Since 1995. #1 in Snow
If you are new to on-line communities then this page will help you get a feel for what to expect as you participate. If you have spent time at other on-line communites then you will probably enjoy the read just the same.
Forum life on ski.com.au has much history and has many social layers. Each seperate Topic Forum has it's own character and characters, and every Forum is in a constant state of flux as social norms form, evolve, revolt and return to a new equilibium in a constant cycle of growth. These cycles generally seem to take about three to four months and with each cycle new members join, some old members fade away and some people join and leave within the cycle. Each cycle adds another layer to the social fabric and the result is usually an overall increase in the level of maturity and sophistication that the ski.com.au forums enjoy.
Initially some people find the ski.com.au Forums a bit overwhelming as they try to come to grips with all the personeas, the cliques, the etiquette and the connections between people. These Forums are just like any social environment... there is a lot going on that is not immediately apparent to the newcomer. Make the right splash and you will be welcomed with all the enthusiasim of a New Years Eve party. Overstep the mark and you will find yourself on the outer like an unwelcome used car salesman.
History Note:
This post was first published by Malibu after a "Forum Happening" which created much stirring and many people went on a witch hunt trying to uncover the identity of the central figure and the truth behind their actions. With Malibu's kind permission the list is reprinted here with minimal editing.
"The User Names that people post under aren't directly equivalent to real identities. Even if you think they should be, they aren't and cannot be. Thus, if you just link one User Name to another (eg, Eric Cartmann = VSG; FJ = Malibu) you haven't solved any kind of real-life mystery. And the issue at hand is both less important, and more complex, than some seem to realise.
There's a long history on the Forums of phony characters created to stir up those who are vulnerable to such mischief. Eric Cartmann, Sir No-One, Guy Incognito, cr@pdoor and company are the bastard sons of CSG, Dr Evil, Satan, Blue Blazer, The Frogs Boss et al. None of them have been particularly provocative or compelling; they don't really qualify as DB personae because they don't work within the community dynamic.
I used to exercise my grey matter trying to identify the members behind them by analysing language use, posting times etc, but it's not worth the effort. From time to time existing members have registered alternative User Names for various harmless purposes. Few of these last longer than a couple of posts.
Another minor sub-species is the overactive unlurker; the Weather forum is plagued with these in winter, as newbies create multiple profiles so they can get some numbers behind their own forecasts (or maybe they just forget their passwords and have to re-register).
Yet another category of persona is the friendly enigma: members who are active within the community on-line but keep a strict, fixed gap between their Forum identities and their real lives. I don't criticise this approach; it has its merits. These members share certain information with the community but only up to a point; in particular, they don't join in public activities. Examples, with due respect to both parties, include VSG and SkiMun
In another category are provocateurs such as Bearkeeper and his half-dozen aliases. Actually, I can't think of anyone who belongs in the same pigeonhole; certainly no-one has spent as much time on the Forums while apparently scorning the community. Some of us have tried to link Bearkeeper to an exisiting member but, I have to say, to no avail. I guess he's just a member in his own right.
Maybe he's aligned with pest posters like Randy, VD, Vinter and the Shaunster (remember him?), who launch attacks on members individually and collectively out of malice or resentment (or psychosis) and/or bombard the board with spam and provactive statements.
There's another questionable character whose name will be familiar to longer-term members: sexylegs. God knows which category she belongs in; probably the bait bucket with Miss Carrie.
A final category is the new User Name for old member. Some members need to switch to a new alias to mask the extent of their posting from the workplace. Others have had their profiles 'hammoed' (ie destroyed) and simply start afresh. I don't have such a good reason; I've changed my DB User Name a number of times, each time for the sole reason that I just felt like it. I trash the old one and take up the new. Some people do find this extremely objectionable, which is unfortunate. FWIW I'm in good company, with Crystal, Fisher's Ghost, Ben Zeenees, RAGER, Silver Brumby, and... er... Vinter/Hiver Saison (not a good role model). Even Don Corleone tried it once. There's no deceit, no pretence - it's not a new identity, just a new identifier.
So there's my field guide to DB persona wildlife. If you want to go sleuthing my advice is: know which type of beast you're stalking, don't lose sight of the distinction between User Name and real human beings, and don't assume evil motives where none exist."
To Malibu's observations we add a number of additional character types;
Old Timers
They have been here for years. They have seen it all before. Sometimes they growl at the ineptitude of the newbies and seem mostly bored with the place yet for no apparent reason they are still here.
Lord of the Flies
Constantly posturing for social position, the Lord of the Flies thrives on the sense of belonging that they get out of being part of the gang. They are often seen intimidating newbies.
Controversy Lovers
These people see the Forums as a quick and easy means of guaging societies attitude to anything. Controversy Lovers will spark debate on a new social, political or religious issue even before the flames of the previous debate have subsided.
Help Files
Help files serve one purpose and that is to go to all lengths to help others and answer their questions. Help Files are the life blood of Q&A but can turn up anywhere.
Social Butterflies
Have no interest in the snow really.. they just like hanging out at on-line communities.
Blow-ins
Blow-ins come in two types. Type A has been around for years but only shows up during the snow season. Type B arrives with much enthusiasm for the community then disappears suddenly a few weeks or so later - never to be heard of again.
Summer Distance Runners
Summer Distance Runners arrive during the snow season then manage to stick it out all summer. Sticking it out all summer buys plenty of cred with the long time members. Usually SDR's are hooked by the off-line social activites and end up evolving into regular members.
Regular Members
Regular Members are, well.. pretty much just regular everyday sort of people who don't rock the boat and play by the rules and have a good time enjoying the community. Most people are Regular Members
Rocks of Stability
Similar to Old Timers in that they have been around for longer than most - but their very presence is comforting and their constant social maturity sets an example to all and keeps the place from turning into civil war.
Volunteer Moderators
Sno-Troopers, Forum Police, DB Hitlers.. the Volunteer Moderators get called all sorts of things and always unfairly because being a Volunteer Moderator is a tough job. The Volunteer Moderators role is to ensure that the Etiqutte and Posting Guidelines are adhered to. Without the Volunteer Moderators the place would be overun with appalling behavior. They do this thankless task for absolutely nothing! Nothing, no T-shirts, no free caps, no free beer, nothing. Can you believe that?
Administrators
There are only two administrators. We are the ones with the real names. This is our place. We built ski.com.au and everyone is welcome so long as you play by the rules. We try to emulate Rocks of Stability but unfortunately we lose it from time to time and get cranky with people who self-rightously demand the freedom to do as they please on our web site. Sometimes we snub ugly personea out of existance for the greater good of the Forums, that's our job. We never provide your details or email address to any third parties - never ever.
We hope this page helps you get a better feel for our ski.com.au community. Enjoy it while you are here.
Richard, Pete & Ian.
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