Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion "Newbies" Welcomed

I just recently had an experience that "put the shoe on the other foot". I have been lurking on one of the many coin talk forums, but had never registered for postings/participation. A newbie (I assume) asked a question about cleaning coins and one response was, "why don't you look in search, as people get tired of answering the same questions over and over". I thought this was extremely rude and I doubt that guy will ever come back. Large sites, like that one and Oldgas, can be quite intimadating to a new prospectus member. Becoming familiar with the site, not knowing anyone, and lack of a hobby's knowledge is enough to discourage active participation. But then you throw in a rude response and that pretty much ends it for the person.

Oldgas has been very welcoming to new members and I hope it continues. So when a "newbie" asks about a paint code for Gulf or what "this is worth", please remember where he is coming from. We have all been there before too. Thanks.

P.S. Come on "lurkers" and register, participate, and have fun.

I totally agree. I have used searched to look for an answer I know I read about months earlier to no avail, therfore we see allot of repeated topics and replies back to older posts. I think its great and informative, and the replies ussually start out with a welcome to the newbies. Last week I met "Erickson Holiday" on his first post and exchanged five emails outside oldgas. Now we both have another pair of eyes looking for stuff.

Regards,
Kim

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Great post!!

I recall a time when someone posted looking for some parts for an oil company ship model. Their first response was "Get a clue meat!" followed by that should be in non-petro (or similar)

So I posted and tried to smooth that over a bit and tried to welcome the newbie..

First impresssions can last a long time...

Great post Gary. I want to welcome all the "lurkers" and "newbies".

I watched for almost a year before I made attempted my first post.

Jump in and their will people that are more than willing to help.



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Scott Shipers
WANTED: quart oil cans
Kansas City, Missouri

You are absolutely right, Gary. Every day there are new members registering. Often, they are hesitant to post their first message, just as "lurkers" are hesitant to even register.

We need to treat them as we would like to be treated if we were new members ourselves. A kindly worded welcome, even if you don't know the answer to their question, goes a long way. It takes most of us working together to make this a place that is enjoyable and informative.

If you are standing on the sidelines, be brave and post that message you're thinking about. There is no stupid question. We have all had to start somewhere and learn along the way.

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Jim "Oldgas" Potts
Your host and moderator

ABSOLUTELY..Welcome..there are no stupid questions..I have been collecting for 15 years and still learn something new each day and ask questions constantly..thats the only way we gain knowledge. Remember too if no one responds to your question..the answer may not be known by the collective (oooh I sounded like a borg there..LOL)
Hopefully someone will and as more people become active partiipants..we ALL learn. Thats the Beauty of it..yay for the gas geeks

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Hubba: GAS GEEK , OIL FREAK and humble moderator

I'm a newbie here and all have made me feel welcome. A couple of the North Carolina guys; Neal and Mike Smith even sent emails and we have emailed back and forth a few times. I will definitley meet these guys and planning to go to a few shows so I can put the names with the faces I see in the post each day.

Thanks for making me feel welcome!!!!
Greg Allen

Gary, you are so right. I remember the first time I posted. "What do you think this item is worth?" Within a short time there were some replies. Great feeling, great site, the best of people.

Great post Gary!
I was an occaisional lurker myself until I finally decided to register. This site immediately became my favorite once I got involved. Many of the guys that were active on the site back then still are....Dick Bennett and Rex to name a few, but has this place ever grown since then! Get off off the sidelines and join the fun!

"Newbie" here! Thanks for your post! I've been here just a few days, but already feel like one of the gang! I've received more useful information in a few days than I could have ever learned on my own in a few years! This site, and all of y'all's goodwill make that possible! Drive on, be proud - we're out there!

I read a lot but don't say much.

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"see....it says so right on the can"

Ditto Gary. Posted 3 nights ago and have already had some good exchanges with some funny as hell guys.

Good board, good folks and fun hobby.

Flame the crotchy old farts if they ever start to gripe!

Mike,
TAKE it EASY on the use of O L D guys, I'm one of them !
db

Hi all;
I just had to say that This has to be the most friendly site I've ever found. I've been on other forms were newbes looking for simple answers to question get a cool shoulder. Not here. This is a great place. I may not post much but I'm on the side lines almost every day.
Have a great day.

Dave

Hi Everyone,

I put my first post in another area a few days ago, and I must say I've never met such nice, friendly and helpful people.

Thanks, Page