Keeping the Forum Friendly

I agree with what you are all saying, I do find this a friendly forum, and the advice offered is obviously great, but I can see where Juliet is coming from in a way. The problem is, a lot of the posters are such experts, it makes us 'newbies' feel a bit out of our depths.

BUT

To me thats the whole point. You get advice on here that wouldn't necessarily be available to you in the real world. And if you want that sort of advice, then you are going to be a bit out of your depth.

When I joined this forum this summer I had no idea what a flex angle was, what DIN settings were, heck I didnt even know that 'the thing that your ski fastens into' was called a binding!!! :oops: But reading all the advice on here, and even what you guys probably consider 'mundane ski talk' I have learnt loads about skiing! (And without feeling too stupid either!!!) (Thank you all for that btw!!) :D

I think because a lot of people on here are regular posters and 'know' each other, it can be a bit intimidating posting, but I haven't ever seen anyone NOT be welcomed to the conversation!

Stick around Juliet, they are a friendly bunch really!!!! :lol:

Rarely have i read a thread where people have spoken with such honesty and humility,You should be proud.My experience of being a member has been invalueble in as to the volume of information i have recieved and gathered.Whether it be about kit,Resorts or skiing in general.

All this knowledge will hopefully make me a better skier in the comming years.I have learnt so much in the last 9 months and its all down to the folks on here.My wish list has go longer as there are places i would now like to go and visit, Which i would have never bothered with before.

I know which members to ask specific questions as some are very experienced in certain fields,You too will be able to do the same Juliet once you get to know them.

So Juliet i hope you will reconsider and give us another chance,Because as you can see in this thread you are more than welcome.


AJ Adele

Let's keep this thread friendly too please peeps. I'm privileged to host such an interesting group of people, and this forum would be pretty pointless if we were all the same (in ability, experience or personality).

We all have much to learn, so let's all take the occasional pause and think before we post sometimes. Strong opinions are always welcome, personal snipes never will be.

Juliet and others have observed a common trait of all online forums - that they can be intimidating for the novice and the newcomer. We've all been there, so let's cut the freshers some slack and bring em in with a big group hug.

Now, Juliet - you're very welcome here, and you're staying on board. So there. 8)

Carry on, that is all... :D

julietP wrote:I wouldn't like to think I was 'flagging' up an issue at all. However, I am sure that your message is aimed at me.

The reason j2ski is not the #1 ski website (when it should be really) is because it is cliquey. There are no show offs on 'snowheads' but then again there isn't the knowledge on snowheads that there is on so j2ski. J2ski has created a niche in that regard.

j2ski has found good skiers. I ski reds and I'm scared of blacks. I don't feel good enough for this forum and that is how this forum makes people feel.

I won't repeat myself but there are people on this forum who I really admire.

I'm not too sure I'll post again.

I’m a relative newbie to both this site and skiing in general and I have to say that I’ve found the site both welcoming and informative. I’ve learnt so much over the past few months that I otherwise wouldn’t have even thought about.
Also, it never ceases to make me smile at the banter between regulars who ‘know’ each other. How a single thread can progress from skiing, to penguins (both chocolate and fluffy), football, wasps and guide dogs is bemusing but as someone else said, exactly the sort of thing you wound expect going into your local pub. :wink: Yes, you may get a few sarcastic responses, but you’d get those between friends too, and I’m sure in almost all cases the answers are meant in fun. It’s all too easy to write something to someone you don’t know, which when read back doesn’t say quite what you thought it did.

Getting back to the not feeling good enough, you are way better than me for starters!! :D As with anything, there will always be experts (both real and those who just think they are :roll:) but those are the people (in most cases…) we can learn from. It doesn’t matter if your goal is to win the World Cup, get down run X marked with a skull and crossbones for the first time (in one piece) or simply learn to turn properly there is always something new to learn. I remember a previous post (which I never got around to replying to) in which you said you were trying ‘match your husband’ (or something like that) when skiing, but as of yet hadn’t quite managed. I’m beginning to find more and more that it’s not always such a good idea to compare yourself to others, as there will always be someone better. I get much more satisfaction from setting my own goals and reaching them.

Anyway, IMO this site brings together like minded people (of all abilities) with a passion for skiing, and provides an ‘escape’ when partners/friends start rolling their eyes when you mention the ‘s word…’ :roll: I log in during my lunch break, knowing that it’ll make me smile and I’ll learn something new in the process.

So, please don’t give up on the site – anyone who posts, regardless of experience and ability has something to offer… :wink:

Dave Mac wrote: and when it steps into the piste verboten, we have a strong, humourous and fair Admin.

Dave strikes again :wink:



Bottom line is, we all need to be polite if we are to keep this forum the way we like it. If you can't think of a less antagonistic way to say something, don't.

It's hard, and sometimes you have to bite your tongue. Sometimes you can't resist a poke, just let it die befor things crank up a notch.

I know the aggressive rhetoric has already curtailed postings by some, to our loss.

As others have said, this forum is a real exception and feels like a fiends meeting place.

Trencher

I actually only "know" 2 people on here: Skidaddle is a personal friend who I have known for 22 years, and we ski together regularly. Ellistine and I met in Mayrhofen, having discovered on this very forum that we would be going at the same time, and out of that we have forged a new friendship, and are actually going skiing together as part of a group in January.
However, there are a number of others on here who I feel like I know. You get to create a picture in your mind of what they are like, and whether you would get on with them or not. I think in the main, most people would get on. Funnily enough, its the ones who lock horns occassionally who would probably be more likely to get on than anyone else. I should know, as I do the odd bit of rutting if there is something I feel compelled to get involved in.

But to put it all into perspective, I think people are right when they say this place is a fountain of knowledge to be shared amongst those who search for it. Its mainly good natured, and people are right to compare it to a social circle where you would expect to get differing opinions and some forthright views. You take on board what you choose to at the end of the day. But it is sad to think that someone might want to stop using this forum because they think they are not good enough, because at the end of the day, who are they comparing themselves to - its just a load of words typed out. Whilst behind the screens we are real people with different lives and backgrounds, the one thing on here we all share is our love for skiing, and a few of those other type who balance on trays as well I guess (joke - tongue in cheek smiley would be useful here....)

Some of you may be pleased to hear that I will be taking a break from the forum for a week or so shortly, and wont be on here half as much once I start a new job early next month. I can hear a sigh of relief already!

Juliet - dont go. Can we start a petition or something to encourage her to stay?

JulietP,
May I share my feelings with you.

I never knew about skiing several years ago. I never knew about English and the "strange" customs passed along by this nation!
I was very much "ill at ease" in the anglo-saxon world,,yet found some helpful people who inroduced me to this wonderful skiing world and also the "anglo-saxon" way!

It is not the "facts" that are important! Since you can locate "facts" very quickly. It is the way you use these "facts" and how you determine if those facts are; relevant, true and applicable! We are all flooded with "facts".

We all are ignorant of some subject matter! I am sure no one on this site ( well maybe,,just maybe Gordieski) knows about Varimax rotation, or the Reuel Christie but the some of you will emmediately go on some search engine and look up these terms! Most will not be able to determine what varimax rotation has to do with skiing, but is is used by some!

The best discoveries were made by asking, "silly simple questions"! Please ask them!

We are on this site because we love skiing ( some more than others) and want to share our passions. We just show our passions in different ways!

The use of the information you get on this site is what is important. Many years ago we admired people who could store all sorts of information ( sometimes never using it)! Now it is how you; select, analyse and use that information which is of prime importance!

You are so welcome here! You decide which information source is relevant for your needs!

One small example will drive the message home! I hope you are following the "American Saga"! Lots lots of experts! Lots and lots of information. Who is right/wrong? The person who can discern the relevant information and apply it effectively will become a "success".

So it is in skiing. So many experts. So many sources of information. You must learn how to "select" from all those search engines ( some electronic some human) !

J2ski may not be the first ski site (yet),,but by far it is the most "repectful and intelligent" on the net!

Welcome!

PS.
Now go a find that reuel christie move!

Tea trays Tony?? Pffffft :roll:

I tell you what, I'll get your wife to serve you dinner everynight on a 172cm snowboard and see how long it takes you to get bored of it eh?

(How about an elbow in the ribs kinda smiley then Admin?)

:D