Forum newbie abuse

from JoeUser Forums

It seems to me that in internet forums, people with thousands of posts seem to be able to get away with anything, yet a newbie who brings up even an innocent topic could get flamed to bits.

It never fails to urk me when I see a new person joined up only to be bullied by so called "highly respected long time regulars / members".

Sometimes, a newbie can't ask a simple question without being severely flamed for not using the search function or being told, "I'm sick of all you newbies posting about this topic."

Is that necessary?

If you are sick of topic, there are two things you can do:
1) Don't click on the topic.
2) Go out and get some sun.

Newbies are also vulnerable to being attacked for posting something against the views of the regular majority. It doesn't matter if his/her views are well thought out and reasonable. Arrogant forum veterans couldn't be bothered to read what is being said. They just quickly jump in and beat up the new guy.

What is much worse, is that sometimes forum moderators and administrators who are suppose to be fair and impartial, take the side of these arrogant bullies just because they are friends or "they've been around".

I remember clearly, a few months after 9/11, a certain member of a game forum posted that Afganistan and all the countries suspected of housing terrorists should be nuked. He was pretty damn serious about it. He didn't care if innocent women and children perish in such attacks. He felt that his country had every right to retaliate in this manner. He didn't even care if the radioactive cloud blows into the surrounding area killing more people and sterilising the next generation. He didn't think much about innocent neighbouring countries that could be affected.

'Unfortunate casualties of war', he posts as he casually shoves the issue aside.

The guy went on to flame me for disagreeing with his extremist views. I was being as civil as I am being now.

It is quite amazing what happened next. I was warned by the moderator not to "toe the line". Yeah, well I didn't know I wasn't supposed to disagree with a "respected member" of the forum. He has, like, thousands more posts than me (I had about 100 posts) or something.

To which I replied, if he wasn't prepared to take on opposing views, he should keep his views to himself instead of posting on a public forum. Needless to say, he managed to gather most people to his side, even the administrator.

I never posted in that forum again. I do not care for communities that hold one sided views of things.

Internet communities need new members to keep them fresh and lively. New members means new views and new ideas. What's the use of scaring away newbies with the above demostrated behavior? Forums have died because newbies could not be retained. Just before it dies it becomes a place where everyone makes "I agree" posts and nothing more because everyone thinks alike.

And then they begin to ask, "Why is this place so quiet nowadays?"
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52,749 views 36 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
sometimes people get set in their ways, and people build up a level of respect. New people come in without all the information, and people lose their patience. It's not fair, and I completely agree with your posts. Though I have to say that newbies here seemed to be treated in a friendly manner by the majority. Change needs to happen, and you're right new people will keep the site fresh and exciting. There are a few exciting new people that have joined recently, yourself included. Nice article
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Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thank you all for your comments.

Sally (and to all), I feel truely welcomed by the blog community here, and I really appreciate it.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Good article. I remember when I first started posting here, I wanted to talk some about things that had already been discussed and a regular here kept adding these sighs to everything he said to me, and told me sometimes that my subject had already been discussed to death. It was very disheartening. You are a very welcome addition here, soplease don't give up on us.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Decision-making is a process. We don't all arrive at the same time. There's no reason for us to keep silent while formulating our opinions on a subject, because that's what dialogue does does: it shapes our character via our opinions. For ages, older people have had to put up with younger people stretching around in their world, trying to figure out why things are the way they are. I don't see why it should be any different on online forums: if you've already got an opinion, you can help other people develop theirs. Nicely. It's called dialogue, not flame.

Thanks for the article.

-A.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thanks for your insight, Angloesque.

Wisefawn, thanks for the nice words. Glad you're still here.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Ravenblack: What a great post.

Being a newbie myself, I can definitely see how discouraging being blasted early on could be. I feel fortunate that although not everyone here at JU has always agreed with me, everyone has welcomed my participation in the discussions.

I read on another blog (I'm sorry I cannot remember which one) where someone said that it is important to "build up good will" by posting a few blogs and giving some kind comments early on so that the regulars will know that you're not a jerk, and I think that's a pretty good idea as well.

Keep it up, I enjoy reading your thoughts.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Excellent article. Keep it up!
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
I have seen it from both sides, being abused as a newbie and having the hankering to abuse. When you have been around a site for a while, have made significant contributions to the site, the feeling of having some sort of supremeacy is easy. Of course that doesn't mean it is right.

Comments should be taken on their own merits. I believe that attacking a poster because they are a n00b is really just a type of ad hominem, and obviously shows more about the logical abilities of the person making the attack than the person making the comment. Hope we can avoid that type of thing here (though I certainly still feel like a n00b here!).
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
Good article. I remember when I first started posting here, I wanted to talk some about things that had already been discussed and a regular here kept adding these sighs to everything he said to me, and told me sometimes that my subject had already been discussed to death. It was very disheartening. You are a very welcome addition here, soplease don't give up on us.


What's funny about that is, most blogs, whether people want to admit it or not, are somehow inspired by other blogs. When a newbie comes on here, they have no way of knowing if a topic has been addressed to death; they're simply trying to be an active, participating part of the site.

Excellent article, raven.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thanks for all your comments, excellent insights and encouraging words, guys.

>>Texas: I read on another blog (I'm sorry I cannot remember which one) where someone said that it is important to "build up good will" by posting a few blogs and giving some kind comments early on so that the regulars will know that you're not a jerk, and I think that's a pretty good idea as well.

I think that in doing that, you are sort of like going around shaking hands and mingling. I am of the belief that if you show interest in others, people will tend to show some interest in you. I find this place to be very interesting on the whole of course.


>>BlueDev: Hope we can avoid that type of thing here (though I certainly still feel like a n00b here!).

pah..n00b? how could you use that term on yourself? Use "newb". I'm a blog newb, like you. (yes there is a difference, double zeros...think about it. *G* )
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
I agree also.......seriously, its a very good article.

Keep at it,
~Zoo
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think that in doing that, you are sort of like going around shaking hands and mingling. I am of the belief that if you show interest in others, people will tend to show some interest in you.


That's a very cool way of putting it.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
I don't understand why the new guy gets beat up. I admire active, participating bloggers who make positive contributions. I also assumen that any comments are valid comments.

Anyone who has made thousands of posts deserves recognition but the way to get it is by taking pride in their words, not just demanding obedience.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
I fully understand my dear boy, if a moron ever abuses you here, then just get in touch with me. I shall give this peasant a good thrashing for you!
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
pah..n00b? how could you use that term on yourself? Use "newb". I'm a blog newb, like you. (yes there is a difference, double zeros...think about it. *G* )


Hah, I actually use the spelling n00b to show my contempt for the whole idea. Just like 1337 speak, abusing new comers is silly and pointless.
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top

I have seen it from both sides, being abused as a newbie and having the hankering to abuse


I have as well.  Most folks were really pleasant when I first started blogging, and I try to pass on that favor to other n00bs.


I'd like to point out that sometimes it's not the regulars that are abusive.  Sometimes it's the n00bs that do the bullying.  I had one guy pop up on a thread of mine just this past week who was really very aggressive and plain obnoxious.  Called me 'mindless', amongst other things....and I'm not the only one he's behaved like that towards.  He's been blacklisted from a few blogs already, and he's only been here 4 days.


I try to play nicely with others around here...but if someone's going to be nasty or vicious for no reason...well, then that favor will be returned as well.

Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Voltaire: 1694–1778."
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
I got abused BY a newbie!

As it turns out, I'm actually a vulgar cavewoman incapable of thought. I guess I'll be spending the rest of the day fingerpainting buffalo and curse words on my walls and banging some rocks together so I can get a fire going to cook supper on (if I can ever figure out which items in my house are actually food).
Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yes, I realise there's a difference between trolls and newbies. Anybody who comes on just to hurl abuse is a troll. And they should expect to get what they give.

And, Sir Peter, that's really nice of you. (I am a lady btw.)

I appreciate all the responses, it's given me some ideas for future articles.
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top

As it turns out, I'm actually a vulgar cavewoman incapable of thought. I guess I'll be spending the rest of the day fingerpainting buffalo and curse words on my walls and banging some rocks together so I can get a fire going to cook supper on (if I can ever figure out which items in my house are actually food).


That's the same one I was complaining about.  Compared to his vastly superior intellect, we're all neanderthals.

Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
It looks like he's making a lot of friends with his kind words and welcome reception of comments on his blog. And his posts are so rational and well-thought out, I might add.

Oh well, at least we neanderthals get a break from having to be right all the time, but this poor guy doesn't.
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top
Texas, who are you talking about?

Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top

Texas, who are you talking about?


Michael Proteus. You should go check him out...