How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: CarolC
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 04:19 PM

I felt that the Mudcat was just like my high school (which was a pretty damn amazing and wonderful place - it was an experimental school back in the early 1970s, modeled a bit after Summerhill); a hyper-enriched environment full of amazingly creative, intelligent, and interesting people.

I had a little trepidation about posting to the BS type threads at first, but that didn't seem to stop me from jumping in with both feet and having a fantastic time right from the start.

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 07:56 PM

Seriously unwelcome - that's how I felt and it's why I never post anymore. The only members who were at all nice were Sorcha, Big Mick, and Carol C. When I first discovered the site, people were lovely about finding music and lyrics for me and some even expressed appreciation when I, wanting to return the favour, was able to find stuff. So, overcoming my natural reserve and timidity, I became a member. I feel very bad because I recommended the site to some of my friends and they all said that they felt uncomfortable. Although I still use mudcat as a resource, I never mention the site to anyone. I guess if I ever met anyone I really hated, I'd let them know about you. Most people from Jeri to [up]yours, Peter T. have been gratuitously hateful. I'm replying as a Guest, because in addition to despising you for your insults, I honestly feel threatened by some of you.

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 01:01 PM

Gosh guest, I'm sorry you feel that way, but surely over five years Peter T and Jeri have proven themselves to be fine people. Peter has given us some of the best writing you're ever going to see, and I can assure you that Jeri is close to the top of the heap when it comes to Catters who've earned the respect and friendship of many.

The sheer number of people who've been complimentary here about the forum really makes me wonder if all these friends of yours REALLY felt uncomfortable or were just saying that because you felt so negative.

One Mucatter who seems very unimpressed has left out the times at the beginning when under another name he was very insulting to the forum and to members in general, so I'm rather suspicious of his complaints.

Did you ever send a PM to either Jeri or Peter trying to clear up any misunderstandings? Believe me it can't help and feeling THAT negative about a general group isn't helpful.

Hope you try again.

DB

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 01:26 PM

"Most people from Jeri to [up]yours, Peter T. have been gratuitously hateful."

pooh!...anything remotely like 'hate' from those two, or 'most' others was earned! I have no idea exactly what would cause anyone to say that about some of our nicest members, but I know the quietest of dogs will snap at you if tormented enough.

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 01:59 PM

I suppose it's very subjectve. What feels friendly and welcoming to some people feels hostile and cliquish to others. Story of every pub and every folk club and every workplace.

I've never felt in the least threatened here, even when I've been picked out by some of the passing trolls for a bit of a flaming from time to time.

Anyway Good Luck, GUEST, in finding a more friendly place than this - and if you ever do, drop in back here and let us know, because that would be quite a find.

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: akenaton
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 02:01 PM

Well Iv only been on mudcat for a few months but feel very inhibited about expressing my half baked opinions to all you intelligent folks ,but I must say youve all been very understanding about grammar ,spelling ect....and even the grumpiest turn out to be pussy cats if you PM them. The trolls are great fun ,and mostly very witty. The forum needs these people to keep everyone from going to sleep,and to make us see the alternative way (there always is one).I dont know why you all get so upset about them. Any way I quite like it here so I think i'll stay around for a while..   Ake

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 10:29 PM

Hello, i just read this anfd i think guest is just trying to make trubble, abd we should ingore them.john

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: Beverley Barton
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 08:16 AM

bewildered!!! that's how i feel mr piper. this thing is full of surreal nutcases, but very amusing nutcases. and no, i don,t feel intimidated or threatened because it,s only a plastic box sat in my office.i can,t wait until i can use this machine properly

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 08:35 AM

el ted! wait until you meet some of them in person! be afraid; be very afraid....

on second thought - don't be afraid - just carry a large stick.

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: smallpiper
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 12:13 PM

too late he already has!

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: Tam the Bam (Nutter)
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 01:04 PM

I hope that mudcatter isn't me and if it is then I'm sorry Guest.

Tom

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: Tam the Bam (Nutter)
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 01:12 PM

Mind you there are some people who get hurt very easy, including myself, however I try to understnad and then I get angry and write things at the time, and then I relise how bad they sound, so I write I'm sorry afterwards, when I know that I'm in the wrong, unlike some people who can't admit that they are wrong.
Or don't like people like me saying sorry.

Tom

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 01:16 PM

That's one of the problems with people who post as GUESTs - you can't PM them and say sorry if you feel you might have overstepped the line in a comment. Or sort out a misunderstanding that threatens to lead to an avoidable quarrel.

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: nancyjo
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 04:40 PM

Well, I'm still a newbie I guess - 3 or 4 months. I am not a newbie to being part of a mailing list on the Internet. I think it'd be very intersting to see what other "lists" these folks belong to/post to. I've been a part of the Neil Young list (rust) for almost 10 years. (And by the way, "troll" is very often used there.) I also belong to a mystery book list, a Rawhide list (which frequently side-tracks to other cowoby shows) and three lists related to my job (reference librarian).

I'd say this list is not as clique-ish as some, more so than others. I don't feel I belong - yet. I've been frustrated in my request for song lyrics for all 3 songs I've asked for, with no success. And also frustrated when I contributed the correct lyrics to a song and got no response. I did make a goof in the discussion on the list of best guitar players and asked about George Harrison when it turned out he WAS on the list, so maybe I have a reputation of being an air-head??

Also on a few occasions I've responded off-list to someone, always with a compliment (e.g. liked their humor) and have yet to have anyone answer me. This makes me feel rebuffed.

On the technical side, I have a question. On more than one occasion, I've searched the lyric database for a song and gotten zero hits. But when I do the advanced search with key words, I find the song in an email. And it has the same title that I searched for when I searched the list. This puzzles me. When a message is title "Lyr. added", I guess it doesn't necessarily mean it's in the database, just that someone is posting the lyrics in an email?

On the totally plus side, I have answered reference questions from the database, and so am very appreciative.

nancyjo

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: nancyjo
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 05:23 PM

Oh my gosh!!! I just realized they ALL answered me and I never knew it!! For some reason, I thought it would be sent as email. I didn't figure out the pm page. Now THEY must think that I'M the rebuffer because I never acknowledged their response!!!

Oh, I feel soooo much better!!! (even if I do have egg on my face)

nancyjo

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 05:35 PM

Nancyjo-

Don't feel embarrassed. There are parts of the Mudcat I don't understand or utilize even after three years. But what I do use I generally enjoy.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 05:39 PM

LOL, glad to hear you found your PM's, nancyjo, so you know you weren't being rebuffed. Good for you for sticking with us and letting us know how things have been for you.

Re' your search, yes, when one adds lyrics, they are simply in that thread. Throughout the year, Dick Greenhaus and Susan of the DT (Digital Tradition), as well as other volunteers, *harvest* those added lyrics, then Dick and Susan decide which ones actually get put in the database. Regarless, they remain in the threads for anyone who happens to need them.

As we say, "hope this is clear as Mud." **big Grin** And, welcome to the Mudcat!

kat

Subject: RE: How did you feel as a newbie on Mudcat?
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 06:46 PM

I'm still a newbie on Mudcat and learning new things everyday! Seriously, there is so much that I just never have been exposed to....very interesting indeed!

Michelle