Joined in 2007, but never been really active, just at some moments like now =P

Everyone as a newbie joins acting a fool up in here because they've been holding in so much after being a viewer for so long, then they settle down eventually... well, a few, not all.

We have a lot of new members who seem to find a place within the ATRL community pretty quickly after joining, and I attribute that to a welcoming spirit that many of our members display. That said, I think there are a few things new members can do to make that transition from so-called noob to valued poster a bit easier.

I think it's a noob's best bet to make some sort of attempt to assimilate (and yes, it's entirely possible to assimilate, blend into the larger community and maintain notable individuality - as impossible as that sounds) into the community. I'm not saying that all new members have to identify with/suck up to a particular fanbase, or that new members shouldn't have a unique personality, but it certainly helps to make a genuine effort to be friendly, to be respectful and to show your worth or interest in some aspect of the forum. For example, a new member who displays a knack for thoughtful chart analysis may find that they are welcomed into the community in part because their posts are of value to members who frequent the Charts section. Active, well-intentioned, participation or enthusiasm for/in particular topics or particular threads/sections can be that catalyst that gives a new member credibility and helps a new member to become respected. All members are deserving of respect, of course, but it's also true that nobody respects what isn't respectable (bad behavior) or likable (unfriendliness, arrogance, etc). I gave one example, but there are many other ways that new members can develop a reputation, establish a personality and find themselves welcomed into our community.

For the most part, I think the new members who are most frequently ostracized and ridiculed for their join date are the new members who make no efforts to ingratiate themselves with the rest of the community. These members come in with nasty personalities and guns blazing, usually with the idea that if they are overly controversial and argumentative we'll laud them for being the baddest bitches around. It simply doesn't work like that. If you have 20 posts you shouldn't expect anyone to take your antics in NHB (or anywhere else) seriously, but you should expect them to ridicule you over the fact that you're a noob - you don't know how the site works and it's hilarious that you have this expectation that everyone should applaud your most recent attempt to drag or school another member. It's this sort of bossy, bitchy and entitled attitude that I refuse to tolerate from a brand new member.

I don't know. I guess I'm new?? but I have never someone judge me by my join date.

***posting this just to see my join date without going to my profile***

That's EXACTLY what it seems like, lol

Well said!

Matty, you are TOO much! lmao!

Great point!

I know exactly what you mean!!! It really isn't about age, or join date for that matter.

I think this should be something displayed for all "noobs" to the site. It might save some of them some grief and would serve as an awesome introduction to the site!

Well alot of new members start by trolling or being generally annoying till they learn about thebsite

I've only ever seen Bey stans do it when they couldn't didn't want to respond to someone with few (meaning <1000 posts) dragging their fave

Cause the old members think they're the ****

Cause they run out of valid arguments and points so they attack you base on your join date.

I think it happens everywhere, not just on a music board like ATRL. Even in the real world, you will find an already established group not being totally welcoming to a new member or taking everything they say with a grain of salt. I have never engaged myself in arguments or *dragging*, nor will I ever intend to do so, since I am here for the music, information and for sharing the same pleasure for music, so I really couldn't care less if some posters around here pick me on my join date.

You should also consider that some here -myself included- have been guests (*lurkers*) for a long time before joining the site. I started as a guest when you guys had the Grammy submission lists, which no one else had.

Having said all that, I think picking on someone due to their join date is pointless and shows your lack of arguments.

Because it makes them feel superior. They pick on people who they think can't defend themselves. The majority of newbies have been lurking for months and have learnt most of the ins and outs of ATRL. There is a small portion of newbies who sign up to ATRL with the sole intention of trolling and derailing threads. However, there are many newbies who contribute intelligent, thoughtful posts to the forum. The fact that you're an older member doesn't make you a more valuable contributor to the forum. So I don't get why join date matters.

Did we lie??





We made ATRL what it is before yall turned it into this LD/exhale mess

I'm a newbie, I don't troll, I don't shade/drag/disrespect anyone, I do my best to make myself a part of this community, and I still feel like I'm wearing an Invisibility Cloak around here.

I get that some people might be distrusting of newbies because of the fact that they may be possible trolls, so I sure as hell didn't expect to be welcomed with open arms around here during my first week. But I think I've proven that I'm someone who has sincere intentions being here. And I'm still getting the newbie treatment. I don't know what the **** else I should do.

Nicely put, forum twin