When Welcoming New Members To This Website

[Valiens Nantaris]

I know. We strive to be understanding and considerate of your whining requests.

 

[Eddie]

How is 'newbie' derogatory?

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

@[member="Steinbeck"] Like all words it can be said in such a way that it is insulting and demeaning. Since text is sometimes had to convey meaning and intent, it is best not to use the word in case it is taken the wrong way.

We want new people to feel welcome and to feel like there is no bias held against them just because they are new.

 

[Akio Kahoshi]

So you're saying I shouldn't post this to every new member?

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

@[member="Akio Kahoshi"] Might be a good idea....

 

[Jsc]

You heard him people. No hazing the new guys!

...

 

[Ignasius Van-Derveld]

Context is everything in this regard.

"Don't feel bad, we were all newbies/noobs/newbletes/noobbles/noobnoobs at one stage!"

You could use that phrase derogatorily, but it is more likely a genuinely reassuring sentiment in intention.

The newer the person the more likely they are to be offended by it though I guess, maturity would be a big factor too.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

@[member="Jay Scott Clark"] is such a noob.

 

[Tefka]

Seriously?

I've probably said something like that before with no intention of degradation.

I was probably called that when I first joined and was like, yeah, I'm a noob. *shrug* It means I get 3 months of probation and grace period!!

This rule seems a little micromanagement-y. I think you can tell if someone has intentions of being derogatory if they say newb or not.

So saying "Welcome new person!" is degratory? Talk about being overly-PC

I'll throw this in there with the "You're killing my creativity" complaints. Call it what you will, but the Staff Team has been instructed to enforce this.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

@[member="Tefka"] You're killing my creativity!

Wait....

 

[Delila Castillon]

Certainly not in the "You're killing my creativity" complaint category at all. I merely find the new rule to be unnecessary. Members are not allowed to troll/flame/harass others in any way, so this just seems extremely redundant.

 

[Tefka]

It's not a new rule. It's an announcement, and a directive to Staff. As you said, there's no reason to write a new rule, as this directive is already covered.

 

[Lord Ghoul]

"

• Harassment and abusive behavior is absolutely not allowed. This includes trolling members and racial, sexist, religious, ethnic, sexual or political remarks that can be considered derogatory. "

I agree about how this is merely a directive announcement for enforcement of pre-existing rules. But this is basically saying that if I call someone a "newbie" to the site then I am harassing them, because "Newbie, noob, and newblet" are all now deemed derogatory terms, when in fact many members use this as a term of endearment for newcomers. It seems too stringent and well-intentioned members who didn't see this staff announcement are going to get in trouble.

It is fairly easy to tell when someone is using the word in a harassing and abusive way and when it is meant as a term of endearment. You're throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Anyway, that's my complaint.

Ultimately I don't think it's that big of an issue. You're paying for the site after all and we're using it free of charge. So yeah, I believe the hashtag is #Tyrannyreigns

 

[Tefka]

Trust me, I understand the opposition's rebuttal to this announcement. I just think it's full of crap.

Term of endearment? Really.

-______-

 

[Baros Sal-Soren]

Zomg someone is new! *banned*

 

[Thessa Kai]

Boom, Shorn said it perfectly. @[member="Tefka"], I really appreciate you letting us share our opinions and I know one of your goals for this site is the open concept of sharing ideas. Even if management decision trumps, which, I get.

I hope you all update the below to include the words 'newb, newbie' etc., so other members may not accidentally get in trouble for this. Thanks!

Harassment and abusive behavior is absolutely not allowed. This includes trolling members and racial, sexist, religious, ethnic, sexual or political remarks that can be considered derogatory.

 

[Ordo]

*Tactical Facepalm*

@[member="Akio Kahoshi"] you can post that image to me in every thread I enter and I'll laugh everytime.

 

[Tefka]

Zomg someone is new! *banned*

A funny quip, I'm sure - but we don't trigger finger ban here, as I'm sure you know. We inform, we warn, then we suspend temporarily.

Only the people who consistently break the rules intentionally get banned.

Boom, Shorn said it perfectly. @[member="Tefka"], I really appreciate you letting us share our opinions and I know one of your goals for this site is the open concept of sharing ideas. Even if management decision trumps, which, I get.

I hope you all update the below to include the words 'newb, newbie' etc., so other members may not accidentally get in trouble for this. Thanks!

Harassment and abusive behavior is absolutely not allowed. This includes trolling members and racial, sexist, religious, ethnic, sexual or political remarks that can be considered derogatory.

I'll leave it to the community once again to police themselves, but your concern is noted. All I'm asking is that we be respectful - there's no need to change or add rules for something that is considered common decency and as stated previously, is already covered. Once again, calling people newbies isn't deemed respectful, so I ask kindly that you not do it.

This thread is just going to go in circles, so I'm closing it. The message is out there, and I feel like it's been received.