Mike,

I think your assessment of the board is fairly accurate.

I found this board in the summer of 2003 and I found the reception lukewarm, so I disappeared for a few months. Then I popped back because I basically needed help. I had lost my job in March of 2003 and I was trying to get my first adult site launched. My husband was going to lose his job any time. So I came back here, developed a thick skin, and just thought, "I'm going to keep bugging the shit out of these people until they make me a part of the gang."

I saw something in the people on this board that I hadn't seen elsewhere. I knew I could learn from them, I knew the majority of them were good people. So, I just stuck it out and kept asking questions. The people here were polite and answered my questions. But overall, it was several months before I started to feel like I was a part of this board.

I don't think the people here were cliquey or snobbish. I think what you said about this board having a fairly mature crowd is correct. There are a lot of people here who have been in this business for a long time. And equally, there are a lot of busy people here who don't have time to waste on people who aren't serious about this business. That's what I saw anyway.

Once I had put some time in here and people saw that I was working hard and I was coming here on a daily basis, then they warmed up to me. We get a lot people stopping by here with dollar signs in their eyes posting, "I'm here to make my million." Or those straight webmasters, "Hey, I figured it's time to break into the gay niche, so what sells?" Those people generally get a lukewarm response and for the most part they don't stick around.

Mike, all I can tell you is that you're doing exactly the right thing. You're here, you're posting, you're persistent, and you put your site up in the review post. Continue doing that. When you see a post and you think you have something to add, post it. Don't worry about whether you think you have the right answer, and don't feel intimidated, or feel it and post anyway.

Keep sharing and keep asking and I think things will begin to feel more comfortable. Again, I don't think it's anything personal, regulars here are just busy and want to know the time they spend with people is going to be worthwhile. That's the way I see it anyway.

Cheers
Dzinerbear