Never underestimate the power of a single comment in an open thread. I was reminded of this by Pico a few nights ago, when he replied to one of my one-liners.
quick question: how are you still learning the ropes? Your screenname is older than mine. You should be giving me advice!
More on the jump…
This one sentence led to about six hours of effort on my part that, upon reflection, will most certainly improve my own experience here exponentially. Pico probably had no idea that he inspired me, a registered user here for over a year, to actually learn how the site works. Gee, what a good idea.
Until Wednesday night, I didn’t know my user ID number. How sad is that? (It’s 59478.) I didn’t even know how to find it or anyone else’s. And while I did know how to block-quote and insert a link, that was pretty much the sum of my posting expertise. I had never written a diary and… OK, this is embarrassing… didn’t ever click on the Diaries link. I just read the front page and the recommended diaries. Can’t explain why… just took the easy (lazy) route. That’s not to say I didn’t come to the site multiple times every day; DK is a regular cyber stop for me.
Last evening, I gave myself an intensive DK 101. Plowed through all the FAQs. Clicked on every front page link. Looked at the diary list of dozens of members who were actively posting and commenting. Stared at my own blank diary list. Suddenly, it was midnight and I realized Countdown had completed its second airing in the time I had been at this. But after spending the time learning, I realized my relationship with DK was forever changed for the better.
While I was self-educationg, I was in and out of active threads. Aside from the rich variety of diaries I was finding, I was also really getting a better understanding of why this really is a community. I watched as one unfortunate member had her diary discussion totally derailed because of one line that clearly bothered some people while others thought political correctness was running amuck. At the same time, my eyes welled up as I read of one man’s diary relating the similarities between John and Elizabeth Edwards’ and his own family’s current situation. In one of these diaries, there was a spirited debate that for better or worse had TRs being thrown back and forth. In the other, there was heartfelt emotional support. And all over the place, the more experienced Kossacks were offering up helpful guidance.
In the FAQs, it is suggested that all diaries have a point to make. Wise advice. And mine is this: An informed community is a productive and vital community. And the more you put in, the more you get out. So if you are like I was, mostly just lurking, reading and replying, may I suggest it's time to take yourself to the next level as a Kossack.
Set aside an evening to really get to know how this thing works. It might seem like a really obvious and simple suggestion. But sometimes those are the one we need to follow the most.
cross-posted at Kerfuffle