Times Change on the Internet

12 years ago

Get ready to be bored! Back in 1995 or 96, upon first going on the internet, you could Google all kinds of advice about joining a forum, newsgroup, or chat room. Almost invariably, the advice would center around lurking for some time and getting the "feel" of the place, deciding if it was for you, starting slowly and seeking to fit in.

This isn't chastisement, but simply remembering. If you want to flame me, go ahead, but this is the way things were. Some of you may recall this and still abide by it today. But society as a whole has changed. Many, in all parts of life, are no longer polite but into their rights and a feeling of entitlement. Not much can be done about it.

I started on a newsgoup, as a matter of fact, it was alt.fan.johndenver. There was just a small group who got to know and really enjoy one another. When a new member joined in, he/she was warmly welcomed, but there always was a problem with trolls. (I'm not calling anyone here a troll!!!) These folks came in only to disrupt, use vile language, and weren't the least interested in the subject matter. They'd disappear as quickly as they appeared, so that doesn't relate to what's happening on the KT.

Then John Denver died in a plane crash. Overnight, we went from 10-20 posts daily to literally a thousand or more. It was like an invasion. Most were nice, some weren't, but the fact was that I couldn't even find the old group in-between all the posts. Everything changed and it was very upsetting.

I have a personality that fights change, especially the huge ones which come all at once. It's not being against change except for overwhelming suddenness and rudeness. Subject matter which was never broached before. Surely anyone can at least understand that without sneering.

Anyway, where was I going? Oh, I don't know! Maybe realize that some people here are downright hurting at the sudden change. Maybe being kind and understanding of that. This is probably a stupid post. If so, I am sorry.

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Comments (20)

chloecat
12 years ago
LOL - you couldn't "Google" anything in 1995 or 1996. :)
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lindie_mi
Original Author
12 years ago
That figures, doesn't it, chloecat? LOL I should have said "search."
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I missed the time change last fall (or was it last spring?) I had started going "electronics free" on Sundays and Wednesdays. No Internet, no iPod, no television. Those are my two unplugged days. I will check my email, just in case anyone sent me a "real" email with family/friends news; I'll talk on the phone, read a book, or watch a DVD. But mostly I just stay away from anything with a computer function for those two days a week. I totally forgot about the time change that year and was so confused on Monday. I thought the computer was going bad. I remember it this year and got everything moved up an hour before I went to bed Saturday night. I have a desk clock that needs a new battery, and I've not been out to the car yet, but everything else is all good. - Bedroom alarm clock - Bathroom night light clock - Sewing room wall clock - Desk clock, waiting for a battery - Kitchen wall clock - Kitchen microwave(s) - Don't ask. - Kitchen stove - Kitchen timer - House phone; it didn't change itself? - Coffee maker - Three wrist watches - Vintage watch face that's still waiting for me to find the perfect strap for. Our two cell phone, two iPods, two atomic weather stations, and the computer set themselves. I have way too many clocks. I wish the oven, microwaves, coffee pot, and house phone did not have clocks. I'm one of those people that are driven mad if the clocks don't all show the correct time, at the same time.
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chloecat
12 years ago
Funny how we use that word as a verb now. :)
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minnie_tx
12 years ago
"Almost invariably, the advice would center around lurking for some time and getting the "feel" of the place, deciding if it was for you, starting slowly and seeking to fit in. "

That is always good advice. I remember when a bank bought out our company for it's own use. We went along with the purchase and it was a money maker for the bank. The advice was to "keep a low profile" I think it is good advice in any situation.
I was thinking of the "flash mob" mentality we've become accustomed to lately .and how devastating it can be. Quick to attack then leave in shambles IMHO
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jannie
12 years ago
I first got a computer in 2000. Friends at work told me what I was missing. I don't remember Google but I do remember searching Recipes and Gardening, which let me to Kitchen Table. I find mostly everyone here is very nice.I'm not on Facebook or any other socual sites.
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Rudebekia
12 years ago
lindie_mi, thank you for your post. It is a very good and sensitive one. No need to do the multiple "this is just MY opinion" and "flame me if you want" apologies that we all seem to have to do here these days!
The truth is that culture is changing and the internet, with its ability for people to post anonymously, quickly, and informally, is a large reason. Relationships are much more temporary; people come and go and can seemingly be aggressive, rude, or self-centered because they don't think twice about who is on the receiving end and what the consequences might be. Etiquette--how to behave appropriately in social situations--is at a real low. I had lunch today with a professor friend of mine, a woman in her 60s who has been teaching college for 35 years (I'll call her Professor Smith). She received an e-mail from one of her undergraduates today that started with, "Yo, Smith!"
On the internet as in "real" life situations, group dynamics or a group's entire culture can change rather dramatically even with the entry of only one or two people. I see this regularly among my students and I've seen it on internet forums as well.
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minnie_tx
12 years ago
It is so easy to just "google" something nowadays. DS said the other day pretty soon people will forget how to remember just look it up.
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LuAnn_in_PA
12 years ago
But... Googling IS looking it up!
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joyfulguy
12 years ago
But - don't forget - things keep getting better and better!

ole joyful
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lynn_d
12 years ago
Things change and evolve constantly, if they did not life would get boring pretty quickly. I love the dynamics of KT, it is fascinating, the mixture of personalities is so interesting. The way folks post are so different.

There are the folks that post to nearly every thread, even if just to say 'atta boy' or LOL, they are the givers, they are caring folks. And the glue of the boards, those that make sure that fun happens, the playmakers, where would we be without them?

There are people who seldom post to anyone else's threads, they are probably the takers in their daily lives as well, it's all about them. You have those that take the opposite road of nearly everyone else just to be the stand out. They are going to be different no matter what it takes. They are often on the verge of lecturing. And the self appointed caretakers and police......

There are a host of others.....it's a neighborhood! I think it is great, no matter how you cut it.
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mary_c_gw
12 years ago
I've written several responses to Lynn_d, but have deleted them, because I knew people would take offense, but still...

I do take offense at the comment that:

"There are people who seldom post to anyone else's threads, they are probably the takers in their daily lives as well, it's all about them."

Well, I seldom comment on threads about kitten antics and recipes, but that doesn't mean I'm a taker in my personal life. It just means I won't devote the time to open those threads.

I open and comment on only those threads which interest me.
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LuAnn_in_PA
12 years ago
I'm with you mary_c!

Just because I don't comment a lot doesn't mean I am a taker at all.... or that it is all about me!

It could mean the subject is of no interest.
It could mean I have not checked the board that day.
It could mean that real life has me so involved that the internet takes a back seat.
etc
etc
etc

Such a narrow-minded view!
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lynn_d
12 years ago
Mary and LuAnn, I guess I should have added a category about those that jump.....

I said, "There are people who seldom post to anyone else's threads" ELSE'S being the operative word.
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mary_c_gw
12 years ago
"Those that jump"? what does that even mean? Jump what?

Anyone "ELSE'S" threads certainly doesn't apply to me, as I have never initiated a thread on the Kitchen Table. I respond to threads which interest me. This one is rapidly losing my interest.
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bee0hio
12 years ago
There are the folks that post to nearly every thread, even if just to say 'atta boy' or LOL, they are the givers, they are caring folks. And the glue of the boards, those that make sure that fun happens, the playmakers, where would we be without them?

There are people who seldom post to anyone else's threads, they are probably the takers in their daily lives as well, it's all about them. You have those that take the opposite road of nearly everyone else just to be the stand out. They are going to be different no matter what it takes. They are often on the verge of lecturing. And the self appointed caretakers and police......

That truly is an amazing set of assumptions! You put quite a positive spin on a simple "atta boy" or "LOL", while I think it is equally possible these types are shallow & schmoozers. NOT saying they ARE......... but you cannot tell ANYTHING about what kind of person a poster is based on such limited information. It must be terribly time consuming for you to keep track of (even in a most general way) the frequency of the atta boy/LOL posters, & harder still to keep a handle on the infrequent "taker" type posters, since due to the very nature of infrequency you have to read many threads. How do you do that? Keep a file on everyone? Oh, well there I go.... being oppositional & lecturing.

LOL.

There. How many more do I need to be a part of the "glue"?

LOL (one more for good measure)
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jemdandy
12 years ago
I rememeber my first experience with web searches. The company I worked for installed desktop PCs for their engineering staff and the server was connected to the outside world. After a short training session, I thought I'd try researching a Ford model that I might buy as a used car. I searched on "Escort" expecting to get hits on this car. Instead, ads for Madams and Escorts in California flooded my screen. LOL I quickly dumped this search; I suspected that our computing center was secretly monitoring our searches for pornography. I found later that they were.
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Tally
12 years ago
There are people who seldom post to anyone else's threads, they are probably the takers in their daily lives as well, it's all about them.

Seriously?

Ordinarily I wouldn't respond to something this dumb because it truly speaks for itself - loud and clear.

BUT I didn't want to be labeled a "taker", so I'm "giving" you a LOL because it was laughable.
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susie53_gw
12 years ago
Isn't it funny how some people just automatically know what category some of us fit in?? If you post a little or a lot should not even matter. I have learned over the years that I don't read some people's posts. When they bashed Glenda for posting a picture of her new pretty sandals and Fireman's wife on her children it changed my way of thinking of the KT. There are a lot of really nice people here but it only takes a few to ruin it, too.

I rarely post anymore but I am far from a taker in my life.. That, in itself, is a stupid comment to make to our friends here. I choose to read, post or comment on others posts according to what the content is or who the poster is.
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zeetera
12 years ago
I'm a part time taker so I guess you can call me a partaker.

Ugh, I've been reading a lot of Ole Joyful's posts.

Keep it light + keep it real. Safest way to do it on the net nowadays.
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joyfulguy
12 years ago
Please,

please, folks ...

... let's take one another and ourselves a little less critically ...

... and a little less seriously, O.K.??

ole joyful
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Times Change on the Internet

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Times Change on the Internet

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