Giving new posters the benefit of the doubt

Posts

• Fire Posts: 19,096

  April 2022

  "The majority of random first posts" should not be suspect if there's nothing suspect in them. We should assume good faith unless there is some glaring, obvious, indubitable evidence of dodgy doing, like a link that is clearly intended as malicious spam.
  

  
  

  We are hosts and welcomers not ferocious, swivel-eyed gate keepers. Ferocious, suspcious gate-keeping serves no uses at all. If spam is posted, it is easily deleted.  Pre-empting spam that hasn't happened serves no purpose. Genuine spammers will return if they are on a mission anyway. Being rude, spikey and offensive serves no purpose.

  
  

  Courtsey is not an optional extra.

  
  

  As I've underlined elsewhere the forum is an international resource that gets over eight million views a year. It does not need to be defended as if the space is someone's living room or have someone standing by the door with a pitchfork. It's not a private space. It does not "belong" to anyone. Courtsey should be extended to all here, especially if they are new posters. If you feel overwhelmed with supspicion and the need to be offensive, it is perhaps best to log off and have a cup of tea.
  

  
  

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• Chris-P-Bacon Posts: 943

  April 2022

  B3 said:

  OK. The majority of random first posts are suspect. But sometimes a lurker might pluck up the courage to dive in. 

  Who are 'we' to judge? 
  Forgive me, but I'm not too sure what the point of your post is?

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• B3 Posts: 27,505

  April 2022

  I'm not sure I buy it into the international resource thing but there have been one or two unfortunate  misidentifications regarding spammers
  This is a UK based site and if the world wants to join us, that's fine so long as they understand that our 'world' isn't global

  In London. Keen but lazy.

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• B3 Posts: 27,505

  April 2022

  @Chris-P-Bacon. I was thinking about a recent poster who was made to feel less than welcome. It stuck in my mind so I posted.

  In London. Keen but lazy.

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• tlchimera Posts: 51

  April 2022

  I'm a long time lurker, that really, really values this forum as a resource. I find the various viewpoints and exceptional knowledge incredibly helpful, and can lose many hours searching keywords and reading through posts from years ago that are incredibly helpful. The time people put into this forum is so generous and the community the regulars have formed is just joyous. 
  

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• B3 Posts: 27,505

  April 2022

  Maybe we should have a lurkers come in the water's lovely thread.
  Go on somebody. Do it!

  In London. Keen but lazy.

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• Uff Posts: 3,199

  April 2022

  Your idea B3 go for it a lovely idea.
  Nice to see you posting @tlchimera
  It's easy when we pluck up the courage.

  SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire

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• B3 Posts: 27,505

  April 2022

  Well I'm going to do it!

  In London. Keen but lazy.

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• Uff Posts: 3,199

  April 2022

  Good for you

  SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire

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• AnniD Posts: 12,585

  April 2022

  There was this one ?
  https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1061856/hearing-from-regular-readers-who-dont-comment-happy-lurkers-and-the-hesitant/p1
   

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