Definition of "Noob"...

You know you all want to know too!

It sends me into a digi-tizzy anytime I see anyone with less than six months membership cracking on ATS.

So what is a "Noob"? Is it Tenure? Points? Quality? All of the Above?

Discuss.

Alright, I had to look it up...

I found this page, which was pretty entertaining.

Hahaha...

I'm not so sure about this. If this was like some weird online game where everyone begins at the same starting point and everyone somehow works their way up the same 'ladder', then 'noob' might have some currency.

However, the truth is, that behind the accounts are real people with vastly different life experiences, areas of knowledge and expertise &c. For example, a middle-aged man who'd worked in military R&D for all his life joining who joined this morning; would he be a 'noob'? On some of the boards here, he'd be an almost 'instant expert' despite only having had the time to make a handful of posts.

Originally posted by wisefoolishness
Alright, I had to look it up...

I found this page, which was pretty entertaining.

Hahaha...

II. Where to find n00bs
On the internet, n00bs make their colonies on forums. They migrate in waves, usually on weekends, and proceed to clog up bandwidth with stupid questions and sometimes even stupid answers. If you happen to be unfortunate enough to be on a board large enough to attract migrating noobs, there will hopefully be authority in charge who is smart enough to take extermination measures before they can make nests and larger colonies. THE BANNER HAMMER is one form of authority.

Larger colonies can result in the mutation of some into spammers. Not commercial spammers, but pointless spammers. A noob can become one of these at any point, but the larger the amount of noobs, the more chance pointless spammers will appear.

So true...

reply to post by Merriman Weir


excellent thoughts merriman!!! both as a newbie and an R&D sprecialist

reply to post by Merriman Weir


Point well made and agreed.

But, what if said member

a middle-aged man who'd worked in military R&D for all his life

posted a thread without using the search functon and posted the exact same topic posted by another member five weeks ago?

IMO, there are two parts to this Question.

First, it is typically used as in insult. It is usually used as no, you stupid Noob.......

It seems to me, we can in very general, see Noob as referring to typical new to discussion boards kind of posting/acting.

I am a perfect example of a Noob. I just came to ATS, just started learning about all this stuff, and I, of course, already know more than any of you.

You might as well all pack up your marbles and go home, The Noob is here now.

j/k

Actually I have some pretty well developed opinions about some things and some totally naive concepts about other things. I mainly came here because of my interest in ET's but I am also an informed citizen - not a drone like so much of society. I like the variety of topics, the abundance of information (and astute detection of disinformation). There is a spirited exchange here and I have only 'ignored' three people so far.

However, I will fully admit I am a Noob and defer to the wisdom of others when they are manifestly more knowledgeable than I.

Remember, ALL of us were Noobs once.

As "OutaHere" said, everyone was new at some point.

The fact is, your posting reflects the "you" of this moment, and we're all in a time machine set in motion towards the future.

I'm an old man, and when I look back at "me" of just a quarter century past, I hardly know the fella. And don't much like him, either.

reply to post by kosmicjack


So, you're saying that anyone with under six months membership is not worth reading/taking into account?

Guess what? You need to step back, grow up and realise that ATS is not your average forum...

Yes, we have the odd spammer but in the bgger picture we are rather lucky. Not that many people play wind up on this board becuase they know that it aint gonna work. We are a serious board. We are not a bunch of kids shouting about some laser display we way the night before last. We are experienced people who know a lot about our subject area of choice. So what if someone has only been a memeber a month. Does that make their opinions/expalnations less valid? No...it makes the people promoting this agenda show their true colours. You wanna play '7337' or whatever the hell it is you use...games- go do it on a games site.

you want serious discussion without being a judgemental so and so please post away...

We are not a childish community.

We argue, we discuss, we banter.

We do not play stupid games regarding who is a noob and who is not. Save it for you XBox forums. We are past that.

Peace,

MGGG

...and yes...my spelling on this post is awful. I could correct it but I can't be bothered. Does that make my opinion less vaild? Maybe. I only teach English so if I can't spell I must be talking rubbish. Remember, quality of spelling/grammar of language =quality of post...does it?

[edit on 16-11-2008 by machinegun_go_go]

[edit on 16-11-2008 by machinegun_go_go]

Originally posted by machinegun_go_go
reply to post by kosmicjack

 

So, you're saying that anyone with under six months membership is not worth reading/taking into account?


[edit on 16-11-2008 by machinegun_go_go]

I don't think he was implying that at all. In fact, I think you are grossly misinterpreting what he was saying. He was just asking what constitutes a "noob" on ATS. I would consider myself a noob, having only a handful of points and limited posting experience. I browse the boards whenever I get a chance and some day I will be a nubile no more. Until then, I don't believe the term is necessarily meant in a derogatory way.

I'm sorry to diagree with you but I think the term has extremely derogotory connotations,

reply to post by machinegun_go_go


No, I'm not saying that. The OP is more open-ended than that. More like looking for some existential parameters. Was it titled "I hate Noobs" or "Noobs are idiots!"? No, it wasn't.

Lighten up, you haven't been at ATS long enough to be that bitter. Just Kidding!!!!

Oh and NGC2736 - You are so right. I sometimes look back at my early posts and cringe. But when I start to get embarrassed, I realize that it was all a part of my process of awakening. If I wasn't the me I was then, I wouldn't me the me I am now...

Ouch! That was too deep, I pulled a muscle. Now I need a glass of wine to relax...

( Dr. WizardPhd - I LOVE your avatar! Mostly I just love Randy Marsh..."What!? I thought this was America...")


[edit on 16/11/2008 by kosmicjack]

[edit on 16/11/2008 by kosmicjack]

Originally posted by machinegun_go_go
I'm sorry to diagree with you but I think the term has extremely derogotory connotations,

And you would be right:

Be nice. We're all here to better understand the various obvious and hidden influences on our often stressful world. Some members will have been researching these topics longer than others. Calling such beginning members "n-0-0-b", "n-e-w-b-i-e", or other derogatory names just because they're beginning their journey to enlightenment is generally frowned upon.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

reply to post by kosmicjack


Hey Kosmic

Your avatar isn't working on my browser?

...anyways to the OP, here's the breakdown:

ATS Membership "Noob" Chart:

0-2 weeks = ATS little bity Baby
2 wks - 1 year= ATS "noob"
1 yr - 2 yrs = ATS Journeyman
2 yrs - 3 yrs = ATS Veteran
3 yrs - 4 yrs = ATS King
4+ yrs = ATS King Kong

reply to post by Scramjet76


Wait. That's not fair. Change it to 'newbie' and I'll be content. It's so much cuter.



Anyways, I can see this is a playful thread and not meant to hurt anyone's feelings or create a popularity caste. Levels of newbies don't capture my attention too much but I will admit, right or wrong, to being a bit wary of new members with extensive negative points. Sometimes it's due to a rough start and sometimes it signifies a new troll on the way out.

Other than that, points/join date/post count don't make me judge the poster's status... generally. Avatars also seem to help lessen the 'n00b' image.

[edit on 11/17/2008 by AshleyD]

reply to post by kosmicjack

It sends me into a digi-tizzy anytime I see anyone with less than six months membership cracking on ATS.

I understand that. The "ATS is REALLY going down hill!" threads created by someone who has been here for 2 months grinds my gears as well.

I don't care if it is ATS, your job, your local pub...whatever, that is just not a very classy thing to do. I have met many people like that in real life over the years and that is one type of personality that I just don't get along with.

Take some time, learn the social graces of the new environment before you start complaining about how things are done or how far it has fallen.

I always understood it that a "newb" was a newbie so got unfair punishment until they were around for an unspecified amount of time.While a "noob" is just a flatout idiot.

I am childish and get a real kick out of calling workmates both newbs and noobs depending on the workmate.They dont know what the hell im on about and think its an endearing term haha.

Originally posted by kosmicjack
reply to post by Merriman Weir

 

Point well made and agreed.

But, what if said member posted a thread without using the search functon and posted the exact same topic posted by another member five weeks ago?

Honestly? I wouldn't think it was that much an issue as, even if he had have used the search function, it wouldn't guarantee much. With all respect to the site owners and admin, the search on this site is a little 'wonky' to say the least.

Also, if he was new as of that morning, the natural lifespan of the thread - and yes, as an example of micro-community they have 'lifespans' - could have played out completely and the thread was too all intents and purposes 'dead'. I'd have thought that this hypothetical person with their background starting a new thread - and therefore bringing new insight and expertise to the subject - would actually be a boon more than anything. I think it's a mistake to think that a forum's first take on a thread/subject will somehow be the 'best', if that makes sense.

[edit on 17-11-2008 by Merriman Weir]