I also think some members at this forum actually scare off new members. I know that is I was new to forums, then I would've left a long time ago.

^ I can agree with that.

However, Not with just you in mind retryplz. But we have had this chat before about a mentor program. The admins are a bit too busy to put something like this together. So I would need help from those who are not busy.

Oh, I was ignorant to the fact.

Also, I think it would appeal more if you said New member instead because newbie or noob is insulting. Much like being called a freshmen.

How in the hell is that possible? Freshman? That's what you are.

And for future reference, only "noob" is derogatory. Newbie is just short for a new member.

The way I see it, noobs are essentially newbies who are pretty low on the tolerance scale, while regular newbies are likeable. Or at least that's how I use the words.

^ yeah that's how i use it too.
newbie just means someone new. and n00b can mean someone who has been around for ages and is still 'low on the tolerance scale' as you put it.

Oh, I thought noob was just someone not knowing how to spell newb xD

Still, you want someone feeling as accepted as they can possibly feel.

^ actually there is a really good comic on that XD
http://www.cad-comic.com/comic.php?d=20060823

(for those of you wondering YES i DID have to get cad in there. kekeke...)

"Still, you want someone feeling as accepted as they can possibly feel."

That's true. At the same time, we're not a catering company. So it's a balance.

xD@comic

You are an accepting community though, right?

Bah, Its a good idea. I'm all the evidence you all will ever need!

I have been voted for highest most improved Magonian. Its not a very flattering title. But if it was not for the program of a mentor ship.. I may have been as good as banned.

I would think so - a community is only made up of each of it's members. I would like to think that most of us are accepting of kinks in the general mode of operation when a new member comes on and doesn't quite fit in right away. Some members don't quite agree with that sentiment though, I am aware.
As long as the new member is also accepting of the way we operate a balance can be formed and everyone learns to get along.

I read a really good comparison once about a forum being like a house, and the community basically lives in the house. And it's the same thing as if someone random that you didn't know walked into your house. Everyone who is already living there has their space and know basically where everything is and how everything works. And if this new person walks in and starts shaking the place up, acting as if it was their own house. It causes a lot of friction. Whereas if someone walks into the house and tries to learn how everything works and fit into it then it's a much more pleasant experience.

Now it was questioned in this discussion that isn't it sort of like conformity and what's the point of even being on a forum if you have to just pretend to be something to fit in?
And it was answered that this isn't the idea. What the metaphor is more about is that a person can fit in fine with who they are - but the difference is between forcing or imposing themselves on the other members, or presenting themselves and letting the members get used to them and invite them in.

um... this turned into a really long post. (i think you have rights to laugh at me here TTC!)

But the point is that yes, i think that most members of the community are quite accepting.

On the house concept, its the same an only kid feels when there is a kid born in the family. Not very accepting, but later wouldnt let them go.

I see, that really helped me in some sense.

Thanks.

Can a mentor still at least be offered?

sorry, i guess i havn't mentioned i'm working on that >__> my bad there.

Oh good. I felt like I was being ignored.

@sumisem

The difference is that this house is open to the public and as such no one owns it (except Ixzion).

As Ixzion said (paraphrase) "there are two levels, everyone else and him"

So people do have to play by the rules that have been officially established, but they sort of have the right to shake it up if that is who they are, even if others squatted first.

If the problem is communication, a mentor program might help to make the transition more pleasant as you say for those who don't mean to be forceful or imposing.

If the person actually is forceful or imposing as a trait, the community might have to adapt (or admit that people can't really be who they are) until Ixzion says otherwise.

@bo - you're taking it a bit too literally.

I was thinking that people can sign up for a mentor. Then an admin can choose who would be best pared with the person.

or someone would be nice enough to code a such system?

Maybe it would be good to make a sticky in the welcome room for it?