A New and Disturbing Trend at TDH - ALL PLEASE READ!

[InfraFett]

I've noticed some threads where it got a bit ugly. yet all in all, this place is great.

I'm apart of a few different forums, and this has to be one of the best. for example, If I see someone's progress here, and Private message them to ask about it, I'll get a reply. Usually 9 times out of 10, people here will actually give a reply. some of the other forums I'm on tend to lack in that department.


However, I've even had the priveledge of meeting some of you in person. Jun Garros Fett, Novall Talon, BigJon, SaxeCoburg, Commander Voltaire. I look forward to it again, and I hope to meet more too.

 

[Jimmy BufFETT]

This one?

That's it! In my opinion, that says quite a bit.

And you do say your signature changes every now and then. So does your avatar ... I like that new one!

 

[stormtrooperguy]

For whatever its worth, it doesn't seem all that new to me. Evolved a bit, but not new...

I discovered TDH in its prop-planet era, when it was on the same server as RPF, I think some time in 2003.

I wasn't planning to work on a Boba at the time, so I basically just poked my head in every now and then when I had time to kill.

Finally I joined up.

The vibe I got from the board was that it was a group of folks that all knew each other, and that they weren't really interested in new people. I posted my progress on various things... I rarely got more than a handful of replies, but I was going to just stubbornly plod through it all.

I don't know when the transition from "noob that everyone ignores" to "someone who's been around long enough to notice", but there was a definite shift, as though I had "proven myself worthy".

I also felt as though folks that knew each other would always reply to each other, but ignore most other people.

None of this really mattered to me... I was just here for the info, and wasn't really expecting anyone to be nice to me. But I can see where that would be a bit off-putting to a new member. I'm also not saying that this is how it was, just how I perceived it to be (an important distinction in my mind!)

To me it seems like the pack mentality has always been there, it's just gone from passively ignoring noobs to actively discouraging them.

 

[SaxeCoburg]

Yeah guys... don't chase off the newbies... we'll need them for food once the winter comes.

 

[whitecommando]

Being nice never hurts. Well, I know about that. I learned a lot about it right here. I found this site off a link from TK-409's site in 2004 I believe. Then I went on, umm, hiatus... then came back.

AND I ALSO LEARNED... not to drink a bottle of Coppola when you are feeling testy... Seriously. I mean it. So, it is good to keep it friendly (and respectful) - to newbs and long-timers. Speak to others as you would, as when speaking to their face. Keyboards are not windows to the soul... human contact is.

Good topic Dent.

John

 

[Wes]

It's when the advise or suggestions that we give are not heeded, and questions are re-phrased and asked a 2nd, 3rd or 4th time that the blood pressure of the veteran members, including myself, begins to rise.

I think hsw nailed it.

 

[jenchuan]

Old timers, when it comes to answering the questions over and over again, remember PATIENCE!!!!! You were a newbie once as well, and more than likely annoyed the vets as well.

Newbies, there is a search option. If you have any questions, then do a search. There is a good chance that your question has already been answered.

Might I suggest a FAQ section that is stickied at the beginning of each category? Sure it may be tiresome to do, but it might be worth the effort in the long run.

 

[Star Wars Chick]

We do have a FAQ that is listed at the top of every page.

 

[Replicant Shadow]

Wow, I have always been under the impression that this is the place to be. I love it! Though, I will be the first to admit that I myself have not spent any real time in any of the specific forum threads, so I am out out of the loop on the day to day minutia that exist.

I will tell you all though, as a Sarlacc Pit junkie, what I saw at CIV, the bond of the old and new membership, the comadrie, was incredible. It was effortlessly unified. It made me feel very proud to be apart of such an incrediably diverse group of like minded artists. Hell, I dont even have a Fett costume yet, and I know when the time comes to start on my Pre-Pro, I will have the support and help of all you fine exisiting members and, I hope to help inspire new folks as I have been inspired by all of you.

Oh, I do think a intro thread would be the way to go. That way we can all welcome our new friends on and get everybody settled in nicely!

 

[Katua Fett]

I think Voltaire said it well. I myself am a Jango, rarely am i looking at boba threads however C4 was a blast meeting EVERYONE! Sure we were all noobs at one point, but let me pull out a mem from c4. A little kid had made a fett suit out of freakin cardboard! Our very own Cruzer gave his bantha skull necklace to this kid why he did this i do not know, but i do know that the little kids face lit up brighter than he sun. In the end we need to treat everyone new and old like the fellow star wars fan that they are. Sure theres the annoying question, and yes SEARCHING is HIGHLY promoted, but it comes down to the fact of why waste time loading a page, typing a rude comment, then loading another page just to post it??? just dont. Mandos (correct me if iim wrong) were known for their comrodery and their honor, (except Vizsla) we need to do the same and live up to our noble name.:cheers

 

[The Clayster]

I am not going to say much, but I know this isn't a recent issue like everyone makes it out to be, this board has been going on for a while, and when I joined I know there was a problem with this, it just has never been adressed like it has now.

I don't really feel like a "newbie" but I know I am being spoken down to in some situations.
I have made the certain amount of posts that used to be the "Respected mark" to where people will listen to what you have to say, and I am not sure if that is enough on this board in some cases.

 

[Art Andrews]

Perhaps I am wrong and perhaps this wasn't the original intent of the thread, but for those who are saying this isn't something new, I think you might be confusing the lack of response to new members with the dogpiling of new members that seems to have become popular lately. As Brian pointed out, pretty much as long as TDH has been around, there have been complaints of elitism and frustration by new members at the lack of kudos or help from older members. While I think that is unfortunate, you can't MAKE people respond to a thread. However, it seems that here lately, the problem is just the opposite; a new member does something a little out of line and every member, old and new has to crawl out of the woodwork and take a shot at that person. We all make mistakes and as has been said several times in this thread, we were all new once. While I wish older members, myself included, posted more, the major concern I see is the vicious parana like attacks that are made, not the fact that you may not get as many responses as you would like. Just my thoughts.

 

[webchief]

The mob mentality is the real issue here. It has increased in frequency and it needs to stop. I've seen it happen time and time again where a newbie will say something "quirky" and everyone bashes them on the head. That's hardly the family atmosphere we're going for here.

 

[hellopike]

For whatever its worth, it doesn't seem all that new to me. Evolved a bit, but not new...

The vibe I got from the board was that it was a group of folks that all knew each other, and that they weren't really interested in new people.

I also felt as though folks that knew each other would always reply to each other, but ignore most other people.

This is a good summation of how I felt initially in regards to some of "the veterans" and sometimes I still get the vibe. There is definitely a group of people that forms like the "in-crowd" here at TDH, the people who for whatever reason are the most knowledgable, talented, whatever. Now this is just with some of "the veteran" members. For every senior member like that there is someone who is super nice and welcoming.

And on the opposite side there are new people here who are just ridiculous as far as their posting habits and maturity level.

I think you'll always have these two "problem areas" to deal with. And as the board grows you'll get more of both.

Like was said before, everyone aught to take a moment when posting to ask themselves if they end up coming off like a jerk or not. And if thats the case, reword your post, or don't post the message.

I wish I could have been more help.

Phil

I still like this place. I just wish I could get a girth belt from someone already!

 

[Art Andrews]

As webchief pointed out, this thread really isn't about the whole "in crowd" issue, but being a member who has been here from day one, I want to touch on this, if from no other perspective than my own. I will not make excuses or try to justify actions but from very early on their have been accusations of an "in" crowd and of "elitism." While I understand that in a few cases that does happen, I think the thing that most people, especially newer members, fail to understand is that there isn't so much a clique as it is a group of friends who have grown very close over the last 6-7 years. Do your close friends get a little more attention than strangers? Yeah... they do. Should they? That is debatable. The point is that what most people seem to see as a "select" group excluding others is simply a web of friendships that go far beyond this virtual container spilling over into the online community. Again, I am not trying to justify ignoring any member. It simply shouldn't be done and any member, old or new who sees a question posed but unanswered should make an effort to answer, but it is a group effort and no one should be looking for affirmation from a certain individual or certain group of individuals. This board is about answers, not about getting kudos from the "old guard."

 

[Southern hunter]

[ Our very own Cruzer gave his bantha skull necklace to this kid why he did this i do not know, but i do know that the little kids face lit up brighter than he sun. In the end we need to treat everyone new and old like the fellow star wars fan that they are. Sure theres the annoying question, and yes SEARCHING is HIGHLY promoted, but it comes down to the fact of why waste time loading a page, typing a rude comment, then loading another page just to post it??? just dont. Mandos (correct me if iim wrong) were known for their comrodery and their honor, (except Vizsla) we need to do the same and live up to our noble name.:cheers[/quote]


That little kid working with cardboard may soon become a young man working with fiberglass. I'm more of a FNG (Freaking New Guy) and I have yet to actually finish my helmet, much less the entire costume, but PLEASE encourage people, old-timers or newbies, with their projects.

As someone pointed out, you never know who will come up with a new way of making something, find some new info about anything Star Wars or just be a gung-ho member.

A can-do attitude and resourcefulness have been the very things that achieve results.

Please, let's respect each others creativity, drive and accomplishments. I hope I NEVER say anything derogatory or negative about someone's costume whether it be a spot on recreation of Jango, Boba, Zam or a custom Mando. It takes time, money, energy plus a lot of paint, bondo and insanity to attempt any costume like this. Let's remember to have some fun with this, respect other people's opinions and creative differences and remember to cut everyone some slack because:

"Slack is the grease upon which the wheels of the world do turn." Al Camp.

Rock on and keep making those costumes everyone! :cheers

 

[jenchuan]

We do have a FAQ that is listed at the top of every page.

I'm not talking about a FORUM FAQ. I'm talking about a COSTUME FAQ

 

[Star Wars Chick]

I guess I am not understanding what you are wanting by a costume FAQ.

 

[CGClone]

Being old guard in the 501st and helping other prop and costume boards get started, I have always admired the TDH. I have admired the people and the wealth of knowledge here.

I used to think there was some "elitist attitude" here and shied away from the boards, but lurked like crazy because the knowledge was astounding. I knew that if I wanted to make the best costume possible I was going to have to get my feet wet.

Much to my surprise, this board welcomed me with open arms. I found out something very quickly here. Sincere comments on people efforts and their threads, contributing as well as asking and being patient were the lifeblood.

I have never had one of the "old guards" snob me, nor shy away from my questions. My post count is low, so what. I am an executive officer on two 501st boards and I understand what the admin goes through, so I err on the side of business should I need their attention. They have never let me down.

This board is its members. Lucasfilm hasnt handed anyone here a golden book of all things Fett/Mando, its the diligence of the membership.

Patience, contribution and friendliness are what will breed the community. Be wise with the new folks and new folks gleam your hearts out.

You get what you give.

 

[Art Andrews]

Apparently my initial post lacked a bit of clarity regarding our expectations of how members treat one another as we just had to lock yet another flame fest. Let me make this perfectly clear; stop dogpiling. Stop makes snide comments. Stop taking pot shots and sideswipes. Stop making vicious criticisms. Stop being venomous, bitter and nasty to one another. Stop pouncing on one another when someone makes a mistake. Stop acting like animals, turning on an injured brother. If you have nothing helpful to add then don't post. You nasty comment aren't funny, cool, clever or witty. We have tried to be nice about this and approach this in a calm manner, but we will not allow a minority of you, who clearly lack an acceptable level of interpersonal relationship skills, to drag the rest of the board down. If you feel you can't act in a civil manner, perhaps TDH is not the place for you. If you continue to act in this manner, you will be banned. Period. Consider this your warning.