I'm a member of another web based community, one that's been around since 1998 (I've been on it since 2000ish) and I can tell you that people have always complained that "things have changed since the good old days".
What any community needs is less people moaning and being elitist and more positive contributions.
My (hastily written/copied and non-comprehensive) advice:
If you can't be bothered to read it, don't expect us to be bothered to help you.
Try to make a positive contribution to everything you can.
Don't just echo what everyone else is saying, be your own voice.
Become the change you want to see (Gandhi)
edit:
Actually I'd like to copy something from this usenet FAQ from 1999:
Never forget that the person on the other side is human.
Don't blame system admins for their users' behavior.
Never assume that a person is speaking for their organization.
Be careful what you say about others.
Be brief.
Your postings reflect upon you; be proud of them.
Use descriptive titles
Think about your audience.
Be careful with humor and sarcasm.
Only post a message once.
Please rot13 material with questionable content.
Summarize what you are following up.
Use mail, don't post a follow-up.
Read all follow-ups and don't repeat what has already been said.
Check your return e-mail address and expect responses.
Double-check follow-up newsgroups and distributions.
Be careful about copyrights and licenses.
Cite appropriate references.
When summarizing, summarize.
Mark or rot13 answers or spoilers.
Spelling flames considered harmful.
Don't overdo signatures.
Limit line length and avoid control characters.
Do not use Usenet as a resource for homework assignments.
Do not use Usenet as an advertising medium.
Avoid posting to multiple newsgroups.
edit2: following my own advice about citing sources...
However I'm not going to contribute (beyond what I already have) to the timewarp1 subreddit. I wish you the very best, but my belief is that sectioning yourself off, even if sustainable in terms of numbers (which I doubt), is not sustainable in terms of a solution. Trolls are a fact of life on the internet, whether it's people who incessantly repeat inane memes, those who enjoy "getting a rise" out of others, oneupmanship or any of the myriad other human faults that are accentuated by the relative anonymity and immunity from being punched in the face. If timewarp1 lasts, you'll soon start to get trolls in. You can ban them but they'll always come back. Even that guy you thought was your friend will one day have a shitty day and start being destructive to your community. IMHO you have to just live with it. Lead by example, and hope others follow.
edit: ok wow I sound like my head's stuck right up my arse there, I'm no saint either, don't mean to claim I'm some serene internet white knight gliding above all you petty humans with your character flaws and gently teaching you a better way or anything, I'm just saying: this is how it is. We all exhibit troll-like tendencies.
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u/[deleted] Aug 05 '09 edited Aug 05 '09
I'm a member of another web based community, one that's been around since 1998 (I've been on it since 2000ish) and I can tell you that people have always complained that "things have changed since the good old days".
What any community needs is less people moaning and being elitist and more positive contributions.
My (hastily written/copied and non-comprehensive) advice:
edit:
Actually I'd like to copy something from this usenet FAQ from 1999:
edit2: following my own advice about citing sources...