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Feature: Through a Newbies Eyes |
Posted by
PrismKat on Wednesday, August 07, 2002 - 04:13 AM PST
Picture it. You're just minding you're business, wandering around the streets of the Internet, when you end up outside a dark "cool" looking place. People are constantly running in and out, some thrown out and others voluntarily leaving in a huff. Intrigued, you enter, glancing at the darkly glowing sign above the door. "Shmeng."
Inside, it seems like a circus, library, heaven, and hell all rolled up into one bursting blob of humanity. As a new person, you are given a nametag. Thinking hard and glancing around, inspiration strikes. You jot down your name as "dArK vAmPyRe mYsTrYsS oF tHe NyGhT." Feeling proud, you strut out into the middle of this place. A few glance over at you, at your name, and dismiss you. Some nudge their friends and chuckle. Others don't even notice you, which seems slightly worse. Looking around, you see the other newbies. All have the same bright-eyed excited puppy look about them, sloppily concealed by white makeup and a forced brooding look. And, the nametags. Most have a name they seem to be regretting now. Others in the crowd have no tag, but everyone recognizes them. They are the regulars. A few are the Saints, with dark halos and various implements of their specialty. And you see him now, passing through the crowd like Moses parting the sea, the Deity. The Webmaster. Other newbies are falling to their faces and bowing, even some regulars do so. Others just give an approving nod and go back to whatever they were doing.
Awed, you fall back into the crowd, and head towards the back. There is a cleared circle around a podium, and someone is up there speaking. People applaud and nod thoughtfully, and the being gets down. Wanting to fit in, to get your 15 minutes of fame, to elicit thoughtful nods of your own, you sprint over, intending to get up there. As you make your way, thoughts percolate through your head, and you notice rules posted on the walls. (No Poetry, Whining, Diary Entries, etc.) You could go up there and make a fool of yourself, break some social code you don't know of, or repeat what someone already said. But before you even get to the self-doubt and embarrassment, you have to make it to the podium. Easy enough. There is a door with a single cryptic word scrawled into it. "Submit." A name, command, or warning?
More than slightly nervous, you go in. There is a group of giants with the word "editor" tattooed on their head. They are the ones guarding the walkway to the podium. To get up there, you have to get past them. One looks over and grins, cracking their knuckles. Shaken, you back out, diving past the door aptly named and towards a few small groups near another wall. A sign, "Forums", hangs from the ceiling. Perhaps here would be better, a place to earn some recognition without the stress of "Submitting". Many of the people are newbies like yourself, easily picked out with the bright eyes and bravado. Half are eager, shouting out whatever thought pops into their head. The other half watches carefully, seeing what the regulars do and commenting quietly. A little sign attached to the nametag keeps count of how many comments each person makes. Looking at your own, "0 comments, Coward", ruefully you smile and walk away.
This time, you spot a tiny dark corner where people are randomly saying whatever comes into their heads, but instead of seeming rude such as in the "Forums", it's amusing. But, there is also some attention that comes with each comment. Whoever spoke last has a tiny spotlight focused on them, drawing eyes until someone else speaks up. Too nervous to even have that much of the public eye, you sit back by the bar. Watching. Trying to learn the ways of this new interesting place. Waiting for your courage to get up. And slowly, you turn into one of the little statues you hadn't noticed before. A lurker.
Welcome to Shmeng.
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Average Rating : 5.0
Total ratings : 5
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Through a Newbies Eyes | Login/Create an account | 35 Comments |
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by Meranda_Jade (Meranda@mymind.com)
on Aug 07, 2002 - 05:45 AM
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Wow, I had no idea it was that intidimating.... but of course it would be. Thanks for bringing it to my attention in such a colorful, easy to understand way. I think maybe there should be a greeter at the door, someone who can pay attention to when there's a new person, and private message them for a bit, get them cozy... Maybe a new deity position available for someone. Any volunteers?
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Re: Re: Through a Newbies Eyes by Sin_of_God on Aug 07, 2002 - 07:08 AM (User info | Send a Message) http://www.feenelveneno.com | Nah, that would spoil all the fun, wouldn't it?
I think that the first days in website are always like that: intimidating but somehow FUN. Sort of like the first day in an AA reunion, only you can go for a drink afterwards.
(Standing up from his seat) hello, I'm Sin_of_God and I'm a newbie. |
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Re: Re: Through a Newbies Eyes by Keltin (lanthanein@earthlink.net) on Aug 07, 2002 - 12:07 PM (User info | Send a Message) http://home.earthlink.net/~lanthanein/ | I can agree that at first, it is a bit scary and uncertain. That all fades though, after you build up the strength and post a few times, or send some people a private message. What seems to be a dark, foreboding area, is really just a group of people like yourself.
Although it may be nice to have a person who can help the newbies out, the question arises, do any of us have the time to put into it?
In the meantime, all I can offer to the newbies, is to post a few times, seek out other members, and talk to them, ask questions if you need to. |
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by Xaoswolf (Xaoswolf at hotmail dot com)
on Aug 07, 2002 - 06:21 AM
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*Puts cattleprod back into back pocket*
I guess it must be a little scary to the little tykes
*pats one of the wide eyed newbies on the head*
they are kinda cute
*presses button on cattle prod*
OOOHHHH, that's what daddy likes....
*stumbles into a dark corner*
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by Shade (Shade@Gothcult.com)
on Aug 07, 2002 - 11:42 AM
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Very nicely done PrismKat, I really enjoyed the flow of this as well as the overall story. You've definately got a future in this if you want it.
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by Devin (devin-at-vibechild-dot-com)
on Aug 07, 2002 - 12:20 PM
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http://devin.vibechild.com/
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When someone's first article is something like this, I always wonder how many more people like this we have hiding here. You kick ass. A lot. Post more please.
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by dead_cry on Aug 07, 2002 - 06:44 PM
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Woha me likes that a lotttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!! you'r dam good
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by Psychopixi on Aug 08, 2002 - 03:35 AM
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Thank you for summing up exactly what I was feeling (but was a little too ineloquent to describe). It *is* really intimidating at first, especially as most of the regulars here are adult and seem to be so knowledgeable!
The style of your writing is simply fabulous and I really, really enjoyed reading this article, so thanks!
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by IamSquid (AAA@sockmonkeys.net)
on Aug 08, 2002 - 10:42 AM
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Well, I'm still a newbie and most people here seem to accept mee. I still get along pretty-well with the people who have problems with mee here. Even after embarassing myself horribly the first week I was here.
These are the "rules" I'd reccomend to surviving Shmeng:
Don't be afraid!
People here are not fucked-up and judgemental like most "Gothic" web communities which is what makes it better than other web communities. On the other hand, it is ONLY a web community. What have yoo got to lose? The respect of people yoo'll never meet?
Laugh!
The better yor sense of humor, the more likely yoo are to be accepted here.
Don't worry about criticism or personality conflicts!
For the most part people here don't really hold grudges and normally are just playing with yoo anyway.
Read the FAQs!
Devin is very cool but irritating him is an easy way to get ostricized here as he is our Zombie Lord. On a more practical level, the "rules" here at Shemg are set-up for reasons of either legality, courtesy, or common-sense so violating them would be counter-productive in a more direct way.
Please add to this if I'm leaving anything out...
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Re: Re: Through a Newbies Eyes by callei (plyn@plynlymon.com) on Aug 08, 2002 - 11:09 AM (User info | Send a Message) http://www.plynlymon.com | i would include that real people are really going to read what you write, not actors in a sitcom and not everyone is awake or "trying to see your side" all the time.
Oh and if you are trying to be as cool as the Fonz, we will all laugh at you, just like we did at the Fonz.
And then set your pants/underroos/skirt on fire and let Morte patch you up.... |
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by bettie_x (strangersangel@hotmail.com)
on Aug 08, 2002 - 01:02 PM
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Hey, as long as it makes sense and is SOMEWHAT of the interesting inclination, or shows some SERIOUS thought, it'll go up.
Some of the new kids should definitely take a little inspiration from you...it's not so much WHAT they are writing (about half the time, that is) it's HOW.
It reminds me (when reading the "spanking time" and "jedi master callei" etc) of my junior year english class...we had a new teacher, we did our first assignment in that class, and the next day she stood up in front of everyone and asked:
"Can anyone tell me what a proper essay structure is?"
Not a hand went up but a few.
"oookay can anyone tell me what a proper PARAGRAPH structure is."
Same hands...I think about five in a class of 28.
"This is 11th grade english, isn't it?"
Most of us nodded.
We wasted the first few weeks being RETAUGHT BASIC 9th grade ENGLISH.
As intimidating as it seems, rather like a big nasty gauntlet...it's there for a reason.
It's not based on how cool the subject is.
It's not based on how cool the SUBMITTER is.
Cool is hardly the qualifying credential around here...('cept for devin..he's got bats in his house)
If you could see what goes on during MY saturday evenings, you would feel a LOT better about yourself :P
It's based on if it's readable, understandable, and coherant.
I know a lot of the new kids have a LOT of good things to say. A lot of really intersting thoughts and perspectives (as this article CLEARLY presents).
Just shy? The forums are a lot easier to break the initial shyness...and a good way to get a foothold, get more comfortable with those around you and more importantly, YOURSELF and your words.
I readily encourage new people to post...especially when most of the regulars have just plain run out of things to SAY. With how many members we now have, I also wonder who ELSE is out there with "lurker" status that would have something positively ingenious to post?
We now have a new one...so who else out there wants to step up and give it a whack?
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Yeah!
by Arthegarn on Aug 08, 2002 - 02:22 PM
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Good post, PrimsKat! Awful good! That's what I call fresh blood!
I remember my first time around here, and it's true, it was intimidating. Plus I was always afraid of making this huge grammatical mistake that would get everyone pointing at "the pet Spaniard" (Who the hell started that, anyway ;-) My, and every time I re-read my first posts before submitting them they always looked the "I-don't-know-what-are-you-talking-about-but-I-am-against-it-anyway" kind. Boah, and those posts about the WTC... As a matter of fact, PrismKat, believe or not, until very recently every time any regular said "We are sick of you and you know who you are" I thought it was about me and hid under the longest post I colud find
So hey, newbies, this is very easy. If you have a sense of humour, can write a decent English, are not a frustrated poet trying to turn us all into frustrated readers and can stand a critic to your opinion, you'll enjoy it here. We might have strong opinions but what really makes us special is that we can appreciate, grow or at least tolerate (badly, sometmes) everyone's opinion. We don't really eat anyone (Oh my! Did I say "we"?). Not until we get to know them and trick hir into getting into the cauldron, anyway.
I suggest you take a look at Shade's stories "Toy Dolls". You might even be able to convince him to continue with the saga...
Welcome, anyway
Arthegarn
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Re: Yeah! by Monolycus on Aug 09, 2002 - 12:30 AM (User info | Send a Message) | Sadly, when a regular says "We are sick of you and you know who you are", everybody except the intended audience thinks it is directed at them. I am, I was, I will be
~Monolycus. |
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by PrismKat (prism7cat@hotmail.com)
on Aug 08, 2002 - 09:07 PM
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Thank you everyone for your nice comments and such. Arthegarn, bettie_x, and everybody, it's an honor to be here amongst you. ^_^ this sounds very cheesy, but I mean it.
~~your opinion matters..~~
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Opinions by Monolycus on Aug 09, 2002 - 12:33 AM (User info | Send a Message) | Whether my opinion matters or not (and it generally doesn't), I would also like to commend you for a well written submission. You've apparently got quite a future ahead of you writing, clubbing, or some combination of both. I am, I was, I will be
~Monolycus. |
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by Ianthe99 on Aug 12, 2002 - 09:38 PM
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Yeah, this place can be scary. I started coming here before it was it's own site. I commented a little here and there. I kinda got intimidated by someone and left. I *did* eventually find my way back, but I lurked for a bit. Not saying a whole lot. It's pretty friendly here once you get used to everyone tho. (Oh, and the person that intimidated me, dosn't upset me anymore.. they're actually pretty cool!)
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by Schizo on Aug 22, 2002 - 02:16 PM
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I remember when I was a newbie! It was back when it was Gothic Enlightenment, not Shmeng. And I was still trying to find out if I was "goth" or not. And it was intimidating. But now, here I am, a member of the Pantheon, and I've made some of the best friends I've never met! So all you newbies out there, don't be afraid to put your necks on the line!
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by MissAnnThrope (volutariecasus@hotmail.com)
on Sep 13, 2003 - 05:53 PM
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*raises hand* I have been branded a newbie and a lurker.... step two, perhaps...?
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes by LadyCygnet (capt_prozac@yahoo.com) on Oct 26, 2003 - 01:00 AM (User info | Send a Message) | I'm not sure what's wrong with sitting back and admiring the work of others.
At the moment, I'm so tangled and twisted that I don't have much of anything intelligent to say...
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by ariadne (ariadnebacchus@aol.com)
on Oct 02, 2003 - 05:29 PM
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i can really appreciate this article. i just entered the site about a week ago, i guess. i ended up with my foot in my mouth. more or less i could have made my entrance less exasperating if i would have looked around the site first.i have looked around and i found something more interesting than i ever expected. earlier i made an assumption that this was just another goth chat forum. it is so much more. it is exactly what i have been looking for. now i love this site.
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by BlueLinn (avilinn@yahoo.com)
on Jan 13, 2004 - 01:27 PM
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perfect description....
I've been a member of shmeng for a pretty long time and only now am I actually posting a little bit more.
But, I'm not goth, I don't wear white face paint. and my favorite color is tie-dye... or whatever off the floor hasn't been worn more than twice... As long as I shower daily and wash my cloths regularly, I'm a happy camper.
:folds back into the ominous shadows of shmeng:
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by fairy_ofdarkness (princess_piiti@hotmail.com)
on Mar 16, 2004 - 07:34 AM
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i feel so wecomed!! *^^*
thats i VERY good way of describing the way a newbie (like me, WEEEEE!!!!) feels.....the whole article is an extended metaphor, thats an EXACT parallel to the real thing.
BRAVO!!! *claps madly*
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes by Twisted_Razor (-) on Apr 05, 2004 - 08:02 PM (User info | Send a Message) | Hey i'm new too i have been a member for a few hours now *laughs manically* muh haha! yea i'm gothic but if anyone wants to chat, then kick ass |
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Re: Through a Newbies Eyes
by Caressia (-)
on May 13, 2008 - 01:38 AM
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Well before I read this I was actually thinking about lurking =O but not so much anymore.
Cant wait.
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