Does the CD board get a bad rap?

LadyExtravaganza

I have seen very very few people flamed on here, and I've been lurking since my 2nd tri and posting since DS was born.

Why are people so intimidated by this board?

StellarStina26

I've never felt so welcome on a board.  Always nice, always helpful.  I don't get it either.

alrrla621

My thoughts exactly! When I was starting CD all these ladies were so helpful and encouraging! A far cry from the witch's they're accused of being!

pixy_stix

Someone complained that we answer every newbie question with "please look at the FAQ."  Which we don't.  Just the ones that can be answered by the FAQ.  :oD

sweetpea18

People have posted that regulars on here are cliquey. I don't think that's true, other boards are much more cliquey.

LadyExtravaganza

pixy_stix:

Someone complained that we answer every newbie question with "please look at the FAQ."  Which we don't.  Just the ones that can be answered by the FAQ.  :oD

And for anything in the FAQ's if you scroll through 2-3 pages, there's a HUGE chance the question has been asked in the last day or 2.

It just baffles me, because everyone is SO nice here, and there's no snarkiness or high horses or anything. I don't understand the stigma!

Dork_Fish

I don't think so. I'm not a regular and I'm never nervous about posting.

pixy_stix:

Someone complained that we answer every newbie question with "please look at the FAQ."  Which we don't.  Just the ones that can be answered by the FAQ.  :oD

Lol. I must spend WAY too much time on pets - that's not a scary answer :P I actually appreciate people pointing out the FAQ because it's a great place to start.

ejgballerina

I've never heard that before!  But then again, I'm mostly here and SAIF.  I try to answer newbie questions when I can, though. 

cdep1

This is the first board I've ever posted on regularly because it WASN'T cliquey, no one got flamed for asking a simple question (cough etiquette board cough), almost everything is on topic (no threads about who your favorite celebrity is - which I don't actually have a problem with), and I'm interested in it. Is there a link to this thread, or is this just a general thing?

emsrdh03

I always thought we had a pretty good rep.  I know a lot of people hate the standard "Look at the blog/FAQ repsonse"  So I always try to respond with more if I have time.  But sometimes just pointing them there really does answer all their questions.

 ::shrugs::

pixy_stix

Dork_Fish:

I don't think so. I'm not a regular and I'm never nervous about posting.

pixy_stix:

Someone complained that we answer every newbie question with "please look at the FAQ."  Which we don't.  Just the ones that can be answered by the FAQ.  :oD

Lol. I must spend WAY too much time on pets - that's not a scary answer :P I actually appreciate people pointing out the FAQ because it's a great place to start.

Yeah, and the pestie FAQ is way more detailed than the CD faq.

LadyExtravaganza

cdep1:

This is the first board I've ever posted on regularly because it WASN'T cliquey, no one got flamed for asking a simple question (cough etiquette board cough), almost everything is on topic (no threads about who your favorite celebrity is - which I don't actually have a problem with), and I'm interested in it. Is there a link to this thread, or is this just a general thing?

Mostly general. This is what made me think to ask, but I just see so much CD talk on other boards and sometimes I say "You could ask on the CD board, they would have more suggestions" and there always seems to be an attitude like the CD board is scary.

laurasuzanne2006

maybe it's the same way people are intimidated by CD in general

sweetpea18

LadyExtravaganza:

cdep1:

This is the first board I've ever posted on regularly because it WASN'T cliquey, no one got flamed for asking a simple question (cough etiquette board cough), almost everything is on topic (no threads about who your favorite celebrity is - which I don't actually have a problem with), and I'm interested in it. Is there a link to this thread, or is this just a general thing?

Mostly general. This is what made me think to ask, but I just see so much CD talk on other boards and sometimes I say "You could ask on the CD board, they would have more suggestions" and there always seems to be an attitude like the CD board is scary.

I don't understand the witch hunt comment. I know several people have posted about having their baby in disposible for whatever reason, and I've never seen anyone flame them. This is the only board I've been on that there's drama and then everyone kisses and makes up.

luvbeingmom

it's a little intimidating because you get on and you see a lot of posts on things like wool, and fitteds, and stocking, and gm's...

so just looking at the posts alone can give you a feeling of "wtf am i looking here?" and "did i enter the right board??"

 

cdep1

LadyExtravaganza:

cdep1:

This is the first board I've ever posted on regularly because it WASN'T cliquey, no one got flamed for asking a simple question (cough etiquette board cough), almost everything is on topic (no threads about who your favorite celebrity is - which I don't actually have a problem with), and I'm interested in it. Is there a link to this thread, or is this just a general thing?

Mostly general. This is what made me think to ask, but I just see so much CD talk on other boards and sometimes I say "You could ask on the CD board, they would have more suggestions" and there always seems to be an attitude like the CD board is scary.

That's strange that she was concerned that someone would jump down her throat for asking about a disposable option. I think I've only seen one person flamed on here and they were pretty aggressive in their opinions. I can see people getting peeved about the FAQ/lurk here suggestion (even though it'll answer like 85% of questions), but I'm surprised someone would classify it as a witch hunt. I think most of us here are pretty "whatever works for you, but here's what I do" about things...

 Nobody even jumped on me for the controversial fish tank ammonia remover stuff  

girl-23

I'm sure a newbie around the CD board for sure (I lurk and read posts daily but don't post too often) but I've never been afraid to ask a question or post. I always get helpful answers, too!

cdep1

luvbeingmom:

it's a little intimidating because you get on and you see a lot of posts on things like wool, and fitteds, and stocking, and gm's...

so just looking at the posts alone can give you a feeling of "wtf am i looking here?" and "did i enter the right board??"

 

THIS I understand. Wool still intimidates me a bit, but she was suggesting that we're a bunch of post flamers.  

CheriCO

I wish there was a way to make the FAQ and a few other posts sticky so folks don't have to scroll through pages to find them.  Why don't the nest gods create a "New to the board? Start here!" kind of sticky?  I saw one of these on a different (I think bump) board. Coming onto this board for the first time, there is no way to know there is a FAQ and blog and they really do answer so many questions.

Here's my impression of this board...I don't think ya'll are witches or anything, but I think it's intimidating for newbies to come here and see tons of posts about stalking GMs and TTs and whatnot.  I think it's confusing to a newb.  If someone is undecided on cloth vs. disposables, I imagine posting here is like posting on the Natural Birth board when you aren't sure whether you want to go med-free or not.  The NB ladies are generally pretty respectful, too, but still, you have to expect some anti-med responses, just like you'll probably get some anti-disposable responses here.  CDing has so many abbreviations, too, that it's really hard for a newbie to figure out what you're even talking about in a lot of posts.  That probably makes it seem more clique-ish than it really is.  (I've been CDing DS for 3 years and I struggle to figure out what you all are talking about sometimes!) 

ETA: And...I JUST noticed the link to the FAQ at the top of the board.  Not at all obvious.  The blog/review spreadsheet and  EFFer blog on CDing are so helpful, too.

ChelsiAnn13

I always lurk but never have anything to post since this is my first baby...

 

But I have to say. I LOVE the CD board. I almost gave up on The Bump. I started out looking at the name board and was just attacked over and over again when I just wanted opinions. I know I am not a part of the CD mamas yet but I plan to be and I just need to say that for the little I know I love you guys! Thank you.

pixy_stix

Oh, a g-diapers post.  Yeah, that particular topic will get you "witch hunted" a bit because g-diapers are pretty pointless if you're going the disposable insert route, and there are better options if you're doing cloth.

cdep1

pixy_stix:

Oh, a g-diapers post.  Yeah, that particular topic will get you "witch hunted" a bit because g-diapers are pretty pointless if you're going the disposable insert route, and there are better options if you're doing cloth.

If by witch hunt you mean, being TOLD there are better options... 

BrendaLou1969

I agree the GM and the T&T stalking, purchasing, talking etc, can be a bit overwhelming for a newbee.  I almost gave up on the board initially because it didn't make sense.

cozylittlecave

I never knew/heard it got a bad rap, but I'm surprised! The ladies here are super nice & informative! I've learned so much already from them. They do answer 'see' FAQs' when appropriate- which happened to me once, and I felt so stupid when I realized what a dork I was for not reading them first- my fault, not theirs! 

It also seems to me (for reasons I can't explain) that there are less REALLY annoying stupid questions asked on this board.  It's usually just repetitive (FAQ worthy) 'where to I start' type questions. I feel like a lot of other boards have a lot of flame-worthy posts compared to CD in general. "I'd like to cloth diaper, what do I do?" just isn't anywhere near as obnoxious as "omg! I'm my boobs are totes sore, am I preggo?"

veruca5839

LadyExtravaganza:

cdep1:

This is the first board I've ever posted on regularly because it WASN'T cliquey, no one got flamed for asking a simple question (cough etiquette board cough), almost everything is on topic (no threads about who your favorite celebrity is - which I don't actually have a problem with), and I'm interested in it. Is there a link to this thread, or is this just a general thing?

Mostly general. This is what made me think to ask, but I just see so much CD talk on other boards and sometimes I say "You could ask on the CD board, they would have more suggestions" and there always seems to be an attitude like the CD board is scary.

I agree.  I've seen people post on other boards asking CD questions and there might be a reply or two that negatively refers to this board (usually that no one answers newb questions or they just get pointed to the FAQ, or that it's too intimidating/cliquey).  I think CDing in general is intimidating to someone just starting out because there's SO much to learn about, but I don't find the board intimidating...and didn't when I was first lurking months ago.  I don't find anyone here to be rude or snarky.  I think everyone here is very helpful and friendly. 

AGFaso

luvbeingmom:

it's a little intimidating because you get on and you see a lot of posts on things like wool, and fitteds, and stocking, and gm's...

so just looking at the posts alone can give you a feeling of "wtf am i looking here?" and "did i enter the right board??"

 

The second part.  I jsut ignore the posts about GM's stocking, stalking and the like.  I'm still trying to learn basic CD'ing. So if you open a post and it makes absolutely no sense, move on to a "more basic" post.

cozylittlecave

luvbeingmom:

it's a little intimidating because you get on and you see a lot of posts on things like wool, and fitteds, and stocking, and gm's...

so just looking at the posts alone can give you a feeling of "wtf am i looking here?" and "did i enter the right board??"

 

This might be a really good point. I was super-intimidated at first by this board (not enough to keep me from posting though); it had NOTHING to do with the ladies here, but it was more about being overwhelmed by cloth in general. 

yodasmistress

I've been a frequent chat board poster for about 6 years.  And I *rarely* ask questions.  Why?  Because most of the time my question has already been asked AND answered elsewhere.  So I reference that, rather than annoying board regulars.  Likewise, I am a bit ... stingy ... with my quesion-answering-ness.  I basically only answer questions that are in regards to personal opinion / preference / experience and aren't just a result of someone being too lazy to scroll back a few pages and/or consult the ever-wise Google. 

LurkieLoo

I LOVE the CD board BUT if a newbie is coming here saying "I want to cloth diaper my baby, where do I start?", it is annoying.  There is this really cool website called google. Use it.   I understand that there is a TON out there on CDing- I was new once too.  So I do want to be helpful to people and I 100% will if people ask the question in a way that shows they have at least put some effort into looking into CDing- "I want to CD my baby but everything is so overwhelming.  What would you recommend to a friend?"  The answer to both questions is the same but I at least appriciate a little work onthe person who asks the question's part. 

Also, I am starting to hate when people come on here and ask a question that was just asked yesterday.  Lurk a little, then post.  On Thursdays or Fridays when the board is moving faster than normal, fine I understand- maybe you looked back 5 pages and only saw things about GM and TT and wool and want to know about G Diapers but still. 

All that said, I still remember what it was like to be a newbie and I still try to answer all their questions as much as possible because I know it was helpful to me to have them answered over on Diaperswappers when I first started. 

MothyrGrimm

I think this board like a lot of ladies said is just plain nicer then most. We all started out not knowing squat and worked our way up to where we are now... and we remember NOT knowing about cloth. On other boards many people grew up with kids, and many haven't so some think certain questions are stupidly obvious, and chide others for it. With cloth everyone starts out with a vague understanding, so I think it evens the playing field... plus cloth dipes are WAY too cute and time consuming to have time for being a snotty b!tch. lol

LinnyAnne10

Err.. CDing board people are mean?? 

Never heard that one before.. You ladies been nothing but nice. I've been learning a lot from you ladies. 

Who ever saying that you ladies are mean, are nuts!

moussy

This is the first I've heard of this!  I've been on much snarkier boards.  Considering one of my first posts here was me essentially asking if my house was going to smell like a latrine (those were the negative comments I kept getting from friends and family) and no one flamed me, makes this board almost too nice! 

I agree that the acronyms are hard to get a hang of, but I've never seen anyone give a sassy answer when someone asks what they mean.

Mrs.B6302007

Yeah, this is news to me.  I think we're probably one of the nicest, most welcoming, and most drama-free boards on TB.  Internal drama, I mean.  There is always GM drama or such being discussed.

ananas19

I enjoy this board! I will admit to giving a short reference to the FAQ when someone says they're "thinking" about CDing and don't really ask a question.

I think it's like any forum, if you see a thread title you're not interested in (GM is probably the most likely culprit here) you don't open it and keep moving. This happens to me ALL the time on other boards and forums, and I've never thought it makes the posters uppity. I guess snark is a different issue entirely, but I've never experienced that here.

AggieBeth06

People fear what they don't understand... Add in the acronyms and you get the clique notion. U was overwhelmed and still am clueless a lot of the time, but I figure there's just a learning curve. Sometimes I dont get great answers, but I figure I have off the wall questions or something. It's much easier to lurk/post here than in many of the other boards!

Leah678

cozylittlecave:

luvbeingmom:

it's a little intimidating because you get on and you see a lot of posts on things like wool, and fitteds, and stocking, and gm's...

so just looking at the posts alone can give you a feeling of "wtf am i looking here?" and "did i enter the right board??"

 

This might be a really good point. I was super-intimidated at first by this board (not enough to keep me from posting though); it had NOTHING to do with the ladies here, but it was more about being overwhelmed by cloth in general. 

All of this! I don't think I've ever posted here, but I've always gotten answers to my questions by reading the FAQs and the blog. I think you ladies are great!

Sparla1027

luvbeingmom:

it's a little intimidating because you get on and you see a lot of posts on things like wool, and fitteds, and stocking, and gm's...

so just looking at the posts alone can give you a feeling of "wtf am i looking here?" and "did i enter the right board??"

 

I generally am a "lurker" here (which btw I HATE that term!), and must admit I am/ have been VERY intimidated by this board. Mind you I am pretty new to this whole board thing and it took me MONTHS to decide I really wanted to post on my birth month board. I think overall CDing is VERY overwhelming at the beginning. Then throw 1 million abbreviations, terms and brands- woah! The point to the FAQ- especially initially felt a little like "I don't have time for your silly question just read this". I completely understand why this happens- however if your first post CDing got the response "read the FAQ"- would you feel welcome? It is also hard to read a tone on boards... But I get it- there is GREAT info on there, and why should you have to retype an answer when a question has already been answered so thoroughly on the FAQ. And as PP also mentioned it is not entirely obvious that all that info is there. The GM posts just confused me for a long time... But overall I have learned a lot from reading posts on here.

bethandjoe09

Well... DH thinks I'm nuts because I spend time here :P

I agree with PP that in my impression, the CD board gets a bad rap because it's confusing and different from what people are expecting.  Most people are used to the idea of disposables (put diaper on butt, discard when soiled) or the old-fashioned flats, pins and plastic pants.  When you get into OS vs sized, AIO vs AI2 vs pockets vs prefolds vs fitted (and the automatic "what's the point of fitteds?"), PUL vs wool, it can get very confusing very quickly.  It took me a while of reading and visiting different sites before I got a handle on things, and I'm still definitely learning.  I did lurk for quite a while on here before I started posting.  That said, this is one of the first boards I posted on regularly, and I've never felt unwelcome.

Sometimes there are events that can feel clique-y if you're not in the know.  It took me a while to figure out what the heck Spots and Hyenacart were.  Actually, I think it took me longer to figure out those than GM, because people expect noob questions re GM.  And when those questions are asked, I have yet to see anyone be rude in their reply.

chemily8

When I first came on board I didn't even notice the FAQ.  It was very helpful...once someone pointed it out to me:D

 

mrs.jlsprouse

I've been a member of the knot/nest/bump since I was engaged in 2008 but I don't think I ever posted until this board.  I learned everything I needed to start CDing from lurking on the EFF board.  Google is your friend, and a bit more widespread than TB.  I don't have a problem answering newbie questions when I have time but usually the questions asked are further down on the same page.

GavinRonansMom

StellarStina26:

I've never felt so welcome on a board.  Always nice, always helpful.  I don't get it either.

this!