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kazbates · 03-25-2009, 10:09 AM

As another new member, I too have been intimidated by the Lounge forum. I don't understand many of the inside jokes either and feel much like the new kid at school - wanting to make connections but feeling as if I am intruding. Although, I will say that my feelings are based more on my own perceptions than by any interaction with the posters to MobileRead. For the most part, people have been friendly and welcoming no matter what subforum to which I am posting.

I came to MobileRead looking for information about my new reader and found a great place for lively discussions on topics near and dear to my heart. I generally read the topic of a thread and if it looks like something that would be interesting to me, I start reading. If I decide I have anything of value to contribute, I wade in to the stream. Occasionally these threads go off topic for a short while, but eventually return to the main reason for the posting. I have learned just as much from a thread when it goes off topic as I have with the original intent of the post. However, I get very frustrated when these threads get hijacked and degenerate into something else. When that happens, I just stop reading the thread. What that means is that if the thread does get back on topic, I will have missed information that may have been of value or interest to me.

I don't know whether a new sub-forum will help. I do feel that people who begin threads in the Lounge should do so with the understanding that it could degenerate into silliness. Consequently, perhaps a separate forum would keep that from happening, which I would grately appreciate. However, I think it all boils down to common courtesy. I have never been shy about posting my opinion, but I try to do it without insulting anyone and by being courteous to the other posters on that thread, many of whom are not there for the banter but are there to discuss a topic that they find interesting and of some value. If you have a tendency toward the absurd, that's great! Just be aware of whether or not it is appropriate to the discussion.

Kaz

03-25-2009, 10:09 AM	#143
kazbates Wizard Posts: 2,627 Karma: 406616 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Device: SurfacePro, SurfaceBook 2	As another new member, I too have been intimidated by the Lounge forum. I don't understand many of the inside jokes either and feel much like the new kid at school - wanting to make connections but feeling as if I am intruding. Although, I will say that my feelings are based more on my own perceptions than by any interaction with the posters to MobileRead. For the most part, people have been friendly and welcoming no matter what subforum to which I am posting. I came to MobileRead looking for information about my new reader and found a great place for lively discussions on topics near and dear to my heart. I generally read the topic of a thread and if it looks like something that would be interesting to me, I start reading. If I decide I have anything of value to contribute, I wade in to the stream. Occasionally these threads go off topic for a short while, but eventually return to the main reason for the posting. I have learned just as much from a thread when it goes off topic as I have with the original intent of the post. However, I get very frustrated when these threads get hijacked and degenerate into something else. When that happens, I just stop reading the thread. What that means is that if the thread does get back on topic, I will have missed information that may have been of value or interest to me. I don't know whether a new sub-forum will help. I do feel that people who begin threads in the Lounge should do so with the understanding that it could degenerate into silliness. Consequently, perhaps a separate forum would keep that from happening, which I would grately appreciate. However, I think it all boils down to common courtesy. I have never been shy about posting my opinion, but I try to do it without insulting anyone and by being courteous to the other posters on that thread, many of whom are not there for the banter but are there to discuss a topic that they find interesting and of some value. If you have a tendency toward the absurd, that's great! Just be aware of whether or not it is appropriate to the discussion. Kaz