Being fairly new to the Fan Nation web site and new to blogging in general, I made most of the mistakes "newbies" make when they start out.
I fell into the trap of thinking there were group conspiracies waiting at every TD to sweep in like vultures to snatch up TDs started by newbies and crush their egos like wheat in a grist mill. To some extent I still think there are those that vote for their "friend" or "favorites" but that is okay because it is only the one or two that follow every TD like twittering around the world with Taylor Swift.
I whined and complained, and I still do I guess, about how people were voting without hearing the arguments for what ever reason.
I took it personal when no one voted for me. How dare they? There was no way my opinion or view was wrong. I could not possibly be off target that bad. I took TDs too personal especially those that bashed my favorite sports, athletes, etc. Well, let's say I have been educated a little more since I started.
There is one thing I do give myself credit for; I am a fast learner. I have learned that what I want from the site is a little respect and a place to have fun arguing or discussions. I don't have to win but I enjoy it more when I do. And if there is one thing I have really learned is, "You can't go against the Fathers."
The Fathers are the guys that have been on here probably since its conception. I am not sure how long FN has been around but I am sure Porkins, RStowe, Cain, Ghost and a few others have been doing this TD business long enough that they have seen every trick and read every argument. It is no wonder they do blogs like these:
Fannation Emergency Procedures by Porkins
or My Advice to Newbies by Rstowe...
I have learned, and will continue to learn from these guys but I think at some point FN should devise a method of "graduation" from "novice" up to 'FN Father or Master"; whatever the community feels is right. I don't necessarily think your record has to be above .500 or anything but I am most certain that you should have over 20 TDs under your belt before you can automatically accept a TD put out there by serious or experienced TDers. And vice versa, I think there should be a way of curbing the vultures that prey on newbies.
I am not sure if anyone can but I look to Porkins, Rstowe, Ghost, C-C-C and others that have been here awhile to assist in making it better. I do not know how, I will tell you that up front. But you guys take up the sword and shield and contact whoever and lets see if change can be made. We are still complaining today about the exact same issues you guys had when you started.
Basically, take charge of what could be a really good thing being ruined by a few. I will still TD my butt off against you guys but I will also support you if you try to institute some kind of rules or guidelines.
Chelsey Buhler
Jessica Gomes
Notable Cuban Defectors 
2009 Turkeys Of The Year
Comments (30) Add A Comment
We have tried to get several things changed on this site - some have been changed, but others either aren't possible, have bigger flaws etc.
Thanks for the props Rooster
rstowe
Newport News , VA
Total Comments (47606)
we even went so far as having NMI (back in the day) capture all issues and solutions and sent them to the mods (and we have sent these to Red Hat as well)
the thing about this site? any change for the worse happens immediately, anything that the users actually want or may improve the site, never happens or takes forever
rstowe
Newport News , VA
Total Comments (47606)
We are truly the heroes of Fannation. Truly.
Oh, and the world too.
Porkins: I stole…
The Triangle, NC
Total Comments (30249)
Actually, those same people preyed on me when I was a "newbie." At least 3 of my first 4 were against Porkins, stowe and Coach...
so what now?
Trav: I Drink Paint
Sw, VA
Total Comments (4854)
This is a good blog. The flaws you highlight are much the same ones we complained about when we first started TDing. I guess some things never really change.
That's what drove most of us away from TDing.
Porkins: I stole…
The Triangle, NC
Total Comments (30249)
I've dubbed myself the "baby daddy" of fan nation. So that counts for something.
Moondizzle: TD…
New York, NY
Total Comments (24634)
we are better than Nolan Ryan, Chuck Norris, Cal Ripken and Brett Favre combined!
rstowe
Newport News , VA
Total Comments (47606)
just say
thank you sir, may I have another?
and continue on
rstowe
Newport News , VA
Total Comments (47606)
You're more like a farger.
Porkins: I stole…
The Triangle, NC
Total Comments (30249)
Don't question Bruce Dickinson!
Porkins: I stole…
The Triangle, NC
Total Comments (30249)
Just because that's what you said to your preacher as a little boy....
irrelevant
Trav: I Drink Paint
Sw, VA
Total Comments (4854)
Actually, what he said to his preacher was more like
"mfhghgmm mghgh mffhhghgh"
because it's hard to talk when...well, you know.
Porkins: I stole…
The Triangle, NC
Total Comments (30249)
Can I be the creepy uncle of FanNation?
The Pitt Panther…
Telford, PA
Total Comments (59347)
if by preacher you mean your mother
then yes
rstowe
Newport News , VA
Total Comments (47606)
no, but you are the redheaded stepchild we keep locked up in the basement
rstowe
Newport News , VA
Total Comments (47606)
I think we've brought some class to this blog
rstowe
Newport News , VA
Total Comments (47606)
Is that why you keep molesting him?
Porkins: I stole…
The Triangle, NC
Total Comments (30249)
Oh yeah, we're all about the class.
Porkins: I stole…
The Triangle, NC
Total Comments (30249)
Mission accomplished.
Trav: I Drink Paint
Sw, VA
Total Comments (4854)
someone has to
rstowe
Newport News , VA
Total Comments (47606)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.