println("hello world"\n) hehe

[Gamerprinter]

This place has too many friendly and helpful people to be an internet forum. Its freakin me out

Where are the trolls... the flamewars? Its just odd. LOL

We have lurkers, and though we appreciate anyone looking at, downloading and using our content (only CC licensed content), we prefer participants, though lurking is not a terrible issue with any of us.

We've had one thread that was temporarily closed because a heated debate crossed over into throwing insults, and that was a new poster and the problem was "nipped in the bud". That thread is now open again, and the problem alleviated. However, that is the only instance of something close to a flamewar, ever in the history of the Guild.

Its the initiative of our grand administrator (Arcana) and the dutiful CLs to keep the forums as friendly as possible. In the way initial responses are made, in the way these introduction threads are welcomed with open arms, in the way that we try to help even those that ask questions that fall outside of cartography issues. We, the members, have found that following in their footsteps is actually addictive in being a more friendly environment, from the senior members to the noobs. By treating each other with respect, the Cartographers' Guild is an island of hope within a sea of trolls on most other forums.

I try to keep my posts friendly on other forums (EnWorld, etc.) but with their rampant trolling, flamewars, and edition wars its not always so easy.

I'm glad to be a longstanding member of this guild, and I'm here more than at any other online community, largely because of the friendly atmosphere, aside from the topic of mapping, of course.

So, don't be freaked out about our community, be freaked out that other communities do not have the presence of mind to be respectful to each other.

And belatedly, "Welcome to the Guild! I hope you have as wonderful a time as we do in our great community!"

GP

PS: and "no, we are not the Stepford Cartographers" - we are friendly with free will!

[Ascension]

I think it has to do with the quality that we put out and that others can learn how to do similar quality with only minimal skills and practice...and the fact that we're all super cool dudes and dudettes and not a bunch of teenagers trying to look cool. Welcome and have fun.

[Jaelyn]

Bahahaha, true. It looks like we're all adults here, or at least mature. I honestly haven't seen anyplace so welcoming and full of talent since the BBS days. I think I'm going to become a permanent fixture here.

I have noticed a lot of lurking while observing who is online and what they're doing, and less than 0.5% of views seem to generate a reply on most of the threads I've looked at. Meh, as long as they learn something I guess... I however, prefer to contribute whenever possible and actively learn from my public mistakes, as I believe that the only limitation to human advancement is the willingness to admit to and display one's faults and ask questions. Someone who can't tie their shoes without assistance might be a much better cartographer than me, but if I don't ask, how would I know?

[Gidde]

I don't know. I try to give feedback as much as possible, but sometimes I'm just at a loss for anything meaningful to add to the discussion. When that happens, I move on without posting. Some of the lurking may have more to do with that and less to do with not being willing to ask questions.

[Jaelyn]

Could be. Sometimes I don't feel like I'm qualified to say anything, being the noob here, but I will still call someone out on a ridiculous river

[NeonKnight]

Welcome to the Guild!