- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Posted by: Recon Number 54
Just avoid certain pitfalls, if you can.
Don't be too quick to label someone as a fool or an idiot simply because you don't know them or because they do not know as much as you do.
Many people with questions are simply that. Someone who doesn't know, has been shown the name, screen-shots and a few tidbits of the upcoming title and they have questions.
If the members of this site and regulars of this forum fall to the temptation to be exclusionary, then that is just another person who might turn away with a negative view of this forum, this site and its members.
I for one, would hate for that to happen, even once.
If I need to suggest a reason for the regulars of The Maw to be "hosts beyond the call of duty", consider this.
The Halo PC community is and has been (to varying degrees) a strong and tight-knit collection of people. But it is a (comparatively) small community when looking at the numbers. Gathering a random game of good people (not necessarily good players, but good people who can become better players) is not always the easiest thing to do. More players online is a desirable thing.
If I recall, there was once a challenge (a couple actually) by Gearbox to get 1000 players online to demonstrate the size and unity of the community who plays Halo PC/CE. If memory serves, the goal was not met.
Now, in my eyes, every new or unfamiliar member who comes by with a question or even a mistaken assumption about Halo 2 Vista is a potential addition to the community. Unless we are as welcoming, helpful, and can demonstrate the sort of community that we all know that we are.... well, we could lose that person to the void of apathy.
So, if someone is a true idiot? Ignore them to your heart's content. If they are disruptive or rule-breaking? PM a moderator and let us know, because we don't want jerks like that anywhere in our community.
But if they have a glimmer of hope? Help them out. You won't regret it.
Good Strong words there is and tips for some of the people too.