Can’t remember now. I was a newbie once, on the USENet newsgroups, in 1981.
Yeah, but Urban Ranger, whenever you go to a new message board, you’re a newbie there.
His4ever, I think you made your point. The topic is first experiences at the SDMB, and yours was not positive. We get it. If you have anything else negative to say, perhaps you should take it to the Pit. This could be a lovely and interesting thread, do you think you are adding anything more to it when you pop back in yet again to decree those big meanies in GD?
I signed on to this board within the first few days that it was up, so I remember when everyone was a newbie, and posts appeared one at a time. (When I got here there weren’t any posts at all in the BBQ Pit–I remember hoping it would never be popular. Oh well.) It was all a little awkward at first, because the first two groups of people were ones who had either posted on the earlier AOL Straight Dope board (which was limited to AOL subscribers) and those of us with ISP accounts who had been hanging out on the alt.fan.cecil-adams USENET group. I think the AOL board had been a little more casual/social than the USENET group, so there seemed to be a bit of a difference in emphasis from the two groups. One interesting thing is that at first there was no Great Debates forum, which meant that the General Questions forum was quickly dominated by threads which had drifted away from the initial questions into various religious and political controversies. (IMHO was later split off from Great Debates).
Only once. I made a comment about a poster and his SO, also a poster, and was rewarded with a Pit thread, plus a couple of other threads, accusing me of various and assorted sins, including in effect knowing too much, which I thought was an odd thing to consider a defect, this being a board dedicated to The World’s Smartest Human Being and all. Anyway, what happened was the relationship was supposed to be a Big Secret – in spite of the numerous broad hints by both parties involved – and I had spoiled everything. (I think maybe they had been planning a Big Announcement for everyone to ooh and ahh over, so I had inadvertently spoiled the surprise). In any event, said poster was eventually banned for unrelated reasons. Still, it was interesting to read various comments by the pit starter and some of his minions, none of whom I had ever met, who detailed a long list of crimes against humanity that I apparently was guilty of – just about everything short of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, as I recollect.
I would like to add that my mind has been changed on one important issue. Although I’m a born again Christian, I would like to see civil rights and attitudes change for the better for gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals, etc. I’m so new in my faith that I don’t feel qualified to point fingers at other people and condemn them. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I had a major turn around in my thinking after the 9/11 tragedy. It’s a terrible thing when fanatics of any persuasion feel the need to kill and torture other human beings just because they belong to the “wrong” religion. I cringe to think of people being harassed because they belong to the “wrong” sexual identity. I believe God will sort everything out and each person must concentrate on making him/herself grow and become a better person.
Can’t answer this from the perspective of when I was a newbie since I still am a newbie, but here goes.
SDMB was sort of the firs MB I experienced, the first MB that I got stuck with in any case. I had been reading Cecil’s column quite regularly for a while and I checked the Comments on Cecil’s Columns and Staff Reports on a few occasions. Bored out of my socks one day in April this year I clicked around the site a little and a thread about European’s views on Americans in GD caught my interest.
It contained so much conjecture and guess work that it just cried for some input. In somewhat of a frenzy I composed a thousand word reply, which seemingly cleared things out. In the midst of this thread somebody chimed in and side-winded the OP for being a fundamentalist Christian (it was vaguely relevant). Links were provided and I followed them. More threads opened up full of opinions, guesswork and conjecture. “Gee whiz,” thought I to myself, “Is this all what Cecil’s fans are capable of?” Then something happened. A gem here and gem there started popping up. I left the Christianity threads behind and started reading other things in GD. After about an hour I was marveling at the insight, factual base and reason that permeates much of this place.
I was pitting other people for racism and bigotry within a day. I was never pitted for saying something I thought was inoffensive. I was pitted for saying something that I realize was offensive to the recipient, meanwhile the pitter and I regularly but heads in GD and the Pit, but I think we have gained some mutual respect and understanding even if we violently disagree. I was also pitted for a misunderstood parody… the aftermath discussion contributed to the obligatory link in parody threads rule.
I have changed my views on some things, not in any major way, but I have gained more understanding of details that have forced me to re-evaluate my position in some matters.
There is one thing that I am still absolutely mortified about having done. In a state of sleep deprivation and moodiness over other things I pitted David Simmons over an absolute trifle. I used terribly offensive language and I still cringe at my own idiocy and the bad taste it was in when I think about it.
My small advice to other newbies is think through your post, think a little bit more than you think you need before you post and always have a cite ready – even as a base for opinions.
Sparc
Well, I’m very much still a newbie. I guess I do not have any particularly strong agenda to push and so I’ve been quite comfortable lurking or making the odd post here or there.
This is not my first MB, I’ve been reading and posting to various music/guitar orientated forums, the most mature of which being the Fender Discussion Page.
For me, this board has provided insight into some opposing views to mine. I’ve also come to realise that Americans really do think a bit differently to Kiwis and Ausies. There is some emphasis on things like freedom, rights, and religion which (in my experience) isn’t given the same weight over here.
I haven’t been pitted, I love reading pit threads and I enjoy reading a good pitting of someone who deserves it. I also enjoy reading threads where one person with a slightly extreme view is shown the error of their ways with use of well thought out arguments. I find it extremely frustrating sometimes that those people refuse to address these same arguments.
I’m constantly amazed by how this board, rather than changing peoples opinions entirely, can at least moderate opinions and bring people towards a middle ground.
Thoughts for other newbies? Lurk then post. Try to learn the VB coding 
Was the SD your first message board experience? No… when I started messing with message boards, I was using GEnie, then went to AOL, where I participated in several hobby-related message boards then moved on to the late and (apparently)unlamented Buzzsaw. I’d read a few of the Straight Dope books, then saw the TV show, when I heard about the site, then linked to the message boards.
What were your first reactions? It’s pretty much like every other message board I’ve participated in… a coupla real snobs, some people who know a lot, some people who think they know it ALL, a lot of knee-jerking, but overall, a higher percentage of reasonable, pleasant and kind human beings than non-reasonable, unpleasant and unkind ones. Biggest differences on the SDMB? MOST of the posters here can spell (Buzzsaw was also exceptional in this regard) and there seems to be a much higher average level of education, whether formal or “street.”
**Were you ever pitted for saying something that you didn’t realize was offensive? ** To my knowledge, I’ve never been pitted, but very early on I was harshly attacked by someone who completely misunderstood a post of mine. What surprised me was how many people followed suit. Since then, I’ve had a few arguments with some people - I have this thing about having the last word, and I sometimes have to force myself to walk away from a disagreement that I know isn’t going to go anywhere but downhill.
Have you changed your views on anything since you’ve been here? I have learned a lot factually, but haven’t had any deeply-held convictions changed. Oh, and about that having the last word thing: I no longer care. I’ll continue an argument until it stops being entertaining for me, then I’m done.
Do you regret anything you said in the past? When it’s been pointed out to me that I’m way off base about something, I’ve apologized. To the best of my knowledge, I’ve never hurt anyone here, so no. I do regret not previewing more frequently - sometimes I’ve completely blown it semantically and I don’t catch it until it’s up.
And what, if any, advice do you have for new newbies? Read at least a little bit before posting, and if you get flamed for not knowing (or caring) who’s who around here, ignore it.
Re-reading this post, I see that it sounds like I have issues with the board or with some people here – I really don’t. This is entertainment for me, and I wouldn’t come back if I didn’t enjoy it. And let me just add that some posters here are absolutely hilarious… I can put up with a lot of irritation if I get some giggles now and then.
What was it like? Cool, informative.
Was SD your first message board experience? Yes, I was a MB virgin, hell, I had only started using a computer a few months before.
What were your first reactions? Great Debates, were not discussions on Ginger-Mary Ann, paper-plastic, etc, you know, the real Great Debates.
Was I ever pitted? No, I haven’t pissed anybody off that much.
Yet.
Have I changed my views on anything? No.
Do I regret anything I said? No.
Any advice? When someone asks you to pull their finger, don’t.
Was SD your first message board experience? No. I’ve posted on a few BBSs and was a longtime lurker on alt.fan.cecil-adams. My SETI work units still go to them.
What were your first reactions? Nervous, like a first kiss. But I love this place. It’s fast-paced with loads of information. Sparc mentioned links. I find that I spend half my time reading stuff off the boards which opens up a whole new world.
Ever been pitted? Not specifically.
Have you changed your views on anything? Yes.
Regret anything said? Not with a cringing agony.
Any advice? Lurk if you feel the need. But I think most people can pick up the flavor of a message board pretty quickly. But one thing that I do is to write out a post and let it sit for a bit. This allows me to refine it and decide if I really want to post. About one third of my posts never see the light of day.
This is the second MB I’ve belonged to. The first was “The National Midnight Star,” an email newsgroup for fans of the band, Rush.
My first reactions were insane laughter at some of the hilarity on the board, and delight at the mission of “fighting ignorance.” I read at least one thread on the board daily (don’t post much, unless I feel a strong urge to contribute), and always find something thought provoking, or at the very least, amusing.
I’ve never been pitted, but I have snarled at other posters in Pit threads, and been snarled at.
I haven’t exactly changed my views on anything, but as others have said, I’ve become a little more willing to fairly examine others’ points of view (while still disagreeing with them).
No regrets.
Preview. Have an open mind. Never leave the house without clean underwear (unless you are “going commando”).
Was the SD your first message board experience?
Nope, I was on a few other in which I mostly had to argue with bigots over equality issues. Thats just not fun.
What were your first reactions?
First off I couldn’t comprehend what was happening. The first time I looked through the boards I couldn’t fathom the size. I figured that it must be a very old board that is no longer getting much traffic. Then I hit the refresh button and about 10 thread jumped to the top of the page. I got scared and left for a while, cam back and lurked, then signed up.
Were you ever pitted for saying something that you didn’t realize was offensive?
Nope. I try to remain as inoffensive as possible. Its worked so far…
Have you changed your views on anything since you’ve been here?
Yeah, a few things just in real life. I was able to prove a teacher of mine wrong on a number off occasions by learning from the SDMB. Before that I thought he knew everything. Now I know no one except Cecil knows all ;).
Do you regret anything you said in the past?
Nah.
And what, if any, advice do you have for new newbies?
Lurk before you sign up. Its give you a better idea of how the community works.
My only advice: Lurk before you leap. (Kinda obvious I take my own advice, huh?)
Was the SD your first message board experience?
Yes. Since joining this one, I’ve gone on to join about five others. I’m a mod at one of them. It’s addictive stuff.
What were your first reactions?
Basically? “What is this? Who are these people? What are they talking about?” Then it went to “Wow, he’s smart! She’s cool! He’s an asshole! Wow, that’s interesting. Yes, I agree. No, that’s retarded.”
Were you ever pitted for saying something that you didn’t realize was offensive?
No. I’ve never been Pitted. Never took anyone to the Pit either, although a couple times I took advantage of the fact we were in the Pit and spoke quite freely to a couple posters.
Have you changed your views on anything since you’ve been here?
No. I have, however, had my views defined by this board. For the most part my views jive with the board consensus; what this board helped give me was a stronger basis for my views. I know or have access to facts to hold up what I believe, and that in turn has made me more confident in my beliefs, more likely to express them.
Do you regret anything you said in the past?
I had the habit of previewing my posts from early on. Previewing gives you time to think about what you’re posting, and I always thought through what I was posting. I made sure it said what I was trying to say. As a result, I regret nothing.
**And what, if any, advice do you have for new newbies? **
I have just one piece of advice:
Lurk for a while.
Learn the nuances of the board as a whole, and learn how each forum works. Spend time in each forum and observe, and learn. You’ll soon see that not every forum is the Pit, and not every forum is MPSIMS.
Take to heart the lessons others are taught, be it the easy way or the hard way.
You will learn everything you need to know about this board if you spend a couple of weeks lurking.
I lurked for four months before posting my first thread to the wrong forum. And that’s the worst I’ve ever screwed anything up here.
**
It was the first one I’ve really spent any time on, at least.
**
I was overwhelmed, honestly. It just seemed like everybody knew everybody else, and I didn’t know anybody, so I was nervous to post. I still feel that way sometimes, but not as often.
I was never seriously pitted. There was a joke pitting by Doc Cathode, but that was it.
**
**
Probably, but I can’t say exactly what. I’m more pro-life now than I was, and maybe that’s due to this. I also like to think I’m more tolerant in general of other views.
**
**
Probably, but I couldn’t tell you anything particularly.
**
Lurk first. Be respectful of other people. make sure you read threads carefully, and respond to what other people are actually saying, not just what you expect them to say. Remember that there are real people on the other side of the computer,
[Bill and Ted]
Be excellent to each other.
[/Bill and Ted]
I’m still a newbie, and I lurk more than I post. This is my first MB (although I’ve lurked on a few), and on the whole, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think it was a pretty cool place to hang out. I mostly just feel very aware that I’m a newbie, so when I do start threads or post I don’t really expect to get lots of replies. I figure at this rate, a few people might know who I am in five years or so
No, I’ve never been pitted (that I know of), and I’ve never taken anyone to the pit, though I did once have a go at someone in a pit thread started by someone else. I don’t really go to the pit often.
I don’t think any of my opinions have changed, although I have become aware of a few things I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise (poutine? what the…?)
Advice to other newbies? Lurk awhile, think before you post, and if you’re an antipodean head on down to G’Dope (I only just got there myself, but it’s cool!)