Egos

[rhettbutler1865]

Hang tough, Rhett, because you will learn more than you can imagine. There is an IGNORE button for a reason. The majority of people here just want to help you learn, so don't pay attention to anyone whom you find annoying. There are always annoying people in any group, but most of us are really nice.

You are very kind-thank you. I do just want to learn, and I'm taking this site FAR too seriously.

 

[dlofting]

I'm the same age as you and have been studying the Civil War since the Topps "bubble gum" cards came out in the 60's. I also thought I knew a lot, but have learned much more since I joined this board.

A couple of things I've learned:

Most questions have been asked before so it doesn't hurt to do a quick search of old threads before you post....not mandatory, but helpful.

If what you are posting is your opinion, say so.

If you are stating a fact (unless it's something that's very well known) provide a reference.

Understand that some people are very direct when they post.....they don't mean to be offensive, but sometimes come across that way.

Above all, stay with us, anyone with 60 years knowledge has a lot to contribute.

 

[Pat Young]

When I first joined this board I stopped posting after a week because i got a few not so nice responses. I did not come back for months. Maybe we can all keep in mind the newness of a member in framing a response to a neophyte.

Over time you learn how to frame posts, what posts are likely to cause problems, which posters to ignore, and which posts that you feel duty bound to respond to were posted by trolls and will soon be deleted.

Try to stay away from threads that look like new versions of the same have been posted every week for the last ten years. You will be happier for having shown restraint.

Of course, every so often you will want to mix it up. We all have a dark side.

 

[Rebel_Giratina]

You know, no matter how much of a buff we may think we are, there's always something more to learn. Learning never ends.

 

[peteanddelmar]

I do not wish to alienate anyone here (but, of course, that is probably inevitable). I joined this site because I am obsessed with the Civil War, and have been for most of my 60 years. I read a lot of books, collect authentic Civil War articles, my house looks like a CW museum, and I love to talk about the Civil War. Before joining here, I thought I knew a lot--but I now realize, humbly, that I have MUCH to learn. And I'm willing to learn. It is all so fascinating to me. And so many of you are very well versed on the entirety of the CW and it's multitude of components. But I have a bit of a roadblock here: when I ask a question, many times I am talked down to; when I make a statement (even just to be provoking so I may learn), I am'shot down." Perhaps my skin isn't tough enough, because I have logged out sometimes angry, sometimes feeling like I was being put down, sometimes just feeling uncomfortable. No wonder there aren't many "privates" in this forum--I imagine some have felt they were out of their league in here. I have advanced degrees in Theatre...Does everyone here have a doctorate in the Civil War? Do any of us know EVERYTHING? -----Ok, I just exposed my "flank", and am ready for the attack that I feel is impending...

I just left. Exited and left to do other things. Shut my computer off even.

But then I though of something. Tedious.

You think Grant is Tedious?

NO. ESPN is Tedious.

They have been reporting on ONE player's knee for 2 days now!
They have reported it CONSTANTLY!
Apparently no other sports news has happened in the last 48 hours. THAT is Tedious.

I keep it on for background relief and sometimes it doesn't work.
I GUESS they are hitting each new audience as it comes around in each new time zone, IDK.

Oh, they just accidentally did a spot on Rhonda Rousey the female UFC fighter! Slipped in there!

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

When I first joined this board I stopped posting after a week because i got a few not so nice responses. I did not come back for months. Maybe we can all keep in mind the newness of a member in framing a response to a neophyte.

Over time you learn how to frame posts, what posts are likely to cause problems, which posters to ignore, and which posts that you feel duty bound to respond to were posted by trolls and will soon be deleted.

Try to stay away from threads that look like new versions of the same have been posted every week for the last ten years. You will be happier for having shown restraint.

Of course, every so often you will want to mix it up. We all have a dark side.

This is sage advice, and advice well heeded.

As a great example of Pat's point, The Thing That Would Not Go Away that frustrates so many of us is the "Jackson at Gettysburg" nonsense that just seems to keep coming back around. It's been discussed ad nauseum--there are multiple threads of it--and it's guaranteed that if you bring it up, you will receive snide comments. I, for instance, will respond that if Jackson was at Gettysburg, he would have been in an advanced state of decomposition, and will make some mocking remark.

Take the time to look back at stuff like that, and you can avoid a lot of grief that way.

 

[Al Murray]

I ask a question, many times I am talked down to; when I make a statement I am'shot down."

Your experience has been different from mine. I have been corrected, taught, places where I was wrong have been pointed out, but never talked down to or shot down. I have been on a lot of forums in two decades and people were talked down to or shot down in every other one. But haven't seen it here. And you've attracted lots of "likes" so some people must think you are pretty cool.

Most questions have been asked before so it doesn't hurt to do a quick search of old threads before you post....not mandatory, but helpful.

I tried that. Almost every time one of two things happens. Either I have no idea what terms to put in the search to get at what I want, or the terms I do use come up with a thousand hits none of which get to what I am looking for. Same with Google. There are many things that I am not good at, but technology has to be the biggest one. Is there an "advanced search" feature for the archives?

 

[Northern Light]

Your experience has been different from mine. I have been corrected, taught, places where I was wrong have been pointed out, but never talked down to or shot down. I have been on a lot of forums in two decades and people were talked down to or shot down in every other one. But haven't seen it here. And you've attracted lots of "likes" so some people must think you are pretty cool.



I tried that. Almost every time one of two things happens. Either I have no idea what terms to put in the search to get at what I want, or the terms I do use come up with a thousand hits none of which get to what I am looking for. Same with Google. There are many things that I am not good at, but technology has to be the biggest one. Is there an "advanced search" feature for the archives?

I find the search thingy VERY frustrating.

 

[diane]

I find the search thingy VERY frustrating.

Me, too! I usually run in circles, flap my hands and then beg for help!

 

[E_just_E]

I find the search thingy VERY frustrating.

Me too. I think that it searches individual posts within threads instead of thread titles so the results are very very spotty.

To the OP:

a. You will find out that there are some very dogmatic people here for whom everything has to be black and white, and if what you say conflicts with what they (think they) know, they will respond fairly strongly
b. There are a lot of folks here who take things personally, because they have family who fought in the war and occasionally feel that something might have insulted their family.
c. There are certain subjects that have strong opinions (and polarized) associated with them. Those include: "black confederates", "slavery vs. states' rights", "constitutionality of ABC or XYZ", etc.

Developing a thick skin and learning how to ignore (and even laugh with some of those remarks,) is a must in Internet interactions. And not only on ACW-related topics

 

[Lost Cause]

Some threads require you to fix an analytical bayonet more than others. Regardless, there is much to be learned along the way.

 

[diane]

OK-Thanks very much. What is the basic discussion about Forrest?

Sorry - missed this! Anything is fair game. We don't allow mean attacks and obvious maliciousness - this general attracts more than his share of that - but anything pertaining to N B Forrest is fine. Come over and visit!

 

[Mike Serpa]

A few people have ticked me off even resorting to name calling. Many, many, many more have been cheerful, kind, helpful, knowledgeable, resourceful, etc. These are the people I choose to represent CWT to me.

 

[dlofting]

I tried that. Almost every time one of two things happens. Either I have no idea what terms to put in the search to get at what I want, or the terms I do use come up with a thousand hits none of which get to what I am looking for. Same with Google. There are many things that I am not good at, but technology has to be the biggest one. Is there an "advanced search" feature for the archives?

I find the search thingy VERY frustrating.

Internet and Board searches can be frustrating, but do get easier with practice.

There is an advanced search feature under the "Forums" tab.....I'd suggest you check the "Search Titles Only" box when looking for older threads, at least as a first step.

You can also use multiple keywords by either putting a phrase in quotes i.e. "Little Round Top" or using AND/OR between the words i.e. Gettysburg AND Antietam (which will find all threads or posts containing the words Gettysburg and Antietam) or Gettysburg OR Antietam (which will find all threads or posts containing the word Gettysburg or and the word Antietam)

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Northern Light]

Internet and Board searches can be frustrating, but do get easier with practice.

There is an advanced search feature under the "Forums" tab.....I'd suggest you check the "Search Titles Only" box when looking for older threads, at least as a first step.

You can also use multiple keywords by either putting a phrase in quotes i.e. "Little Round Top" or using AND/OR between the words i.e. Gettysburg AND Antietam (which will find all threads or posts containing the words Gettysburg and Antietam) or Gettysburg OR Antietam (which will find all threads or posts containing the word Gettysburg or and the word Antietam)

Hope this helps a bit.

Thanks!

 

[kevikens]

then Until Clio becomes the sole moderator of this site we can expect differences of opinion to create some disagreement amongst the faithful. I love this site for any number of reasons. It allows me to be pedantic, insufferable and on occasion obnoxious, all without fear of getting fired (or slugged). It allows others to feel virtuous by taking me to task when I get something wrong (that happened once a few years ago). In short writing on and reading this site is more fun than finding a haversack stuffed with Greenbacks after a skirmish.

In all seriousness, think of battling other posters as part of a harmless game. Really, I don't think anybody on this site is out to get anyone, to embarrass or belittle anyone else. I see any disagreements as good natured bantering, which it probably is. And if we get annoyed at someone challenging one of cherished opinions it frequently makes us go back and do some research which we can then report as evidence of the rectitude of our opinions or allows us to eat humble pie without Major Heartburn or General Dyspepsia (were those two at Chickamauga?) ruining our day. Just enjoy the site.

 

[Jamieva]

Pat beat me to it. The search feature is your best friend as a newbie. Many of the topics that you probably want to discuss have been discussed over and over til some of us get tired of hearing them, or they are a topic that inherently makes people argue.

Also, take note personally somehow of the screen names of those that you consider to be giving you "nasty" responses. You might be surprised to find it's the same handful of people multiple times. I will say when I got started it was intimidating because I thought I knew alot about the CW and I learned that i knew a very small percentage of what some of the fine posters on here do. I learn something every day.

 

[rhettbutler1865]

then Until Clio becomes the sole moderator of this site we can expect differences of opinion to create some disagreement amongst the faithful. I love this site for any number of reasons. It allows me to be pedantic, insufferable and on occasion obnoxious, all without fear of getting fired (or slugged). It allows others to feel virtuous by taking me to task when I get something wrong (that happened once a few years ago). In short writing on and reading this site is more fun than finding a haversack stuffed with Greenbacks after a skirmish.

In all seriousness, think of battling other posters as part of a harmless game. Really, I don't think anybody on this site is out to get anyone, to embarrass or belittle anyone else. I see any disagreements as good natured bantering, which it probably is. And if we get annoyed at someone challenging one of cherished opinions it frequently makes us go back and do some research which we can then report as evidence of the rectitude of our opinions or allows us to eat humble pie without Major Heartburn or General Dyspepsia (were those two at Chickamauga?) ruining our day. Just enjoy the site.

Very amusing and on the other hand helpful reply--Thank you!

 

[rhettbutler1865]

I just left. Exited and left to do other things. Shut my computer off even.

But then I though of something. Tedious.

You think Grant is Tedious?

NO. ESPN is Tedious.

They have been reporting on ONE player's knee for 2 days now!
They have reported it CONSTANTLY!
Apparently no other sports news has happened in the last 48 hours. THAT is Tedious.

I keep it on for background relief and sometimes it doesn't work.
I GUESS they are hitting each new audience as it comes around in each new time zone, IDK.

Oh, they just accidentally did a spot on Rhonda Rousey the female UFC fighter! Slipped in there!

The more I read from Grant, the more I am enjoying his memoirs. I no longer find it tedious. I'll be careful what I say from now on...

 

[Mike Serpa]

Another way to search this site, or any website, is to type 'site:' in the Google search box and the name of the site and the search terms.

Like this - site:civilwartalk.com before & after

or this - site:deadconfederates.com david porter