Membership Cliques

[rat156]

Hi All,

Well I hate to start a thread in the General Chat section, it usually doesn't last that long, but here goes...

There's a thread that's been recently closed in which a poster brought up a closed club feeling that new members can experience when there's a few people who contribute most of the traffic on the forum.

Well, that doesn't only happen to new members, it happens to old ones too. There have been many times on this site when I have felt that I was not welcome, infact on more than one occasion I have been abused to the point that I have given up posting. Sometimes by the site admin as well as the moderators, no apology has ever been received, perhaps it wasn't warranted, but if the positions were reversed I certainly would have made more of an effort, ce la vie. It doesn't really worry me, but now I generally only post when I have something specific to say. I don't publish my photos here anymore as they seem to be unappreciated, obviously I am not one of the clique, again I don't really give a fat rat's clacker, I do the hobby for my own reasons, not for the gratuitous "great picture" posts from people who post that to every other picture. When I do post a picture here I would want people to suggest ways to make it better, but no-one seems to post anything, so you get the feeling that they don't care, the pictures aren't perfect, so you get this exclusivity feeling.

I just re-read this and it sounds like a big bleat, it's not, it's just feedback for the clique. I'm happy posting the way I do, but I bet there's a few others who feel excluded in the same way I do.

My $0.02 worth.

Stuart

[asimov (John)]

In my case Stuart, I've been *almost* abused for offering advice on how to make an image better, so unless they are requesting help I just keep my reply short & sweet just in case? I am no longer a prolific poster here; I post my image, make a few replies here & there & then sod off to the next forum.

I know exactly where you are coming from though, you can be sure of that.

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by rat156

Hi All,

Well I hate to start a thread in the General Chat section, it usually doesn't last that long, but here goes...

There's a thread that's been recently closed in which a poster brought up a closed club feeling that new members can experience when there's a few people who contribute most of the traffic on the forum.

Well, that doesn't only happen to new members, it happens to old ones too. There have been many times on this site when I have felt that I was not welcome, infact on more than one occasion I have been abused to the point that I have given up posting. Sometimes by the site admin as well as the moderators, no apology has ever been received, perhaps it wasn't warranted, but if the positions were reversed I certainly would have made more of an effort, ce la vie. It doesn't really worry me, but now I generally only post when I have something specific to say. I don't publish my photos here anymore as they seem to be unappreciated, obviously I am not one of the clique, again I don't really give a fat rat's clacker, I do the hobby for my own reasons, not for the gratuitous "great picture" posts from people who post that to every other picture. When I do post a picture here I would want people to suggest ways to make it better, but no-one seems to post anything, so you get the feeling that they don't care, the pictures aren't perfect, so you get this exclusivity feeling.

I just re-read this and it sounds like a big bleat, it's not, it's just feedback for the clique. I'm happy posting the way I do, but I bet there's a few others who feel excluded in the same way I do.

My $0.02 worth.

Stuart

It obviously does worry you other wise you wouldn't have posted it in the first place
You have contradict yourself a few times.
So what if no one praises your pictures,maybe they don't really care ?
This kind of post comes up every now and again, and every time it disintegrates into a slanging match.
I Don't see qlique's,but then I don't take astro pics
I usually like to see the end of these threads as they are normally counter productive.
My 2 Bobs worth.
Cheers

[cfranks (Charles)]

Stuart, I haven't had that feeling although my posts are relatively few but I really have appreciated your help recently and will lean on you a bit more when the weather clears. I am always a little worried when I post, that I am asking stupid, or obvious, questions but no one (yet) has abused me. Being 75 isn't easy but at least, next weekend, I'll be able to hide my own Easter Eggs!!

Charles

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by cfranks

Being 75 isn't easy but at least, next weekend, I'll be able to hide my own Easter Eggs!!

Charles

...not being abusive Charles that's just funny

Mike

[rat156]

Originally Posted by cfranks

Stuart, I haven't had that feeling although my posts are relatively few but I really have appreciated your help recently and will lean on you a bit more when the weather clears. I am always a little worried when I post, that I am asking stupid, or obvious, questions but no one (yet) has abused me. Being 75 isn't easy but at least, next weekend, I'll be able to hide my own Easter Eggs!!

Charles

No problemo Charles, like I said, I only post when I have something specific to add (unlike the post above, thanks for being caring and understanding Ron). I couldn't let a "help me" thread like yours go by from someone with such similar equipment to mine.

Seventy five, hope I make it that far and am still into AP, I might even be half decent at it by then!

Cheers
Stuart

[astroron (Ron)]

(unlike the post above, thanks for being caring and understanding Ron). I couldn't let a "help me" thread like yours go by from someone with such similar equipment to mine.

You have me at a disadvantage
For one I don't have any similar equipment to you, except maybe a Newtonian telescope,I have never asked for help on telescope matters as far as I can remember whilest being a member of iceinspace for over six years.
Please elaborate
Maybe I am misundstanding the point of the above quote
Cheers

[Octane (Humayun)]

He was referring to Charles' help me thread.

H

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Stuart, I hear where you're coming from.
It was years before I got more than "good picture" for stuff I posted.
I guess people are scared of offending if they offer advice, as Asi said earlier.
Personally, I don't go look at every picture that is posted, unless it's an object I have an interest in. And finding an original comment to make on each one is impossible. If it's a "good image" I'll say so, if it's a "great image", that is exactly what I mean.

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by Octane

He was referring to Charles' help me thread.

H

I See, Thanks H
Cheers

[2stroke (Jay)]

O.P. If you arn't getting any useful feedback here you could also try cloudynights, i'am sure the yanky guys would love to hear from a vet aussie ap'r like yourself. IIS is a great hub but i've also noticed from my wife posted images that very few comments come unless posted in the newbie section, my thinkings are there are to many people that need to make them selfs feel elite in the ap section and new commers work isn't worth there time. There are also groups of people which are close freinds and have there circles, but that just life be it here on a internet forum or any real life club/group/workplace. Anyhow don't let people on this forum put down your work in anyway what so ever as its probably much greater then theres and they could also be full of enevy

[RobF (Rob)]

Well if it makes any difference Stuart I've noticed you've been posting less and miss your input. You've shown some damned fine images in the past at a very high standard, and I want to see what that PMX can do.

When you're in the mood, please do put some pics up from your latest work. I'd be surprised actually if I'm the only person that feels this way.


There's all sorts of reasons people don't always actively post which can be a downer when you know it's one of your better shots, but we all have lives to lead outside IIS and don't always get online at the right time to catch new images going up.

[lepton3 (Ivan)]

I really only come here for the Solar System images and the occasional Astrophotography equipment discussion. I'll have a look at the odd Deep Space image, but most of them look great to me, and I wouldn't really be able to tell good from great. So if there are cliques there, I'm not aware.

I suspect a lot of people similarly favour a smallish subset of the forum and only glance at the other parts.

There do seem to be a group of regulars in the Solar System area, but they all seem very helpful, civil and polite.

I usually won't post advice on an image unless the poster specifically asked. Similarly, I don't expect advice unless I ask for it. I guess Solar System is a little unique, because things are always changing, so there is value in even a mediocre image as a record of the moment.

Deep space, I guess it's going to be harder to get the balance between constructive feedback and offending someone. Also, it seems to have less frequent postings. But from some of the earlier responses, sounds like there are a few on this forum that would like to see your deep space images and would be willing to engage in constructive discussion, so hopefully still worth it for you to engage.

-Ivan

[mplanet62 (Michael)]

Forums are not that different from live communication - with only difference that people feel free to do the way they would not in real life - for their true identities are not known. It's likely to meet arrogance and group interests on any of multiple forums - more likely than in real life (where there's aplenty of it).
The only help and advice I can offer - learn not to provoke reactions, and skip unprovoked ones. Don't stick with, go on. And if it repeats all time - have a good look at yourself and the place you are in. It's not an accident anymore.

[TrevorW]

75 Charles, well done, I wouldn't be worried about hiding the EE's it's just remembering where you hid them that would worry me

Stuart I'll PM you

[Terry B]

Originally Posted by lepton3

snip

I suspect a lot of people similarly favour a smallish subset of the forum and only glance at the other parts.

snip

-Ivan

This is certainly what I do.
I almost never look at the pretty pics posted as it doesn't interest me much. I read the general section, the adds and the science topics. Few science topics get many replies but I suppose that shows that most of the forum members have other interests.
Each to their own.

[desler]

I come in and have received vast amounts of help which has got me just out of the very newbie stage! Whilst some of my images get comments, not all do! I'm more interested in comments to help me improve in either capture, processing or sorting out problems.

I don't ever think I've been abused or been abusive, just that this site is representative of the population as a whole, some people you'll get on with, some you won't, personally I miss looking at you images Stuart!

Clear skies to you!


Darren

[casstony]

I certainly don't feel like I'm part of the 'inner circle' (imaging is a prerequisite for that ), but on the other hand I don't feel excluded from any part of the site either. If you have something to say or want to get involved in any part of the site there's nobody else stopping you.

I occasionally disagree with something on the site, but again it's a lot easier to criticise than it is to build the forum up into something worthwhile.

Best to overlook the aspects you don't like and generally enjoy IIS.

[rainwatcher (Peter)]

There definately are cliques. I was discussing this with my wife the other day and said its quite easy to group the members into their respective pal groups. I have no problem with this, it is just the way it is, and i have not had any issue with first time photos being ignored - I certainly had some constructive feedback from the experienced members of this forum. However if you really want to feel left out criticise Steve Jobs or any of the Apple products, you will soon find one of the strongest cliques on this site. And i wont even mention the faster than the speed of light brigade.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Here we go, again.