DXM's e-mail: DXMachina "Firefly 2: You Can't Take the Sky From Me." Jan 1, 2003 12:30:45 pm EST

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I do think there is such a thing as a core Buffisita.

Agreed agreed agreed. I think when I sometimes say I feel like a peripheral Buffista, what I mean is that I'm not part of the core. But as so many of y'all have said, you ARE what you FEEL like, and if any lurkers think of themselves as Buffistas because they read here, they are one, if only in their hearts.

From Hec:

1. List the stompy feet in the FAQ.

2. Note when disciplinary discussions have moved to the Bureaucracy board.

3. Make note in the thread where the offenses have occurred that stomping has gone on.

4. Do what Cindy did - chronicle repeated abuses. Document.

5. The consensus red flags are fairly clear and understood: (1) personal attacks, and (2) unwillingness to change or modify behavior.

All of this is seconded. I'd also like to suggest that (4) become part of our official procedure -- when someone is warned, a post in bureaucracy is made linking to their offensive posts. Oh, and from the etiquette, Stompy Foot item:

and they having smiting capability

Ouch. This should be "they have." Sorry.

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X-ish post with RL: Alrighty. Do I deserve a wrist-slap for my tone? :)

Dude, you just read me out of context. There's no problem.

I hate people to think that there's some sort of probationary period before you get to be a Buffista.

I still disagree. There's absolutely no enforced probationary period-- but we are not just a posting board, we are a community. And as with any community, there must be a transition from just-pulled-up new person to established member of the community. It's just how this works, for club, circle of workers, online posting board, or any other type of community. It's *not* a limitation; it's a fact. -- And I'd not name names; but I can think of several people who came here post- Joss' post, and they're already working their way in rapidly. Buffista Spirit Babies, dude.

Personally I'm getting frustrated that the whole old school/new school "real" buffista thing is getting thrown around.

I don't think it is being thrown around! I don't think you will find anyone in this thread who will argue with you and tell you that someone can't be a Real Buffista until they've been here x months, or posted in y threads z number of times, or paid money for the board, or anything! I don't think that's even a question. Every opinion I've read expressed in this thread seemed firmly of the opinion that that was A Bad Policy.

I'm just saying that a certain measure of feeling as though you don't entirely fit in yet, when you haven't yet learned all the expressions and met all the people and felt as though they know you, is not a shock horror unhealthy thing to feel. I felt it. Other people felt it. It's not that we are unwelcoming to new people; it's a natural, unavoidable consequence of being a community.

Whether there are Very Core Buffistas, maybe, sure. People who do a lot of work, stompy or coding or contribute really stunningly clever posts that always make you sit up and listen-- again, that's another thing that comes with being in any community. There will be people who are sorted by their own outputs as being of a shinier class than the rest of us; but-- not that an argument about who-are-the-very-core-Buffistas should ever really crop up--let's keep that designation to individual perceptions. 'Cause it's gonna be an individual perceptions thing.

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This is frustrating, it pushes buttons. Not to mention the fact I'm sleep deprived and pmsing and so not thinking straight so I think I'm going to just walk away until I can get my head on straight.

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we are not just a posting board, we are a community. And as with any community, there must be a transition from just-pulled-up new person to established member of the community. It's just how this works, for club, circle of workers, online posting board, or any other type of community. It's *not* a limitation; it's a fact.

I'm just saying that a certain measure of feeling as though you don't entirely fit in yet, when you haven't yet learned all the expressions and met all the people and felt as though they know you, is not a shock horror unhealthy thing to feel. I felt it. Other people felt it. It's not that we are unwelcoming to new people; it's a natural, unavoidable consequence of being a community.

The Lizard is a smart, smart cookie. What she said is so SO true. I definitely wouldn't send packages or play Secret Santa or go to an F2F if this were just a posting board. (That's me, personally, and has to do with my comfort level.)

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I think any "core Buffista" group can be self-defined as people who keep up with and post in this thread, because this is where community decisions get made. While there are certainly people who are generally expected to weigh in on matters (and whose opinions are highly valued), anyone who wants a voice in the community can have one.

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Concur with JessiMoon's post.

What we're seeing is that we've doubled in size within a short period. That changes the nature of the community somewhat - but it's normal. It's normal for people to take a while to acclimate and feel part of the community. As noted by Lizard, that's the dynamic whether you're in an online community or not.

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Just waded through several days of posts in this thread. I love that the long and lengthy discussions happened. I love that we stuck to the policy we developed (after previous long and lengthy discussions). I love that Mike P came here and I value what he had to say. I love that several new posters have found this thread.

As for the current Buffista discussion, I shower all lurkers and posters - who enjoy being here and feel at home without causing discomfort to others - with official msbelle glitter and pronounce you BUFFISTAS!

that said, I can't make you feel at home (but doesn't the glitter help? you know it does) - if people feel there is a divide it's cool to talk about it, but all discussions are open, all threads are open and the fact is that some people will post more than others and some will feel comfortable sooner than others and some will get responded to more than others. All of that is good, just remember that I am the nicest one here.

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And I'm her favourite.

But that aside, I'd like to agree there's no external Buffistacheck, no belt tests, or checklists. When you feel it, you feel it. Participating helps, but isn't necessary. It's the spirit baby thing ... and I forget who said it where.

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but there is a secret handshake and you will be tested.

t /big fat liar

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