It's been a while since I was a newcomer. But what attracted to me to the site then was seeing the variety of topics, and the various characters commenting on the topics. In addition, getting those "helpful" votes were intriguing. I played around a bit and started to enjoy it. I think the votes were key to me sticking around honestly, and if that isn't happening for new guys then it really needs to. Personally, I don't give out many votes to newbies, just because I generally don't read their posts, but I will start doing more of that.

Nah. I like the new people and regularly go out of my way to introduce myself to them out of some sick misguided sense that I am the welcome wagon!

UPDATE: Then came the river. Now I don't see new people unless they see me and start following me. It sucks on some level, but there is too much bullshit to filter out for me to do things any other way. Hmm...

Then come on more often and you wont be new anymore...you big baby.

Oh....waaaaa!
Everyone should be as popular as I.

I'm new here (6/19/09) and I don't come here to be welcomed. I certainly haven't been ignored. I've posted where I've cared enough to do it, and so far I've had one 'disagree' vote by a poster who I suspect secretly wants to marry John Edwards. If it's statistical 'popularity' that you want, head to the barren wastelands of MySpace and Facebook (jeez, how i hate those #$@%$ sites!!!). You want to participate in something more mature and thoughtful? Then 'man up' (sorry, ladies), put some thought into a topic, and post here.

Pfft. . .

If you think the internet will make you popular you need to (1) get laid or (2) read more. Give an opinion with solid reasoning. Take criticism because any opinion worthwhile will inspire it. Period.

Get lost if you can't deal. . .

this really is a stupid reason. Almost everyone on here that I have seen seem friendly to me and everyone else, except there are a few people.

 Does RIA have an opinion?

Are opinions censored by RIA?

Is my opinion less valid than your opinion?

Is my opinion more valid than your opinion?

Are we allowed to make jackasses of ourselves by whining when someone disagrees with our opinions?

Honestly, despite me being an agnostic on a site where there are a lot of religious people I feel that the people here have given me a wonderful welcome.  I'm glad that no matter the opinion even on religion and politics we can agree to disagree like civilized people.  Frankly the people have been so nice to me that i'm surprised that any newcomers get a rude welcome and wonder why that is.

By nature a site that is a forum for opinion will attract people who are opinionated.  As a result there are times when reviewers get worked up about a subject, or dug into to making a point and can run rough shod over the beleifs and comments of other members.  Some people even come here for that very type of action, I dare say.  That is not to make excuses for rude behaviour or unpleasant individuals but hopefully it provides some context.

I have issues with this too. Some people have been very friendly to me while a few others act like they have some sort of ownership of this site because they have been here longer. A few people seem to think their opinions are more valid than others.

Yes and no.  I think most new reviewers who don't come on with an axe to grind, or act like they bear a revealed truth are readily welcomed.  Those who do, are generally not.

But that's not an uncommon group dynamic, on the internet or off it.

I always believed that those who stand at the top of all lists should be worthy of respect and certain admiration. After all, willingly or not, they are somewhat leaders. Leadership implies a certain responsibility, but some just don't have what it takes to be where they are. Is my review judgmental? Yes it is, on purpose. But I judge an attitude, a group, a community, not a person in particular. I celebrate the openness and freedom of expression on RIA. But freedom without rules is anarchy. I hope and pray never to see it happening on RIA.

I don't know...I wouldn't say that Im one of the most popular but I don't feel ganged up on either.  When I was new on this site I felt pretty welcomed by the ones that had been here awhile.  I also try to do the same to new people on here.

I tend to lean over backwards to give a helpful to a newbie.

I think we all need to be careful that our helpful/unhelpful votes aren't based on a reviewer's prestige rather than the reviewer's comment, so it doesn't look like a "popularity contest" to someone else.  I've tried to give helpfuls to comments that make sense or hit home with me, no matter who makes the comment, be it "newbie", "vet", or "nerd".  It's the fair thing to do.  The "chess club" and the "pep club" should be treated equally.

Nevertheless, it's still not a good reason to leave RIA.  Let's just be ourselves, and the rest will fall into place.

A few people were very good in welcoming me when I came here over a year ago.  A lot of reviewers have some very interesting comments.  I do know sometimes that there are people who can feel like RIA is a popularity contest, and if you're not "popular", you do get ignored, and it shows.  However, it would not be worth leaving the site over, as there are a lot of great things to review, and some wonderful reviewers.

From what i see new reviewers are welcome.It is nice to see new people on here and read their reviews. it seems a bit true that some reviewers are more popular than others but it really has nothing to do with what rank they are. rateitall is pretty good about welcoming reviewers and including them. I have tried out other forums that were horrible and ignored certain people, just to be nasty.One of the most terrible cruelest forums I tried to be on was this place called Cybermom. it was filled by some of the cattiest bi*****, they would flat out ignore those they did not wish to be on "their" forum. or they would be like "we were not talking to you!"Lets ignore that person girls. it was so horrible that the owner, of the forum got sick of the griping and fighting and removed Cybermom. good for her.{ another one that does not include of all sites is global prayer network.these so called christians actually snub people they do not want to chat with nice huh?}so for the most part Rateitall is quite good at including everyone.

A brief glance at the top 10 listings indicate that over half the reviewers who are there came to the site only 2 or 3 years ago. Usually that type of elitism is common on smaller blogs only visited by a small amount of users, where the traffic is significantly lower than on RIA.

One sided this site has more sides then an octagon in 3-d. Heck I have been here for years and there are still a few that wish I would leave. If you look for tongue in cheek and the occassional serious review well you are in the right place. That said if you have a glass chin you might want to stay out of the fray especially if you are grammatically chanlenged like me and you can spell as I have demenstrated through out this little rant.

This is kind of two different issues, so I'll break it down: 1) It tends to be onesided . . . well, I dunno, I think that both extremes are being heard loud and clear on here most of the time (for better or worse, but hey, it's better than just having only one side expressed), and 2) not welcoming to new reviews & reviewers who are less popular. I guess I can kinda see that on occasion, but not as often. There's less newbie hate here than there is on most other places I've seen.

It's true. If you're a Top 10, Top 25, or Top 50 reviewer, you're mostly gonna get a helpful review after a post. RIA oughta remove that tag below the user names so every reviewer can be treated as an equal. ... The newcomers like myself aren't exactly welcomed and won't get a helpful/unhelpful review. ... Personally, I'm glad many of the Top 50 people aren't here anymore. I don't miss one, single Top 50 reviewer. It gives the underdogs a chance to prove themselves.

I really don't believe this because when I was a newee, people treated me with just as much respect as now. Infact, people may be more critical of people in top 10 positions. Because they have written the most posts, they may also get the most critical private messages.

I do not believe this is true.A newcomer may have to prove themselves in order to be accepted by other reviewers but RIA itself is an open tool to speak your opinion.