Hi,
It's not really clear from your post, but the LL forums have gone through a few versions. I think this is the third incarnation of the LL forum. The two older ones I have bookmarked are:
http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/31101 (started Sep 5, 1999 and closed Apr 13, 2001)
http://www.lurkerlounge.com/cgi-bin/forum/forum.cgi (closed Feb 22, 03)
Further, the LL existed before the fora as a reference site for all good things Diablo. Bolty's Diablo Strategy Central came about because of some things (both good and bad) that were happening on the DSF. So, the LL has about a four year history and, in a sense, can trace its roots back to the beginning of the game.
Now, to the ones that have been here from the start, bickering of the sort "I've been here three weeks longer than you so I'm a reg and you aren't." just sets off laughter or flames, depending on the mood. There are people on this board who are considered regs by all and haven't been here all that long (comparatively). There aren't many on this board that have been here long who aren't considered regs, but that's not because of time. It's a simple filtering processes. People who don't fit in either leave or, in extreme cases, are shown the door.
The LL is largely a meritocracy. A new person is judged on what and how s/he posts. As time goes by, that person establishes a "quality" balance (or debt, as the case may be). And that balance is *not* with the population as a whole, but rather with the other individuals on the forum. If that balance gets big enough, a few "bad" posts doesn't hurt it much. If the debt gets big enough, almost any slip gets flamed (and eventually usually ends up driving the person off).
The LL is an open society. Many of the "regs" are relative newcomers. Quality counts, and largely it is all that does. And, just like the world, it is not "fair" if by fair one means allowing any old crap to get by.
--Pete
EDIT: Got bit by the auto-typo generator :)
It's not really clear from your post, but the LL forums have gone through a few versions. I think this is the third incarnation of the LL forum. The two older ones I have bookmarked are:
http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/31101 (started Sep 5, 1999 and closed Apr 13, 2001)
http://www.lurkerlounge.com/cgi-bin/forum/forum.cgi (closed Feb 22, 03)
Further, the LL existed before the fora as a reference site for all good things Diablo. Bolty's Diablo Strategy Central came about because of some things (both good and bad) that were happening on the DSF. So, the LL has about a four year history and, in a sense, can trace its roots back to the beginning of the game.
Now, to the ones that have been here from the start, bickering of the sort "I've been here three weeks longer than you so I'm a reg and you aren't." just sets off laughter or flames, depending on the mood. There are people on this board who are considered regs by all and haven't been here all that long (comparatively). There aren't many on this board that have been here long who aren't considered regs, but that's not because of time. It's a simple filtering processes. People who don't fit in either leave or, in extreme cases, are shown the door.
The LL is largely a meritocracy. A new person is judged on what and how s/he posts. As time goes by, that person establishes a "quality" balance (or debt, as the case may be). And that balance is *not* with the population as a whole, but rather with the other individuals on the forum. If that balance gets big enough, a few "bad" posts doesn't hurt it much. If the debt gets big enough, almost any slip gets flamed (and eventually usually ends up driving the person off).
The LL is an open society. Many of the "regs" are relative newcomers. Quality counts, and largely it is all that does. And, just like the world, it is not "fair" if by fair one means allowing any old crap to get by.
--Pete
EDIT: Got bit by the auto-typo generator :)
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?