But when you set up this whole "vets and newbs" thing, you are destroying any lasting potential this site has. Old users leave quicker than new users "become" old (whatever "becoming old" means in the context of the internet).
I tend to use "vet" as "
erson who knows their way around the site and is respected for this", not necessarily "cool, awesome person" or "user that has been here a lot". Mainly just to refer to those people that will end up either being a jerk to newbies or get annoyed by them because of how newbies have a tendency to act.
The same way, newbie, when used by me, will partly refer to users that are new to the site and partly to people that are new to sites in general. Someone that has something to learn, and will make mistakes.
@most of rant/opinion: While I agree that the majority of the threads are made because someone has something to say or wonder about stuff, I really do think some people are too lazy (not dumb) to bother write lengthy replies to something, which is what bothers me personally. Not so much the "What is your eyecolour??" threads, though they tend to be constructed badly, but that is a matter of practice and confidence in self, but rather replies those threads will get. Sure, new users will fall into the trap, but when I see people who have been members here for more than a few months (which is like years in internet-time, it seems), it just starts getting extremely absurd and annoying, to the point where I do believe they are either lazy, they should know a lot better or they just don't care, in which case it probably shouldn't be me who had to leave.
Which also kinda respond to the "If you think this, why don't you just go" stuff: Most of us care of this site, for the forums and the users. Enough to make us at least slightly annoyed when we see someone breaking down the community "we have build", so to speak.
Especially if it is regular users, and not just new users that can be taught.
If you want there to be less spammy, boring threads, then make an exciting one.
This.
Also, the reason why I made this thread in the first place.
I think that sometimes there will be a newer user who will have insightful ideas about the topic they are in yet they won't be taken as seriously because they don't have as many posts or as much as a reputation as the more experienced users.
Which tend to be a social issue on forums in general. Because new users are alright, they just need to learn the ropes and all.
But it is hard to change the collective social hierarchy of a forum like that, just as it is hard to change the social hierarchy of a work place, a school or a family.
Since the internet is mainly build on textual action, the new users will have to prove themselves somehow before they are accepted, which is why lurking functions so very well. You get to see the community, what goes where, find information you might consider important, and when you make a post or a comment, you won't make mistakes and no one is going to jump at your throat for being new and useless.
Either way, while this thread is in no way supposed to be a stab at newbies, it does show a structural issue that might need to be taken care of at a later time: How to handle yourself around new users, how to make them "fit in" so to speak, not to try and make them conform to our opinions, but to give them a common base to stand on before they find their footing.
It is actually something most forums doesn't even think about, because they seem to believe there is no hierarchy on websites (even one of my teachers were of that opinion), or that stickied threads and a newcomer's section might be enough, when there seem to be plenty of reason to do something active to welcome new users and help them stand a chance against the old dogs that know how they like it.
I have seen examples of rules being sent by email to the new user, that they had to go through a test to make their account and so forth, but considering the current interactive and social media, why not take up a few of the habits of some mmorpgs, have designated guides that help out, beta-testers of users if you will, that can show them they good spots for what they are interested in, where to find answers to their questions and perhaps make them a bit more secure against the people that decide to attack at sight of a new'un.
Anyway, considering we here on AG don't even have a working help page, I can't say there is much hope for revolution on that front, and knowing humanity, there is doubtfully going to be a reform of behaviour either...
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I cannot remember the last time I saw a truly interesting, non whiney thread created in the tavern by a mod.
*cough*