NBR Apple Team (unofficial)?

What do you guys say to making a dedicated group of apple enthusiasts? As Sam pointed out, there are a few other groups here (NBR Linux Team, etc.) so why not have one of our own?

Possible functions of members:

1. Provide current members and potential buyers with assistance with their notebooks and notebook purchases.
2. Spread the word about Apple products where appropriate. Specifically in the 'What Notebook should I buy?' subforum.
3. Advocate the virtues of Apple software (OS X, iLife, etc.), Apple compatible software (freeware, shareware, etc.) and assist people in transitioning from other operating systems.

All of the above including Team name is up for debate. It would be nice to have a custom signature to differentiate us from the other NBR members. It will help direct people towards us for assistance or debate.

Discuss.

 

You should ask the admins for permission.

 

And Get Sam to join

 

I will pm the admins. Im prety sure Sam will join, I proposed the idea to him before i posted.

It would help to have our resident moderators to join us as well as anyone else.

 

Oops, I forgot to mention in getting Sam to join. Thank you.

 

You could call it "The Cult".

 

So you're saying that the other NBR teams are cults then? lol jk


But, it will be(hopefully) the NBR Apple Team, and that sounds good to me.

 

NBR Apple Team sounds good to me because we are all that is Apple. Macs, iPods, TV, Software, and even Windows.

 

I realize the intent of the OP is good.

But, I have to point out that the Mac community does a much better job of taking care of these things on its own, without the need for flashy titles, than the PC community. Virtually every Mac owner seems to spread the word about Macs.

I just think there are enough folks around here who do this already. Why create more titles?

I guess if it happens it happens. I just don't see the need.

 

I agree with Swarmer, call it the "Cult of steve jobs a.k.a. Sammy wants to be an Apple"

 

I also don't see the need. Most people in the forum are helpful, and creating such a team would actually make it a bit more restrictive, not to mention placing a large burden on the members of said team.

Also, although this was mentioned in jest, there will no doubt be people who view the whole thing as a "cult of Apple fanbois"...I think the whole idea would cause more trouble than it's worth.

As far as titles go, the last thing we need is to create yet another group of "Apple Geniuses" (ugh...could they think of a more antagonistic, worse name?)

 

yeah.. sounds right

 

There is a lot of misunderstanding about Macs and Apple out there. I see it every day on this forum. Many people don't come to this mac subforum and start asking questions. They get pre-conceived notions about Apple, and confirmed with false or misleading information from other ill informed people solidifies their notions and they steer away from Apple.

Our job is not be fanbois but to deliver true and unaltered information so people can make an informed decision.

Donald from Powernotebooks once told me that the power of this forum lies in its ability to influence the lurkers who come to the forum for information. Our job is to spread the right information in all areas of the forum, not just this subforum, so everyone can read and share that information.

 

I agree with that point, and I support that 100%.

 

Edit: ya, I agree, I've talked with Donald also. Talk about a really good fella. He's quite right, and you make a good point. Many people do have preconceived notions, both way too optimistic, and way too negative.

I think it's a fine idea. As Taelrak said, it may attract "apple fanbois". I think that would be a silly thing to worry about. Infact that term is so over played it will hopefully be forgotten someday soon and everyone will just get along. If more people are like the OP and Sam, and should I mention Hollownail and Cashmonee, then I vote yes. You have been rather helpful and very impartial in your guidance. This place has benefited from the apple knowledge, and helped form a nice little community. In addition, we can actually have an OPEN discussion about apple issues, and insights. Apple.com is nice with it's genius', but it's nice to hear it from a person in the trenches too, actually digging through the muck as it is.

 

I don't mind a group being created, so long as it remains unofficial (we're not creating a usergroup for this) and the group doesn't gang up and recommend Apple products to everyone in the What Should I Buy forum because then it would be problematic and we'd basically clamp down on such a group if the intention is to aggressively suggest buying Apple products over PC to buyers.

 

Here is what the Linux Team list as their reason for existing:

The same arguments made here can also be made about them. I see no reason why we shouldn't have a similar Team.

 

This is a very nice forum, as is. I don't see any point in changing it.

If someone makes a false statement, five people are not far behind correcting it. This forum is one of the best self policing forums around.

No amount of titles is going to stop the spreading of misinformation.

 

If there are no requirements for membership, what's the point?

 

Thanks Andrew for clearing that up.

This forum isn't going to change one bit. This forum will exist as is.

The rest is your opinion and i respect that. Obviously if most people here are against the idea then we won't do it. Simple as that.

 

When titles are introduced, attitudes change. Different members will be treated differently, based on the title they carry, signature tag they have, or whatever is chosen to signify membership in the group.

 

start a poll. explain the basic objective, or plan. see what happens

 

I prefer the forum the way it is now. A newbie asking questions won't be able to distinguish a "Team" member from anyone else.

I agree with Mick that titles usually don't promote positive attitudes. If a team is created how do you determine who is a member, and more importantly what do you do when some team members inevitably don't maintain the level of contribution necessary to remain a team member? How do you determine what level of proficiency is necessary to maintain membership?

This is just going to add a level of bureaucracy and confusion. While it will most likely have some redeeming values I don't believe it do much more than make a few here puff their chests out a bit further.

 

The general purpose of a forum is to share knowledge and create as open an atmosphere as possible. Creating titles can either be exclusionary and restrictive (i.e. representing a certain level of knowledge, responsibility, and possibly power), which would defeat the purpose of this means of communication and artificially create barriers, or be open, which would defeat the purpose of having them in the first place since they'd mean nothing.

I can appreciate the idea of these titles would as a means to differentiate those who are more helpful and those who possess a slightly more thorough understanding of the subject matter - but creating such differentiation between the "helpful and knowledgeable" and everyone else raises negative barriers to the exchange of information. We're trying to take down walls and promote open minds here, not create new artificial barriers, and I feel that such a "team" really would either be detrimental in the long run or otherwise not really useful.

While it'd be nice to have a way to differentiate people whose advice and opinion can be weighted more due to a general tendency for objectivity and knowledge, the current rep system, flawed as it is, does give a decent general idea of the reliability of someone's idea. Why not work on recoding the vb forums to create a more robust rep system instead of creating such groups?

 

I just don't understand how people are taking a simple idea to such extremes.

There is no heirarchy or supremity in being part of a team, there is no burden and there is no obligation. In fact a team is far more capable then mere individuals. What is wrong with a loose alliance of people who share the same ideas?

This isn't about titles or cheat-beating. Ah forget it, im doing things on my own.

 

The idea sounds nice, but then again, so does communism. Big thing here is that people will take it their own(and perhaps the wrong) direction.

Why not those that want one add an Apple banner to their sig? That way people will know where they're coming from without there being some hierarchical shenanigans running rampant.

 

While the Linux group aims to spread the word about FOSS and other such ideals, the main reason it started was to distinguish ourselves as Linux users, just for fun. In fact, I was the one who originally came up with the idea for the Linux team; it had nothing to do with trying to solicit users or shove Linux down their throats. It was simply a thing we did for fun to basically say, "Hey, we use Linux, if you have questions, we may be able to help you." I don't really see a problem with that, and it would certainly be acceptable IMO to have an Apple Team for the same reasons; more of a fan club than a solicitation group.

That being said, I also believe that Linux is in a unique situation for something like this, because it is based on a community. Development, support, and advancement are all done through the community, so defining ourselves as part of that community helps make the assistance that we can provide apparent to those who need it. With Apple or Microsoft, there is a clear company in charge and a head honcho so to speak where information can be found. With a community-driven approach such as Linux, those of us on the Linux team kind of act as part of the corporation that Linux lacks that others have. So, really, it creates a completely different dynamic.

 

Whoa, you guys are taking this so far!

From how I read SaferSephiroth, this isn't some sort of "super exclusive club, write this exam to qualify to join". There isn't going to be a "Executive Board", or "Executives", or "Veterans" or "Newbies". This is just a group of members stating "I love my Mac", and their main "objective" is to spread the word about Apple (where its appropriate; not spamming the What Notebook Should I Buy forum) and correcting some misconceptions about Apple.

There's tons of misconceptions out there, its ridiculous:

"Macs are slow"
"Macs have lots of viruses too"
"The only way to right-click is Ctrl + Click"
"None of your old devices will work on the Mac"

That's just to name a few.

So yeah, to clarify what (I believe) SaferSephiroth's intentions are, this isn't really a "team", although its called that. If you love your Mac, and want to spread the word where its appropriate, "join the team", and add the banner to your sig.

 

How is this related with communism??? It's just a post saying whether or not he can make a NBR Apple Team with the permission of Admins.

And communism is dying out already pretty much.

 

Ya, and lets be fair, Communism isn't evil. It's true that a purely communist society has it's faults, just as a Pure Democracy has it's faults. Anyhow, the banner "badge" idea is a fine one. It may only be for fun, but why not?

 

I think it's probably been said before but aren't the contributors to the "Apple and Mac OS X" section effectively the "team" already?

 

That was my point. Communism is awesome, it's people that ruin it

As long as there's no real organization to it, calling it a 'team' should be fine. That way anybody who wants other people to know he/she uses and understands Apple products can just throw the banner on there.

 

oh i see system 159.. well i think that's all the OP was suggesting. Just a badge of unity, since a real team can't be formed. point or no point, i don't see any harm in having fun with it. Nothing will change except their signiture

 

While its true that humans are the problem, communism wouldn't exist or need a reason to exist if there weren't humans. Thus your point is mute.
Also the major failing of socialism and communism is that people like/need/want reward for hard work (ie why should I study for 8years to become a doctor when the cleaner gets the same reward?). Humans naturally like to create levels in society, and thus if you want a more communistic approach NOT creating a Team would be the way to go.
Despite this you can put me down for a NO on the Team idea... things are fine as are, and although your intentions my not be to create a elite group it will be hard for newbies to not assume that you are.
a


ps although if you do go ahead, please keep the font small. I remember when some guys in the ASUS forum made a group they used like 100point font, it took up 1/2 the screen and was so annoying.

 

I would echo Andrew's comments. I don't see anything wrong with adding something to your sig similar to what notebook_ftw has, something understated and not loud.

The only thing to be careful of is pushing Apple on people who do not want/need it. Apple products only work for some users, not all. But I have no problem with people identifying themselves as Mac users with a unified signature.

 

I think it is a good idea. But the only thing that will probably change is a badge or banner in our sigs. However, Im sure that those people, badge or no badge will help others with their Apple needs anyway. As long as new users have their apple related questions answered and are satisfied...whats the difference? Thats what we're all here to do anyway.

 

I'll get some badges/user bars made up if people want them...I know Photoshop (met him last year, now we're best friends).

 

Lets do it. Im still in.

 

I'm in as well! I use an Apple, and I love it!

 

I would love to join, am I in?

 

I think as said before, its a more "casual" sort of thing . There isn't going to be a leader (I would assume). If you want to join, no need to ask, no need to take a test, just add the user bar/banner to your sig, or add a "NBR Apple Team Member" text in your Custom User Title (if you have that option open to you) or your forum sig.

 

If you love Apple, put it in your sig. No strings attached, no obligations, no one to report to, and no worries.

 

Which is exactly how things with the Linux Team are. It really is the best way to do it. This is just a casual forum, after all.

 

You don't need to own one either, right? As long as you like Apple (or macs) you could add the Bar.

 

Yes i don't see why not. All Apple enthusiasts are welcome.

 

So will there be an official NBR Apple Team?

I just bought an iMac. Have had it for close to a month now and I love it! Elegant and pretty snazzy, I must say!

My original intent was to buy it for my kids since I want to expose them to both Windows and OS X. However, I find myself spending way more time on it than my kids are.

"Dad, I thought you bought it for us, not for you..."

"Yes, I did, but I have to learn how to use it first so I can teach you."

I think that there should be an official Apple Team, like the Linux Team. I'm all for it. Messing around with the iMac, I have often want to come on the forum and ask some questions regarding the product. But, of course, the forum is for notebooks, so I've been rather reluctant to. Going to the desktop forum seems out of place since it's all PC related there. If there was an official NBR Apple Team with a separate subforum for guys like me who are newbies to Apple products (iMac, Mac Pro, iPod, iPhone, etc...), it'd be mighty dandy!

 

Well, it won't be official if it does happen . It'll just be the (unofficial) NBR Apple Team. Andrew allows us to make a NBR Apple Team, but he can't formally "recognize" it.

 

How about the Rogue Apple Team then? Official or not, so long as we have such a forum, this newbie Apple user will be mighty appreciative.

 

If somebody wants to take the initiative, i suggest creating a new thread with a poll that decides the name and has a sign. I think there is enough support around here and we have the blessings of the mods.

 

Ditto! Sam, could you please do it?