17 replies to this topic

[Jaynerf176]

Hello NerfHaven,
My name is Jay and I just recently got involved in the Nerf community. I can't help but feel quite a bit of hostility on this forum, I am also on the OMW forum and I don't feel at all nervous posting stuff there but on here I am weary of making comments for fear of unanticipated backlash. From the threads that I've read I have seen users arguing with one another over stuff that's really trivial, there's a tension on this site that I can't help but notice.
Is it just me?

[Exo]

No, it's just that the moderators are more like dictators, and the majority of posting members are noobs, and they each have very strong opinions. NRev's (the only other serious AND active modding site) much more laid back.

[Jaynerf176]

Ah... so don't do anything to piss off the moderators?

[Carbon]

Pretty much. Follow the new user's guide and the and the CoC and you'll be fine. At NH, it's all about good content and good communication.

(It's worth noting that Nerfhaven has mellowed considerably over the years. Warning system? P'shaw. Permabans used to be given out so often that you could buy a shirt at the NH cafepress store with the moderator ban message on it.)

[Jaynerf176]

Wow, sounds pretty crazy! Although, I suppose that's a smart way to capitalize on something that users normally avoid.

[DartSlinger]

I am weary (sic) of making comments for fear of unanticipated backlash.

Basically, don't post unless you have a legitimate question or something worthwhile to add. Carbon's advice is excellent. If you follow the New Users Guide and the CoC, you're not going to get warned or banned. I've also found it helpful to think about and re-read my posts before posting. You'll get the hang of it.

it's just that the moderators are more like dictators

True, but they also have to run a tight ship. I mean, if someone's not contributing and being annoying, why not warn them.

[Jaynerf176]

Seems like pretty common sense stuff, thanks for the tips.

[Langley]

I can't help but feel quite a bit of hostility on this forum, I am also on the OMW forum and I don't feel at all nervous posting stuff there but on here I am weary of making comments for fear of unanticipated backlash. From the threads that I've read I have seen users arguing with one another over stuff that's really trivial, there's a tension on this site that I can't help but notice.
Is it just me?

The moderators here hold members to a standard that might seem a little high for a site that is centered around a line of children's toys. Aside from a recent thread where we basically had a lynch mob just for the good old nostalgic fun of it, we're usually pretty reasonable. Unfortunately, because of the spectacular way we've dealt with punishing people who legitimately deserve it, some of our members have taken this as a cue that it's okay to act like a raging asshole to anyone with a registration date that comes after their own. My advice would be to take any criticism from our members with a grain of salt. Try to contribute something of value when you post, and you won't have any problems.

[Jaynerf176]

Thanks! I will be sure to keep all that in mind when I post.

[pinhead52]

One thing nobody seems to have hit on is the why. Without operator action, internet communities tend toward idiocy and random douchebaggery. This forum isn't a community in the sense that you will post a picture of your new mod and get three pages of "gj, bro!", but instead a community to share information. When you put up something you found or discovered, the only responses that will actually lead to advancement of the sport will be criticism or additional ideas, so those are the responses that are encouraged. As a result, it seems like everyone is mean.

And as far as pissing off the mods, a lot of us do it from time to time, just learn from your mistakes and you'll be fine.

[Draconis]

From the threads that I've read I have seen users arguing with one another over stuff that's really trivial...

I can't help but think that this is directed at me. It's so nice to be noticed!

[Jaynerf176]

I can't help but think that this is directed at me. It's so nice to be noticed!

hahaha it wasn't really aimed at anyone, it was just an overall feeling I was getting from a lot of people on the forum. However, now I understand where it comes from and why people are that way.

[therealnerfjunkies]

Take everyone else's advice. I have been warned once for backseat moderating and for being a dumbass/asshole. Hey, I deserved to be warned. I didn't get mad at the mod. Just make sure you comments have a meaning to them instead of "yea muan, Datt gun si sck". The mods are pretty reasonable. I met IceNine at YANO and he is pretty a cool guy. Very welcoming too, as it was my first war.

[Jaynerf176]

Thanks, I'm a lot more at ease now. I've just been hesitant to take that first step and get involved in conversations.

[Samurai kidd]

Quick list of helpful tips:
1: Read the COC. Seriously. It's not even that long.

2: Don't wag your dick in someone else's thread. e.g. Going to someone's coupler mod and telling them that your brass breech is better. It just makes you look like a dick. (However; if you replicate the writeup and have something to add or something to ask, go ahead and post.)

3: Don't backseat mod. The report button is just as easy to use as the reply button. If your jimmies get really rustled, send them a PM before doing anything else.

4: Don't post useless/trivial information or ask for it. Asking for explanations of a concept is fine, but when you ask for something like "what spring should I use for my nitefinder" or "what is a good re-barreling material" you will get flamed. Especially if you make an entire new thread about it.

People have the misconception that NIC nerfers are elitists and range whores. This isn't neccecarily the case, people here just hate useless posts that clutter the site. Just think before you post and you should be alright. And remember, this is nerf, have some fun.

[481IceDragon]

I believe the term is called keyboard warrior. In some situations, people feel stronger, or tougher yelling at someone online, when In actual real world, they wouldn't have said anything, and if they did, they wouldn't be so rude, because they don't want other people to dislike them. Or beat their ass. It's got more to do with being online, you can create your own identity and be whoever you choose, and no ones the wiser.
That's just my opinion.

But about the moderators, they're just trying to keep the site clean, uncluttered, and absent of major idiots, so that everybody can learn things and not have to sort through three pages of trolling, spam, and other garbage.

And then again, some people are just Mad at the world..

Edited by 481IceDragon, 04 February 2013 - 09:45 PM.

[Daniel Beaver]

Dawwww, isn't this just the most feel-good thread?

[ShaNayNay]

May I point something out real quick? Lately people have been extending arguments and points brought up in threads waaaay past the point of the question being answered. This thread is an example; Langley came and gave a straight up answer to the question being asked. Why do twenty more replies, made by people not really even relevant to the matter, need to be made? It's just silly and almost always ends in the topic getting locked. I don't mean to rant, I just want to bring this to everyone's attention so that it may stop.