introduction posts - do you think its polite to still do it?

Heatshock · Jul 27, 2009

Ok maybe I am gettin older and more cranky.... but is there a rise in people just posting nowadays w/o reading some basic information, using a search button and doing a quick introduction post?

its not just TDH, its in lots of other forums too.

I guess theres nothing intrinsically wrong with it, and I never have a hissy fit about it with new members, although I do put a polite - "pls consider posting here" after a quick reminder.

I mean I do NOT advocate being rude to anyone, but thats why I was in complete support of the Dented Ones "cooling off period" for new registrants ie minimum posts requirements, only being allowed to start new posts in certain sub-forums, no access to Cargo Hold.

But I do hate how some (not all nor the majority) of people come here, and just use it w/o some contribution to the community as a whole.

rant over.

Nate

stormtrooperguy · Jul 27, 2009

i actually find the intro posts sorta useless. i may be a horrible jerk, but i don't even read them.

i figure that once someone starts interacting with the group through the various topics, that's all the intro i need to see.

hearing "hi, i'm new" over and over doesn't help anything much

Heatshock · Jul 27, 2009

by the same token though brian - I do not like seein people appear, ask a few WTB questions as the 1st form of interaction with the community, with out so much as a "hi - I am so and so etc"

I dont mind helping people out, but I dont want to be treated like an info booth in a shoppin mall

also it also helps I feel from the point of view of you know what the guy/gal is aiming for costuming wise eg 501 entry, for fun, budget build

and knowin where someone is from helps when tryin to give advice - I know a large marjority are american on these boards, but there are also a number of people from else where and not all teh terms are inter changeable

do I read all the intro threads? nah of course I dont. What do I check out on someone asking me info? their profile then their intro thread.

like I said - you dont join a group and begin with - what can I get from you and everyone else? you start by saying hello my name is.....

but like I said - maybe I am being a cantankerous fool

Bobby Fett UK · Jul 27, 2009

I am with Brian here. I do post them for what they are worth and as a common courtesy - manners cost nothing and all that, but rarely do I read them..........unless their user name in naked babe or Mando groupie, or.........well you get the idea

One thing I do dislike on other boards are pointless threads that members use to increase their post count but offer no contribution at all.....like word association threads and the like.

......but I just get on with life.

Heatshock · Jul 27, 2009

Bobby Fett UK said:
I am with Brian here. I do post them for what they are worth and as a common courtesy - manners cost nothing and all that, but rarely do I read them......

but thats what I mean - seldom do I read em too, but I do post on what ever forum I join.

the question isnt do you read em? but is it just the polite thing to do?

Am I old fashioned in thinking that forums are kinda like social gatherings in real life - you dont start a conversation with someone new with - "hi where can I buy this or that", you lead into it with "hi my name is xxxx, wow thats a nice bit of kit where did you get it?"

but hey ho, I also type in full sentences and with grammar. even on text messages!

stormtrooperguy · Jul 27, 2009

it's an interesting thought... we ask that people post them, yet so far mostly admit to not reading them

i think some sort of intro thing would be good, but i don't know if what we're doing now makes sense.

i'm also not sure of a better way.

never ending fett · Jul 27, 2009

I also go back to a persons profile and see some of their posts to get an idea of who the person is, where they are from etc. Sometimes that takes me back to an intro thread, sometimes not.

Is this a case of "if it ain't broke so why fix it", or a case of "it's not utilized so why keep it"?

I'm also not sure of a better way.

Mereel · Jul 27, 2009

I feel kind of bad that I don't really actually contribute anything back into these wonderful forums. The reason for that is simple though; I have pretty much no skills whatsoever regarding to working with tools and paint and the like to actually build myself a set of armor. The extent of my skills pretty much only goes into drawing. I'm pretty decent in that respect, but when it comes to doing what a lot of you guys do, I just can't compare.

miqt · Jul 28, 2009

Useless. I found that the only way to connect with people was to start building something. Once you are covered in PVC snow, overspray, and bondo....people on the forums start to open up. Then all you have to do
is take an interest in whats going on at your table at cons and 'tada'.
Intro threads.....waste of bandwidth. my .02
Mike

MrUptown · Jul 28, 2009

I think that the first post is right of passage for all the newbies. While i remember the grand old days where you could lurk your way through the first build. Then came the Mando-tory post count for acess to certin threads. So I had to make my intro post. I will admit that I read them for a while after I made my intro post. Now not so much. BUTTT the whole point of making people post it participation. It adds to the sense of community. We are a community. We are also a place where you can find all the critical tools for your star wars costumes.

Do you think that the home page is calling all of us tools? Because the biggest reasource on this sight is the experieance of those of you who have acomplished so much in the costume and prop building arena. Sure I can tell kids where to find cheap sintra, or that Wizard of Flight is the man to go to for Mando bucket and armor templates, or Skip is the man when it comes to Papruka Files.

I learned all this by reading the posts and asking you guys. Ohh Dont forget Ant Mans Scratch builds!

My rambling point is... We all have to start some where and the "This is me, Tell me where to find what I need post" is a good place to start.

Fractal Fett · Jul 28, 2009

I'm with miqt, and yet at the same time, I understand all the other points of view.

I mean, I got 1 post n response to my intro thread, now that could be that I posted it in the wrong thread,

, but still, I have been looking at and lurking on these forums for a good year or year and a half before ACTUALLY joining. Still, when you have something to share, then you are more likely to be accepted quicker. My .02 as well.

Art Andrews · Jul 28, 2009

Hello, my name is Art. I like Boba Fett. Can someone here build one like the one in the movie? I have $150 to spend... and there is an extra $20 in it if you include the thing on his back. Please send me a letter (I don't have email... too confusing) if you are interested in making some money!

Fractal Fett · Jul 28, 2009

haha Very funy Art, I ws roling on the floor lafing haha!!!

The thing I find really annoying are posts with bad spelling.

Mereel · Jul 28, 2009

Tel mi abot it. That gits two mi as wel.

Sorry, had to do it.

Fractal Fett · Jul 28, 2009

I am seriously trying not to burst out laughing!!!

Mereel · Jul 28, 2009

Glad I get to do at least something around here.

Replicant Shadow · Jul 28, 2009

I feel that Introductions should be optional. If a person wants to truly dive in, then I would think that person would want to introduce themselves to the community at large, and start developing relationships to achieve the end goal. Others may choose to simply intregrate themselves slowly, as to learn the lingo and terms and customs of the forum, and thats fine too.

99centTaco · Jul 28, 2009

Oh goodness I needed this

ShocKWavE · Jul 28, 2009

I've never had a problem with people posting even if the question has already been answered. Everyone is a little different about it. Actually what irritates me more (no one here, I'm just saying) is when people make a point to harshly call people out about searching and all that. I mean, some people get really rude filling in for moderators, sticking their chests out with high post counts.

Everyone starts somewhere. It is a good habit to try to search first, but sometimes refreshening even a beat to death topic can add a new angle and gives someone else a chance to share their knowledge. Also, it just gives people a chance to talk with each other and be social rather than just being a wiki type database.

Active forums are a good thing.

Cheers.

Huntman · Jul 28, 2009

When I first came on as skirata. I came here because there were LOTs of prevalant scratch build threads. As I have helped several people build their 501st costumes lately the bar has been raised sooo high, that scratch build has seemed to not be good enough anymore.
If that is the case....what are they looking for but the people who are selling the parts that are good enough to get them in???
from whaT i have seen ( and this is just my opinion) TDH is starting to get the rep as a vendor board. If that is the case what is there to search for? WTB and the vendor respond. look up how to alter or paint something AFTER you have it and tada.. awesome costume that gets me in.

introduction posts - do you think its polite to still do it?

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