(giggling like a mad thing) I bow to Dana.

As Shawn, noted this is not our first trip through this cycle. Here's what I think happens, when we get an influx of new folks at once the friction levels rise because people are stepping on toes inadvertently.

While it's a fact that long-time posters get more slack, I don't know that I think that's the best way to welcome folks. Orientation at your new job usually doesn't start with "First of all, if you fuck up, we'll fire your ass." It's the truth, it's understood, it's not the emphasis in training.

A little bit of patience provides a lot of social lubrication. I don't want or expect this place to be a haven for only the hardass veterans of psychic wars various board cultures.

I'm not talking about hand-holding or bending over backwards. I'm saying, you just clear your throat and say, "Excuse me, you're stepping on my toes." Not, "You cow! Maybe you should watch where you put those clodhoppers. Do I know you?"

As for there being no such thing as tone? BS.

Thank you for reading my post, though this was not the point I was attempting to make.

the kinder, gentler, table talk days

Must have been before my time. When I was a newbie on TT, things seemed very much the same as they do here.

There is tone online. It's where I've mainly communicated for half my life. It's not the same as spoken word, where you can rely on infliction. It's all about word choice. I find claims that there isn't tone in the written word baffling, because it's a medium for communication, like speech or any other, and it has its own rules and forms and patterns and ways of getting things across. I don't deny that there's more room for misinterpreting, but that doesn't mean that tone's not there, and if multiple people have issues with the tone, you (general you) need to take a look at how you're wording things in the context of the culture you're communicating with.

Worth repeating.

I'd like to point out that I was here before all of you.

This is true. Though Holli and Vortex are right behind you.

Though Holli and Vortex are right behind you.

They can be my minions.

"You cow! Maybe you should watch where you put those clodhoppers. Do I know you?"

But--but-- It's so apt. And of Our Culture!

Okay. I am chastened, somewhat. But I still think we should reserve a rolled up newspaper for spamming newpuppies.

Like the Circle of Life without all the singing.

We could sing.

t clears throat...

Thank you for reading my post, though this was not the point I was attempting to make.

Could you clarify, then? (Honest request, because that's what it seemed to be saying, and I'd like to know what you were getting at.)

I'm gonna go sit my newbie ass in Beverly's corner. And then giggle like a 12-year-old at any and all lube references.