Marketing_Guy - 11:07 am on Sep 8, 2004 (gmt 0)

Interestingly I just knocked together a quick article for an old site, about different personalities you find online and I came to the conclusion that people tend not to stick to one personality type throughout their posting career.

How many people here started out life online by visiting a dicussion forum to ask for advice? How many of those now regularly return to that forum (and others) as the one offering advice?

In the same respect how many folks didnt realise that posting your URL / business details can be considered bad etiquette? How many of those have since pointed this out to others! ;)

Personally, I've gone from newbie to perceived expert (that's where I post lots without actually saying anything) to actual expert (to an extent anyway) to a lurker (when I got bored posting) to a debater (where I would argue to hell and back) to a forum angel (where I would actively seek unanswered posts to answer) to a mod / admin (on other forums) and so on......

Im sure somewhere along the line Ive been the person people sigh at when they see me post! ;) (DONT tell me - I dont want to know the truth! :P)

My point is, I think it's possible for people to grow out of certain roles and I think as moderators, admin and even established and respected posters, it can be possible to help nuture problematic posters in to productive community members.

That guy who registered and spammed his URL on your forum. Yeh, he could be a spammer and you could label him as such. But perhaps if you had a quiet word with him, he would realise the error he made and eventually become a productive member of the community?

How many members here with 1k+ post counts arrived to WW and dropped their URL in the first week of being here? Come on.....admit it! ;)

Scott