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FrankS · 12-13-2005

Mention was make a few times in the past weeks by newer members of RFF, about the frequent posters being like a closed club, of feeling like they are interrupting a conversation, and feeling ignored.

As one of these frequent posters, I just want to say that there is no reason to be shy about jumping into any conversation here. If you want to be friendly, you will find many folks here happy to chat with you, and build the kind of relationships that exist between those of us who know each other through many posts over too much time spent here at RFF.

If someone is trolling (asking questions or making statements designed to stir up heated debates), then they may very well be ignored because we are so laid-back here at RFF that we generally won't take the bait. If someone comes across harshly and rudely, then they too may be ignored. There is no problem with differing opinions here at RFF, as long as members follow the tone of civility that has been well established here at RFF.

So again, I want to encourage members who may be reticent to join into a conversation, to do so. All you risk is the possibility of making new friends here at RFF.

Byuphoto · 12-13-2005

Here, Here, Frank

Doug · 12-13-2005

Hear, hear, all ye newcomers!

12-13-2005

Good advice for those who want to post.

Frank, is the brown R90/6 yours? I noticed you have the original head covers which look nicer than the more square /7 head ones but are not as strong. I have the square ones and stainless steel mufflers on my silver R75/6 but with 150cc's less. I also have the stainless steel roll-off centre stand. This is why I prefer silver cams.

PS: I was talking Beemers after noticing Frank's in the gallery.

ray_g · 12-13-2005

Good you brought this up, Frank. I totally agree.

raid · 12-13-2005

I am new here, and I already feel at home. This is a friendlier environment that at some other websites. Also, rangefinders have become my preferred tools for photography after using many years SLR systems.

ray_g · 12-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by raid amin

I am new here, and I already feel at home. This is a friendlier environment that at some other websites. Also, rangefinders have become my preferred tools for photography after using many years SLR systems.

I heard Doris just signed up... hehe

Just foolin' with you, Raid

Kim Coxon · 12-13-2005

Hi,
I was just about to start a different thread on a question of etiquette but it fits in rather nicely here. Many members have an RFF name and some use either their full name or a shortened version. Now some with an RFF name sign off with their normal name, for instance just about everyone knows Back Alley is Joe or vice versa

However, sometimes this isn't the case but for some reason or other you get the know their real name. Which should you use in open forum? The main reason I ask this is I have often got confused (not difficult really

) when a real name has been used but I don't know who they are and the context sometimes gets lost. Picking up on Frank's comment, perhaps this one of the reasons that it may seem like a private conversation or closed club.

Kim

PS welcome to everyone!

Skinny McGee · 12-13-2005

As soon as I joined this sight I have always felt comfortable... Much nicer place than others.. If you ask for advice you get great help, even folks going out of their way to help you..
Critiques... kindly constructive..
This one of the first places I go in the morning with coffee...

Thanks Guys and Gals

FrankS · 12-13-2005

Good point, Kim. When I first started here, I saw it as a form of initiation, putting in time reading threads, picking up clues as to who was who and matching real names to nicknames.

sf · 12-13-2005

Thanks Frank, that is very well put. And well timed.

12-13-2005

As one who "wrong footed himself" walking in here - I'm hoping for some indulgences and a second chance.

It's a nice place to visit - might as well live here.

FrankS · 12-13-2005

It's a nice place to visit - might as well live here.

Yep. Pull up a chair and stay a while.

raid · 12-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray_g

I heard Doris just signed up... hehe

Just foolin' with you, Raid

lol ... why does Doris like to "hunt me down" and get nasty?

John · 12-13-2005

Thank you for the invitation and I will do my best to uphold the values of RFF. I will be slowly arranging, (starting), a gallery. I have to come up with an avatar. I want to list my gear.

I have been having a great time participating in RFF and wish you all the best. Please excuse me if I jump into the fray with a dumb idea - that is the nature of conversation.

peter_n · 12-13-2005

Good point Kim. I don't think there is an etiquette about it particularly. I know that rover is really Ralph and hoot is Ronnie and so on and I call them by the first name that comes into my head, sometimes its one and sometimes the other.

Great thread Frank! I've missed the posts you allude to and I'm sorry that some new members feel like that. It means that we all have to make more of an effort to welcome and encourage new members.

Poptart · 12-13-2005

Come ride the little train that is rolling down the tracks to the junction.
Forget about your cares, it is time to relax at the junction.
Lotsa curves, you bet - even more when you get to the junction.

There’s a little hotel called the Shady Rest at the junction.
It is run by Kate, come and be her guest at the junction.
And that’s Uncle Joe, he’s a movin’ kind of slow at the junction.

Gabriel M.A. · 12-13-2005

I am often ignored, and I don't take it personally. I don't think "being ignored" should be taken as "a sign" of anything. People decide to make comments on other comments that made a bigger impression on them, as simple as that. Some people, in their "attempt" of not being ignored, go to such lengths as being trollish or "thinking out loud" without regard to the actual RFF community.

One must also be conscious of the fact that here at RFF there is a cross-cultural mix, and most English-speakers tend to assume that with the mere fact of speaking English comes U.S./Canadian/UK cultural traits. Even between them they can't agree between biscuits and cookies, and what "football" is. Not starting a flame war --- just pointing out something out that must be pointed out because to some "it's a given".

With the lack of faces and voices and expressions (and utter mishandling of language), the Internet becomes ripe for misunderstandings. So, before jumping to any conclusions: ask. Mind yourself. Remember that first and foremost we're here because we have a common interest, and we love what we do. Nobody is always right (an exception to the "all generalizations are wrong" axiom).

Ask. Share. There are hundreds and hundreds of us. It's not just you or me or them. It's us. And again, if sometimes you don't get a response, it may be that traffic is low; perhaps nobody has really congruent to say. Sometimes I'm so busy that typing an essay trying to catch up with my own mind is such a task that I just say to myself "somebody else will say what I'll say anyway". Sometimes it doesn't happen. Most of us --I gather-- are either the busy type or the retired type, not the type that is literally glued to the screen all day trying to fetch the next question.

That said... Blah blah blah blah blah.

Ooops. Sorry, Mr. Speaker. I yield my time.

Gabriel M.A. · 12-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poptart

Come ride the little train that is rolling down the tracks to the junction.
Forget about your cares, it is time to relax at the junction.
Lotsa curves, you bet - even more when you get to the junction.

There’s a little hotel called the Shady Rest at the junction.
It is run by Kate, come and be her guest at the junction.
And that’s Uncle Joe, he’s a movin’ kind of slow at the junction.

What's "Petticoat", Alex?

cbass · 12-13-2005

I'll add my two cents here...as a relative newcomer to RFF, I'll confess to lurking for a while before actually registering and making posts. That "toe in the water" gave me a good opportunity to learn what the forum was like and whether or not I could particiapte and make a positive contribution.

It's a fun, friendly forum -- Jorge and the membership are to be congratulated for their efforts in making RFF a desirable place to come and chat and learn about photography. I've certainly gleaned a lot of useful info from RFF and I hope to be able to return the favor to other members.

And finally, happy holidays and may you all find peace, good health and good light in the coming year.

Todd.Hanz · 12-13-2005

welcome to the newbies, now...who brought the virtual beer?

Todd

DougK · 12-13-2005

I think Stu has some in his avatar to share

Biggles · 12-13-2005

How anyone could label fifty adult men with cat avatars as unfriendly is beyond me.

back alley · 12-13-2005

this is what i like, friendly conversation and sharing.

i also like to think of rff as us, not me or you alone.

there is much good information here and it is usually shared in a non confrontational manner.
if comments get out of hand it is usually handled well.

if people do get out of hand, they also are handled, usually in a private and firm manner.

considering the number of members and the traffic here i have been fortunate in having to ban only a very few people.
second chances are freely given and usually respectfully accepted.

this is a good place.

joe

losta · 12-13-2005

This seems to be a pretty nice place. I've seen many posters get jumped all over for no reason on other forums (DPReview). People claiming they dominate photography (I never heard anything so stupid).

Everyone here seems pretty supportive. Though it's really expensive, visiting these forums makes me want to buy all kinds of cameras and lenses.