Newbie Appreciation Day!

[kathainbowen]

I'm unofficially declaring Newbie Appreciation Day! Why? I'm not a mod you might say. Well, another forum I'm a member of is deciding to alienate newbies by their actions. I think this is just plain silly, since newbies are just as much a part of any hobby as the veterans are.... and also since their excuses are really lame ("It's too crowded" is my personal favorite excuse since they're creating a private forum with a select group of 15,000 members.... lol)



........ what does this mean? It means I have a question for everyone who IS new to the hobby!

Newbies.... noobs.... beginners.... intrepid saltwater explorers.... novice enthusiasts.... whatever you prefer to be called.... the day is yours in my book. I'm no mod, nor do I want to be. This doesn't mean though, that as an average member, I can't try to help you guys out. So, here's the question:

Is there anything you guys and gals who are new the hobby or just plain new the RC forums would like to see from the more experienced hobbyists? Are their topics you would like to discuss aside from just the standard emergency and set-up questions? Are their more advanced areas you'd like to dip a toe in before diving headfirst? Are their any better ways you can think of that other members can assist newbies in their efforts (since I really think newbies are the backbone of all hobbies, since, afterall, we were all newbies once)? Sk8r's "Ask a Question" thread seemed to work out well.... did you guys enjoy the sort of radio show call-in set up of that thread? Or, really, is their any way the regular members can be more helpful to you?






Sorry, after watching the other forum train wreck.... I just don't want to ever see the elitist attitudes and poor manners I saw over there on this forum (no, it's not an aquatic related forum) when there's already such a good gellin' of the oldies and the newbies together. Just wanted to see what everyone thought and open up some more communication lines.

[papagimp]

Sounds good to me! Happy Newbie Appreciation Day!

[kathainbowen]

We seriously need more newbies in this hobby. Everyone was always so timid to take the plunge into saltwater when I was a wee lass, that I often wish there had been more experienced and welcoming hobbyists (at the time, everyone I knew who was into saltwater was either an entire seaboard away or a total jerk!). If that had been the case, I'd probably have jumped right on into it without batting an eye!

*hugs the newbs*

[itsthesong]

Enjoy! I remember when I was a newbie...those were the days...blissfully unaware of how much I was going to be spending on this FANTASTIC, INCREDIBLE hobby! I tip my hat, if I wore one, to all you newbies!

[jnewman]

Thanks I have had a tank up for 2-3 months fumbling here and there. For the most part great info and advice so far. few unfriendly people but just move past the post. sk8r has great posts and papagimp as well. I read at least two or more forums a night as much as sitting in front of my tank.

[cd77]

*eh hem* "intrepid wannabe reefer noob enthusiast/explorer" please

As a SW newbie, I'm actually very happy with the help that I've received here -- and the little I've learned in the month I've had my SW tank up from the veterans on this forum, I've been happy to pass along to others, including my LFS employees.

RC rocks!

Also, again as a SW noob, I would respectfully request that "Newbie Appreciation Day" not be on 9/11. Just doesn't sit well for me. How about the 10th or the 12th?

[kathainbowen]

Originally posted by cd77
*eh hem* "intrepid wannabe reefer noob enthusiast/explorer" please

As a SW newbie, I'm actually very happy with the help that I've received here -- and the little I've learned in the month I've had my SW tank up from the veterans on this forum, I've been happy to pass along to others, including my LFS employees.

RC rocks!

Also, again as a SW noob, I would respectfully request that "Newbie Appreciation Day" not be on 9/11. Just doesn't sit well for me. How about the 10th or the 12th?

Sorry, it wasn't an official date thing. It was just more of an impromptu thing and titling for it.... since I was really at a loss of words for the best way to put things. I understand and.... since I unofficially declared the day unofficially shift it back a day.... to tomorrow! But that doesn't mean we can't appreciate newbies today, too!

[kathainbowen]

Originally posted by jnewman
Thanks I have had a tank up for 2-3 months fumbling here and there. For the most part great info and advice so far. few unfriendly people but just move past the post. sk8r has great posts and papagimp as well. I read at least two or more forums a night as much as sitting in front of my tank.

... must ...resist ....urge ....to .....design ......way to simultaneously watch tank and check RC.... like projecting your monitor onto the back of the tank or onto sand if it's pretty clean!

[cd77]

Works for me! And thank you for the thread

[cd77]

Originally posted by kathainbowen
... must ...resist ....urge ....to .....design ......way to simultaneously watch tank and check RC.... like projecting your monitor onto the back of the tank or onto sand if it's pretty clean!

Ha! I've been contemplating posting a question about submersible webcams -- it's on the to-do list, right now I've got to dig out my camera and take a picture of a yellow figi leather that I'm concerned about.. Where did that camera go now? Makes me wish I had a submersible webcam.. Ok, now I'm digging myself into a catch 22.

[kathainbowen]

Originally posted by cd77
Works for me! And thank you for the thread

No prob! It's like I said, we were all newbies at one point or another!

[Drag Racer]

I'm a Nubie and I think This site has been great so far. I've asked some what I think are pretty dumb questions so far and no one has made me feel like an idiot. I hope people on this site continue to be polite and pleasant to deal with.

[kathainbowen]

Originally posted by Drag Racer
I'm a Nubie and I think This site has been great so far. I've asked some what I think are pretty dumb questions so far and no one has made me feel like an idiot. I hope people on this site continue to be polite and pleasant to deal with.

...... *spies your occupation Drag Racer* ...... that all depends on what you're willing to let us play with!

Seriously? That's your job? That sounds like a pretty sweet gig.

[geronimofish]

It feels great to be welcomed.
I have not asked my first question, but I have a bunch.

[latrecia4life]

Thank you for this forum. I have learned quite a bit and love to read everyone elses experiences and tips!!!

[smilin]

Okay, here goes - as my first post! If it's possible to use the "search" feature without it being offline most of the time, I think alot of us would be able to find answers to our questions alot easier then seeing the same questions asked over and over again.

Also, some of the abbreviations that you all use is very confusing. I have a hard time trying to figure out what's being said alot of times.

Well, just my opinions. Love the website!

[Shooter7]

I've been doing this saltwater thing for over 3 years now and there is still so much to learn, so much to experience. And there are still forums even on here that I feel like I still have to prove myself to them or something to get more than just a couple answers to my questions there. I like hanging in the newbie forum from time to time simply because questions and situations come up with some of you that I've never seen or heard of before. Trying to answer some questions makes me think and look things up to make sure of my answers. It's good exercise.

[Shooter7]

Originally posted by smilin
Okay, here goes - as my first post! If it's possible to use the "search" feature without it being offline most of the time, I think alot of us would be able to find answers to our questions alot easier then seeing the same questions asked over and over again.

Also, some of the abbreviations that you all use is very confusing. I have a hard time trying to figure out what's being said alot of times.

Well, just my opinions. Love the website!

Go to the top of this forum and click on "HOME". When that page comes up, scroll down a little and look at the left hand side menu. In there you will see a selection called "Search Tools". Click on that and you can use a google search to search RC for topics. Not exactly the same as the normal search on here, but usable.

For the abbreviations, on that same Home page on the left side, scroll all the way down to the bottom and there is a selection called Reefkeeping Acronyms.

[smilin]

Doing a google search for some of these topics gives you alot of info but I want to search only this website since I think it's a good one. If I could do a search only on the website when it's ever available it would save alot of repeated info. It would probably help alot of the old members from having to cut and paste the same info over and over again.

Now I know how to look up your acronyms - that was useful!

[cd77]

Originally posted by smilin
Doing a google search for some of these topics gives you alot of info but I want to search only this website since I think it's a good one. If I could do a search only on the website when it's ever available it would save alot of repeated info. It would probably help alot of the old members from having to cut and paste the same info over and over again.

Google makes this easy. For instance, to do a search on reefcentral.com for "quarantine tank" you would go to google and type the following:

quarantine tank site:reefcentral.com

Becoming a premium member helps a lot too -- less server busy messages and higher search engine availability.

[Shooter7]

Originally posted by smilin
Doing a google search for some of these topics gives you alot of info but I want to search only this website since I think it's a good one. If I could do a search only on the website when it's ever available it would save alot of repeated info. It would probably help alot of the old members from having to cut and paste the same info over and over again.

Now I know how to look up your acronyms - that was useful!

The google search allows you to select to search just reef central.

[Dano999]

Originally posted by smilin
Okay, here goes - as my first post! If it's possible to use the "search" feature without it being offline most of the time, I think alot of us would be able to find answers to our questions alot easier then seeing the same questions asked over and over again.

Also, some of the abbreviations that you all use is very confusing. I have a hard time trying to figure out what's being said alot of times.

Well, just my opinions. Love the website!

smilin

If you become a RC Premium Member (a small $24 fee per year and well worth it) you will get priority on the searches as well as many other benefits. I have spent over 200 hours in the last 30 or so days and the information I have been able to find would have costs hundreds in books and publications. I belong to four Forums and now only visit RC.

Below is what a premium member gets you.

A spell checker integrated into your posts, replies and private messages (this alone is worth the membership fee)
Increased picture storage space from 2 MB to 5 MB
Increased picture size limits from 50 KB to 100 KB
The ability to backup your private messages and have them emailed to you
Higher server load availability (less server busy messages)
Higher search engine availability (less search disabled messages)
The ability to post events on the RC Calendar

The I support RC logo as part of your profile.

[Volkman]

I like the Newbie Appreciation Day!! I also think we need a RC Day for that matter! For without RC, I think many of us would have spent WAY more money and time dealing with all our screw-ups!!!
I do somewhat agree with Shooter7 a little though, it seams you do have to prove yourself a little, not much, but to some degree. I know when I first started out with this addiction, I'd ask (probably) a dumb question, but I'd have to probe for answers a little. Still do to a point, but getting better. Any suggestions how to ask questions or how to phrase things??
Other then that RC ROCKS!!

[Shooter7]

Well, hopefully you don't have to prove yourself in here in the newbie forum - I was speaking of one of the more specialty forums. Still, I think when some of the lack of enthusiasm to answer some questions in here occurs, I really think it's due to the questions being ones that have been answered many times and if the newbie would take the time to research the topic, they would find several references to the topic found in multiple threads already posted in the past. Everybody is so used to the "gimme gimme now!" world of the internet, they forget you still have to do some legwork sometimes and do some studying. The sticky thread at the top of this forum has a bunch of links to discussions in it that cover a wide breadth of topics and good info for any newbie to know. One just has to take the time to actually read them. That's why a lot of times when I answer someone's question on here I tell them to go to that thread or stickies in another forum here on RC and read. Personally, I feel you learn more that way.

[Drag Racer]

kathainbowen......My occupation is I fix Lamborghini's for a living. Yeah its cool at time but other times I just want to burn them to the ground to fix it. Drag racing is my hobby. I own and race a Low 8 second 160 MPH rear engine dragster. Ill have to put some pictures up later.