I’m new here; checked the board out some time ago but was intimidated by the amount of traffic. Lucky you, I’m checking it out again LOL.
Figured to start here in the flame pit, and see how it goes. Anyone wishing to give hints or even a guided tour, step up! Thanks!
(I don’t know how people introduce themselves and haven’t caught on to the general purpose of the board yet; I’m 36 and a married mom of two teens, if that is important.)
Well welcome. I’m new here, but if your name gets mentioned in a thread here, it’s bad. Other than that, sometimes the pages load slow, it’s nothing you’re doing wrong. And if you hit submit reply, don’t hit it again if it seems nothing is happening, it too takes a few secs sometimes.
Hi there Anniee. Welcome.
The pit is where we rant. MPSIMS is where we talk about nothing. IMHO is where we post our opinions about everything (and ask others for theirs) Cafe is where we talk about culture. GQ is for asking fact-based questions. Great Debates is for, er, great debates (it is almost entirely religious and political in there)
Did I spell religious right this time?
The general purpose of the boards is to “Fight Ignorance” but beware a lot of “laugh at and belittle ignorance” There are good people here and bad people here.
Thanks folks. I do realize this is the flame pit lol; I’m sure to be flamed a time or seven, which is fine. Don’t mind doing some flaming myself, once I know who needs it 
There wasn’t a place for introductions but I guess I’ll check out MSPIS or whatever. Or see where most people end up most of the time.
See you around 
One more tip - ‘lol’ is a rare word here.
Well perhaps two things will come of that. One is it will be less rare because of me and two is that I’ll end up back in the flame pit for laughing.
I can’t believe my thread was moved. I WANTED to start in the pit; I did that on purpose! :mad:
That was a quick move…Hmmm, Well, I guess the mad face convinced the mod you were peeved and they moved it. Welcome, Anniee.
I’m not mad. LOL
Maybe that lol will make someone else mad and they’ll flame me though 
Ok, I’m kidding. Lobspar or whatever, I hope I don’t get ragged on TOO bad for laughing!
lol away. I am ok with it.
I’m a little intimidated too. I’ll stick close by.
i use lol all the time.
lol is alright as long as you don’t confuse it with lel. Then you’ll have people all over you :);).
lol is ok imo.
You won’t get ragged on for laughing. I laugh quite often at much of what I read here.
The use of ‘lol’ however is generally kept in a chat setting. I use it myself in that manner when chatting with friends. In my opinion and experience, here at the SDMB you’re judged on what you say and how you say it. If you take the time to express yourself well, it’s appreciated.
And one more hopefully well accepted piece of advice. Don’t try and get flamed around here. It ain’t worth it.
I prefer HAHAHA!
btw: Welcome!
Considering that your post rate is .41 per day, I don’t think that that’s a really relevant statement about what is common practice here.
Anniee: If you would like to be taken seriously here, heed CelticCowboy’s advice.
I’m not sure if you’re serious about wanting to get flamed, but be aware that attempting to provoke the other posters in that way is trolling, and a bannable offense.
If you aren’t sure as to the “general purpose” of the boards, I’ll give you some advice:
Those steps should help you understand what this board is all about.
And some more general advice:
–Before you start a thread, read the forum descriptions carefully and if you’re unsure, check the forums to see if your potential thread seems like it would fit in there. And/or email a mod. They’ll gladly advise you.
–Remember that our mods and administrators are volunteers. Try not to get on their nerves.
Nervously counts back to all the times I’ve type “lol” here
Oh crap.
Green, Cowboy - of course I didn’t come to TRY and get flamed or to flame. Perhaps tongue in cheek doesn’t work too well when no one knows you; c’est la vie. However some flaming is, IMO, inevitable and can be fun if done tastefully and well. Or sometimes if not. Recognizing the inevitability of it (judging only by experience on other boards, not this one) is definitely not my way of expressing a desire for it or putting out a “kick me” sign on my back, or my way of saying “I will be flaming people so get used to it” or whatever else it might have been interpreted as. I didn’t think it would get so heavy on an intro thread! Phewwww, but at least I hope I’ve explained my tongue in cheek, lightly meant comments and I’ll remember that perhaps I should put on my serious face before posting Oops, see I messed up and put a smiley after I said that; I’m not doing this right, I know. I bet people don’t use smileys much either - too trite and peon-ish, right? I can’t think of the word, but I’ve been to places that look down on these types of expression; and perhaps if I’d been online a very long time I might feel the same way about those things. I’ve only had the net a couple years so maybe that’s it.
I can certainly write on a higher level than this, but try to keep it largely conversational unless the topic is very weighty. Hope that is understandable.
Also, I’m very aware of the necessity of not starting thread after thread; especially if one hasn’t bothered to read the board and get acquainted with it. Also of not pissing off moderators unnecessarily. Just so you know I really am acquainted with forums and general etiquette; just not this particular forum.
I like “haha” too, violet; and “bwah” and “bwahaha”.
Now what’s “lel”?
<grin> That was cute.
Grrr it won’t let me edit my post - Cowboy, I reread your post and I wanted to thank you for the advice on getting a handle on the general purposes and leanings of the board. That was actually exactly what I was looking for, so <tipping hat>. I’m not wearing a hat, but I tip some virtual hat or something. Thanks!