What have I learned about online communites

[Jennie@ifish]

Things I have learned:

(problem) It is easy to get involved with a small group, aside from the larger group, and forget to include the new people.
(solution) Try really hard to be open to new people on ifish. You never know when you'll meet a best friend!

(problem) Sometimes you feel an overwhelming desire to be nasty about something. This usually leads to big trouble. (Clue) If you ever even slightly THINK that it might offend someone, it WILL! It's not worth it, believe me!!!!
(solution) Bite your tongue, or it can turn into a huge mess, and no one wins!!!

(problem) Sometimes you'll want to give out too much information. This can lead to people getting upset with you for crowding a fishing hole.
(solution) Be helpful and share ideas without giving away exact locations.

(problem) Sometimes it is hard to break into a group of die hard friends on a community.
(solution) Be patient when you join a new community. Try to offer something helpful, humorous or even compliment someone... It goes a long way when you ease into a new situation, just like learning to fit into a new family.... patience and kindness offer huge rewards!

Anything else? Long time ifishers have a lot of advice to offer here, I'm sure.
I have learned the hard way in many, many situations... I have learned two things:

You wouldn't worry so much about what people think about you, if you knew how little time they spend doing so... and...

Pick something that you believe in passionately, and stick with it. Along the way, you will meet many friends, and a few enemies.
Be proud of both.

Jen

[Rusty]

Jennie,

Great post and full of truths! Especially about not saying something you might regret.

Rusty

[Rocky]

well said

ron

[Pilar]

Yes .... count to 10 and then hit escape.....

[Barviewrocks]

Well stated. Once you say or type something, you cannot take it back in a forum such as this.

Happy holidays to all and fish in every sock / or lawn chair carrier ;-)

[excuse me]

Great post Jennie! Thank you.

"being able to forgive is a wonderful virtue" is also good words for all of us.

[riverrat]

jen......thanks for the reminder......also remember "the golden rule" and treat others as you would want them to treat your mother.....foundation for most friendships develop out of respect and honesty.....tom

[crabbait]

Well said, Jen. Somtimes it helps to type out exactly what you would really like to say...........then highlight and delete!

Everyone needs a little reminder once in awhile. I am very grateful that, with this group, a little reminder is all it usually takes.

Overall, this is a great group of kind, generous folks. graemlins/applause.gif graemlins/applause.gif graemlins/applause.gif

[SandySteel]

Have you ever found yourself looking at a member number and thinking.... gee that is an awfully high number... and the number of posts and thinking.... gee they haven't been around long? The term "greenhorn" comes to mind. I have to say I am guilty of that. However, I have consciously made an effort to not let that affect what I share or how I treat someone.

I have found that ifish has developed a particular culture with its own history and way of doing things and a way of interacting. That interaction can be helpful if the way of doing things is positive and open or harmful if it creates exclusivity. I think the mods have done a great job of keeping things in line and modeling good behavior on this board.

[The Fishing Geek]

The best anglers in the world have never posted on iFish. If they ever blessed us with their presence, their member number would be high and their post count would read '1' the first time they posted.

[Catch 22]

Right on geek! That's so true. Wait, this isn't my first post!! :hoboy: :grin: :grin:

[MADWIZERD]

sandy steel
Have you ever found yourself looking at a member number and thinking.... gee that is an awfully high number <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">almost every one has a higher # then you. :wink: :grin:

[timinthegorge]

All valuable lessons..... thanks Jen! :cheers:

Tim :smile:

[NEUTRON]

VERY GOOD post. The best part of ifish is all of the people I have met. I have upset some and I was wrong. Part of the learning curve.
Took a couple of bankies on a float yesterday whom I'd never met. Pat and Jeff were fun to be around even though we didn't touch a fish.
I learned from White Willie, if you stick your neck out a little; the friendships you develope will be priceless. Shane.. you and S-Steve and I should set up a float. Got two boats that need to stay busy the next few weeks.

[Stew]

"(problem) Sometimes you feel an overwhelming desire to be nasty about something. This usually leads to big trouble. (Clue) If you ever even slightly THINK that it might offend someone, it WILL! It's not worth it, believe me!!!!
(solution) Bite your tongue, or it can turn into a huge mess, and no one wins!!! "

Great advice Jen graemlins/applause.gif Sometimes we have to find out the hard way and it is a painful lesson to learn....being able to forgive is a wonderful virtue graemlins/hearton.gif
Hey Neutron sounds good to me!Let me know :smile:

[Tilla]

I don't know how many times I've written a response and erased it thinking it wasn't worth the hassle. I've seen a few unjustified hangings on these websites where some conclusions were drawn or statements mis interpreted. (Reminds me of having to watch The Ox Bow Incident in high school). :rolleyes:
Sometimes it's easy to hide behind the keyboard and be king of the world. But you'll find that we are just regular people taking advantage of this great communication tool, hopefully to mutual benefit.
Jennie has done a fine job of putting this site to good use. She has been able to reach out beyond the confines of this website to do common good.