Comprehensive guide for TB newbies?

[CrazyArcher]

There is plenty of sticky threads targeted at newcomers, but they all cover purely technical aspects. TalkBass is not just about basses, it's a community with rich traditions. I think that almost everyone who'd join TB these days is gonna experience a cultural shock, no more, nor less. What's the story of carrots? Why is that sad smiley called ?

Are there any old-timers who'd like to write down the (not-so) ancient lore of TalkBass?

[casualmadness]

The only thing I can tell a noob is that at some point, you will get lownered.

[MakiSupaStar]

All polls must have carrots in them as an option. It's a tradition. There was a slight resurgence pushing for melons, but as much as we all love melons, you have to stick to the tradition of carrots.

[Atoz]

Originally Posted by CrazyArcher

Why is that sad smiley called ?

Maki can answer that one.

[jive1]

Be careful of any pictures you post of yourself on TB.

Also, without pics it doesn't exist.

[MakiSupaStar]

Okay. The story of the atoz, aka . Well as you know we have a rich photoshopping tradition here in OT. Basically, as people post pics of themselves doing whatever it is they do, however cool or stupid it may be, it supplies fodder for what we know as the Photoshopped TBers thread.

Well it's also another tradition to make fun of your bass face. Usually, this ranges from some kind of macho sneer to some kind trance induced drooling stare. Most are the same. A dude getting funky. A dude closing his eyes as he "feels" it, etc. All was well in a typical bass face thread started by Cheesewhiz where he challenged everyone to beat the stupid expression on his face. The Beat THIS hideous bass face thread was instantly derailed when Atoz presented his bass face in this pic below:



The thread instantly became a bunch of guys crying from laughing so hard. It generated a few entries into the TBer Photoshop thread, but in basically this was too big to be just another chapter in the Photoshop thread. This in turn launched the Could Atoz Be The New Moshgirl thread which is a reference to the Mosh Girl Thread which is hilarious in its own right.

Well the Atoz thread subsequently caused many people to spit food, beer, drinks, and involuntarily pee their pants with laughter. In fact, it still makes me chuckle to this day. However, this eventually led to someone mentioning that the atoz face should be an emoticon. Two prototypes emerged. Therefore, the good citizens of talkbass put it to a vote on which design they would like to see as an emoticon. No one ever suspected that it would actually come to the point where it would actually become an immortalized icon designed by our very own Lala. When it did, we were all surprised and elated. Eric618 actually formerly ate his words in several threads in which he went on record as doubting that it would ever happen, and subsequently took it out on his poor gerbil. The day it came to be, 3.10.08, it was called officially called the Day of Atoz.

It goes without mention that there is a lot of heckling that goes on in OT, but this is arguable the most heckling any individual TBer has ever endured. It would have never happened without James (Atoz) being an amazing sport about it. In fact he even contributed a few of his own photoshops to the atoz thread.

There you have it. The story of Atoz.

Maybe this should go into the Wiki.

[CrazyArcher]

I think you've surpassed yourself, Maki. This post was WA-A-Ay above your standard And yep, wiki... We have a wiki, how didn't I think about it?

[FL Knifemaker]

Don't try to suck up to veteran members. It doesn't work

[RWP]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

All polls must have carrots in them as an option. It's a tradition. There was a slight resurgence pushing for melons, but as much as we all love melons, you have to stick to the tradition of carrots.

I lobbied hard for melons but lost fair and square.

Much of the rich history of TB OT can not be openly discussed. However, these classic threads are still here for the finding.

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by RWP

I lobbied hard for melons but lost fare and square.

Much of the rich history of TB OT can not be openly discussed. However, these classic threads are still here for the finding.

There there lil' buddy. It'll be alright. Have a beer. If that doesn't work have a few more just to make sure.

[Mark Wilson]

Mark Wilson is wayyyy better than you.

[RWP]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

There there lil' buddy. It'll be alright. Have a beer. If that doesn't work have a few more just to make sure.

Thanks, I feel better now.

[Toasted]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Don't try to suck up to veteran members. It doesn't work

Look, it's not going to work. Stop sucking up to me. You'll always be a newbie.

[heroincredible]

Next week on TB: Maki explains who or what the Qintar is.

[KeithBMI]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Don't try to suck up to veteran members. It doesn't work

Except me. Feel free to kiss my ass.

What join date is considered a "veteran?"

[Geddyfleaharris]

I was in Vegas from March 10 to 16. I always suspected I missed something but I did not realize that I had missed the birth of an emoticon! Sweet Jesus! The resemblance is uncanny!

[Dirtdobber]

Who do we need to slap to get some respect around here?

[mjolnir]

Originally Posted by heroincredible

Next week on TB: Maki explains who or what the Qintar is.

The Qintar: The biggest overreaction on TB.

Meev: the biggest casualty of the biggest overreaction on TB.

[jive1]

Originally Posted by heroincredible

Next week on TB: Maki explains who or what the Qintar is.

There's actually an almost 3 year old thread with thousands of posts (pt 1 & 2) in the lobby about it.

[john turner]

Originally Posted by CrazyArcher

There is plenty of sticky threads targeted at newcomers, but they all cover purely technical aspects. TalkBass is not just about basses, it's a community with rich traditions. I think that almost everyone who'd join TB these days is gonna experience a cultural shock, no more, nor less. What's the story of carrots? Why is that sad smiley called ?

Are there any old-timers who'd like to write down the (not-so) ancient lore of TalkBass?

i started carrots nearly -8 years- ago as a way for the general membership to cast a vote of no confidence in the rampant "paper or plastic" crappolls that kept popping up. folks putting carrots in the poll themselves still cause me to laugh - it's basically like saying "this poll is worthless".


as for the new smiley, it is nowhere near worthy of tradition status - it's what? 2 months old? give it a few years.