Forums.

I've been a member of numerous online communities -especially forums- since the day that I got my own laptop and unlimited internet connection. These forums help me connect with other people that share the same interest as mine like artists, actors, bands, gadgets, etc.

Forums contributed a lot to my knowledge about different facts, tips, reviews and whatnot about something or someone. People in there are most of the time polite, friendly and courteous. But there is one particular forum that, for me, kind of changed.

As the years passed, the number users grew and a lot of newbies surfaced. Of course the purpose of people in joining these groups is to learn a thing or two about a gadget or device. But some long-time members of this forum feel that they are more superior than others especially the new people. They are somewhat intimidating like with their replies to the posts of other users. A number of users with higher authority oftentimes scare newbies or sometimes even veterans too.

How hard is it to answer a query politely instead of being sarcastic? People join these groups to seek help; not to receive mockery in any way.

For example:

Post: "Hi! My computer suddenly turned off. Please help!"
Reply: "Google is your friend my dear."
or
Post: "Is this model better than the other?"
Reply: "Use the search function. That's why it's there."

No wonder why a lot of these newbies never post again or even return.

Based on my experience, I find several users there who are "mayabang" and "feeling sosyal". There's nothing wrong with that as long as you know how to deal with different types of people. They might not have all the gadgets that you own but that does not give you the right to be rude to them.

Remember that you were once a newbie too and finding you way through that site.

I still visit that forum regularly because I usually get my daily gadget fix there. I just see to it that I do not join a dicussion or post something unless I have enough knowledge in a topic so that I can defend myself. Haha

I will not mention names here cause I might get in trouble. Haha.


(^_^)