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New season, new faces, same old rules

With the season well under way, and with the Mariners off to their usual...well, off to a start, anyway, it seems like it might be time for a sort of "here's who we are" type of post.  So here it is.

If you're new here since the start of the season, or in the last few months, welcome.  LL is a long-established community with a pretty well defined set of norms and expectations - it's not a free for all, it's not a drunken barroom argument, and it's not a place where you can be a jerk and expect to last long.   That said, we're not scary and we welcome new posters - as long as you understand what's expected of you and can follow a few simple rules.

If you haven't already, please make yourself familiar with these three links, handily located on the left sidebar:

1.  The Off-Topic/Commenting Guidelines.  These cover what can and cannot be discussed on LL.  Since this post was written a lot of the behaviors listed in it have either gone away or mellowed out to the point of being acceptable.  We would like to keep it that way, so please read the post in full. 

2.  The Lookout Landing Style Guide:  This post covers HOW you should post what you post, including such seemingly pedantic things as requiring a subject line, using proper spelling and grammar, and some general behavioral expectations.  As mentioned in this post, these rules are here for a reason, and it's a reason a lot of us value highly - these rules make LL a civil place where it's easy to follow along and learn if you want, and easy to participate if you want.  The level of interaction you have with LL is up to you, but if you interact, these are the rules you need to use to govern your interactions.

3.  How To Post Pictures and Links:  It's not OK to post 1200x800 pictures on LL, because a lot of us read this at work (hi boss!) and our work networks are slow and old.  This post shows you how to downsize images and how to post links.  It's really quite easy.

If you're new around here, I do encourage you to read through all these posts, but the "big" rules are simple:

 - No politics
 - No religion
 - No chatspeak
 - Structure your arguments well and don't make them personal
 - Like beer, or at least tolerate those who do (okay, so I made that last one up. Still, the point stands).


So, all that said, welcome to LL, new posters, and don't be shy about speaking up! 

Comment 154 comments  |  15 recs  | 

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As an infrequent poster but hardcore lurker

I’m still honestly confused about the community’s feeling on racist jokes. Only if they’re really funny? Always okay? Never okay? It seems as though we’ve gone back and forth on it a few times but I don’t remember where we landed. If it’s ambiguous that’s fine I just don’t want to violate some implicit law that everyone knows but me.

Thanks sexy people!

by TheBishop on Apr 20, 2010 1:36 PM PDT reply actions  

The general rule about anything, racist jokes or otherwise

is simple: be funny. This is, of course, wholly subjective, but if you’ve lurked a while you should have a good feel for what the community defines as “funny”.

 And if you don’t like something (I’m not crazy about racist jokes but let’s please not turn this into a discussion about that because it’s been done), just skip it and move on with your life.

by pdb on Apr 20, 2010 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions  

There's no official rule on this

truly off color jokes will result in a poor response, and there are many here, like me, who think that most of the race-based jokes made on LL aren’t really funny or creative enough to merit posting. However, there is no official line on the issue.

De Gutibus non disputandum est

by Bearskin Rugburn on Apr 20, 2010 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions  

This is excellent and the only thing I would add to it is

that while all of these rules and guidelines might seem onerous to new people, they’re really not – all we’re asking for is that while at LL you behave like you’re at a party where you don’t really know anyone except the person that invited you, and not like you’re at a party where everyone’s hammered and you’re desperately trying to catch up.

by pdb on Apr 20, 2010 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

And cats.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://www.marinersminors.com/

by JY on Apr 20, 2010 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

In the case of piling on

that would be a good place for people to flag the comment, correct? I would suggest flagging the comment first, and then if after a minute or two somebody hasn’t pointed out the mistake, make a comment on it?

by seattle_since_81 on Apr 20, 2010 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

Preferably just flag.

But one comment saying “Please use a subject line” is fine. So yes. But wait to make sure other people haven’t said it first.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Apr 20, 2010 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

Pretty damn comprehensive.

I appreciate the screenname numbers bit.

angels fan in seattle

by Eyebrows on Apr 20, 2010 4:26 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

What's the origin of this?

Funny, I can’t seem to think off the top of my head of any regulars with numbers in their handles. Except for that asshole abender20.

Mariners/D Broncos/BSU Broncos fan in Seattle

by appleshampoo on Apr 20, 2010 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

Numbers at the end are fine.

I think there’s a correlation between numbers in the middle of a screen name and use of chatspeak.

by Matthew on Apr 20, 2010 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

Fuck, I have a number

I also want to add that we lurkers appreciate all these rules too. I absolutely cannot stand reading game threads on other SBN sites, with the lack of subject lines, ridiculous grammar and chatspeak, etc. These rules make it much easier for us lurkers to follow along as well – without them, the gamethreads would become unreadable like they are everywhere else.

by fmh2 on Apr 20, 2010 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions   2 recs

I still don't get why Jeff hates stuffed crust pizza

They just took the stuff on the top of the pizza and put it in the crust.

by Edgar for Pres on Apr 20, 2010 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

Except they don't throw in sauce and meat.

It’s like they stuffed a string cheese stick in there and hoped it would melt. Gross.

by harkening on Apr 20, 2010 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

"They stuffed a string cheese stick in there and hoped it would melt."

See, this is exactly why I think stuffed crust pizza is pure genius.

by Chris Hafner on Apr 20, 2010 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

I don't think that's what they do

I think they take a very long stretch of those string cheese mozarella sticks and roll the crust over it. That’s way different than shredding up the mozarella and spreading it over the pizza, completely changes the taste and consistency.

by OlSalty on Apr 20, 2010 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

I am flabbergasted by how good this comment is.

As a relatively long standing member, I resolve to keep all of this in mind even in my own comments.

by royalcurve on Apr 20, 2010 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

I believe that here at LL we need to make more use of the sarcasm font

put an @ sign before and after the text, so that
"at" sarcasm "at"
=

sarcasm

"Most all good Americans hate the Yankees. It is a value we cherish and pass on to our children like decency and democracy and the importance of a good breakfast." - William B. Mead

by Steve Nelson on Apr 23, 2010 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

Well damn, almost.

I want Sean White in high leverage situations.

I have a Belief System

by Decatur on Apr 24, 2010 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions  

.

I like the sarcasm font

by abender20 on Apr 25, 2010 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions   5 recs

Whoa

Man I miss WFB's hustle so hard

Mariners/D Broncos/BSU Broncos fan in Seattle

by appleshampoo on Apr 26, 2010 12:18 AM PDT up reply actions  

As a relatively new commenter.

This is awesome. Thanks to all involved.

by moyerLIVES on Apr 20, 2010 3:59 PM PDT reply actions  

One more thing:

Please be aware that British English is acceptable spelling around here before ‘correcting’ someone over it. Doing so does not endear you to the moderators.

by Graham MacAree on Apr 20, 2010 4:07 PM PDT reply actions  

Help help! I'm bein' repressed!

~I once gave Jose Canseco $15. ~

by section331 on Apr 22, 2010 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

You missed your chance

“British English is acceptable spelling in this neighbourhood”

by pdb on Apr 20, 2010 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions  

Let's not overanalyse.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://www.marinersminors.com/

by JY on Apr 20, 2010 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

A few more potential tips for new commenters:

1. There are a lot of smart people at LL who agree on a lot of topics – but you’re not expected to check your brain or your opinions at the door. You can disagree successfully at LL. The bar is just higher than it is elsewhere on the Internet – having an opinion doesn’t automatically mean that opinion is a good one. Don’t argue with people – argue with their positions. Use evidence. Be thoughtful. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Keep an open mind. Admitting the strength of an opposing opinion is not a sign of weakness.
2. Shocking humor is a hallmark at LL, but it’s effective because it comes from people who are known. A person known to be decent saying something completely shocking and wrong is much funnier than a known scumbag saying something shocking and wrong. Context counts – unless you’re an unquestioned comic genius, make yourself known first.
3. It’s always a good idea to lurk before you jump in, especially if you’re tempted to start off arguing. Get a feel for the community. The community existed before you arrived – don’t expect to drop in, be disrespectful to the regulars, and not be challenged. That wouldn’t fly in a bar full of established regulars, and that wouldn’t fly here. Trying to understand the other point of view before speaking may sound old-fashioned, but it’s a much more productive and respectful way to live.
4. There is one former Mariner who must not be mentioned by name. Mention that player at your peril. Actually, don’t mention him at all; that guy was a douche.
5. Don’t be mean, unless you’re Graham.

by Chris Hafner on Apr 20, 2010 9:45 PM PDT reply actions  

I continue to be amazed with the community here.

Starting with (and sometimes ending with! The dirty Gunner!) pdb. Bravo. Thank you once again for going above and beyond.

by royalcurve on Apr 20, 2010 10:57 PM PDT reply actions   1 recs

I agree

There’s a real desire here to cultivate an actual identity as a community and make LL something more than a bunch of blog posts that people comment on. People seem to take a lot of pride in LL as blog and that’s why it’s one of the best (the best?) on SBN.

You! Cake or death?

by Torrid on Apr 20, 2010 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

Can I add a rule?

Stop calling me “Dude”. My avatar picture is me, and I am very clearly female.

Mostly.

~I once gave Jose Canseco $15. ~

by section331 on Apr 22, 2010 2:57 PM PDT reply actions  

Normally, yes

But I got it from people who didn’t know me well enough to be using it that way.

I’m not terribly crabby about it, just trying to add some levity. Levity failure imminent. Boo.

~I once gave Jose Canseco $15. ~

by section331 on Apr 22, 2010 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

I never claimed coolness

In fact, whatever cool is, I’m about as far from as you can get. :/

~I once gave Jose Canseco $15. ~

by section331 on Apr 22, 2010 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

You have red hair.

So I don’t understand how you can say this.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Apr 22, 2010 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

Insert astronomy blue shifting/red shifting joke here.

Hard work never killed nobody, but I won't take my chances.

by JAH on Apr 22, 2010 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

She's constantly getting further from us?

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://www.marinersminors.com/

by JY on Apr 22, 2010 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

I have avoided use of dude appying to females after hearing multiple rants.

And then I end up saying something like “see you guys later” instead and wonder if I have violated a different rule.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://www.marinersminors.com/

by JY on Apr 22, 2010 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

Eh, I guess I'm guilty of it, too

It seems more “natural” in speech than writing, to me…but that’s just me.

Also, in past cases where this has happened, I’ve had others rush in to correct the offending poster…so was under the impression that there was not a gender-neutrality. I apparently stand corrected.

~I once gave Jose Canseco $15. ~

by section331 on Apr 23, 2010 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions  

We've also managed to kill off certain memes in the span of a few weeks.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://www.marinersminors.com/

by JY on Apr 25, 2010 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions  

I killed one last night before it had the opportunity to spread.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://www.marinersminors.com/

by JY on Apr 25, 2010 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

Lurker here...

Just had to say hi and tell you folks that this has to be the only SB Nation site where the game threads are more consistently entertaining than the games themselves.

GO BRUINS!!!

by bruinchick on Apr 24, 2010 9:47 PM PDT reply actions   1 recs

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