We were all new members at some point.

I think some people come in here, see the tight-knit community aspect, and expect to be welcomed into that aspect with open arms. Well, I'm sorry...but just like in real life, that doesn't happen immediately. You've got to let us get to know you, learn your quirks, and convince us you will be sticking around. Of course, this is Music Banter so you should probably do that by talking about music first. You've also got to appreciate there are a lot of different personalities here - some you will clash with, some you will love. Just like in real life.

We will discuss, debate, argue, and appreciate music with absolutely anyone, however. That will never change and I've never seen any evidence otherwise. But newbs should also keep in mind...we are mostly AUDIOPHILES here. This adds a whole new level to our appreciation for music, and it can't be helped if someone coming in to talk about bands audiophiles universally loathe implies you don't appreciate music on our level. It's just an unfortunate side effect of taking music this personally.

So stop bitching about how we don't let anyone in our community. It's just not true. There are plenty of very new members who are still here and we all feel they are part of our community now.

When I was new, I was only a member because I had to join a forum for a class project. People were great and helped answer my questions and eventually I chose to stay.
My taste in music changed as did many other things, and they are still changing.
I was super weird when I first joined and the community still embraced me. I took the joking and arguing as acceptance and I've basically grown up with Music Banter in my life.
I really don't think it's that difficult to be a part of MB as long as you love music. There will always be someone who agrees with you.

I always feel very loved, and very much a part of the community here at MB :)

Shut up, Bloozcrooz.

:(.....:laughing: see

Don't get stabbed.

I love Erica and admire her so much for her very genuine kindness, tremendous intellect, and her willingness to go to bat for the underdog time and time again. I have never seen Erica exchange harsh words with anyone here. Surely that is something we should all respect. When I think of Erica, my mind always automatically goes to the Henry James quote, “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” It doesn’t cost anything to be nice, you know.

And that's why she's mostly valued as a member here.


I do agree with the mods though, sometimes vege can almost be too nice and jumps to the rescue of members who don't need/deserve the help.

I really like Vegangelica, whats this about?

^ This sums up how I feel about VEGANGELICA, that she makes a very positive contribution here, although, as FETCHER says, I can see that she may occassionally exasperate the mods. And of course, the mods deserve a lot of respect too, which is why I completely disagree with this :-

I think slappyjenkins didn`t stay around long enough to work out some of the nuances of MB. I don`t perceive the mods as a clique; they`re a group of individuals who put in a lot of unappreciated effort to maintain the site. For example, Janszoon (being the mod I know best) is fair, friendly, helpful, well-informed and humourous. That`s why he`s respected, slappy - not because he`s part of some clique.

So, like many other MB members, I don`t like to see my friends angry with each other and I`m hoping this drama can be forgotten asap: VEGANGELICA, perhaps you could trust the mods` judgements a bit more readily, and MODS, please cut Erica some slack if she launches a crusade without being fully informed - she`s one of MB`s best.