I am a huge Prince fan and this is almost the last forum available almost. I backed up off the org because so many of the users are quick to attack the new users and those who aren't in "the know". I thought the whole point of having this site was to educate and entertain not disrepect and belittle. Why is there is so much anger toward newbies and people are not up on every single available fact on Prince?

Because some of these people have very small lives. Don't sweat it, we aren't all that way.

DecaturStone said:

I am a huge Prince fan and this is almost the last forum available almost. I backed up off the org because so many of the users are quick to attack the new users and those who aren't in "the know". I thought the whole point of having this site was to educate and entertain not disrepect and belittle. Why is there is so much anger toward newbies and people are not up on every single available fact on Prince?

Co-sign.

Although I do know what you mean and there clearly are issues, I've also noticed that it has a great deal to do with how someone asks or approaches a topic.

For example, newbies posting a very controversial opinion very strongly, particularly about a topic that's been done to death (granted, not by them), is likely to draw harsh responses, but if someone's confident enough to put themselves out there in such a way, then presumably they can deal with the inevitable consequences.

Others ask questions that truly could be answered by a quick google search (particularly the google custom search at the site), which again, may just garner an answer (which of course is simple and easy and probably should be done more often), but also might draw some unwanted sarcastic or aggressive attention, particularly if a few of the regulars are having a bad day.

There are a few things that will inadvertantly hit a nerve - either a "Prince can do no wrong" type post or a "Why hasn't he written anything good this century" will normally do the trick - and suddenly a new poster can find them in an exciting new hell that they never signed up for (or thought they didn't )

There might be some structural solutions (like a 'newbie hall' or an active FAQ style forum), but these will almost certainly not happen in the near future at least, so for now what I'm learning is that we just need to deal with the fact that the org has a long and complicated history that has led to what we have today, which is a sometimes (usually?) volatile mix in which some middle-of-the-road fans and new members can get stuck without doing anything to provoke or attract it (sometimes).

The most important rule at a site like this is to try not to take anything personally. If people are getting you down, ignore their posts and focus on the ones you feel are most constructive.

Chiquetet said:

Although I do know what you mean and there clearly are issues, I've also noticed that it has a great deal to do with how someone asks or approaches a topic.

For example, newbies posting a very controversial opinion very strongly, particularly about a topic that's been done to death (granted, not by them), is likely to draw harsh responses, but if someone's confident enough to put themselves out there in such a way, then presumably they can deal with the inevitable consequences.

Others ask questions that truly could be answered by a quick google search (particularly the google custom search at the site), which again, may just garner an answer (which of course is simple and easy and probably should be done more often), but also might draw some unwanted sarcastic or aggressive attention, particularly if a few of the regulars are having a bad day.

There are a few things that will inadvertantly hit a nerve - either a "Prince can do no wrong" type post or a "Why hasn't he written anything good this century" will normally do the trick - and suddenly a new poster can find them in an exciting new hell that they never signed up for (or thought they didn't )

There might be some structural solutions (like a 'newbie hall' or an active FAQ style forum), but these will almost certainly not happen in the near future at least, so for now what I'm learning is that we just need to deal with the fact that the org has a long and complicated history that has led to what we have today, which is a sometimes (usually?) volatile mix in which some middle-of-the-road fans and new members can get stuck without doing anything to provoke or attract it (sometimes).

The most important rule at a site like this is to try not to take anything personally. If people are getting you down, ignore their posts and focus on the ones you feel are most constructive.

Well put Chique (my nickname for you; pronounced chee-kah)!

DecaturStone said:

I am a huge Prince fan and this is almost the last forum available almost. I backed up off the org because so many of the users are quick to attack the new users and those who aren't in "the know". I thought the whole point of having this site was to educate and entertain not disrepect and belittle. Why is there is so much anger toward newbies and people are not up on every single available fact on Prince?

As you probably know, some people on here have been discussing Prince on the internet for nearly two decades, both on this site and on its various predecessors going back to alt.music.prince. There must be hundreds if not thousands of threads on whether Purple Rain is better than SOTT, etc. I can easily see how people might get tired of hearing people ask the same questions over, and over, and over--knowing how the debate is going to play out every time. Since I joined, I've found the veterans here are actually quite tolerant when it comes to answering newbie questions that aren't easily answered by a Google search. But if someone wanders in stating a bold opinion on something that's been talked about over and over, they're going to get shot down quickly as Chiquetet says. It's just an initiation process. I'm actually concerned that some of the veterans seem to be losing interest lately.

[Edited 9/15/11 0:19am]

electricberet said:

DecaturStone said:

I am a huge Prince fan and this is almost the last forum available almost. I backed up off the org because so many of the users are quick to attack the new users and those who aren't in "the know". I thought the whole point of having this site was to educate and entertain not disrepect and belittle. Why is there is so much anger toward newbies and people are not up on every single available fact on Prince?

As you probably know, some people on here have been discussing Prince on the internet for nearly two decades, both on this site and on its various predecessors going back to alt.music.prince. There must be hundreds if not thousands of threads on whether Purple Rain is better than SOTT, etc. I can easily see how people might get tired of hearing people ask the same questions over, and over, and over--knowing how the debate is going to play out every time. Since I joined, I've found the veterans here are actually quite tolerant when it comes to answering newbie questions that aren't easily answered by a Google search. But if someone wanders in stating a bold opinion on something that's been talked about over and over, they're going to get shot down quickly as Chiquetet says. It's just an initiation process. I'm actually concerned that some of the veterans seem to be losing interest lately.

I agree, I still get excited though when a new member/new Prince fan "get's Prince" and get's into the 1976-1989 years. I've come across some cool newbies in the last few weeks/months

Without saying it, I think I know what Prince needs to do to get some real excitement going again...

OldFriends4Sale said:

electricberet said:

As you probably know, some people on here have been discussing Prince on the internet for nearly two decades, both on this site and on its various predecessors going back to alt.music.prince. There must be hundreds if not thousands of threads on whether Purple Rain is better than SOTT, etc. I can easily see how people might get tired of hearing people ask the same questions over, and over, and over--knowing how the debate is going to play out every time. Since I joined, I've found the veterans here are actually quite tolerant when it comes to answering newbie questions that aren't easily answered by a Google search. But if someone wanders in stating a bold opinion on something that's been talked about over and over, they're going to get shot down quickly as Chiquetet says. It's just an initiation process. I'm actually concerned that some of the veterans seem to be losing interest lately.

I agree, I still get excited though when a new member/new Prince fan "get's Prince" and get's into the 1976-1989 years. I've come across some cool newbies in the last few weeks/months

Without saying it, I think I know what Prince needs to do to get some real excitement going again...

What's that? Retire?

alexnvrmnd777 said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I agree, I still get excited though when a new member/new Prince fan "get's Prince" and get's into the 1976-1989 years. I've come across some cool newbies in the last few weeks/months

Without saying it, I think I know what Prince needs to do to get some real excitement going again...

What's that? Retire?

ahhh u know what.

New Prince music will never be what it used to be. Never

Prince needs to go ahead and reconnect with the Time, Sheila E the Family Andre Dez and the Revolution and just reawaken that whole Uptown thing. Work with the Revolution and release Roadhouse Garden and have some fun

OldFriends4Sale said:

alexnvrmnd777 said:

What's that? Retire?

ahhh u know what.

New Prince music will never be what it used to be. Never

Prince needs to go ahead and reconnect with the Time, Sheila E the Family Andre Dez and the Revolution and just reawaken that whole Uptown thing. Work with the Revolution and release Roadhouse Garden and have some fun

I understand your feelings. But that things usually don't work... I prefer him looking ahead, although his records won't probably have the quality they used to.

Javi said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

ahhh u know what.

New Prince music will never be what it used to be. Never

Prince needs to go ahead and reconnect with the Time, Sheila E the Family Andre Dez and the Revolution and just reawaken that whole Uptown thing. Work with the Revolution and release Roadhouse Garden and have some fun

I understand your feelings. But that things usually don't work... I prefer him looking ahead, although his records won't probably have the quality they used to.

I don't see it as looking back. Because when he pulled up In A Large Room With No Lights... that would then be considered looking back. Which in itself isn't a bad thing. I'm not saying 'try to relive' I'm saying take what was from 1978-2011 and mix it up.

When Sheila E is on stage with Prince that is a harken to their 1984-1988 years

It also always adds another level of excitement and energy to Prince and the show

I saw the same thing at some of Sheila E's Yoshi performances when BrownMark, Levi & Eddie M. were on stage with her.

There is something about jamming with those 'that were there/apart of it'

the Love Bizarre/Oliver's House performance that is circulating, no one can say that Eddie M didn't amp that energy up,

the crowd was crazy for it especially when they broke out with the steps too

Prince has had the Time or Morris & Jerome open 4 him in the last 4-5 years & Sheila e and I don't think it's a looking back.

I mean what more is there to look ahead to?

OldFriends4Sale said:

Javi said:

I understand your feelings. But that things usually don't work... I prefer him looking ahead, although his records won't probably have the quality they used to.

I don't see it as looking back. Because when he pulled up In A Large Room With No Lights... that would then be considered looking back. Which in itself isn't a bad thing. I'm not saying 'try to relive' I'm saying take what was from 1978-2011 and mix it up.

When Sheila E is on stage with Prince that is a harken to their 1984-1988 years

It also always adds another level of excitement and energy to Prince and the show

I saw the same thing at some of Sheila E's Yoshi performances when BrownMark, Levi & Eddie M. were on stage with her.

There is something about jamming with those 'that were there/apart of it'

the Love Bizarre/Oliver's House performance that is circulating, no one can say that Eddie M didn't amp that energy up,

the crowd was crazy for it especially when they broke out with the steps too

Prince has had the Time or Morris & Jerome open 4 him in the last 4-5 years & Sheila e and I don't think it's a looking back.

I mean what more is there to look ahead to?

Well, if you mean working with these people to try to regain inspiration, then I'd agree that can actually work. For example, Bowie has done it successfully with Mike Garson or Tony Visconti.

[Edited 9/18/11 6:27am]

Javi said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I don't see it as looking back. Because when he pulled up In A Large Room With No Lights... that would then be considered looking back. Which in itself isn't a bad thing. I'm not saying 'try to relive' I'm saying take what was from 1978-2011 and mix it up.

When Sheila E is on stage with Prince that is a harken to their 1984-1988 years

It also always adds another level of excitement and energy to Prince and the show

I saw the same thing at some of Sheila E's Yoshi performances when BrownMark, Levi & Eddie M. were on stage with her.

There is something about jamming with those 'that were there/apart of it'

the Love Bizarre/Oliver's House performance that is circulating, no one can say that Eddie M didn't amp that energy up,

the crowd was crazy for it especially when they broke out with the steps too

Prince has had the Time or Morris & Jerome open 4 him in the last 4-5 years & Sheila e and I don't think it's a looking back.

I mean what more is there to look ahead to?

Well, if you mean working with these people to try to regain inspiration, then I'd agree that can actually work. For example, Bowie has done it successfully with Mike Garson or Tony Visconti.

Yes