When I Joined the SKMB Guns A Blazing!

[Sigmund]

Good evening.

When I joined the SKMB I came in with a huge gripe.

(I was disappointed with the ending of Under the Dome.)

I was met with "Welcome" and queries. Why did I dislike the ending? What were my ideas/thoughts how it should have ended?

In addition, I had personal Welcome to the Board messages on my Profile Page and was encouraged to keep posting. And I did keep posting.

I would like to think that I am accepted and yes, even liked on this board. (Cut me some slack on that last thing. Ha!)

If I had been slammed and had my azz kicked about I would not have stayed here. (I'm sure there are some members that wish I would have gone away never to return. Ha, ha!)

There are posts that seem to suggest the Newbies, who only post one time griping and leave, are *trolls* or *flamers*. That might be so. But, what if they only posted one time and left because they were slammed and had their head kicked in because they posted a negative opinion?

What if...just what if...they were welcomed and asked to explain their position/gripe? Asked what other SK novels they have read and how they enjoyed them?

What if they were welcomed and accepted, negative post(s) and all to our community? Might they not become a part of the SKMB community? Maybe hang around and get to see what we are all about?

Just one goofy thought.

May all have a good night and a great week.

Peace.

 

[VultureLvr45]

I am really happy you stayed. I try to be kind even if I want to b..slap someone.

 

[blunthead]

Good evening.

When I joined the SKMB I came in with a huge gripe.

(I was disappointed with the ending of Under the Dome.)

I was met with "Welcome" and queries. Why did I dislike the ending? What were my ideas/thoughts how it should have ended?

In addition, I had personal Welcome to the Board messages on my Profile Page and was encouraged to keep posting. And I did keep posting.

I would like to think that I am accepted and yes, even liked on this board. (Cut me some slack on that last thing. Ha!)

If I had been slammed and had my azz kicked about I would not have stayed here. (I'm sure there are some members that wish I would have gone away never to return. Ha, ha!)

There are posts that seem to suggest the Newbies, who only post one time griping and leave, are *trolls* or *flamers*. That might be so. But, what if they only posted one time and left because they were slammed and had their head kicked in because they posted a negative opinion?

What if...just what if...they were welcomed and asked to explain their position/gripe? Asked what other SK novels they have read and how they enjoyed them?

What if they were welcomed and accepted, negative post(s) and all to our community? Might they not become a part of the SKMB community? Maybe hang around and get to see what we are all about?

Just one goofy thought.

May all have a good night and a great week.

Peace.

I think we've been more welcoming for quite a while now than we were at times in the past. Consequently, lately when someone decides not to return after having posted once or twice negatively I feel safe in assuming that they are indeed malcontents, and that we needn't figure it's our doing. It doesn't seem to be happening as frequently, except for once or twice in the last couple of days or so.

 

[Lily Sawyer]

I dunno, Siggy. I think it's pretty obvious when they're a troll, when they're not all quite there, and when they just don't express themselves very well but have a valid point. I'll welcome someone who's not playing with a full deck or someone who doesn't communicate very well, but I won't allow a troll to believe that crapping in the threads is tolerated here.

 

[RandallFlagg19]

People may have post disagreement with specific new members post, and some people like me may have made a juvenile snarky remark; but no one has been told “leave you’re not welcome here";if people chose to leave because their first post was met with opposition that’s their choice. If people chose to join and post in any forum they should be willing to accept disagreement. There have been a lot of new frivolous post that conveyed no comment expect to say someone was upset because they didn’t get what they wanted.

There is a different between disagreeing in a discussion and flat out posting a complaint.

 

[Grandpa]

I'm glad you're here, Sigs. Heck, I'm glad I'm here.

This is one of the most positive general-admission forums that I've ever seen. It's been totally impressive. That speaks well to all: the common cause, the moderation, and the population.

 

[Spideyman]

Over the years, I have observed that the majority of OP are given a warm welcome and opportunity to explain what they posted. I have also observed some OP that leave nothing to the imagination. The SKMB is a one of a kind MB. A Ka-Tet and as such we are protective of our members and the man who has given us this wonderful playground. Each newbie is free to post their ideas/feelings. There is a right way and a wrong way to do that post. I think all are given the opportunity to explain themselves. It is the hit and runs that become trolls. A newbie who is truly interested in the SKMB will post again , thus begins conversation and a lasting member.

 

[blunthead]

I dunno, Siggy. I think it's pretty obvious when they're a troll, when they're not all quite there, and when they just don't express themselves very well but have a valid point. I'll welcome someone who's not playing with a full deck or someone who doesn't communicate very well, but I won't allow a troll to believe that crapping in the threads is tolerated here.

Right on. Thing is when it's a Troll, or more accurately in this case a Bomber, they skidaddle like the cowards they are, leaving me disappointed at not being able to tell 'em what I really think.

 

[HollyGolightly]

It's so hard to know - without gestures, tone and eye contact - to tell what is really behind some of those posts. I think most people with good intentions don't come off sounding like they're bashing our beloved author and are just wanting discussion with other constant readers. If it sounds mean, it so often is. I get what you're saying, though. You are so kind and respectful, and somehow that comes across even without your physical presence, Siggy. I need to pay more attention to the newbies and welcome them. I was so thrilled when I was greeted by so many members, and they even wrote on my profile page. I love it when someone writes on my profile page.

 

[Chazel1972]

This is really one of the most welcoming boards I've ever been on. Great moderation and friendly people.

 

[Lepplady]

Good evening.

When I joined the SKMB I came in with a huge gripe.

(I was disappointed with the ending of Under the Dome.)

I was met with "Welcome" and queries. Why did I dislike the ending? What were my ideas/thoughts how it should have ended?

In addition, I had personal Welcome to the Board messages on my Profile Page and was encouraged to keep posting. And I did keep posting.

I would like to think that I am accepted and yes, even liked on this board. (Cut me some slack on that last thing. Ha!)

If I had been slammed and had my azz kicked about I would not have stayed here. (I'm sure there are some members that wish I would have gone away never to return. Ha, ha!)

There are posts that seem to suggest the Newbies, who only post one time griping and leave, are *trolls* or *flamers*. That might be so. But, what if they only posted one time and left because they were slammed and had their head kicked in because they posted a negative opinion?

What if...just what if...they were welcomed and asked to explain their position/gripe? Asked what other SK novels they have read and how they enjoyed them?

What if they were welcomed and accepted, negative post(s) and all to our community? Might they not become a part of the SKMB community? Maybe hang around and get to see what we are all about?

Just one goofy thought.

May all have a good night and a great week.

Peace.

Well said. Everybody has a bad day. Maybe a few of them. Even if it's a gripe that brings somebody here, they're probably pretty decent folk, given half a chance. We've all had our complaints, and I'd hate to think we're judged on those alone.

 

[bookworm101]

The first MB I joined. 2007 I'm a late bloomer.

 

[kingricefan]

'One of us. One of us. One of us.' Glad you're here, too, Siggie! I totally agree with what you posted above.

 

[The Nameless]

I don't wish you'd left Sigmund, I do wish you'd have kept your old avatar though, that one creeps me out.

I remember when I first joined, I got 2 personal welcomes straight away, one from the late jd, and one from you. That pretty much set the tone of this place right there, and I have seen first hand that everyone here goes by the logic - I may not agree with you but your more than welcome to have your say, let's discuss it. That picks out the trolls because most real fans (even if they dislike a book) would say something like "i didn't like IT because of the sex scene, it wasn't necessary... etc" - where as a troll would say "king's a nonce".

I remember seeing one new poster trying to force his opinion over with angry insults towards another member, and he was shot down immediately by many others telling him that's not how things work here. Don't know if he hung around.

 

[EMARX]

I've been here on and off for a number of years, but when active I tend to hang in the periphery. Not by choice, as there are some amazing members here and the banter can range from stimulating to downright loony, but because I'm just not able to visit as often or as long as I'd like. This is a long-standing community and it can probably feel intimidating to some newbies, and all must be given their opportunity to air their views. I do commend Mr King, Ms. Mod and all the other Modettes and also the veterans who do their utmost to keep this a vibrant and welcoming community.

...And, Siggy. You are one of the nicest loonies I know.

 

[carrie's younger brother]

I dunno, Siggy. I think it's pretty obvious when they're a troll, when they're not all quite there, and when they just don't express themselves very well but have a valid point. I'll welcome someone who's not playing with a full deck or someone who doesn't communicate very well, but I won't allow a troll to believe that crapping in the threads is tolerated here.

This exactly.

 

[carrie's younger brother]

I think the SKMB is very different from other message boards out there; this is a very closely knit community of people who truly believe in SK's worth as an author and are fiercely defensive of those who come here to bash him. I am sure this is because as constant readers, many of us have had to defend SK to our friends and family for a long time. That said, I think the people who come here with a gripe are ready to "fight" so to speak because on so many other message boards, that is the modus operandi from the beginning. Not so here. The ones who come to fight and spew a little venom but are sincere in their convictions are amazed to see how welcoming we all can be. Those are the ones who come back and settle in... like you Sigmund.

 

[booklover72]

Sigmund - like the name. You should go more often. this is the best (not just because it's People like SK) but like they talk about anything, help you when you have problems and more important are receptive to ideans, books etc. I have been on boards where the chat is subliminal sexual content. i prefer not to say. people here have opinions, read. Apparently the area where i come from if you read more then 30 pages it is a Doorstopper. We all have read the unabridged version of the stand. The people on the board read other authors from Shelley to Grisham. They Think. apparently in ireland and i can verify this it happened to me. Apparently if you think in you job, your boss says " you are not paid to think" WTF. i think therefore i am a programmer. please forgive me i can't find the SKMB thoughts on the board.. The area i come from You leave school at 12-14 no debs, no graduation go out to work, get drunk use females. I am open to people who are talented but left school at a young age. Possibly had to. i don't know. People on this book first and foremost READ and Think and form opinions. I love this board. and the people in it. I have rather unusal interests in physics(cosmology, nucluer, time travel),Psychology, Programming(qm trying to do a degree in games programming which will be the ultimate test of my programming abilty. all i can say is bring it on.) The people in the board are intellecutals and are warm. On other boards they lexicon is not proper english(i know my spelling is atriocus) is be4, UR(not the audiobook), The english language - both US and British is been torn apart.

Dear ms. mod can you please put this post in Your thoughts on the SKMB. I can't seem to find. it.

Danke schon
Meric Beacoup
go raibh maith agat.

Buenos diaz. - i put this is to see, if anybody make it past my waffle. if they did, they will know this is not thank you, therefore they read the entire piece.

 

[Out of Order]

Everyone is welcome to join as long as they pay me the entrance fee in cash.

 

[EMARX]

Everyone is welcome to join as long as they pay me the entrance fee in cash.

or beer...