After cruisin through the posts yesterday,I was blind-sided and hit below the belt in front of my children,so this leads me posting this,so that in the future,I might be a better member,and have my comments recieved warmly,instead of badly.

OK first,I admit I am somewhat new to forums,posting,etc.
I have researched proper etiquette,which is how if found the term netiquette,and info on flaming (I know Im guilty)and on trolls.But I could not find info on the following questions,so who better to ask,than the people I might have offended.

Although I have only be here a month,I have posted over 400 times,and have seen that others have been here years and only posted 1or 2 times,so this really confuses me.Isn`t it a good thing when a person tries to contribute,I dont mean the bad stuff,I got out of that(maybe a little too late)but the good stuff,like adding a happy comment or thought that might make someone smile.And when does it become ok to say welcome to somebody else without over stepping invisible boundries?How long does one get defined as (new)?
And last,Is it bad when someone starts a post,and you reply more than once if you are continuing on the same subject?I feel like I have lost a friend by replying to much.Like I said I am confused.I would also like to say thank you to the administation for handling this as quick as they did.
And please,if you feel the need to insult or flame me,be my guest,just have enough respect for my children to wait until later in the evening.They have never done anything to deserve the feelings they had last night!

 

To add one more little note,If you are thinking,what kind of idiot would let his kids read the posts with him,I have two answers for you
1=Badgers,Badgers,Badgers,Badgers
2=Stress relief (popping bubbles)
3=ok,I cant count either,there is alot of great stuff here,and nothing is more heartwarming than the innocent laugh of a child.

 

First, I'm REALLY sorry to hear that your children read something here that upset them. One of the main reasons for this site's high standards is so that children can come here and read things that are appropriate for them. This is truly a family site and I'm extremely proud of that. If there's something that you feel needs to be addressed, please contact a moderator immediately. I was raised that one of the most important rules of etiquette is that there is NEVER an excuse for being rude, even if someone's already been rude to you. You might get some self-satisfaction from it, but it's rarely successful.

Of course it's a good thing to contribute, but you have to remember two things: when posting on the internet, it's very one-dimensional. You can add all the "emoticons" you want, but what you post can be taken 10 different ways by 10 different people. I think you lose a lot when you can't communicate face-to-face. I can be sarcastic, but it's always with the best of intentions on my part. Unfortunately, it doesn't always come off that way. Secondly, we are posting to what is literally a world-wide audience. I learned the hard way (as you are now) that forms of expression vary greatly throughout this country, and what's taken as normal conversation in one area can be perceived as rude and arrogant in another. The stereo-typical Brooklynite "Vinnie Bagadonuts" will have a difficult time making friends in Charleston, SC, for example. We New Yorkers can learn a lot from our more genteel Southern brethren.

My rule on adding to a post is simple: if I have something that I feel REALLY needs to be said, then I'll post. If I can't add any more to the conversation, or I honestly know nothing about the subject at hand (I wouldn't know a .38 from a 357 Magnum if you held both to my head!), then I refrain from adding anything. And never, NEVER do I just add a "ditto" or a "me, too." If that's all you have to say, then I'm sure Ken would appreciate it if you'd just save the bandwidth.

So you made some mistakes, but it sounds as though you've learned from them. I don't see how we can ask any more of you than that. If anyone else here feels the need to flame you for that, then let's hope they also go the way of a certain forum who's name I don't dare mention.

Oh by the way, let's make this official, right here and now: Welcome to FTE!

 

I agree with everything you said,but would like to point out that our administration did come up to the plate,fast,and hit a homerun.And when I first posted last month,I was warmly welcomed by everybody here.What I meant was,how long do I wait before welcoming someone new,I sense that my welcome was not welcomed.

 

Don't let one bad apple ruin the tree. I got to that thread as fast as I could, and luckily I got it fairly fast (in which the admins jumped in too). Unfortunately for me it's hard to pick out that small stuff. I'm sure he's had experiences on other forums which would lead him to come out and say something like that, but I don't think he was trying to come on as strong as he did (hint by my post there). I can see where the guy is coming from, many people try and run up their post counts without adding anything meaningful or technical. FTE is suppose to be about technical information and fixing ford trucks and some are here for more than others. That's one of the reasons why the OTL was over with, because of the bandwidth usage. I've been around here for a long time and I've seen it all (almost ) We do try our best to catch stuff like that, but we can't read everything that is said. You did the right thing by bringing it to my attention, I ask that of all users because it makes it easier for me. I don't even mind if it's borderline, just something to bring my eyes to it helps. Unfortunately stuff happens when we're not looking, but reports help so keep 'em comin!

 

King Triton,
From where I sit I see no problem.

Just let it run off like water on a duck's back and put it behind you.

Character can change in an instant, but a person's reputation takes awhile to overcome. You have just starting building your reputation on FTE, so its only course is your choice. Your welcome is a gift, whether someone likes it or not is another matter.

Don’t be so hard on yourself, and, I might add, Jeff’s response is golden and was very fitting.

 

[QUOTE=Big Orn]King Triton,
From where I sit I see no problem.

Just let it run off like water on a duck's back and put it behind you.

Another person just e-mailed me with that exact same saying about two hours ago,and honestly I am doing just that,I am more concerned with how I am percieved,that if I am stepping on toes,I would rather know now,than continue stepping.Thats one of my questions,is it ok to surf all over FTE and depending on the post,to reply?For instance Joe asks in GC,Do you like apples,I reply,then I jump over to AD,fred wants to know,are allfire tires junk,I reply,Then I jump into one of the various truck forums and reply,which may be more than once,then jump back into GC,and reply to other things that interest me?I had thought it was ok to be on the site for awhile,but now wonder,Am I to treat it like E-mail,come in,answer replys,leave?

 

I hope were not supposed to treat it like emails. Sounds like you and me do the same thing. I hop all over this site, readin mostly but answerin to either A) Threads that I have started, B) Threads that I may know something about or am interested in or C) Threads that I may be of some help in getting someones problem solved. But I may be on here for hours at a time.

 

The question is: What would you like to contribute to the site?
Do you have information that someone might need?

Everyone has their own special interests. If your field of expertise has anything to do with what this site offers, then your feedback is a part of this site – no – is this site. Ford Truck Enthusiasts are just that – enthusiasts – and are devoted to Ford trucks, including their many parts.

Get involved in something other than just the general conversations and your presence will be valued. Who knows? Someone may need an answer that only you have at the time.

 

Me too
And MustangGT221 I was including you as administration

 

[QUOTE=King Triton]
You have as much right to be on the site as anyone. You have every right to read, reply, post, and participate on any and all forums that you wish. Sooner or later, if you post enough, you'll ruffle someones feathers. I did it daily when the OTL was open . As long as you follow forum rules and guidelines, I think you can be here 24 hours a day if you want to. Post count and join date don't make someone any more welcome than a new person, everyone was new once. Anyway, long story short, welcome to FTE (better late than never), enjoy ALL the forums!

 

I read through this thread earlier today and have been thinking about it since then. Am I one of the 'irritating newbies'?? I feel embarressed to think that I AM and didn't know it.
I will usually reply with a 'welcome' to any new member I see. I never once thought that it would be bothersome to anyone. And I certainly didn't do it with the intent of running up (my measly few) posts. I have thoroughly enjoyed FTE and have gained so much in such a short amount of time, that I decided to join club fte as a way to support this great site. I like to pass on to new members my enthusiasm for fte and let them know how great an experience I have had here.
I don't have any special technical knowledge regarding ford trucks, or any other vehicle, for that matter that I can contribute, but I have looked forward to learning enough to be able to contribute in that manner, as well.
I know that I am one of the 'newbies' still and don't know all the unspoken rules. However, I think that I speak for most of us in saying that if there ARE unspoken rules, we'd not have a problem respecting them.
I guess what I'm getting at is basically the same as KingTriton said, If we newer members are stepping on toes, will someone let us know? I am truly embarressed to think that I've unknowingly blundered beyond my boundaries.

 

ya know, we where all new at one point in time.....and I remember a time when I had the highest post count per day than anyone except dennis and Ken.....then along came this bunch of new users....I mean 29 post a day is ridiculous!! :P J/J.....geez if someone can keep up that many post per day for a lengthy period of time.......wow....

we need new blood, even if they post alot, like me. you are all ok in my book, only a few of the new users have I had problems with, as has been well documented...there are some things that you need to have a few post before you do...errr...would have ben able to do at one point in time. :P

 

Human nature plus "A" Personality traits cause this.

IMO, That any reasonable person, wants to be part of something great, & FTE is that thing.

There are many ways of saying it.

Me, I call it the: I'm so excited to post,I almost pee my pants syndrome".

I try & treat everyone equally and if possible to Welcome everyone who arrives at FTE.

One thing that is truly accepted is "Quality of Content" as opposed to "Quantity" which is leaving the door slightly open for fun things to say/type.

Stepping up to the plate in a respectful manner is one of the things we ask.

Now, I'm out of things to say.

 

KT, i like some of you recent posts,keepin coming. don't sweat the small stuff.
and the i think that the reputation points might help in guiding users along as everyone takes it with a grain of salt.