NEWBIES: We need your feedback!

**Greg** · May 18, 2006, 10:17 AM

The mods and I were browsing through the memberlist sorted by join date and noticed that not many of the new members that have registered in 2006 are posting a lot. Does anyone have any thoughts on why this is, or more importantly how to change this? Perhaps it's just a result of it being the typical slow time of year, coming off what is viewed by some as a bad ski season. It seems the more senior members are posting pretty often though. Our biggest concern is that some newbies may be feeling somewhat intimidated.

Therefore, we'd like to get some feedback from the newer members; i.e. anyone that has been a member for a year or less. Please respond to these questions:

Do you feel too intimidated to post here often?
Are you concerned about how a beginner level question will be received or responded to?
Are you simply more comfortable lurking vs. posting? If so, why is that?
Do you feel AZ members could be more friendly or welcoming?
Do you have any ideas for getting folks like yourself to post more often?
Are there any other changes you'd like to see here or do you have any other suggestions for the site in general?

Thanks for your feedback. It's greatly appreciated. I've always said that I want AZ to be a place where anyone feels comfortable posting and your feedback will help the mods and me acheive that. We welcome ideas and suggestions from the older AlpineZone members as well. Thanks!

**Greg** · May 18, 2006, 10:51 AM

By the way, if you'd rather provide some feedback privately, feel free to PM me or another mod. Thanks!

knuckledragger · May 18, 2006, 6:37 PM

As a newbie I can say that it takes time to feel comfortable enough to post. It seems that I want to get to know whats going on or see what the dynamics of the group are. As far as topics if there is anything I want to talk about that is not already being dicussed I would not be afraid to start a new thread. I hope others would also.

hrstrat57 · May 18, 2006, 6:48 PM

I am member of sno journal, TGR and Epic....lurk mostly on the first two, posted a lot on epic...too much I think so thus mostly lurking there now too. I expect I'll be pretty active here, I like the tone of AZ and eastern skiing is what I know best, so I think/hope I can bring some goods to the table. I want to feel out the group a bit more and lurk and learn before I post a lot tho....more out of respect than fear....

FWIW I would like to see more gear discussion here...I started threads and posted quite a bit regarding my experiences with new ski's this winter on epic (Volkl Allstar and Fischer RX8 ) and enjoyed the feedback I received there as a result of my sharing.....I am a gear addict, golf, tennis, guitars, ski gear you name it, I love my toys!

It appears that ski technique is a limited topic here, which is an attraction actually....always seems to turn into a flame fest....egos I guess. This forum seems less about ego and more about sharing....I haven't seen much sniping and what I have seen has been pretty clearly just fun. Moderation here appears top notch, ego free, fair and even handed.

So far I think AZ is just outstanding! I have been spreading the word

ChileMass · May 18, 2006, 7:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrstrat57

I am member of sno journal, TGR and Epic....lurk mostly on the first two, posted a lot on epic...too much I think so thus mostly lurking there now too. I expect I'll be pretty active here, I like the tone of AZ and eastern skiing is what I know best, so I think/hope I can bring some goods to the table. I want to feel out the group a bit more and lurk and learn before I post a lot tho....more out of respect than fear....

FWIW I would like to see more gear discussion here...I started threads and posted quite a bit regarding my experiences with new ski's this winter on epic (Volkl Allstar and Fischer RX8 ) and enjoyed the feedback I received there as a result of my sharing.....I am a gear addict, golf, tennis, guitars, ski gear you name it, I love my toys!

It appears that ski technique is a limited topic here, which is an attraction actually....always seems to turn into a flame fest....egos I guess. This forum seems less about ego and more about sharing....I haven't seen much sniping and what I have seen has been pretty clearly just fun. Moderation here appears top notch, ego free, fair and even handed.

So far I think AZ is just outstanding! I have been spreading the word

Nice. Thanks.

skidbump · May 18, 2006, 7:30 PM

free beer and weed would help

Marc · May 18, 2006, 9:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrstrat57

Moderation here appears top notch, ego free, fair and even handed.

Yeah well. So much for the moderation here being ego free, anyway.

Can I tell you why I'm intimidated to post here Greg?

knuckledragger · May 18, 2006, 9:27 PM

I agreee

YardSaleDad · May 19, 2006, 2:54 AM

Wow. It seems like it's been a lot longer than 7 months to me since I joined. I never felt intimided by anyone. More in awe of the wealth of info on this board. I spent a lot more time reading, than I did posting, because most of the time, my questions had already been answered in older posts. There are very few online communities that entice me to come out and meet members face to face. AlpineZone meets have turned out better than I expected each time. I just wish there was a Hang Gliding board here too

Just my 2 cents

Ski Diva · May 19, 2006, 6:53 AM

I've only been posting since December, first as wclinch, then as ski diva (that witness protection program will do it every time!), so I guess I'm a newbie, too. I like the tone here. Everyone seems helpful and friendly and isn't afraid to make jokes. All in all, a great site for ski addicts like me!!!

May 18, 2006, 10:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
Greg Nassahegan, CT: 9/20 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Thomaston, CT Posts: 21,127	NEWBIES: We need your feedback! The mods and I were browsing through the memberlist sorted by join date and noticed that not many of the new members that have registered in 2006 are posting a lot. Does anyone have any thoughts on why this is, or more importantly how to change this? Perhaps it's just a result of it being the typical slow time of year, coming off what is viewed by some as a bad ski season. It seems the more senior members are posting pretty often though. Our biggest concern is that some newbies may be feeling somewhat intimidated. Therefore, we'd like to get some feedback from the newer members; i.e. anyone that has been a member for a year or less. Please respond to these questions: Do you feel too intimidated to post here often? Are you concerned about how a beginner level question will be received or responded to? Are you simply more comfortable lurking vs. posting? If so, why is that? Do you feel AZ members could be more friendly or welcoming? Do you have any ideas for getting folks like yourself to post more often? Are there any other changes you'd like to see here or do you have any other suggestions for the site in general? Thanks for your feedback. It's greatly appreciated. I've always said that I want AZ to be a place where anyone feels comfortable posting and your feedback will help the mods and me acheive that. We welcome ideas and suggestions from the older AlpineZone members as well. Thanks! __________________ Greg 2007-08, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05 Life's too short for warm up runs.

May 18, 2006, 10:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
Greg Nassahegan, CT: 9/20 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Thomaston, CT Posts: 21,127	By the way, if you'd rather provide some feedback privately, feel free to PM me or another mod. Thanks! __________________ Greg 2007-08, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05 Life's too short for warm up runs.

May 18, 2006, 6:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
hrstrat57 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Yawgoo Valley RI Posts: 179	I am member of sno journal, TGR and Epic....lurk mostly on the first two, posted a lot on epic...too much I think so thus mostly lurking there now too. I expect I'll be pretty active here, I like the tone of AZ and eastern skiing is what I know best, so I think/hope I can bring some goods to the table. I want to feel out the group a bit more and lurk and learn before I post a lot tho....more out of respect than fear.... FWIW I would like to see more gear discussion here...I started threads and posted quite a bit regarding my experiences with new ski's this winter on epic (Volkl Allstar and Fischer RX8 ) and enjoyed the feedback I received there as a result of my sharing.....I am a gear addict, golf, tennis, guitars, ski gear you name it, I love my toys! It appears that ski technique is a limited topic here, which is an attraction actually....always seems to turn into a flame fest....egos I guess. This forum seems less about ego and more about sharing....I haven't seen much sniping and what I have seen has been pretty clearly just fun. Moderation here appears top notch, ego free, fair and even handed. So far I think AZ is just outstanding! I have been spreading the word Last edited by hrstrat57; May 18, 2006 at 6:53 PM.

May 19, 2006, 6:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
Ski Diva Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 306	I've only been posting since December, first as wclinch, then as ski diva (that witness protection program will do it every time!), so I guess I'm a newbie, too. I like the tone here. Everyone seems helpful and friendly and isn't afraid to make jokes. All in all, a great site for ski addicts like me!!! __________________ TheSkiDiva, For Women Who Ski http://www.theskidiva.com

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May 18, 2006, 6:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
knuckledragger Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Starksboro VT Posts: 123	As a newbie I can say that it takes time to feel comfortable enough to post. It seems that I want to get to know whats going on or see what the dynamics of the group are. As far as topics if there is anything I want to talk about that is not already being dicussed I would not be afraid to start a new thread. I hope others would also.

May 18, 2006, 7:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
skidbump buddy the wonder dog Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: hyde park,ny Posts: 385	free beer and weed would help

May 18, 2006, 9:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
knuckledragger Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Starksboro VT Posts: 123	I agreee

May 19, 2006, 2:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
YardSaleDad Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cold Spring, NY Posts: 564	Wow. It seems like it's been a lot longer than 7 months to me since I joined. I never felt intimided by anyone. More in awe of the wealth of info on this board. I spent a lot more time reading, than I did posting, because most of the time, my questions had already been answered in older posts. There are very few online communities that entice me to come out and meet members face to face. AlpineZone meets have turned out better than I expected each time. I just wish there was a Hang Gliding board here too Just my 2 cents