41 replies to this topic

[ompa]

lol if that's to me, thanks. But I just want to state this- look at the age group that you are dealing with, I mean some of us are in our late teens early 20's, and some of the newer people on the forums are probably in their early teens. Many might think that they are annoying, but I'm willing to bet that many of us were just like that when we were younger... Best to put up with it and deal with them how we dealt with people we were that age... I have several friends that are interested in nerfing, one of them more than others, but he's kinda annoying, so I'll introduce him to the community when I think he's ready. For the record, I am 15 personally. BTW tait(a)... potatoes? Hell yeah. good stuff.

~ompa

Edited by ompa, 19 March 2004 - 06:16 PM.

[Zero Talent]

What seems to be missing from previous generations are constructive posts, from so-called "Vets."

When I first signed onto Nerf Online, I was a dork whose first idea was swatted down by GreggT123 (or some such name) because my idea turned a 6-shot, low range semi-automatic into another one-shot-wonder with low accuracy. I was also claiming over 100' ranges, which wasn't really trendy at the time.

Anways, the point is that he smacked the idea down by saying why it wasn't so good, and suggesting how I could improve the idea. He never used the word "n00b," or any of its many variations. I thrived because of people like that. Helpful people who had patience, and realised that a new member doesn't know as much as them, and doesn't necessarily want to wade through all the half-assed, blog-like rant we sometimes like to call "posts," bloated by useless banter, archaic or incorrect information, and (more commonly now) idea flaming.

If you want to call yourself a constructive member of the community, help the new guys. Don't just leech off newbie ideas, while plotting away how to claim fame in an internet forum by climbing on the backs of those more vulnerable (such as new members who make mistakes), and reaching for a suitably unique idea that you can lay your name to. Only cool kids like Faraday and Stefan get that honor.

I realize that this takes more patience than you give your FPS, ISP, written language, and local McDonalds, but if you want "constructive members," you have to show the new guys how to be one.

[I'm not a prime example, because I've taken a back seat in the wake of new mod questions, like those surrounding Night Finders and Max Shots, which I do not own. Sniper5000 and I served our time on NO before it was disowned, and my knowledge and interest have faded since I nerfed actively. Congrats to Janga, Webbzter, and many others (whose names I quickly forget because I have poor aptitude) who have been helping out the new guys in their more active of times. That kind of action makes these forums useful.]

Ompa, congrats on doing your homework beforehand, it definitely helps get things running smoothly, especially in this particular environment. Any particular things you noticed that could use better organization? Mods, accessories, ammo summaries? Anything you can think of would be a valuble asset in proper organization of previous knowledge.

[ompa]

Actually, I love the place currently, The topics are currently well-seperated (sorry in lack of a better descriptive word), and CXWQ does a good job of keeping everyone in line. My only complaint is it needs more members, but the community will grow in time I suppose. I've read a bunch of the articles, and about all but one of the mods; I love the descriptions here, the pictures are almost all great, and have been invaluable in helping mod my nerf guns. That's why I'm here at these forums. I like the site, as well as the layout, and it's really a helpful place for the most part. No complaints here, except for the thing about more members.

~ompa

[cxwq]

Glad you like the site.

As far as membership goes, I joined the online nerf community about 3 years ago and I don't think it has changed in size much during that time. Bit of a dip when NO died out, climbed back up slowly over the next year, but now seems to be leveling off again.

As a related aside, the community seems to want two forums. When there is only one viable forum, things go to hell quickly. When there are more than two, people tend to drift towards two of them.

[MysticFalcon182]

I joined the online nerf community about 3 years ago

Really? It seems like you've been around much longer... Hm... Only around half a year before I joined... Maybe it's because you're older

Nerf is dying... Yet living... This constant tug-of-war creates what I call the bouncy effect, causing people to lose interest quick, yet some still stick with it... Meh.

Promoting Nerf further may also help. If everyone on the boards introduced Nerf to two people, well, we'd me much farther than we are today.

~Mystic~

[ompa]

True, but the problem is getting someone who will stick with it, not just leave after a week. And with the kids I'm dealing with (around my age of 15), it's hard to keep their attention unless females are involved, particularly good-looking ones. Those that are interested around here have no life (like me) or are extremely annoying since they've been alone for so long. The only real way to keep nerf thriving is to get the younger generation enthused about it. I mean, many people that nerf are late teens and college, and once they get a family, nerfing will be more difficult (unless you got one hell of a kick-ass wife). The new generation is one of nerf's only hopes for survival, too bad it involves a majority of annoying people.

~ompa

[MysticFalcon182]

Hm... I'm 14. No, good-looking girls do not distract me, no I'm straight, it's something else... Oh well, I don't really want to talk about it here :-/

The problem still being the fact that Nerf is a dying sport, or game for that matter. It needs to flourish and expand.

I'm tired, too...

~Mystic~

[taita cakes]

many people that nerf are late teens and college, and once they get a family, nerfing will be more difficult (unless you got one hell of a kick-ass wife).

cx....... julie....
or so i've been told, correct me if im wrong, i tend not to delve into the lives of fire breathing mods, who have the ability to flame me, with their... witty retorts.. and ..... fire breath.....

[cxwq]

Yeah, User 3 happens to be my very own kick-ass wife.

[ompa]

I did say most, didn't I? I'm 15 and not distracted about 99% of the time. I'm simply saying it's hard for older and older people to play, my suggestion is to simply try to make the younger generation more interested. BTW, Cx has a wife that nerfs?! That's awesome. Wouldn't it be nice to find a girl around my area who nerfs...

~ompa

[Pineapple]

I'm simply saying it's hard for older and older people to play, my suggestion is to simply try to make the younger generation more interested...

Hey, watch it, sonny.

If I told you how old I am, you'd be pretty shocked to know that some old farts do in fact, Nerf, modify, and all that good stuff.

I am a bit older than cxwq, is all I'll tell you.

If all there is to Nerfing is trying to make some kind of a bloody war simulation (as those on NHQ always discuss), than it will get very old, very quickly. Creative thinking is the key to keeping the hobby fresh and fun.

I use Nerfing as a way to teach team dynamics and working together to acheive a common goal. That, and to have a heck of a lot of fun running around outside, which I think many older folks have to do more often. Especially with their kids.

Cx and I are probably the luckiest men on Earth, having married women who actually enjoy Nerfing (well, my wife doesn't run around much outside, but when I forget to take the trash out, and I see that red light focused on my chest, well...you know...)

[ompa]

Come on now, I didn't mean older people won't nerf, my friend's dad does sometimes... I'm simply saying that for many it's harder, don't beat on me for speaking for the majority of the population. At least in my area alright? It's considered very weird to own over 2 nerf guns in a household around here...

~ompa

Edited by ompa, 21 March 2004 - 12:43 PM.

[cxwq]

Ompa, we don't doubt the validity of your generalization - it's pretty obvious that the vast majority of people who are seriously into nerf are roughly 13-22 years old. Personally, I think we specifically need to target the older generation however. Ideally we get HS students to take their guns with them to college and convert people there, and we keep college students interested even after they leave college. We end up with a group of people who can afford guns, have the mentality to be useful leaders of the community and organize wars, and pass the love of nerf on to their own kids.

None of this is intended as a slight to the younger nerfers here. As older guys can defy expectations and nerf, many younger guys defy expectations and act maturely. Generalization, in general, sucks. <g>


Lone Fox,

Hey umm Cx, no offense bro ... you kinda look really young

Why in the world would a 31 year old be offended that someone thinks he looks young? Actually, several people who've attended those wars thought Spoon was older - he's 21. Must be all the hair...

[Grinch]

Actually, several people who've attended those wars thought Spoon was older - he's 21. Must be all the hair...

Really? My dad thought he was well over thirty.

You're right. Must be the hair.

[VACC]

The trick is to act like a jackass to the point where no other adult will believe you're above the age of 15, despite physical appearances. That's my fountain of youth bitches!

VACC

[MysticFalcon182]

The trick is to act like a jackass to the point where no other adult will believe you're above the age of 15, despite physical appearances. That's my fountain of youth bitches!

VACC

Haha...

I actually like the converse, when people think I'm older... On several message boards, because of my choice of vocabulary and language, people think I'm around 17... W00t!

~Mystic~