Nursery for New Members

Posted on
Page
of 217
  • Nursery for New Members

    So you've just joined and you're wondering what the hell this nursery thing is all about and why this site has it when few to no other sites you've visited have such a thing.

    Please read all of this post!

    We had a few problems in the past with things like:
    Spammers signing up and posting adverts
    What makes a spammer a spammer when there's a classifieds section? The difference is whether those posting items for sale take part in the wider community... if they are doing that and the majority of their posts are not spam, then they're not a spammer... if all they do is sell stuff and have no interest in the community, then they're a spammer.
    Spammers signing up and sending PMs to 60 or so people
    Invasions from other forums, so basically mass trolling
    Individual trolls
    New people asking questions that have been asked and answered what feels like a hundred times already
    New people starting little flame wars against themselves by asking such stupid questions that a quick search would've saved them embarrassment and spared their reputation
    Those are a wide and varied set of problems, and we worked out that nearly all of them could be stemmed by just putting up an artificial obstacle for those joining the forums.

    Effectively there is a cooling-off period in which new members should get acclimatised to the forum and get to see how it works, and the forum should get a moment to become familiar with the new person. We are basically forcing you to ease yourself in gently... but honestly, doing so is better for you, this place can be harsh so just go with it.

    The name for this artificial period is "the nursery". Until you learn to walk here, you can't run.

    And what does being in the nursery actually amount to?

    Well members in the nursery can:
    Search the forums
    Reply to existing threads
    Upload a profile picture (non-animated)
    Join an existing social group
    What nursery members can't do is:
    Start new threads
    Use Private Messaging
    Have a custom avatar
    Upload a animated profile picture
    Edit their posts (they can't undo what they say)
    Rate threads
    Give reputation
    Post on polls
    Anything else not explicitly granted to them above
    What defines a "nursery member"?

    It's pretty simple, you are no longer in the nursery when you have both:
    Posted 3 times
    Been on the site for 24 hours
    And this is an automatic thing, as soon as that threshold is passed the system will promote you to full membership within an hour or two.

    Now, a lot of people don't like the nursery. And that's very understandable, but let me just underline some qualities of this site that don't really exist elsewhere.

    First up, moderators... we have none... not one, none. Other sites pride themselves on having 20 or 30 moderators, we just don't bother. We have an administrator, that's me VelocityBoy... but really I do the technical stuff like run the software and server and ensure that the place functions well and doesn't get blacklisted. What I don't do is to subjectively police the place. Point is, if we have no moderators we really do need a system that from the outset reduces the kind of work that leads to the creation of moderators... basically to reduce spam and trolling from the instant that a new member signs up.

    Next up, jostling. Every forum has it's fair share of new members being initiated by the old timers by some friendly ribbing. But sometimes this can go too far, especially if (without searching first) you ask an oft-repeated, tired, or dumb question in your first post. It's not pleasant to watch new members get ripped to shreds, and really I'm doing you the biggest favour by forcing you to search first and look around before you ask... the guys here can be merciless towards the new, so say hello first and search thoroughly before you ask stuff. The result, yeah there's still some jostling, but not much, and the place is a hell of a lot friendlier for it and that is priceless.

    Can you evade the nursery period?

    Don't try. Really. It's a public forum which means everyone can see you do it, and if you post 5 meaningless posts in an attempt to sidestep the nursery chances are that someone will report you... when that happens, I will ban that account permanently. You're free to register again, but then you start the nursery again too. So don't try, we're not that dumb and as this is our one piece of moderation it's purposefully harsh, really, don't try.

    But what if you're not a spammer, not a troll, not a internet and cycling newbie, you aren't going to ask a dumb question, and you have experience of other fixed gear forums. Well, why didn't you say? If all of this is true, then you can contact me (the administrator) using the Contact Us form at the bottom of the page and outline why you need to be out of the nursery. If you can persuade me with a paragraph that you need to start a new thread, or send a PM, or something... then I will get you out of the nursery as soon as I can (i.e. when I've checked my email and seen your message). I do this a lot, it's cool. So do just ask, I'm not that scary really.

    I think that covers all of the basics about the nursery... key thing, just say hi, chat to us... the nursery period will fly by before you know it. It's the best way, and it's the one that works best for everyone.

  • Just picked up an 80's colnago super frame in pretty good condition for 90 quid,
    good deal?

  • Very good. I'll buy it for £91

  • Howdy. i'm originally from melbourne and been here about 8 years. bike got nicked about 3 months ago and decided the time was right to go fixed so with insurance money got a plug. been riding it for 6 weeks now and love it. still getting used to the time pedals tho. had candies before which i did like but as others have said the cleats ARE made of butter so didnt think they'd be as good on the plug so went down the time route. That said It may be my new shoes i'm getting used to. I stripped the hex nut bit of the screw on my old shoes so couldnt get the candy cleats off. They'd had it anyways. I now use the old shoes on the erg. New shoes are the cheapest specialized ones i could find. I might upgrade to soem casual new wave black ones. but winter might find my feet a bit soggy. Although, I find i only get seriously wet about 10 times a year and i commute all year round. anyone else find this in London?

  • Native Londoners never get wet.

    Fact.

  • maybei shoul put someclothes on next time i go out

  • Hi, got introduced to the world of fixed gear by a mate from work whose a member. Just bought a nice 70's 531db frame and gathering the necessary bits and pieces to build it up. Looking forward to getting it on the road.

  • this is a good idea

  • is this site a good place to sell a fixed wheel bike i have built myself? it is brand new but my wife is giving me heat about amount of bikes in living room so rather than divorce its cheaper to sell one of the bikes

  • ahhh we should of had this on our bike forum, we used to get spammed to death
    now its all gone stealth with about 3 members hahaha

  • rjblufc not sure id imagine so if not ebay it or post it me for free, ill look after it :-)

  • It's a shame that you have to sell your bikes.

  • I think the nursery is a good idea. I don't want to get burnt.

  • Does this mean that I'm out now?

  • Dimwit!, did you actually read the first post in this thread?

    http://www.londonfgss.com/thread9350.html

  • Does this mean that I'm out now?

    Yes indeed. Bye bye.

  • Dimwit!, did you actually read the first post in this thread?

    http://www.londonfgss.com/thread9350.html

    Thanks. Yes I did, but I as just checking.

  • At least your name is accurate.

    We're watching you...

  • Thanks. Yes I did, but I as just checking.

  • Awesome I as wondering were that was!

  • hahaha

  • Hello. I'm new to the forum. My name is Matt, I live in Hackney. I am an ex mountain biker in the process of building something interesting to ride to work on.... be gentle

  • Hi,just lurking trying to pick up some knowledge,understanding and good deals.
    Have just re-realised how amazing bikes are.
    Gonna keep a low profile and look before leap,i only like my chestnuts roasted at christmas : )

  • 'hello'

  • Post a reply
    • Bold
    • Italics
    • Link
    • Image
    • List
    • Quote
    • code
    • Preview
About

Nursery for New Members

Posted by Avatar for Velocio @Velocio

Actions