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shouldn't be so cautious about making their first post. Are we that intimidating?
Welcome aboard...
Have fun.
I'm just some Old Person, trying to be helpful.
EVERY ONE of us was a Noobie here, at SOME point in our histories.
Mere pups, hoping SOME day to run with the big dogs!
I was happy to get pass the "Newbie" class. When we had rank. I think it took 51 posts to garduate to "novice"? Brad
Most folks try to be helpful..
Even some of the more..caustic...people think thay they are helping ..in some way ..
I ..guess.. :0/
Tongue-in-cheek Al, by "most" do you mean the "vast majority" .... a.k.a. 50% + 1 ?? 
Very few..non helpfull folks here from what i can see.
There's always a few on any forum that tend to try to bring others down. Don't know why, maybe because they are anonymous and can act that way without being caught. Who knows?
Basically, most people on here are kind and helpful and newbies need not be hesitant to ask questions. Most will be helpfully answered. If they aren't, then those are the ones to ignore.
Texasbanjo sez:
"Most will be helpfully answered. If they aren't, then those are the ones to ignore."
My short answer reply about noobie participation follows below, but first, IMO though, when READING words, the reader attaches to those words the meanings based on, or filtered by, their individual points of view, personal biases, agreements with their own beliefs, shared commiserations, life experiences, etc., etc. .......such is the normalcy of communication.
However, I'd like to add that most folks who receive information (i.e., suggestions, recommendations, or opinions) different from or contrary to what 'they want to hear' often label the feedback let's say, as being 'negative', 'unhelpful', 'counterproductive', 'trolling', etc., etc.
So my opinion here is, if 'negative' information (or feedback) is offed in good faith/helpful intent then that 'negative' information might likely be more valuable and useful compared to what the reader wants to hear. .....oh my, someone's feelings might get hurt.
......'criticism' vs. ''critique'...
I would suggest that BHO and noobies reread good/favorable and bad/'negative' posts twice over to capture their meanings - there's a lot of helpful information and POVs here in the form of riddles, sarcasm, jokes and occasional outright crankiness.
Over the past two decades though, IMO the demeanor of BHO has ebbed and flowed but now seems very welcoming to noobie participation and questions.
I certainly hope we all try to be helpful, and not unhelpful. At least, I try to keep the rule, if you cannot say anything nice, then don't open your mouth and let everyone know how stupid you (
I) can sound. Helpful, not hurtful. The BHO Golden rule.
there are way more great folks on here then A$$holes. most are very helpful with anything you got going on. musical,,or household related... lots of smart folks on here.... don't know till you ask !!
A non-helpful question: How would I know whether a person was reluctant [cautious?] about making a post if he/she didn't tell me? 
quote:
Originally posted by OwenA non-helpful question: How would I know whether a person was reluctant [cautious?] about making a post if he/she didn't tell me?
100% true.
Related anecdote:
The last 28 years of my career I was a freelance writer. Corporate/marketing work. Not books or articles. I was a frequent speaker and panelist on the business of freelancing at meetings, workshops and conferences of writers' organizations, mostly here in the DC area. On my website, on the page about how clients work with me, I posted a table of ranges in which I tended to charged for a list of typical projects.
A frequent question at these presentations was doesn't the posting of my rates keep people from calling me? My answer was I have no idea who doesn't call me.
If a tree falls in the forest…. well, you know the drill
And another non-helpful thought : Fwiw I think there's m-a-n-y instances where people mistakenly think they're being helpful.
Most newbies, that hear about BHO before coming here, stay far away from this website and never post at all. There's a serious reputation issue here about "mean/grumpy old men" and most young players have no interest in joining the website. BHO is infamous for being anti-progressive on the other sites. It's why you see other banjo-related websites and social media thriving while this one wanes. The culture here isn't exactly appealing to anyone under 35, not just in terms of perspectives/views but just a lack of modern internet etiquette in how people interact with each other here.
This website is, generally, anti-progressive bluegrass, despite progressive bluegrass being the only thing keeping the genre alive at this point. People will insult you for having a neck scoop on your banjo, despite the fact that nearly all players have them nowadays. Billy Strings, the most popular bluegrass musician in 30 years, is regularly insulted here and has unironically been accused of being a Satanist on more than one occasion (and that was allowed to stay up even after being reported to mods).
This place is just unfriendly to young people and new players. And frankly IDK if there's anything that will change that, because it's really just a reflection of the old guard anyway. I love you guys, but the fact is, the old timers have never been friendly to the youngsters in the bluegrass/old-time scene. You could almost say that holding the youth in contempt is a bluegrass tradition, going all the way back to when Bill Monroe dis-invited Sam Bush from Bean Blossom because he had the audacity to grow his hair long. At the same time, we have lamentation that the tradition isn't being carried on by the next generation. It's an interesting juxtaposition, to say the least.
I dunno ..
I try to invite or include all..
But that's just me.. :0/
quote:
Originally posted by STUD figmo AlVery few..non helpfull folks here from what i can see.
Did someone call my name? How's it going, Fig?
Edited by - Disco Kid on 12/16/2024 16:35:37
Well,I joined at 38 and as a two year member let me tell you, there were some hostile answers to many of my initial questions. It got pointed out to me several times I was a newbie, implying what I asked or stated was bad\incorrect\wrong\unwanted.
I was berated for sticking up for others who had uncoventional ideas or liked unconventional playing.
However, two things happened that made it unnecessary for me to ask many actual banjo playing questions. 1) I had some really nice personal emails from MANY members who refuse to post public which gave me access to a hidden network of kind experts. 2) I found out how to use the search function and found pretty much anything I need to know was answered 15+ years ago.
I do like participating in a few non banjo related discussions and I do read almost all theory and history posts. A few gems are still found. Most of those still on here are very kind. Seems like the hostility has moved on.
Moved on to the Fiddle Hangout….. lol
Edited by - chuckv97 on 12/16/2024 16:59:36
quote:
Originally posted by Disco Kidquote:
Originally posted by STUD figmo AlVery few..non helpfull folks here from what i can see.
Did someone call my name? How's it going, Fig?
Still..kickin.. :0)
quote:
Originally posted by STUD figmo Alquote:
Originally posted by Disco Kidquote:
Originally posted by STUD figmo AlVery few..non helpfull folks here from what i can see.
Did someone call my name? How's it going, Fig?
Still..kickin.. :0)
Boots on the floor in the morning is a good thing.
Edited by - Disco Kid on 12/17/2024 05:39:49
quote:
Originally posted by NotABanjoYodaWell,I joined at 38 and as a two year member let me tell you, there were some hostile answers to many of my initial questions. It got pointed out to me several times I was a newbie, implying what I asked or stated was bad\incorrect\wrong\unwanted.
I experienced this as well. Responses stated or implied that I should already know X, despite being a newbie. Dumb question, everyone knows this, etc. Enthusiastic posts regarding some sort of accomplishment were sometimes smacked down by responses like I did that 50 years ago so I'm not impressed, etc.
Not encouraging.
I don't go to any other forums or have any other devices except this laptop so I know nothing of how other sites operate,but I suppose you get the same type of emotions wherever you go.
I like Billy Strings,but I don't mind if someone else doesn't.
I believe some places allow swearing...even "f" bombs.I like knowing I won't ever see that crap here.
I also believe many young people stop paying attention to what older folks say.
I'm not worried about that.I don't hang out with youngsters aside from my friends' kids.
quote:
Originally posted by KCJonesMost newbies, that hear about BHO before coming here, stay far away from this website and never post at all. There's a serious reputation issue here about "mean/grumpy old men" and most young players have no interest in joining the website. BHO is infamous for being anti-progressive on the other sites. It's why you see other banjo-related websites and social media thriving while this one wanes. The culture here isn't exactly appealing to anyone under 35, not just in terms of perspectives/views but just a lack of modern internet etiquette in how people interact with each other here.
This website is, generally, anti-progressive bluegrass, despite progressive bluegrass being the only thing keeping the genre alive at this point. People will insult you for having a neck scoop on your banjo, despite the fact that nearly all players have them nowadays. Billy Strings, the most popular bluegrass musician in 30 years, is regularly insulted here and has unironically been accused of being a Satanist on more than one occasion (and that was allowed to stay up even after being reported to mods).
This place is just unfriendly to young people and new players. And frankly IDK if there's anything that will change that, because it's really just a reflection of the old guard anyway. I love you guys, but the fact is, the old timers have never been friendly to the youngsters in the bluegrass/old-time scene. You could almost say that holding the youth in contempt is a bluegrass tradition, going all the way back to when Bill Monroe dis-invited Sam Bush from Bean Blossom because he had the audacity to grow his hair long. At the same time, we have lamentation that the tradition isn't being carried on by the next generation. It's an interesting juxtaposition, to say the least.
yeah ,, what he said. and turn that radio down and get out of my yard !!!!!
quote:
Originally posted by reubenstumpquote:
Originally posted by NotABanjoYodaWell,I joined at 38 and as a two year member let me tell you, there were some hostile answers to many of my initial questions. It got pointed out to me several times I was a newbie, implying what I asked or stated was bad\incorrect\wrong\unwanted.
I experienced this as well. Responses stated or implied that I should already know X, despite being a newbie. Dumb question, everyone knows this, etc. Enthusiastic posts regarding some sort of accomplishment were sometimes smacked down by responses like I did that 50 years ago so I'm not impressed, etc.
I'd sure like to see examples of these types of comments.
I find it hard to believe that someone would tell a newbie that they should already know certain things about banjo or music -- other than knowing what type of banjo music they want to play.
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