I'm interested to know how people introduced themselves when they made their first posting (I know I could go back through the archive, but it would be a long hard job!).

I was fortunate enough to already know a couple of the regulars when I first "waded in", but I guess it would be quite daunting for newbies, especially when they see the kind of rapport everyone has. A bit like turning up to your first rehearsal with a new society...

Perhaps we should have a "newcomers" thread where newbies can introduce themselves... What do you think?

Also, Has anyone ever left the forums and made a gushing farewell speech?

That's a good point - I stumbled on this place in Dec when it first opened, so the rapport hadn't developed then (well not to the same extent). I guess I was lucky and found a thread I knew something about dived in, then found how friendly everyone was.

It'd be good to hear the opinions of the newer members - perhaps this could be their first post?

Hi,

It is very daunting, knowing that everyone knows everyone quite well on here now, I think a newbies section would be great - but then, how often would new newbies come in and they old ones kicked out into the big wide forum!
Also you might get a bit of rapport with the newbies and that would discourage newer newbies - if you know what I mean.
HHHHHMMMMMMMMMMM confusing myself!

Anyway, welcome to our humble abode, I hope you'll feel at home very soon. I only joined yesterday (seems like years already!), and I have been warmed by the generosity of the crew. Get yourself a mug and help yourself to teabags etc, but don't eat all the biscuits...

As a regular before this discussion forum went from the old format to the new (and became my life's addiction it seems!), am not conscious of ever having introduced myself. But I do often wonder how the familiar banter goes down to those that come to the forum for the first time. Although it does seem to me that everyone does try to "welcome" in new names and responds to them positively. Then in time rudeness follows - as you will know by now JBR!

I am not sure that a "newcomers" thread will work but I am only basing this on my experience of joining a new society where for the duration of the show that I joined to do I and other new people were constantly separated out and referred to as "the new members". It felt very elitist. And "new-ist"!!

Don't recall anyone having left the forums gushingly or otherwise. Although Ged's not been heard of for a while...

I twought people's pwofiles was an intwoduction...

If they awe honest and twooful..

My goth.. I'm developed a lithp...

JBR - leave me some choccie bics please.

Aims - in all seriousness, it's a bit weird how well complete strangers do seem to know each other. As a case in point, these new virtual friends of mine sent me more birthday emails and birthday greetings on this forum than my real friends did when it was my birthday yesterday! That's so sweet. But in reality most of us just banter without having a clue about the real guys behind the Avatars!

George - lithp makes an interesting change from your other defect - your *wink*...! Heh heh! Only kidding, luv your wink really.

Oh gosh are we supposed to be truthful on our profiles! Hands up those who've lied!

Aims - no sugar, sugar, but plenty of honey, honey.

A newbies section is a nice idea but to be honest, I first found Amdram while it was the old discussion board, saw a topic I could answer on and plunged right in. I used this new board as soon as it was launched (member number 6!) and as we're all involved in amdram, there's bound to be something we know or can help with.
The whole site and this forum is great for info. I've found some great ideas on promoting ourselves and we've just launched our very own website!
There is talk of a chat room too so you can really get to know everyone if that happens!

I have participated in many 'forums' on many subjects over ....... well, just too many years! Anyone else round here remember ARPNET? However, while a old hand on boards, I am relatively new here having joined mid December. Most of the other forums I use are technical (IT mainly) so often have a Newbie section. It's usually a load of posts with best practice and solutions to technical queries that come out of newbies time and time again. It doesn't stop the newbies posting the question, many of which deserve RTFM answers, but it means one can quickly post back the link in response thereby saving typing the same information over and over again.

As this forum progresses, we might find that that we get a similar situation. In that case, it would be worth setting up a Newbie thread. However, up 'til now I've seen no duplication in the questions being asked.

The group here are certainly very friendly, but I don't believe any more or less friendly than most of the other forums I visit. However, there are not many of us ...... Yet!

Of the other boards I frequent, one of the most active is truly international with questions being posted from all over the world; sometimes in different languages. There is usually someone on board who can reply and interpret for the rest of us.

Leg pulling is usually prevalent across all boards as are the occasional insults. The most fascinating are those with large numbers of Stateside members. Any hint of criticism is often, though by no means always, met with what is termed 'flaming'. Sadly, there are usually a very small number of members who are intent on 'having a go' at every opportunity. Again, one soon finds out who they are and the best solution seems to be to totally ignore them. The only trouble on really techie boards is that they sometimes hold the clue or the answer to your particular problem.

I haven't really a clue who Martin, Jane, Anne-Marie, Jon, Janice, George or even the lovely Maureen are. One soon gets to know who the key players are and what their sense of humour is like. I detect no bar to anyone joining in the frivolity. I love the humour here.

So if there are any Newbies who feel nervous, don't be. As Janice said just "plunge in". You will be very welcome.

Best wishes ...... Robin

I came here from the old discussion board and I agree it can seem daunting at first. However, I don't think a newbie section is necessary...we always have the POINT SCORING thread for people wanting to take the plunge.

...or the Getting to Know You thread...

I have found that in a lot of amateur theatre even those with a little "Stage Fright" tend to morph into "Captain Confidence" once the curtain opens. I suppose this is much the same with posting, once the vurtual curtain opens we can be who ever we wish to be and therefore not be affraid of stumbling because, if wished, one can hide behind the avatar.

(I don't mean that in a negative way, it's human nature, we rarely show our "Real Selves" except to those close and dear to us.)

Hi Y'all. An interesting discussion. I visit the discussion board frequently and enjoy reading all the posts but do sometimes feel everone knows everyone else but me . Having said that it doesn't stop me having my say if I feel it would add to the thread. 'Nuff said!

Hi Chris, good to have you on board.
why not register then you too can have a nice piccie...

QUOTE (Guest_ChrisD @ Jan 24 2003, 1:18 PM)

Hi Y'all. An interesting discussion. I visit the discussion board frequently and enjoy reading all the posts but do sometimes feel everone knows everyone else but me . Having said that it doesn't stop me having my say if I feel it would add to the thread. 'Nuff said!

Chris, come on in, the water's lovely!

I just piled in with an 'Introduce Yourself' thread and I'll keep going.

There's a lot of interesting topics being started of in existence which I have read and sometimes added to.

Anyway, if you have the confidence to do Amdram, talking to an unseen group of people with you fingers should pose no problem.

I think the introduce yourself is a godsend! - well done everyone for adding to it - and hopefully more "ghosters" will feel encouraged to join in.
Its Ok - they don't bite!!

Ryano,

How do you manage to copy other's posts in that box like you did up there?

Not that I expect to use it often but I'm nosey.

And anyway, I discovered I'm in the top ten posters today, but at number 10 so I need to post a few more...

QUOTE (Eeyore @ Jan 24 2003, 4:52 PM)

Ryano, How do you manage to copy other's posts in that box like you did up there? Not that I expect to use it often but I'm nosey. And anyway, I discovered I'm in the top ten posters today, but at number 10 so I need to post a few more...

Eyeore, just click on the 'Quote' button above the post and then edit the text (which will be below the reply post area).

Back to Jonboys' original question - the way I introduced myself was to just find the site (I've used it before to advertise, but not really had a chance to scout around) and then to read the forum threads.

Having something to say on most subjects amdram, well I just waded in with my views - and I've been here ever since.

I guess that's how most of us got here!

Bored today, so thought I'd resurrect an old thread.

I moved over from the old discussion board to this one back at the start, but originally chose my group name "Cuddington Players" as my login id and for the first few months only posted specifics enquiries on behalf of the group.

Then dipped a toe in the Really Interesting Stuff. Found it such fun, so nose-dived straight in. After another month or so, Jane amended my login id, as it no longer seemed appropriate for it to be called Cuddington, as I had monopolised it.

The rest as they say is history.

And no I haven't seen any farewell speeches on here, although there do seem to be a few of the occasional posters who have 2 logins. Perhaps they forget they have already registered, as they post so infrequently.

I only found this part of the site in April this year. I originally posted to ask a specific question for a production we were doing at the time and I very quickly got drawn in to the general fun and nonsense. As Claire said, the rest is history. I am now well and truly addicted. I consider everyone on this board as my friend and some have become very good friends. I almost got to meet some of you in the Summer but fate conspired against that so it will be virtual contact only until I get another opportunity.


So if anyone is wondering if they should start posting here I would have to say a resounding YES

Must admit my first post was a dive in head first as well, with a query on Lighting.

I'd just set up our Groups website, and had added a link to FEATS.ORG when I saw the Amdram ring link, Here I am 5 months later, and I can count the days I haven't popped in on one hand

I lurv it, and all who participate I would consider as very good friends.


which if we ever got together it would be the party of the Century, nee, Millenium

I can't remember my first post, but suspect it was the very first post and welcomed everyone to the new board

I had to go back and look. My first post was in reply to a question on how to get someone to look pregnant!!

After that I made infrequent visits to the technical boards.

It's only recently I have digressed to the more general chatty boards.

QUOTE (Uncle Harvey @ Nov 8 2004, 09:05 AM)

I had to go back and look. My first post was in reply to a question on how to get someone to look pregnant!! After that I made infrequent visits to the technical boards. It's only recently I have digressed to the more general chatty boards.

Does that mean we will shortly see you in the chatroom too?

QUOTE (Claire @ Nov 8 2004, 09:29 AM)

QUOTE (Uncle Harvey @ Nov 8 2004, 09:05 AM) I had to go back and look. My first post was in reply to a question on how to get someone to look pregnant!! After that I made infrequent visits to the technical boards. It's only recently I have digressed  to the more general chatty boards. Does that mean we will shortly see you in the chatroom too?

Unfortuatly no. Chatrooms are blocked on our server.

QUOTE (Uncle Harvey @ Nov 8 2004, 11:04 AM)

QUOTE (Claire @ Nov 8 2004, 09:29 AM) QUOTE (Uncle Harvey @ Nov 8 2004, 09:05 AM) I had to go back and look. My first post was in reply to a question on how to get someone to look pregnant!! After that I made infrequent visits to the technical boards. It's only recently I have digressed? to the more general chatty boards. Does that mean we will shortly see you in the chatroom too? Unfortuatly no. Chatrooms are blocked on our server.

Shame

aww well schedule a time when you can access it from home, and i'm sure a bunch of us will make a note and try to join you then