"The friendliest online community?"

[CA cowgirl]

The banner up top says, "The friendliest online community for ALL your herping needs!" But that hasn't been my experience. Why do many of the outspoken members and moderators have to behave like they are in high school, and not be welcoming towards new people? Do I have to come across as an unknowledgeable and new keeper, in order to get friendly posts or positive interactions?

I should remember this is an online forum and jerks are everywhere, but this is the first site I've come across out of more than a dozen others, that is at such a high level of clichy-ness and is this kind of unwelcoming. I do believe I've encountered more unfriendly people here than friendly people.

[LadyOhh]

You are entitled to your opinion.

You get what you put into any forum, and if you bring negative energy to the group, you are more than likely going to get it back.

And same goes for the positives.

Also, remember, this is the internet.

It's not serious business.

[CA cowgirl]

I've put in lots of nice posts and helpful posts, its not the nature of what I've gotten in return.

[BuckeyeBalls]

Also, remember, this is the internet.

It's not serious business.

Not trying to get on the bad side but u COULD be a little bit more professional about the subject

[mr. s]

I'm sorry you feel that way. I know what you mean. It can just wear on you. I find that there are some secrets to try and avoid feeling that way.

Always state your opinion from what you understand, and your experience and then it does not matter what people say after that right? Personally, I will sometimes comment when i know it is not a popular position, but I make sure I believe it, and I am willing to let others persuade me if they want. With that attitude, nothing people write bothers me.

Don't get into things with harsh feelings. Sometimes it feels nice to say something about someone else that has posted ideas which we feel are just dumb. Make sure the comment does not come across as negative or someone is going to be on the defensive. Then who knows what happens.

Remember, this is the internet, it is not life. There are definitely some weirdos around, and we really can't expect too much from a free online forum. It's sad but too true. The good thing is that we don't need an online forum deciding how we are going to feel. We get to choose that ourselves, no matter what is going on in our lives.

On a lighter note, there is a lot of good stuff here too. We just gotta help where we can and learn where we can and let the rest fade away into the background.

Cheers!

[Bruce Whitehead]

So you do not find the members or the staff to be particularly helpful?

I know that one of our staff has been very accomodating to you, and has given you advice and quite a bit of time.

As far as being a friendly community, I guess one of those perks is that you can sit here and publicly criticize the staff and the site, and still be able to log on.

Shop around a bit, you will not find that to be the case on many forums.

We strive to create a safe forum where we can hang, learn and socialize and can feel safe letting our children enjoy the same freedom.

This site serves many functions for those that come here. Some come to simply shop the classifieds, some come to show off their collections, others are purely social, and many of us find that we learn and are inspired by others and their love of reptiles and herps.

But yet it works for them. I suggest you perhaps find your niche.

We say it over and over again to people, but we cannot make people get along, but the admins provide the space, we all do the work, and you make it whatever you want.

I am here because I love snakes.

Why are you here?

Perhaps if you can localize your expectations, you can then decide if this site, its members, and its administration can live up to those expectations.

I hope it does.

Bruce

[coldblooded]

I guess you have to ask yourself "What do I expect from this community?"

I looked back through a few of your recent posts and I didn't see anything where anyone was even remotely rude or unfriendly towards you. I am curious what sparked this post. But! You have to consider that this is a pretty large forum and in so, you are going to have a broad spectrum of people. Text can be misconstrued easily since you have no vocal tone to go off of - are you taking things the wrong way? Are you being overly sensitive? As Lady Ohh put it, this is the internet and it is NOT serious business.

I haven't been here too long but from my general usage of the site, everyone here seems pretty friendly. I haven't felt excluded or singled out. I have seen a few people post that seem to have a certain "attitude" about them (but they aren't doing anything wrong and you will also find these people on every forum you visit.) Are people not responding to your posts? I have made posts in less visited areas of the forum and not gotten responses, but you can't let that get to you if that is what it is.

The only place I've really seen people get really wound up is in Quarantine (or threads that subsequently get moved to Quarantine). But that is what that place is for.

So, in this sprawling post, I ask you again.

What do you expect from this community?

[waltah!]

Internet forums are much like High School. There are the cool kids, the ones who think they're the cool kids, the geeks, the bullies, the wallflower ect...
If you don't like/get along with certain members then just ignore them. If the staff is what's bothering you then feel free to let a staff member know. You really will get back what you give, so keep that in mind.
The Friendliest Online Community is just that. We try our hardest to keep the site as kid/family friendly as possible. It doesn't mean that when you sign up each member gets sprinkled with magical pixie dust that makes them all get along. If that's what you expect from an internet forum this large you will unfortunately be disappointed. I hope that you will find a comfortable spot here that you enjoy.

[BOWSER11788]

trust me, i have some free time, this is one of the bst forums, well i hang on repticzone and beardeddragons.org, and a RARE visit to russiantortoise, but if its snakes related i stay hear, also i meet some cool, peeps i get to chill at expos, your right, i play it how i played it in HS, im just me, trying to help, but usally the one getting help, lol bottem line

its allllll good

[Seru1]

As someone rather new myself I think everyone has been very friendly to me. I've gotten tons of help and made new friends.