Welcome the Newbies

[Saru29]

I am a newbie too and i agree with what everyone says. After being on many message boards i have learned that it is hard to start out as a newbie and you will always do something wrong, but it is not the end of the world. You get on with life. Eventually we learn.

[Michelle Celio]

Also as a newbie I am actually kind of scared to post. I guess its the fact that I feel as if I dont know enough about anything to post and then again I dont know many people on here so it's hard to relate.

[Arefin Bari]

Originally Posted by Fruity Pebbles

Also as a newbie I am actually kind of scared to post. I guess its the fact that I feel as if I dont know enough about anything to post and then again I dont know many people on here so it's hard to relate.

Don't be scared to post here on the forum. The newbies are the next generation for FIRST. I was scared too when I first joined the forum. You will get used to the rules as you start posting here. We won't bash at you for making simple mistakes, I promise. It is possible to make mistakes when you are new to something. Just read the rules for the forum and start posting. If any of the newbies have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me.

[nehalita]

Originally Posted by Fruity Pebbles

I feel as if I dont know enough about anything to post and then again I dont know many people on here so it's hard to relate.

We are all friendly here, we don't bite =). Talk to us and you'll realize there's alot more you can relate to us than you realize. As long as you have a good attitude you'll make friends in no time.

And as for feeling that you don't know enough -- I'm sure you do. I feel the same about some topics here -- i'm clueless when it comes to anything mechanical. But then again, that's why I'm here -- i learn; so don't be afraid to ask questions either by posting or messaging people personally. At the starting, I was afraid to post so I mainly PMed people with questions. I still get intimidated at times but I guess the more you stick around, the easier it is to post.

[Kyle Love]

For all you rookies in the Detroit area. Go to Sweet Repeat this upcoming Saturday. I will be there along with tons of other awesome FIRSTer's. Meet some new people and see how a comp. really is!

[fancy013]

Yes! Welcome! I hope you guys enjoy this great adventure. Hope you guys learn things. And that team work may bring a lot of work but you have to face it to face the world.

[arlevin]

Hey,
This is the first year Team 1768 will be competing in a FIRST event. We're all looking forward to what we expect will be a great experience. I'm glad to hear that most people using CD are helpful; I'm hoping to learn a lot through these forums.


-a.r.levin

[KORN_lover_2007]

This is a good thread, hopefully all the old members will read this and take in some consideration before giving bad reps. I'm glad this thread is helping welcome the newbies into our FIRST/cd family.

[Alex Burman]

one of the things that I'm still finding scary about CD is its immense size and population. Its the largest forum Ive seen on the Internet, and i just am afraid to put my topics in the wrong section that either ill get in trouble for miss placing it or not enough people will see it.

[Andrew Blair]

The biggest problem with the rep. system deals with relatively new members that are just starting to recieve actual rep. One negative rep point and you're in the hole all of a sudden, and thats really scary. You didn't have much to begin with, then all of a sudden you look at your rep. and say "They think I'm a bad guy!" Its too easy to get yourself into holes and too hard to get yourself out.

[Shu Song]

Originally Posted by Andrew Blair

The biggest problem with the rep. system deals with relatively new members that are just starting to recieve actual rep. One negative rep point and you're in the hole all of a sudden, and thats really scary. You didn't have much to begin with, then all of a sudden you look at your rep. and say "They think I'm a bad guy!" Its too easy to get yourself into holes and too hard to get yourself out.

That's not always the case. If you see someone with one red rep and only like 2 posts, obviously that person is a newbie who didn't know something about the rules. I can't really speak for anyone else, but if I saw someone with a red rep, I'd give them the benefit of the doubt and now think of thm any differently.

[jason_931]

I joined 02-02-2005 and only 6 posts . I was usualy just lurking around here tring to get the feel of the place. Now I visit every day

[Steph]

I have been a CD member for quite a while now, yet have very few posts, but I am reading threads several times a day. I have taken on more of the "observer" type of role. There's a little bit of apprehension I suppose about posting, but it's more of the fact that I just love to listen (well, read) about what others have to say. I've learned a lot here on CD, and there's a good number of the regulars and newbies alike that I have to thank for that.

[EricH]

Probably the best way to give rep to a newbie who makes a mistake is to give neutral rep. Neutral is kind of like a warning, so it's like "hey, I did something wrong. I need to follow this guy's advice," or something like that. If the advice/warning is not followed, then consider negative. I mean, the guy is new, probably does not have the rules memorized or just simply made an error, and then someone hits him with negative, he's not going to like it. If he gets neutral, well, "a word to the wise is enough." He's not likely to make the same mistake again for a while, if at all.

[AmyPrib]

Orrrrrrrr.... recognize they are a newbie that made a mistake, and PM them. Even veteran CD'ers, PM them if you have a comment. For me, it takes a LOT to negative rep (I don't think I've ever done it though, despite the urge). The "word to the wise" is much more effective with "words" that can be fully explained in a PM, or several PMs. Perhaps after a discussion you will find there was a misunderstanding... maybe not...
Personally, I think neg rep is silly unless it's really severe or is blatantly rude, offensive, or uncalled for.. But for "not searching" or "bringing back old threads", come on. Some of the neg rep cases I've heard about just seem unnecessary.