to ask for some clarification for MN newbies?

[fuzzypicklehead]

I haven't been here long, but I've read what seems to be conflicting advice in response to some threads over the past few months. Can I just ask a few questions about "best MN practice" to avoid annoying people?

For example:

• I've seen arguments break out in threads where posters are advised to take their arguments elsewhere because they are distracting from the purpose of the thread. But then posters also seem to complain when they spot a thread about a thread. So which is worse:
  a) having a bunfight which hijacks a thread, but is also resolved there? Or
  b) starting another thread to fight it out there?

• If I want to talk about a topic that may have been discussed previously, should I:
  a) search for existing posts and bump/add to it, or
  b) start a new thread and risk everybody yawning at me?

*Certain topics seem to have been done so much that everybody gets pretty annoyed when they come up again. I'm thinking of: BF/FF, mother & child car parking spaces, eating grapes in the supermarket, etc. (There are probably many more that I can't think of at the moment) And yet there will probably always be new mums (& trolls) who join MN and want to talk about those things. What should they do in that case?

Any other useful information/rules/guidelines for a relative newbie who doesn't want to inspire wrath?

disagree with quietly. why is it so wrong to mention that an oldie has great experience in the certain topic.
the more this thread goes on the more it becomes clear that there are few rules. few that we can all agree on anyway. so as others have said, go forth and just enjoy. stop worrying.

The most succesfull threads i have ever started have been threads about threads.

dont like terms newbie/oldie everyone equal regardless how long posting

and steadfastly ignore any self proclaimed "royalty".its conceited and wanky to self proclaim ones perceived status

disagree with scottish. or if there is any pompous, 'i'm so fab because i've been here for ages', then i must be oblivious to it. i just mean that if you think of someone who might be able to help with adoption, i think of Kew. and misdee and peter have had their fair share, so i might think of her. and trinity. they are just the people that spring to mind when you think of certain topics. how can this be avoided ?
it is natural so someone to spring to your mind, and thus you might post for these people to come and help.
I am not the only diabetic on Mn available to help if someone has a question. but i would think of calling paddyclamp or hoxton to come and help if someone needs advice.
how can this be wrong scottishmummy ?

Obomov - there used to be "I'm so fab I've been here for ages" type posts when I first joined way back in about 2004/5. Not so much now, I think some of those who were bad for doing it have,er, gone elsewhere

No, you still get those posts

Always make it clear that everyone is entitled to your opinion.

Oh just do what you want and tell any moaners to fuck off (but with love). It's not the sodding army.

is it not ?

Well, it is a bit. But don't tell anyone, they'll all want Boden camouflage hodgepodge maxi dresses.

By all means search old threads for help. I frequently do for stuff like which buggy board will go with my pushchair, or boring stuff like that.

But don't bump old threads. It's very annoying.

Oh yes, if you talk about your 13 year old dd, don't call her dd13. We will assume you tried for a son 13 times!

Mingg, you do ? Like Saltire says, I remember when it all got a bit 'high and mighty', but that was a long time ago. you think a new 'royalty' exists ?

I hate it when people are called mumsnet roaylty

fuzzypicklehead (and any other newbies): You might also find our Getting started guide and our Talk guidelines come in handy, too...

i don't like it/ the word/ the idea either. and i don't think it exists. certainly not to me. yes, i recognise posters who have been here a long time. i've seen custy etc around for years. means nothing.
so. so what ? i am not that shallow, to be an arse licker. goes against everyhting i am. so no, there is no elite for me. refuse. point blank.
so yes. i don't like the concept. and it does not exist for me.
it only exists if you let it.

didn't mean to pick on custy there. was the first name that popped into my head. could have chosen anyone else int hat particular example.

Nooo - don't search for old threads on a subject. This is a chat forum - why should newbies look and see if someone started a thread about something in 2008 - they want to talk about it now.

If someone comes on bleating 'oh ffs this has been done to death' just ignore and carry on.

And no you can't call someone a twat - I called someone a twat yesterdfay and had my post deleted.

What about MN Scum?

What about it?

Try not to let anything get to you - I swear some members are about to combust at times over nothing.

Some people then go off and search, search, search for the "offending" posters previous threads/contributions to attempt to prove something, but just serve to make themselves look utterly ridiculous. But STILL come back triumphantly: "You said back in 2009 at 12.34 that you had one DD - now its a DS?" followed by the horrendous

I utterly despise the search facility and see it as a very useless resource.

Oblomov - I don't know if a new royalty exists but there certainly are people who like to point out how long they have been posting and how their opinion counts for so much more than a "newbie's" and some do it in a very nasty way.

I have been on MN since 2005 but I am not royalty. Probably more like the chambermaid.

What everyone else said

< feeling magnanimous >

Oh - don't get paranoid. Nobody will remember the argument you had the day before

So true. And I ^want a Camo Boden Maxi-dress.