Ask Me Help Desk - What was your first impression of AMHD?

What was your first impression of AMHD?

I was thinking about this some time one day and I was thinking about the first time coming into AMHD, logging on, seeing the "people" here, looking at the categories.

I didn't come here alone. It was intentionally going to be a shared account with my ex, something to do when we were bored. And at the time I had a questions and Yahoo Answers wasn't giving me anything..

What I thought of AMHD at first isn't the same of what of think of it now. I thought, at first, that people really competed to have those greenies, that no matter what advice they gave they just wanted that extra green under their name. The whole mod thing kind of freaked me out, they were always changing threads and laying down the law. I found that the senior members [not all] were a little mean. A little uninviting at times.

However my perspective has changed a lot since when I joined. I see that mods are there to keep things in order, and when Sally32134 asks why her urine is red in 12 different sections we don't get confused about where to answer and which one we originally answered. Now I know that senior members, aren't actually crabby and uninviting, they're just really tired of trolls...

So what was YOUR first impression of AMHD? Was it negative? Positive?

Whether you're a newbie, a long time member, or somewhere in between, it'd be interesting to find out what your first impression was about the site.

Thanks for answering :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudweiser

However my prespective has changed a lot since when I joined. I see that mods aren't there to keep things in order, and when Sally32134 asks why her urine is red in 12 different sections we don't get confused about where to answer and which one we originally answered. Now I know that senior members, aren't actually crabby and uninviting, they're just really tired of trolls...

Um, muddy, did you mean 'are'?:)

My first impression was that the mods actually do their jobs. It was a very welcome change to most places I have looked at over the years.

I was really impressed with how fast my first question about wiring a thermostat was answered and how understanding the experts were with an ignorant do-it-yourselfer (thanks, Tom).

Then I thought I could do this and maybe make a little paypal. That ain't happened but I've made some wonderful friends to chat with, flirt with, argue with, and worry with.

I'm so hooked I even hooked my wife.

Yes, my old friend tom is just so amazing !

Are you talking about a past experience before you joined AMHD, or is this question you asked after you joined.

Tick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat1864

Um, muddy, did you mean 'are'?:)

My first impression was that the mods actually do their jobs. It was a very welcome change to most places I have looked at over the years.

Haha whoops! I was typing fast!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickle

Yes, my old friend tom is just so amazing !

Are you talking about a past experience before you joined AMHD, or is this question you asked after you joined.

tick

I'm talking about your FIRST impression of AMHD. Like when you joined Tick what did you think?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudweiser

I'm talking about your FIRST impression of AMHD. Like when you joined Tick what did you think?

Yes mud I know what you mean, I was asking Castmine about his response. I wasn't volunteering my first impressions.

I will have to to consider my answer to YOUR question.

Tick

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickle

Yes mud I know what you mean, I was asking Castmine about his response. I wasnt volunteering my first impressions.

I will have to to consider my answer to YOUR question.

tick

Haha! Oh sorry, I got a little confused there. Today is a day where I miss small things... maybe it's because I had crêpes for breakfast loaded with whipped cream... mmm!

Overall, this site made a great impression on me. Senior members were very friendly and helpful and the experts really knew their topics well. There were a few people who could be a bit condescending but luckily they were very few. Keep up the good work everyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by earl237

Overall, this site made a great impression on me. Senior members were very friendly and helpful and the experts really knew their topics well. There were a few people who could be a bit condescending but luckily they were very few. Keep up the good work everyone.

Condescending isn't all bad. It shows you are confident in the knowledge you are imparting. Mostly the poster doesn't know they are being that way. A few of my teachers were that way, but I really didn't think much of it. They knew what they were talking about and were confident.

Could be you may find my response a little scewed. I had thought of that. It is my opinion though and no one else's.

Tick

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickle

Yes mud I know what you mean, I was asking Castmine about his response. I wasnt volunteering my first impressions.

I will have to to consider my answer to YOUR question.

tick

I joined to ask the question about the thermostat, Tick. I joined three Q&A boards that Thursday. The A/C was running again Saturday. I still haven't gotten an answer from Yahoo, a year later.

I joined to find a song. I was hooked. I love AMHD.

When I joined everyone was very helpful except for one and I avoid that person as much as possible now.
There were a couple people who seemed a little uppity and they still seem that way today, so I guess I had the same impression then as I do today.

Like it is a big family with some crazy aunts and uncles:)

I came on to find a way to get my dog to stop itching. My dog still itches.

I want my money back:)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Dahlia

Like it is a big family with some crazy aunts and uncles:)

I came on to find a way to get my dog to stop itching. My dog still itches.

I want my money back:)

Yes, crazy aunts and uncles, isn't that so true ***love it*** you can't have your money back you are stuck with us now.

I came to ask a question about inheritance after my mother-in-law passed on. Scott answered immediately and gave me very helpful advice. Having gotten what I came for, I left and didn't give the site a second thought.

Then a few months later I got an email asking if I would be willing to come back, ask or answer more questions. It had been so long that I didn't remember my password, had to get a new one.

I came, looked around, answered a few questions, got into an argument with a few of the younger guys in the relationship forum. We ended up agreeing to disagree, in fact, Sneezy, one of the guys I disagreed with, is now one of my best friends, we talk daily.

I was hooked, started looking at more questions that I could answer, asked a few of my own, made friends and the rest is history.

As for the mods, they do a really hard job and they do it for free. You couldn't pay me to do it. They have to make tough decisions about threads, posts, people, with only the written word to go by. It's often hard to determine what's in a persons heart or mind just by reading what they post. A lot gets lost in translation, but the mods do it every day and often get abuse for the job they do. They make the site safe for everyone. I applaud them.

The fact is, if we didn't have the wonderful mods we have, this site would be chaos. I don't think anyone really realizes the amount of crap the mods are subjected to just because they're doing their jobs, jobs that they do willingly, for free.

I love this site and the people I've gotten to know on it. This really is a family, a community, and I for one (and I know most others feel the same way) welcome new people. I was once new here, and I was welcomed with open arms, that's what I hope to do for anyone that comes here, even if I sometimes don't agree with them.

Group hug? :)

GROUP HUG!

I joined trying to sharpen my teeth. I discovered this site and was so excited to find one that would truly help with problems, not ridicule me. I was so excited in fact I posted a wave of questions, causing a certain mommy figure of mine to think me an attention seeker. My first impression was, WOW

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altenweg

I came to ask a question about inheritance after my mother-in-law passed on. Scott answered immediately and gave me very helpful advice. Having gotten what I came for, I left and didn't give the site a second thought.

Then a few months later I got an email asking if I would be willing to come back, ask or answer more questions. It had been so long that I didn't remember my password, had to get a new one.

I came, looked around, answered a few questions, got into an argument with a few of the younger guys in the relationship forum. We ended up agreeing to disagree, in fact, Sneezy, one of the guys I disagreed with, is now one of my best friends, we talk daily.

I was hooked, started looking at more questions that I could answer, asked a few of my own, made friends and the rest is history.

As for the mods, they do a really hard job and they do it for free. You couldn't pay me to do it. They have to make tough decisions about threads, posts, people, with only the written word to go by. It's often hard to determine what's in a persons heart or mind just by reading what they post. A lot gets lost in translation, but the mods do it every day and often get abuse for the job they do. They make the site safe for everyone. I applaud them.

The fact is, if we didn't have the wonderful mods we have, this site would be chaos. I don't think anyone really realizes the amount of crap the mods are subjected to just because they're doing their jobs, jobs that they do willingly, for free.

I love this site and the people I've gotten to know on it. This really is a family, a community, and I for one (and I know most others feel the same way) welcome new people. I was once new here, and I was welcomed with open arms, that's what I hope to do for anyone that comes here, even if I sometimes don't agree with them.

Group hug? :)

I had empty nest syndrome. I have found a lot of good friends whom I consider my online family. None of you will ever know how you have
Touched my life. I Love all of you.:)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitkat22

I had empty nest syndrome. I have found a lot of good friends whom I consider my online family. None of you will ever know how you have
touched my life. I Love all of you.:)

I love you Kity!

Several Q&A sites I was on were dying, and everyone I knew was gravitating to AMHD. Excon and tomder told me to give it a try, so I did. What I like best is how well it's run. None of the other sites I was on had living, breathing moderators. (That's why they died.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXxEmOxXxPrInCeSsxXx

GROUP HUG!

I joined trying to sharpen my teeth. I discovered this site and was so excited to find one that would truly help with problems, not ridicule me. I was so excited in fact I posted a wave of questions, causing a certain mommy figure of mine to think me an attention seeker. My first impression was, WOW

I am way too young to be your mother! Just saying. ;)

It worked out in the end. You apologized, I apologized, and look at us now. I was impressed with you because I told you I thought you were just looking for attention, and instead of coming back with an attitude, you apologized. You impressed me, you still do. :)

Okay, now I'm getting all misty. :o

I tried asking things on Teenspot advice boards, you know what happened when I posted my life story? They said no one has that depressing of a life and I was a troll. Then they banned me after laughing at me and ridiculing me

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altenweg

I am way too young to be your mother! Just sayin. ;)

It worked out in the end. You apologized, I apologized, and look at us now. I was impressed with you because I told you I thought you were just looking for attention, and instead of coming back with an attitude, you apologized. You impressed me, you still do. :)

Okay, now I'm getting all misty. :o

How old are you Alty?

Thanks for starting this thread, Mud. It's a great idea. To be honest, my first impression of AMHD was not very favorable. I was recruited by several Q&A sites because of my standing on the old AskMe.com. The main thing that turned me off was the fact that they had ripped off the home page of AskMe.com.

But other sites began to fall by the wayside or didn't have the structure of AMHD that made finding and answering questions easier. So I started spending more time here. Got to know the people including the owners to some extent. More and more I felt this site had the best combination of experts, structure and community of any of the other sites.

As for some members being crabby, condescending, rude, etc... I've been participating on sites like this for about 20 years. I've never seen a site that doesn't have such members. But such members are controlled here and much of them are genuinely concerned about this site and the quality of advice given here.

But I would also like to point out that there is an inherent problem with communications like this. Without the benefit of tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, etc. the written word can be often misconstrued.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXxEmOxXxPrInCeSsxXx

how old are you Alty?

I don't usually answer that question. :eek:

I'm 29, for the 10th time. :cool:

I'll make you do the math. I was born on September 14, 1970. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altenweg

I don't usually answer that question. :eek:

I'm 29, for the 10th time. :cool:

I'll make you do the math. I was born on September 14, 1970. :)

My real mommy was born August 5, 1973 ///o^)

This site has provided me with an outlet for my questions, frustrations, and a little online family

Quote:

But I would also like to point out that there is an inherent problem with communications like this. Without the benefit of tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, etc. the written word can be often misconstrued.

I think that's the main barrier when we have problems. I write like I talk, or so I think. Often times I'll be sitting here writing, saying it out loud in my head, but when I read back, the basic point is lost because I cannot make my voice heard, the humor, the seriousness, whatever I'm trying to express, often it gets lost in the post.

I've had a few instances (I'm sure we all have) where what I said and what the person thought I said, were on total opposite sides of the spectrum. It's caused problems, until I explained that I didn't mean it the way they read it.

It's hard, but it's worth it. As long as people read with an open mind, are willing to listen, then it usually works out in the end. Then there are the times when no matter how you write it, someone just doesn't want to hear what you have to say.

Bottom line, we're all human beings, Expert, Mod, newbie, Ultra member, there really is no difference between any of us. We all have something to offer, we all have something we're good at, that's what makes this site work. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXxEmOxXxPrInCeSsxXx

My real mommy was born August 5, 1973 ///o^)

:eek: I may have to beat you with my cane now! Just let me take my teeth out first, I don't want them to be ruined! :eek:

Little whipper snapper. You'll be old one day too, just wait. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altenweg

:eek: I may have to beat you with my cane now! Just let me take my teeth out first, I don't want them to be ruined! :eek:

Little whipper snapper. You'll be old one day too, just wait. ;)

Now, kids, play nice.

My first impression was that it seemed like an interesting concept and maybe I could learn something. So after asking one question I hung out for a bit. Then decided to jump in as I had an opinion also. I started and stayed in the family law board for a long time but this year decided to branch out a bit. Learned a lot along the way and still managed to make a few friends too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by califdadof3

My first impression was that it seemed like an interesting concept and maybe I could learn something. So after asking one question I hung out for a bit. Then decided to jump in as I had an opinion also. I started and stayed in the family law board for a long time but this year decided to branch out a bit. Learned alot along the way and still managed to make a few friends too.

I was intrigued by all the smart people. I didn't understand some of the lingo but after I learned, I love it. :D So here I am!

I would also like to add... and it has been this way from the start...
Where else can you post that you just had the best "tomato" you have had all year and expect anybody to care? HERE! That's where!
Family, Wonderful family... that you have never seen, but are always there for you, no matter what (unless you're an a$$)
And they pretend to care about the tomato:D

AMHD members miss you and worry about you when you're not here for a while.

I know WG two days away and I received six emails and a bunch of PM's asking if I was OK.

I came for advice about my mower. Stayed for the sex talk and the cute girls.

My first impression was that there was great DIY'er help from real pro's... that opinion hasn't changed...

Quote:

Originally Posted by kp2171

i came for advice about my mower. stayed for the sex talk and the cute girls.

my first impression was that there was great DIY'er help from real pro's... that opinion hasnt changed...

Admit it KP, you stayed only for the sex talk with cute girls. ;)

Might not be the only reason I stayed, but it certainly kept me coming back more frequently than I would if I were just looking for info about my furnace or mower or popcorn ceiling and asbestos.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kp2171

might not be the only reason i stayed, but it certainly kept me coming back more frequently than i would if i were just looking for info about my furnace or mower or popcorn ceiling and asbestos.

Well I can't help you with your furnace, mower or popcorn ceiling, but the sex talk, I'm your girl. :)

It was helpful. I came to ask a question about a serious issue in my life and actually excon helped me out. He was honest, respectful and not judgemental. That was my first impression.

Quote:

Originally Posted by classyT

It was helpful. I came to ask a question about a serious issue in my life and actually excon helped me out. He was honest, respectful and not judgemental. That was my first impression.

Possibly one of Ex's bad days... :D:) (kidding)