Welcome New Users!
You have entered.....the Dkos Zone!!!
Submitted for your consideration....The largest Political Blog in the Known Universe, a force for good and change...IF used wisely. Below are links to a veritable treasure trove of Dkos history and wisdom, all related to New Users and using Dkos effectively! Assembled lovingly by a group of commited volunteers called The Pony Express.
Please follow down the Rabbithole and into the wild and wacky world of The Daily Kos!
When I first found Dkos and began lurking (reading without posting) I was thrilled!
"These folks are Wicked Smart! I said to myself and Funny too! I want to be a Kositizen!" But I was mysitfied as to a large chunk of what was being discussed...whats a recommend? What is that whole recent diary list thingee about over there? Who the hell is that Armando guy? And hundreds of other 'stupid' questions!
A veritable laundry list of ignorance! I leapt into the fray....and was pummeled!
It turns out that the community had not been waiting around for years for me to come and tell them what they were doing wrong! It turns out that even though I am Wicked Smart too, some of what I KNEW to be fact was wrong or not substantiated enough to qualify as FACT in this reality based community! It turned out that even though I was Wicked Smart, there were others here not only just as smart and aware as I, but some even smarter and more aware than I! I had one convo that went roughly like this. Paraphrased of course...
Me; Well, I disagree!!! I have studied extensively,as an avocation, the way the human brain works.
Other Guy; I am a Neuro-Surgeon
Me; oh.
But I also found PLENTY of folks who were ready and willing to help me...to overlook my ignorance and newness and point me in the right direction to become a productive member of the community. I learned to be a little humble and to listen to those who had been here longer and knew the ropes. Eventually the community accepted me wholeheartedly and gradually I reclaimed my imperious arrogance.....but now molded and modeled to community standards.
I've only been here six months or so, but I now consider my fellow Kosovarians and Kossacks as my family and friends. Daily Kos, and the opportunity to use it through cooperation and consensus to change our world, has become a large part of my life. Because it works!
Ok dig in! Below there are links, tips, anecdotes and more to help you learn Dkos. Please add your input in the comments. Ask questions, tell us your story! We will try to publish a version of this diary every two weeks until the election...or the rebellion, whichever comes first! This is a community effort and ALL fellow Kosologists are encouraged to contribute in the comments, especially pointing out information I've missed, or corrections to the info contained here.
Join Me In
Welcoming New Members and Readers by Darksyde.
Memo To the
World by Kos.
Soj's Old-Tyme
FAQ and Jamboreee by Soj.
Hey, Newbie!
by georgia10.
An Old Coot to
Newbies and Fellow Codgers: Let's Talk Site Functionality by folkbum.
DailyKos 101: The
Basics by theleftknew.
Daily Kos Frappr map. Are you
on the Frappr map? Don't miss local dKos meet-ups and events in your area.
And a very important reminder for ALL users from kraant Please Stop Biting The Newbies
And then there is ek.
ek hornbeck is.....unique.
I went searching for some of the great stuff ek has posted....and got lost in h/er/is diaries for three days. Finally I had to light the comments in one of them on fire to attract the rescue chopper. Yes, it WAS that close. in the end I couldn't pick just one diary. Thus I link you to the entire ek canon.
WARNING: ek is for sophisticated readers only! Many, many new Kositizens have stumbled out of a late night whiny meta thread with 1000 yard stares and bleeding ear drums. As you might be able to tell I have great affection for ek. I urge you all to read ek's diaries for a THOROUGH briefing of all of the intricacies of Dkos (stay away from the one about the pandas, though)
Those are the Archives. Well, a selection from the archives.
.
Please Note:
Since these diaries were published, there has been a major change to the rating system at Daily Kos. Please try to absorb theFeeling and Spirit and approach all tech stuff with the understanding that these diaries are not updated....Dkos is constantly evolving, certainly technically, and not everything you read in these archived diaries will be accurate
For current, up to date, minty fresh info, I urge ye to hie thyself over to the FAQ posthaste!!! Constantly updated and lovingly tended by our own dmsilev, one of the many hard working volunteer members on the site. Thanks dms. Oh and when you see jotters name on the recent diary list, go check it out. jotter provides daily stats on the activity here at the Big Orange.
Let's see, how can I put this as gently as possible. While making sure you take me seriously...
Before you start posting here, or if you have any questions, or are having problems of ANY kind....READ THE FREAKING FAQ!!!
Most people here will be happy to help you, some won't. The best procedure for getting questions answered is, in order, go to the FAQ, post a question in an Open Thread or Ask A Kossak (sunday nights), or for serious unresolved issues, Contact Us. Please remember the volume of users here and do not expect someone to mail you back in ten minutes with a solution. For 98% of your questions, the FAQ or Open Thread/Ask A Kossak should suffice.
A diary here by peeder on the new comment and ratings features will be helpful.
As a new user you might not be aware of this since it hardly ever comes up here on Dkos, but occasional people have made slight errors in their use of the rating system. This can lead to minor misunderstandings between Users. Seriously, rating others peoples comments can be a great cause of friction here. Think before you click. Just today the site has announced changes to the ratings sytem, currently on the Front Page (FP). from kos's article:
No one will achieve TU status unless they've had an account in good standing for over three months. All current TUs with less than three months of service have lost it (that's 121 of you, btw). It's clear some people don't know enough about how the site works to use the troll rating responsibly.
Imminent changes:
TUs will be limited to two troll ratings per day. Too many people on these boards don't get that troll ratings were meant for trolls, and not "comment I disagree with" or "user I don't like". Limiting the number of troll ratings allowed should make this rule crystal clear.
It will also be more difficult to achieve TU status. It won't be enough to head into C&J and rack up the mojo overnight. People will actually have to earn TU status.
Trusted User Status is NOT a reward, its a responsibilty. If you achieve Trusted User Status, it doesn't mean that you are Supercool...it means get to work and HELP the site!
Our Community constantly evolves because it is Community Moderated and Community Oriented. The Administrators do a great job of monitoring the community and responding with any needed changes. Dkos is truly democracy in action. The consensus of the community is what makes it run. Take the responsibilties of your participation here seriously.
My Advice for New Users
Slow Down. The Daily Kos is a huge place. The Daily Kos is also not just a blog, its community. The Daily kos is not just a community either, it is a culture unto itself.
As always when you come to a new culture, some of the rules, and nearly ALL of the intricacies are not apparent immediately. Slow Down.
It is very exciting here. The stimulation of reading so many good diaries and so many great comments is intoxicating.... especially when I first came here, and, haha, every time I've logged on since. I get sucked in for hours here at my virtual home. I become emotionally involved in the diaries I read here and in the exchanges of ideas and opinions in the comments. People are Passionate here and the conversation is not cocktail party fluff.
If you make a statement of fact be ready to back it up with a link.
If you are expressing an opinion make sure it is clearly indicated as such.
If you disagree with someone, consider both your facts AND your tone carefully. People around these parts do NOT take kindly to people to people disagreeing with them, it is often taken as a challenge. Be aware of that before you jump in. If you see other kossaks in a heated exchange....think VERY carefully before jumping in. It might be you who ends up getting roasted!
I don't want to give you the wrong impression, though! If you do have the facts and are willing to put them on the line and defend them vigorously please do!!! That is why we are all here, to learn and discuss The Facts. But, PLEASE be aware that discussions here are 'rigorous' and discussions on topical issues quite often become 'heated.' Pick your spots wisely, present your facts well, argue for your opinions or convictions in a succinct and logical manner and you will be welcomed by this community with open arms, as i was...eventually. Flout community standards, argue baselessly, and insists others accept your opinion as fact and you WILL be spitted and roasted by the community at large. Though we are compassionate liberals, we do not suffer fools lighty. Respect and reputation are important here. Respect others and they will respect you. Stick around, participate and contribute, and soon You Too! will have a reputation, credibility and the respect of your Kossaks. Its a good feeling.
To sum up, Slow Down. Take It Easy. Learn the Culture. But by all means, participate. We WANT to hear your voice.
Learn the complex and confusing community standards as you go. There are side streets to explore in Kosland, where you can go and observe the natives in their natural habitat. Of course, comment wherever you want! The only censorship here on this community/culturaly moderated forum is by your fellow Kosophiles! You can learn the Kosmological Kulture by commenting at places like the following.
Note. All the diaries below are permalinked (read the freakin FAQ) but the real action is in the comments. These are the places Kosmopolitans mix and mingle. These ARE the Cocktail Parties of Daily Kos. Be serious on serious threads. Be silly and have fun on the threads below. This is by no means a complete list. Just click Open Comments and then stand back!!!
Cheers & Jeers. Published in the mornings in the eastern time zone. Bill in Portland Maine is one of the funniest people in cyberspace. He reminds me of Johnny Carson, so do all of his many guest hosts! There have been reports that occasional pootie pics occur. There be Snark there.
Got A Happy Story? Friday nights alternating hosts are the enigmatic and beloved Carnacki, and the Poet Laureate of Dkos Darrell J. Gahm
WYFP? by the lovely Elizabeth D is usually published on Saturday nights, but does occasionally migrate to other weekend nights, I think its wandering ways are tied into some sort of algorithim, so that WYFP always appears just when the Communty needs it. No! You have to figure out what WYFP stands for by yourself!
Al Rodgers Sunday Talk usually posted late saturday night. You want to see a kossak in full flame warrior mode? Dis Al! yer muffins will be toasty in no time!
Ask A Kossak, W/Free Answers, Sunday nights, posted by a low rent wannabe hack.
When you enter a diary, be respectful of the diarists intent and adjust your approach to commenting accordingly. Rub Dmc's Iraq War Daily grief diaries call for one kind of tone. The Saturday Night Losers Club series by spoon or no spoon (which I am not allowed to recommend to you, under the rules the diarist has set) calls for another. Every diarist has put thought and effort into h/is/er post, please respect that.
Knowledge is Power and this is a Powerful Place. Use your Power wisely!!!
Speak up in the comments, you are garooonteed to get a warm welcome in this diary!!! Ask questions and please tell us how you 'Came To Kos!'