What is the best way to start participating in the Forums?

1. 89

   JSParkerposted 14 years ago

   What is the best way to start participating in the Forums?
   
   Hi, I'm a new Hubber and wonder how to be a good Forum participant.  Should I just jump in and ask and answer where I can contribute?.....Or should I study older posts first, and-- if so--how far back?

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2. 76

   Just Ask Susanposted 14 years ago

   Hi and Welcome to HubPages. I just jumped right in after reading what people were posting in the forums. It is a great place to learn about HubPages.

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3. 91

   Krysantheposted 14 years ago

   This is a great question JSParker, as I've been wondering the same thing myself.  Right now I am playing more of a silent observer and sticking my toe in a bit when I think I have something somewhat insightful to say.

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4. 62

   Daffy Duckposted 14 years ago

   Get in there and start answering questions.  Also post forum topics that would create discussions and debates.  Politics seems to do that quite easily.

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5. 62

   wingedcentaurposted 14 years ago

   If you enter the forums, beware! I want to start by saying that I love HubPages (I truly do!). Without it I would have never had a platform for my writing and ideas. I believe HP is probably the best such site. The set up is like being the editor-in-chief of your own magazine, as someone once mentioned before.
   
   If you're not a masochist, I would avoid the forums (unless you start and control your own thread and thereby set the tone), especially the political and religious forums. It has been my experience that those so-called discussions deteriorate into mean-spirited, incoherent zoos very fast!
   
   But perhaps you, JSParker, like to argue. Perhaps you like a good "fight," and all that. Perhaps you thick-skinned and can "give as good as you get," and so forth. I don't believe there really is a "safe" way or "best" way to get started. It's sort of like asking: What's a good way to fly into the sun?
   
   But the fact that you even asked the question, JSParker, indicates a certain civility about you. I would say that at least half of the regular participants in the forums never bothered to ask or even think about the question you have asked. I hope you are not very badly disappointed.
   
   Keep in mind that this is the Internet, and a lot of people take that as license to talk without any restraint, they take a no-holds-barred approach to what they call discussion. In this modality, it seems that human feeling means next to nothing to them.
   
   If you do  choose to venture into the forums, JSParker, beware! Beware!

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6. 64

   Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

   I'd agree with those who say to just jump in.  Since you're new you may not want to go in and try to answer people's questions about HubPages for awhile (not that you'd do that, but some people do and it doesn't always go over all that well   LOL  ).
   
   Other than that, you may just want to look for something that interests you and that you have something to say about.  It's that simple.  (Personally, I generally stay out of the politics and religion forums because, as far as I'm concerned, no good usually comes of them.   LOL  Maybe that's just me.)
   
   Starting a "Hi, I'm New." thread is something a lot of people do at first, but a lot don't.   
   
   Welcome to HubPages

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