h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello From Distant Shores,
I noticed your postings on Teeky's space, and I thought I'd fly over for a chat. I see you've been here quite a lot longer than I have! Are you online a lot? I'm online every day, which is why I volunteered to meet, greet & befriend newcomers, I remembered how I floundered in my first few attempts to get round h2g2.
I'm sorry the greetings look so automated, but when you are presented with a list of over a hundred new Researchers, you haven't the time or inclination to type out 100 individual greetings.
I do try to read each page, add a personal comment, maybe ask a question, then leave my links, in the hopes the newcomer won't think it's just a general greeting.
I know some people just get their Researcher number then disappear, reappearing months later then wonder why no-one has greeted them.
What can I say?
Do you have any suggestions that I could pass on to the editors?
I would welcome your input, I would even take constructive critisism
Let me know what you think...
Archangel Galaxy Babe

Your concern about your unpaid work for h2g2 does you credit.

My visits to h2g2 are somewhat spasmodic. At the moment I access the site quite frequently after a long gap.

I checked out Teeky's page and saw that he had two long messages welcoming him to h2g2. My guess is that Teeky found them a bit overwhelming. I think that I would have done if I had received them as soon as I started using h2g2. As you might see I had a much lower key introduction to h2g2.

I know that I am considered to hold somewhat different views from most researchers but perhaps the personal comment and the offer to help if needed may suffice. For me, stumbling across something of interest is part of the pleasure of h2g2.

From Distant Shores

Thanks for your input!
It's always good to hear other views.
Of all the new Researchers I greet, maybe 75% don't reply, but I know they use the birthday link I leave as that thread gets refreshed on my page, I read it daily so I can wish anyone I have acquaintance with many happy returns
I don't mind if people don't acknowledge the greeting, if they haven't returned to h2g2, there's nothing I can do about that; and if the others don't require my assistance that's good too.
Of the 25% who do respond, it's usually a "Thanks for the welcome & see you around" I find only a very few who need their hand holding every step of the way.
Those people who need the most help are the most rewarding to me however; when they "let go" and wander off alone, it's a great feeling for me.
Some appreciate the help so much that they volunteer themselves to help others.
Believe me, I appreciate your praise, but the help I give out makes me feel good, in a way I am helping myself.
I have blossomed as a person since I found this site, in RL I am a single parent who works at home so I don't get out much. This site has made me feel less lonely. There's always room in my life for more friends...even VL ones

It's funny how it seems to help us when we help others. If I was feeling a little down my mother always used to tell me to find somebody to help and that then I'd feel better. Of course, I never used to believe her.

My help for other people tends to be in the background, my wife on the other hand is more outgoing and giving. She gets so much back from her various community service activites.

By the way, I don't see much difference between the RL and the VL as you call them. h2g2 is like having a lot of penpals except we all hide behind silly names.

From Distant Shores

silly names?
I guess you're right, but there is a downside to VL friendships, people can sometimes pretend to be who they aren't, or worrse, openly deceive. I am more careful on the internet than I am with RL friends. Those I can look in the eye. {except when we're on the phone}
Your wife and I have a lot in common! Please give her my regards.
Thanks...
Galaxy Babe