Wolfgang |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: catspaw49 Date: 04 Apr 01 - 07:36 AM We agree Joe....just have some different reasons. I always get a kick out of your "OK,OK....stop that now" attitude. You are a true midwesterner of the old school!!! First time we meet, I'm gonna kiss you on the lips........LMAO!!!!!! Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Gervase Date: 04 Apr 01 - 07:40 AM Well said, Kevin. The welcome threads make me cringe - but maybe that's because I'm a curmudgeonly, tight-arsed, miserable Brit who just wandered in here without so much as a by-your-leave, let alone a welcome, pulled up a chair, farted a couple of times and felt at home. Thus I generally ignore the threads. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: KitKat Date: 04 Apr 01 - 07:47 AM I think I accidentally joined twice - got blown off the first time after not posting anything for a while. Didn't get welcomed either time, as far as I remember, but I did very much appreciate a response to a lyric request I made. Not being well versed in mudcat etiquette, I wasn't expecting a welcome, so I didn't get upset when it didn't happen! Kit Kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: RichM Date: 04 Apr 01 - 08:34 AM I sidled in through the back door, with occasional postings to threads when I thought I had something to contribute. Being a shy type, that suited me fine.
But Alex's intent is to welcome newcomers; a good thing, yes? Rich |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Joe Offer Date: 04 Apr 01 - 02:29 PM Spaw, I'm a Midwesterner. A hearty handshake will do just fine... -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall) Date: 04 Apr 01 - 06:51 PM I was posting regularly as a guest and being treated as a member without a cookie, for long enough that a welcome thread when I actually joined would have been redundant. I even had the second longest sentence in Mudcat history tell me as much! I've gotten plenty of feedback that made me feel welcome. What's more, since it was coming from people who'd actually "met" me (two-dimensionally at least), it was personal instead of a bulk e-mail as Joe Offer pointed out. Gargoyle hasn't been around for a while. Glad that asshole left. ;-> Rich |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 05 Apr 01 - 07:35 PM Oh yes he has been. (Keep your voice down!) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: menzze Date: 06 Apr 01 - 07:55 AM I dropped into this place by chance a couple of months ago while searching some lyrics. My request was answered here by a lot of people wo never heard of me before but posted to my thread anyway.That was more a welcome to me than a "welcome thread" could ever have been. It seems to me that it might be important for some people to be welcomed in public while others they don't care about that. Why not start a new thread with two categories: I was welcome in a thread/ I wasn't, and anybody who feels to can sign in one of them?*BG*
menzze, |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: wdyat12 Date: 06 Apr 01 - 01:27 PM I'm new here and I got a big welcome. I also posted my introduction in the Welcome to New Members thread, so people could know a little bit about me first. Thanks again everyone for the big welcome! wdyat12 |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: menzze Date: 11 Apr 01 - 06:54 PM just a refresh |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: Burke Date: 11 Apr 01 - 09:30 PM I didn't get a thread, either & can't remember now if anyone said Hi! I wasn't trying to come in with a big splash. I long ago realized I feel more comforatable getting to know a few people then trying to feel like a part of some group. I don't feel like I need to chime on the welcome threads either. My reaction to Alex's suggestion is to agree with the just won't work opinion. It's like some places I've worked where the birthday parties seem to be getting out of hand & someone says lets do one party a month for all the birthdays that month. No one is ever happy with that & if it even gets started, the individual celebrations start up again. There's nothing to stop Alex from doing a monthly welcome thread, but the individual ones probably won't go away. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: GUEST,UB Dan Date: 12 Apr 01 - 09:36 AM I think its a bad idea to propose to each new member...it could be kind of disconcerting to the new member...and you also have to consider what to do if it is accepted. Anyway, I think you should at least date for a while. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: JudeL Date: 12 Apr 01 - 10:24 AM I didn't get a welcome, & was neither happy or upset about it. One thing I would like, is a list of the abbreviations that are commonly used. I've worked out what some of them are but what does "lol" stand for? Jude |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: menzze Date: 13 Apr 01 - 06:40 AM Hey Jude
Laughing Out Loud menzze |
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Subject: RE: BS: Welcome Threads -- a Proposal From: menzze Date: 13 Apr 01 - 06:42 AM Hey Jude
Laughing Out Loud menzze |