[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: No responses on the main list (Was: Wizarding Education )

Wed Jul 28 01:02:29 UTC 2004

Sandra wrote:

<This thread made me feel kind of sad really, because I already felt
ashamed that I am a newbie even before reading this.>

No one, should ever feel ashamed to be a newbie to HPfGU (or anywhere really), ever.
Newbies are what strengthen this group and keep it growing and moving.

Without newbie's, we'd still be five to ten people, sitting around on a list.
HPfGU-OTChatter, Movie, ect would not exist.  This list, wouldn't exist in the way it
is now.  Heck, when I joined, we had about 7,000 members (guestimating because I
really can't remember).  We were one list, and we talked about...a great many things
that have since been siphoned off into other lists.  That is the power of newbies.
They turned us from a one list (and very confusing one at that) group, to a family of
12,600 members that spans over five lists (well, more then that if you consider those
who just belong to the sister lists).

Well, you did more then I did for my first post, of course, when I was new these
things didn't exist, but my first post was an OT about the pronunciation of Draco.  So
you're doing better then even us oldbie's did when we were new.

If it's on topic, supported by canon and fits the spelling/grammar rule, post it.
Heck I don't care if it's about the darn gleam in Dumbledore's eye (my pet peeve), so
long as you post within the rules.  If others don't want to hear about it...they don't
have to read it.  We all have things we want to discuss more in depth, and things we
wish would just go away, no reason for you not to post your questions, theories,
whatevers just because you're a newb.

<Hence I agree that a list for newbies would be very good, >

I would have to disagree with this idea.  I've been a newbie, I am an oldbie (of about
three years).  I've seen both sides.  And I can only think, that three years ago, if
this idea had been in action...I wouldn't have joined, and I'm sure a great many
other's wouldn't have either.

It's all well and good to have a moderated status, we have a long list of rules and
strict requirements.  I can understand that.  I cannot understand telling a newbie,
"You're not good enough to post with us.  We are so far better then you that we don't
have time to deal with your pitiful theories and posts."  Which IS what people will
perceive, even if you aren't saying that in so many words.

I know it's hard, for those who have been here a while, to remember what it's like
when you first join.  The memories fade as new ones grow stronger.  But I can remember
clearly my first days here, heck I still remember my first post so that's saying
something.  When you're new to a group, especially a group this size, you're excited,
you're terrified, you're everything because you've finally found a place that you can
share you're theories and "what if..." ideas.  You found a group of people who have
taken the same journey through these books and understand where you're at (most of the
time...some people still don't accept my theories).  Having separate lists would take
away some of this.  Part of the joy and fun is sharing your ideas with people who have
been there.  Yeah not all our theories are original, that's part of the fun, seeing
who else thinks Snape is a vampire or Dumbledore is Ever So Evil.

Even if you allowed oldbie's onto the "new list", it's a proven fact that none of the
sister lists have the same membership as the mainlist (ex.  HPfGU--12,612members,
HPfGU-Move--2,533members, and the other sister lists have less then -Movie *and since
the current member stats are written on my hand, I know this*), so there would be a
problem of people who share your ideas, thoughts, theories, not seeing them, or people
who disagree (and yes that is needed, debate is fun, flaming is not).

I sincerely hope I'm not the only oldbie who thinks and feels this way, but it's how I
see things.

<Please accept my sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused
and  I hope that you do not feel that 'the newbies are now even
crowding the OT list'>

You have no need to apologize (unless you just flamed someone).  You have just as much
right to be here (well, here and the main list) and post as I do...probably more so
since I don't post...or frankly pay attention. :o)

Don't let anyone cause you to think you don't belong here or that we don't want you
here, because, despite what claims may be, we do need you, and your fellow newbies.
If people leave/don't post/whatever, I want it to be because they choose to, not
because they were chased off or felt unwanted.

Saitaina
****
"I laugh in the face of death...maybe not laugh more like a snicker...a quiet snicker,
and I wouldn't do it directly in death's face so, it's more like a quiet snicker
behind death's back. "

http://www.livejournal.com/users/saitaina

"No, one day I'm going to look back on all this and plow face-first into a tree
because I was looking the wrong bloody way. And I'll still be having a better day than
I am today."