So, the bus is ambling along and them BOOM it happens. A new font arrives and asks a stupid question and chaos begins. The newbie gets called a "zero" and the sport of beating down on the newbie begins.

Firstly, lets get things clear. There has not ever been a RULE saying that newbs need to introduce themselves before talking in the bus. That is something someone brought with them from OTHER forums. It has never been a RULE here. etiquette maybe, but not a rule. Somehow, we are expecting new folks to magically know we would prefer them to introduce themselves.. and some of you, are really assholes about it.

When you do ANY search on Cannabis, this site is likely to come up. In that sense, the box is the first face a lot of people see of (small c) cannabis culture. I dont mind someone suggesting that the new person put up an introduction, but unfortunately, it is often taken much further.

Here is the thing. As the door to the whole community, I believe that we have a responsibility to at very least, not scare off those who would be helpful in our mission. As far as I am concerned, if you can hold a sign, you are smart enough to help, and there is more than enough space for all. In fact, we NEED all the people we can get working on our side!

The time has come for the shortbus riders to rethink how they treat the new folks around here. The hostility is thick.

Honestly, at this point. I would rather have the shout box shut down altogether, rather than have ppl think that what happens there, is what the community is like.(and we all know I LOVE the shout) but, I dont think this movement can afford to be scaring off potential activists with what happens there.

Thats what I have to say, thanks for listening, and thinking about it.

I think you make some very good points SeaWeed. I would hate to see a potential supporter slip away, but at the same time, I'd hate to see someone get busted for trying to be helpful to a newcomer. So here is my only request to newcomers. PLEASE introduce yourself. And PLEASE don't ask for a hook up! I believe doing those 2 things can make a huge difference as to how people perceive you. It is NOT mandatory to do so, but it is good etiquette. Welcome, and enjoy a huge resource of information!

Thank You,

Dj

I don't think the shout box needs to be shut down completely... If I don't like the look of someone I ignore them if they ask me about growing or hookups... Thankfully i feel the mods are on top of censoring the forums, and personally my own experiences with the forums have all been good (so far).

However I do understand where you're coming from seaweed. You and others dedicate a lot of your time here and it must get frustrating to be asked the same questions over and over again... Maybe we could do something like disable the shout box until you make 25 posts or something...

Let's just skin up and keep calm

I think my suggestion was 100 posts before getting shout privileges

we have had a massive sock puppet problem in the past , im sure it still exists -they just learned to proxy around

now now..... don't be excluding me from the box just because I don't post a lot (yet).

I think if a requirement is deemed needed that a minimal amount of posts is enough to make some new people coming in to hopefully do a bit of reading and asking in the forums rather than interrupt a discussion with improper questions or requests.

I'd like to believe it would only take a short while to enable them to possibly find an answer they're looking for in the first place, or at least to eventually come to realize the "flavor" of the website & etiquette here.

EDIT: Oh look....... I AM over 100 posts...... well I'll be

The shoutbox is still a warzone?

Introductions are overrated. I could say I am whoever I want to say I am. Hell, I even changed my name to Pigboy

Andrew

I don't really care about post count number or introductions. I do care about newbs coming on and being disrespectful which has happened a few times.

Yeah, I've seen it plenty of times & I don't care for any contention or anything. I believe those that come here to the site should be welcomed so they have a decent time. Ez enough.

I'm respectful to new members until they become insulting or demand the people in the shout bow down to them. Respect is earned. After all we are not here to serve n00bs. Mostly the problem is a lot of new members are too lazy to search or read the forums. We are not librarians. As long as I am given respect I will return it. The onus is on the new members to fit in, its really not that hard. They make it hard.

Some people love attention

so i`ve written the Dealing with rabid troll`s hand book

1. you have a ignore button ,use it

2. never speak directly to a troll (disparaging comments about them to other functional members are fine) they seem to dislike this

3. no matter how hard it tries. It is not interesting ,and not worth your time and effort taking It back off ignore. (only lead`s to more hour`s of troll training)

4. with 1.2.3 properly implemented copy and paste (ignored loser) often - the average troll is often to stupid to realize that nobody cares,Or they just cant grasp the concept of ignore very easily (once they work it out don`t be surprised if the troll becomes enraged in a desperation move to regain your attention)

our troll problem will disappear,But only if we stick to 1 ,2 ,3 and 4 ,not hard rules to learn,and kind of fun to implement ,If you got a sharp wit

SPOtting? well i cant teach that

but im usually the 1st on the ignore button feel free to follow suit