Membership Cliques

[Jen]

sorry lol

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by rat156

On the subject of "once you get to know these people face to face, you'll feel more comfortable". What makes you think that if I feel uncomfortable online I would attend a star party where the organiser is probably one of these same people. About as welcome as a Nun at an orgy methinks.

Cheers
Stuart

I am one of the Organisers of a fairly local event!
You certainly aren't any Nun, and we certainly don't have an orgy and I've never had anything against you, and you are always welcome, same as anyone else.
It's up to you to turn up and be welcomed

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

Originally Posted by jen

I dissapear from these forums for a week and i come back to another negative thread Sometimes i just think you all forget why we joined this site in the first place We all have a love for astronomy :d


that is all !!!!!! :p

here here well said some sanity for a change

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by Jen

i dissapear from these forums for a week and i come back to another negative thread Sometimes i just think you all forget why we joined this site in the first place we all have a love for astronomy


That is all !!!!!!

Jen, you just have a way of saying what I reckon 90% people are thinking.
Bingo Jen!
PeterM

[rat156]

Originally Posted by Jen

i dissapear from these forums for a week and i come back to another negative thread Sometimes i just think you all forget why we joined this site in the first place we all have a love for astronomy


That is all !!!!!!

So threads which are negative or express some misgivings about the site are now banned?

Welcome to the Orwellian vision.

You don't have to read it, you don't have to agree with me, but surely I have the right to say it?

Cheers
Stuart

[gregbradley]

For what its worth Stuart I noticed you hadn't posted much for a while.

I enjoy your image posts when you do them.

Critiquing someones' image is a touchy thing. It feels a bit like you are attacking them almost. Saying someones creation should be like this or like that is skating on thin ice. If stated as only your opinion and taste it softens any negative impact a critique may have and get less reaction.

Cheers,

Greg.

[Kevnool (Kev)]

Is anyone going away over easter (Away from the computer).

[multiweb (Marc)]

Uh oh! Jen, you bully. Making the boys cry... tsssk tsssk...

[Poita (Peter)]

I just jump in and offer advice, even though I'm not all that great at any of it.
I figure if they don't want the advice, then they will say so, I note that the particular poster doesn't want advice and try to remember not to give any to that particular person. Then I immediately go stick my nose into someone elses posts.
I figure it's an open forum, if you post a picture or a question or a method, then you expect to get feedback. If the poster doesn't want feedback, then it is usually made clear pretty quick and I pull my head in with them.

I don't feel closed off, but I wish more people would give me advice, I really would love to improve my planetary processing.

Go in with the assumption that it isn't a 'closed group' and it is much less likely to become one.
My apologies to anyone who has been offended by my posts in the past, and to those I offend in the future, but I like it here to much to worry about walking on eggshells, so if I get put of line just tell me so, and I'll give you a wider berth.

Until I forget and bug you again.

[Poita (Peter)]

Originally Posted by 2stroke

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

I don't really believe that it is elitism that stops people commenting on images in the non-newbie sections, it is more that the images in the non beginners sections tend to be rather good, and I don't really have much to comment on except framing and composition. It is so technical that usually I just ask how they did it, rather than offering up much in the way of critique, unless there is something obvious.

I think if you want feedback, ask for it in the title. I'm too dense to worry about sounding like an idiot so I do sometimes post rather dubious or obvious questions, but I've never felt put-down by the answers, but I may be just too self-absorbed to notice

[Barrykgerdes]

Cliques are found in every walk of life. People tend to gravitate to mutual adoration societies as a form of safety net. Once these are established it is very hard for an outsider to join except by invitation.

This forum is no exception. There are cliques here but I won't enlarge on this statement. Other than to say "ïgnore them" If they don't suit you. What ever you do don't make derogatory comments to annoy or patronising comments in the hope of joining.

Barry

[Poita (Peter)]

I just make comments, if they get ignored, I dont mind (or notice much to be honest). I never thought of there being cliques on here, but I suppose there probably is, as you said, it is pretty normal in society generally.
The difference here is that you can still comment, the forums are an open space. The comment may go un-remarked, but you can still have your input and it is there for all to read or ignore as they see fit.

I tend not to worry about it much, I enjoy my time here. If I didn't I'd go back to whatever it was that used to eat up my time... if only I could remember what that was.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Stuart, don't worry too much about people not commenting on your images.

There's certain people on here who refuse to comment on any image I post (despite the fact that I'm happy to comment on theirs); whether it be terrestrial or deep space. You just ignore it after a while and stop bothering to wonder what it is that you may or may not have done to earn their disinterest.

Your feeling of disenfranchisement may also have to do with the fact that admittedly, you have started or participated in some off-topic threads which have been locked on more than one occasion. Personally, I don't care, but, some people see that as a reason to keep away, as it were.

Sometimes, it's not the content of what you're posting, but, the tone in which it is being posted that can also be off-putting. For example, Cr**gS's (before he left or got banned, or whatever) insistence on being a hard arse in the science forum put people off so badly that the only ones replying to his threads were the same two or three people that were part of that clique.

Forums are awesome for knowledge sharing and banter, but, the problem of impersonality is a greater detractor than the tyranny of distance. Some of the things said on here wouldn't be said face-to-face, and, if they were, would be accepted with a smile.

Cheer up, and, start posting your pictures again!

H

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

>50% of communication is non-verbal. And everyone has their sensitivities. So it's difficult to communicate effectively on forums. Short of being referred to as pond slime, I figure that people mean well, and who takes that seriously anyway.

[Hagar (Doug)]

Like it or not Stuart Cliques on internet forums are a reality. You and I have had words in the past and I'd like to think we can hobble past these.
Comments on images, well sometimes I get a few and sometimes I don't but the bit that ikes me is the fact that a very small number and I mean a very small numer of the better imagers pass comments and even fewer lend a hand with step by step advice. Some times I have refered to it as a boys club or secret society but in reality it is more the attitude you are refering to.
When advice is given it is nice to have it acted upon or at least confirmed that it was read but many's a time it just seems to be ignored.
I am sure your response would be the same as mine and that is "Why bother"

The other big problem with the internet is the 2 minute expert. These seem to pop up on a very regular basis. The advice they give is questionableto say the least but how do you differentiate between the real and imagined expert. Do you really want their advice but in reality this is sometimes the only advice available.


I for one always admired and commented on your images and would like to see them on IIS again.

Don't get to frustrated or you will end up a grumpy old fart like me.
Imust take an image myself one day. Been a while now.

[avandonk]

Originally Posted by rcheshire

>50% of communication is non-verbal. And everyone has their sensitivities. So it's difficult to communicate effectively on forums. Short of being referred to as pond slime, I figure that people mean well, and who takes that seriously anyway.

I was being very tongue in cheek when I used the expression pond slime. Even a joke can be misinterpreted. Pond slime is an expression only the upper class twits in old Blighty use. If I want to denigrate anyone I would call him or her an ignorant idiot. I have been guilty of this sin myself ie being an ignorant idiot.

So what happened with GraigS? I thought I was finally getting through to him.

Bert

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

I was being very tongue in cheek when I used
the expression pond slime. Even a joke can be
misinterpreted. Pond slime is an expression only
the upper class twits in old Blighty use. If I want
to denigrate anyone I would call him or her an
ignorant idiot. I have been guilty of this sin
myself ie being an ignorant idiot.
So what happened with GraigS? I thought I was
finally getting through to him.

I thought it funny Bert - no offense. I noticed that Craig has been silent recently - must be deep in study.

[avandonk]

I am now offended by your lack of offense to my offensive statements! It can get worse I may never respond again.

Ok I will respond only to heap abuse.

Bert

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by avandonk

I am now offended by your lack of offense to my offensive statements! It can get worse I may never respond again.

Ok I will respond only to heap abuse.

Bert

Oh Bert you abusive heap .....

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

OK... now I am in trouble...!