From: Edward.L.Wallace@dartmouth.edu (Edward L. Wallace)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.pern
Subject: MUSH/MUSE/MWhatever and Elitism... Newbies...
Date: 6 Nov 92 16:15:52 GMT
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
X-Posted-From: InterNews1.0a5@newshost.dartmouth.edu

Yes.. It's time for my 1/32 mark(s?).

Not too long ago (spring term, I should think), I posted a rather
lengthy
message regarding the treatment not of >newbies<, but of fairly
established
players who didn't seem to immediately click with any one of the
several
PernMUSH cliques.  The response to that via a.f.p was intriguing, and
the 
reponse via email even more so.

After my post, things did appear to get better -- at least for me. 
Maybe because I'd finally bitched and moaned, people understood that
completely ignoring another person, regardless of how well you do or
don't know them, is nearly the rudest thing that can be done online. 
Or maybe they were (are?) just tired of my posting to a.f.p and figured
if they waved from time to time I wouldn't bitch and moan anymore.  My
time on PernMUSH certainly improved, but as any MUSH/MUSE/or whatever
flavor you prefer, it isn't perfect.  Luckily for you, that's also not
what this post is about.

I'd just ask you all to keep in mind, that PernMUSH does seem rather
friendly towards newbies, or once did in the past.  I've only had
second hand reports on how the Healercraft and Harpercraft treat
newbies.  I understand being unwilling to take on more people due to
the size of the craft... the herdercraft has the same problem, though
on a smaller scale.  But this does not give any craftmember the right
to be completely rude to a new user.  I have not the evidence, nor do I
feel like collecting it -- these are simply reports that *I* have
heard.  It is up to each of you to evaluate the veracity and work on
your own time to make a difference.

I think an important issue for all members of any M* is that you are
part of an open community which, by its very nature, encourages the
infusion of new blood, new ideas and new personalities.  We all get
tired of answering the same question time and time again -- which is
why people like Tabbi put important information in the news.  A
friendly (and polite!) reminder to someone to read the news is better
than very coldly informing them of the 'enlightened' viewpoint.

I've seen some really stupid stuff in my wanderings from MU* to MU*. 
It's unfortunate that people are, by nature, exclusive and cliquish
beings.  For in an environment such as a virtual reality, that serves
only to ostracize the very thing that is needed to maintain the
'livelihood' of such a reality.     Yah, you can't be
cheery/happy/exhuberant to every single person every single day, but
again, that doesn't justify rude or supercillious behavior.

Each user has a responsibility to the new people who invariably come
online.  If you don't feel like being nice -- at least try and be
understanding.  You too were once a clueless newbie.  Look back on the
help you received and ask yourself why someone you are giving the cold
shoulder too doesn't deserve at *least* the same amount of help from
you as you once received from others.

I mean.. really. If you wanna be rude, why not save it for Real Life?

Falryx @ PernMUSH
  Journeyman Harper, Apprentice Healer (Dragonhealer in Training)
F'lyr  @ DragonsFire MUSE
  Directorate member, Weyrleader of Fort Weyr
Falryx @ Elsewhere
  Random usless 'positions' and titles -- isn't VR great? It gives you
a sense of real accomplishment.