Viewing Thread:
"The Importance Of Being ... Noobish?"

I've come here (to my computer) to discuss something which I think contributes to the ethos of the gameaday forums. That thing is being a newbie. I use the SR forums as an example because of its main pulling point, winning a free game. This is generally what attracts people to this site and henceforth, affects the first post made by a JAT. This post will usually be long winded, trying to go against the stereotyping of a noobs first post, but ending up to actually be a stereotypical first post, because everyone had the same thought. After the initial shock of being a typical newbie, the noob will then read every single post on the topic and make short snappy replies to them all ensuring everyone dismisses them as a spamming idiot. But most people underestimate the importance of the newbie to such a forum as these ones. Amongst the regulars, there is a mass hatred of posting constantly, or spamming, simply because in an online community, it is considered annoying, very much so, a matter of online etiquette. The fact that newbies reply all the time, this gives a regular, an opportunity to say something seemingly intelligent and much degredating towards the newbie, pointing out mistakes that they have made, and contributing their own point of view, getting online credit for showing the newbie that he actually doesn't know what he's talking about and by showing him what would be the more acceptable thing to say or point out. Thus, it is so that the newbie actually forms the basis of a conversation, or ruins it, because the newbies are the cogs inbetween the proper posts by the regulars and the notables that keep threads running, keeping the forums at a constant pace, and giving feedback to everything. In this case, the noobs are the fundamental cogs on which replies can be aimed at in threads.

Newbies, also play a psychological role in posting in these forums. Noobs are constantly undermined as losers, whereas most regulars are well respected, the fact that regulars tend to stick together and occasionally make a derogatory statement towards newbies, most will agree, and stick together giving, the regulars a sense of companion ship, and happiness, knowing that people agree with them. The noob on the other hand, will generally not be discouraged through this, on the contrary, they will probably just try harder to write more intelligent sounding articles, but again, most regulars will refuse to acknowledge this. Not because they think that it was a bad post, but because it wouldn't be accepted for a notable to congratulate a newbie. These kinds of forums rely on a special equilibrium between noobs, notables and regulars, like a less complicated food cycle.

Finally, the heaviest burden is placed upon the staff who decide actually win the GAD. If you spot a longish thread, chances are that the user who posted it, wants a new game. This can discourage people, because there is no heart in the article, and that the user just can't be ar*ed to earn some money. If you were to ask me what the newbies greatest achievement was, I would tell you that they are not delusional about the SR forums are. They know that they are making posts on SR to win free games, and the point is, Lots of regulars try to seem so innocent, but if they just wanted to talk about games, (not win games through topical posts) then they should just find a different gaming forum site. Newbies accept this, but when they turn into regulars, they will try to fit in with the other regulars (as the name suggests) and will be in denial about why they are on it because most regulars are.

That is why I view newbies just as important as regulars, and notables. Think about this post. It might actually make sense.

torticollis.

Asher D wrote:
> Yes, we all come here for GAD mainly

I have to say, this really isn't true in my case. I have won one GAD, but that was an 'accident'.

If I came here purely for the gad then I'd be posting endless amounts of long posts, fortunately my little brain doesn't have the capacity to write that much stuff.
I think that in all the time I have been on here I have conciously made 2 attempts at winning a gad, and neither of them won.

anyway I made my first online purchase from sr a couple of weeks ago ( I mainly get things from the basildon store) a nice set of altec lansing speakers ( £29.99 )

yes...

now i posted this. Torticollis is the one who should be banned. My torticollis was banned and now Ii have to use this when toricolllis used loads of insulting words and got me banned

now i posted this. Toricollis is the one who should be banned. My torticollis was banned and now Ii have to use this when toricolllis used loads of insulting words and got me banned

psycot332 wrote:
> now i posted this. Torticollis is the one who should be banned.

gah. I meant toricolllis should be banned. See, even hes confussing me and i was torticollis.

I got unbanned.

torticollis wrote:
> I got unbanned.

Well done mate it's not like they are over sensitive on this forum

I mean what ever happened to sticks and stones might break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

well they kicked me and i got back up again. I deserve a GADfor emotional hassle of them banning my username!

This is a brilliant post, althought I think you may have looked a little too deep with the "psychological" thing. It is true and everyone conveniently forgets their days as a newbie with the tacky red name and people looking down on them. Just because your name is purple doesnt mean your post is going to be a brilliant read and you are going to have a gramatical advantage over a newbie.

When I was a newbie I won two of the 3 GAD's I have now, proving that its not just regulars who win. As in any community there is discrimination, however if it is racist or sexist you are banned for it, if you pick on newbies and JAT's you arent.

In my special reserve musical, I said you had promise torticollis, and you certainly proved that you can write a fantastic post and get your point of view across without sayin, "shut up you big bully regulars or Ill hack you."

Well done.