Do you believe their a Cliques in forums?

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

04/14/2005 12:32:54 PM · #1

Just something I have noticed. Just in general and not in this fourm that I have noticed yet. But it seems people run in "packs" on some of these forums.

I am a computer modder so I belong to a few just computer only type of forums. And dang...just seems like their are alot of "know it alls" in the world today. They tell you this this and this. Regardless if you wanted or asked for the info. And when their pals come in they give them a break.

Or better yet...when your new to a forum...and you post for the first time and no one acknowledges anything. Someone that has been on the forum a while long posts the same basic thread and whamo everyone is all posting on that one.

I guess it is like in real life.....some people want to be the leaders and others are happy to be followers.

(sorry for miss spelling the title but I can't edit it in this type of forum)

Message edited by author 2005-04-14 12:34:02.

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

04/14/2005 12:38:49 PM · #2

If you walked into a crowded room, wouldn't you naturally seek out those you know and have a tendancy to associate mosty with them?
Many on this site have had long-term associations online and in a number of cases, personally. Common bonds & friendships have ensued, with most being wrung through the rath of the voters in a trial by fire here.

This is a social gathering as much as it is anything else.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

04/14/2005 12:42:55 PM · #3

Oh I understand that. Just like if you went a photography convention everyone would mingle to who they knew ot admired or what have you.

But if someone asked a question to alot fo people.....people wouldn't be so inclinded dismiss them. In real life people are general nicer then they would be on line. Maybe inside they would say "who are you?" But on here their is basically no fear of anyone doing anything to you. So people gang up on others just for the simple fact of doing it. I have already read several posts where people didn't like the topic and you could sense they generally didn't liek the person posting the topic. And I suppose in real life they wouldnt be their with that person because they probrably wouldn't get along.

Canon EOS-20D

04/14/2005 12:49:05 PM · #4

While it is true that people are sometimes less inhibited online, I have yet to come across a situation where I walk out my door and find a hundred people that I do not know, willing to help me with even the most inane questions, as is the case here. Sure, there are topics that those who have been around awhile have grown tired of and we do have an interesting display of behavior every now and then but I think that as a whole, DPC is one of the most welcoming and charitable online communities around. We have some experts (and some self-appointed experts) and some completely without a clue and lots of people in between but it all seems to work itself out pretty nicely.

Prof_Fate

04/14/2005 12:51:14 PM · #5

Some of that is like the crowded room - I am here often, as is bradp (check our profiles for # of forum posts). You are new. i have seen many new folks lately - this is good! However, Since i recognize bradP's name, and many others here, we know where they are 'coming from' so to speak, having been involved in other forum discussions with them.

I think sometimes it takes a while to get used to the flow of this (or any forum) - when is it most active? Which forums are the best place to ask? How to phrase a question, etc.

When you ask and get no answer is may not be cliquish thing at all - could be a lsow time of day (edt evening rush hour is slow here i have found) or perhaps you just asked something thas was beat to death last week..etc.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

04/14/2005 12:55:14 PM · #6

I've been part of online forums and communities since their inception, so long ago I don't even want to remember it, and I have to say that for a general-membership forum devoted to a specific topic (photography in this case) this is by far the least cliquish place I have ever encountered. In fact, that's why I spend so much time here; it's relaxing. Heck, we have a never-ending thread on creationism vs evolution running (about as controversial and polarizing a topic as you could find) and it's STILL civilized after 6 long pages.

I wonder how many folks realize how rare that is?

Regarding cliquishness in general, I haven't been here long at all, just a few months, and I wasn't aware of any difficulties "breaking in", so I'd say this site's way low on the clique-meter.

Robt.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

04/14/2005 12:59:03 PM · #7

Thereâ��s only one guy that really bugs me here. Even though heâ��s been here for less time than I have he still gets all the attention. Like heâ��s soooo good. Heâ��s soooo talented.

Itâ��s always, â��Oh BradP youâ��re such a talented photographer!â��

Orâ�¦

â��Oh BradP, your photos are soooo awesome! I want to be just like you.â��

Orâ�¦

â��Youâ��re my favorite BradP!â��

I tell you it just makes me SICK!!!

(Just kidding of course )

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

04/14/2005 01:00:48 PM · #8

I agree, the community on this board is so helpful compared to many other online communities.

There are definitely those who seem to spend much more time 'ranting' politically than spending time in the photography threads but as bear_music said even the rants are often mature.

And those that disagree on religious or political issues can often come back to another thread running concurrently and be very cordial with each other.

I think the community on this site is fantastic...so, thanks everyone!

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

04/14/2005 01:01:07 PM · #9

Oh I can totally understand....its not so much about asking of questions. And I am sure no forum is complete without a little bit of all of these people.

I belong to a pc fourm. And their is constantly repeated threads that if people searched they would not have to post it to begin with. So I can udnrstand that.

And I am sure like most things people have to feel each other out on here(not literally). You can't expect to join a forum and say hell and everyone to be all over yah thank you for such an insightful comment.

I wasn't speaking of this forum because I have only been here a week or so. So I couldn't comment on anything really about the site.

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

04/14/2005 01:01:25 PM · #10

Originally posted by micknewton:

Thereâ��s only one guy that really bugs me here. Even though heâ��s been here for less time than I have he still gets all the attention. Like heâ��s soooo good. Heâ��s soooo talented.

Itâ��s always, â��Oh BradP youâ��re such a talented photographer!â��

â��Oh BradP, your photos are soooo awesome! I want to be just like you.â��

â��Youâ��re my favorite BradP!â��

(Just kidding of course )

Isn't it always him saying those things about himself?

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

04/14/2005 01:03:57 PM · #11

Originally posted by micknewton:

Guess I have been successful in my efforts to dazzle enough with my good looks huh, cuz' as far as purdy pictures go, well I guess I should go to Vegas and see if my luck would carry over there too! It's all luck.

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

04/14/2005 01:07:32 PM · #12

I am a relative newby to this community and can assure you that I have not encountered the "Clique" mentallity you allude to. I do know that there are several individuals on here that I greatly respect, admire and generally like, as they have provided me with a great deal of information and insight.

I have seen this community open its collective hearts and wallets to help others in need... dispense all kinds of wonderful and priceless information... provide solace and comfort to some that may have had set backs, be they physical, psychological, monetary or other forms of trials and tribulations.

The only suggestion I would have is for you to take full advantage of everything you can garner from this site. The people are caring, compassionate, helpful and have a great sense of humour.

In everyday life we encounter some people that rub us the wrong way and get our hackles up, and DPC is no different. However, that being said, just as we don't give up on society as a whole because of the boorish behaviour of a few...you should not base your impressions of DPC on a few weeks worth of experience.

I would urge you to give this community a fair chance......You will love it... trust me.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

04/14/2005 01:10:33 PM · #13

Originally posted by BradP:

It's all luck.

For most of us, I think it's a mix of talent, free time, and a large helping of luck. But, in your case I'm sure it's mostly luck.

:)

Chinabun

Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

04/14/2005 01:12:01 PM · #14

i can tell you from my experience that if someone on this site isnt interested in what you have to say than maybe they dont respond..maybe it was the title to your post or something that didnt just catch their eye..i have had plenty of help, and have even partnered up with someone so they can personally teach me what i need to know and i'm slowly doin better but its hard to teach someone when they live in a different country, but i'm learning!