Getting the Most from Elsmar Cove

[BradM]

Well, I would think by now most people have started back up at their jobs and are getting going with the New Year. Hopefully your participation here at the Cove will be an essential part of that. Here are a few things I’ve been thinking about that may help increase our enthusiasm here.

1. Encourage yourself to learn something new each time you log in. I don’t know about others, but I find myself many times getting into a “rut”, a very predictable pattern. I first attend to moderating matters; then I go to the subjects that interest me most. Ho-hum..

Go to a forum where you are not proficient. Start looking at threads that you are not that knowledgeable. With a quick scan, you can soak in a lot of information fairly quickly.

Too, if you go to another thread and learn something from somebody, throw a thanks their way, or give them some Karma. A lot of people make some really good posts, and they might benefit from some encouragement to continue contributing.

2. Keep things in perspective. A while back I had my feathers ruffled about something. And Marc gave me a simple but very valuable bit of advice: “Brad, remember, it’s just a discussion board”. It’s OK to be passionate, especially in the controversial threads. But just remember it’s just dialogue on a topic, and not anything that will change the Earth’s rotation.

Let things go; don’t feel that you have to respond to every post. If someone just really, really works on you, put them on your Ignore List. Have fun here and learn.

3. Consider taking some time off. This is the hardest for me, as I love this place. But, I think every person needs to take some time off from the Cove. As my wife painfully proved to me, the Internet will not crash if I don’t get on for a couple of days!

We can get very short-sighted vision sometimes. Taking some time off helps each of us keep some perspective, and help minimize burn-out.

4. Change your pattern of posting. If you’re a more senior member, consider laying off posting on things. Encourage some of our newer members to post. Read new members post and expand on them; engage them in discussion. Most importantly, I think senior members have some duty to encourage new members. It’s a bit scary coming to a new place and starting a discussion on something.

Watchers, to me, are those that come here to read, study, and generally soak up the information; but in general, don’t post. If you are a “watcher”, I encourage you to start posting in the threads. I think it’s so neat to see members who have been here for a while starting to post in threads. This will allow for more diversity of opinions and perspectives. Even if you generally agree and want to add a line or two, the Original Poster will appreciate having multiple responses to their issue.

5. Become involved with developing threads. If you run across something interesting, make a thread on it. If you have questions about where it should go or its appropriateness, ask any moderator. They’ll be more than happy to help.

Now.. I don’t think I would guess at things, just to post. But everyone has strengths and talents; things that they are good at. If you have read a good book lately that you think would be of interest, post a review on it. If there is a news article you feel is pertinent, post it and provide some explanation (if you want) about its relevance.

If you have any additional insight, ideas, or comments about maximizing your experience at the Cove, please… reply!

[JaneB]

Really, really good post, Brad! Thanks.

I'd add: try to learn something new by upgrading your forum-using skills. eg, a cruise through the 'how to' threads on the forum. I picked up a fabulous tip from someone (forget who, but thanks you anyway) about sorting posts to show the newest first, which has saved me heaps of time. (And I can always do with saving a bit of time.)

[Sidney Vianna]

Originally Posted by JaneB

I picked up a fabulous tip from someone (forget who, but thanks you anyway) about sorting posts to show the newest first, which has saved me heaps of time.

Maybe at the Tips to optimize your "Cove experience" thread...

[Raffy]

Hi Brad,
This is great start for a New Year.
A new year resolution.
best regards,
raffy

[harry]

Try to make good use of the shortcut at the top of the left hand side-bar (just above the DNV advert): Monitor New forum Posts

[howste]

Originally Posted by harry

Try to make good use of the shortcut at the top of the left hand side-bar (just above the DNV advert): Monitor New forum Posts

I've never noticed that there before. Cool.

[selena15]

Hi cove
Nice start of the week
Thanks lot Brad and all of you
I found myself in several of your remarks: sometimes, i'm just agree and i want to teply but i used to say to myself you won't say to same thing thaht others say just for the pleasure to contributing
Sometimes i want to reply to some posts but i hesistated because i'm not sure or kind of ....
But as you said, it is quiet hard to take off some days from the cove
Once again thanks for sharing and happy to be here