I think the whole Larian vs Ron fiasco highlighted something about this community as well. While Ron was a fantastic contributor for physics, his personality can be seen as abrasive by some, and others have said he is incredibly rude to them. Because of his high reputation, it seemed that the community tolerated him, and then even coddled him, letting him continue to get away with behavior that just isn't socially acceptable.

As time progressed, I think his kind of bahvior started to get viewed as acceptable by other members, and it devolved from there. Tone is actually a very important aspect of any community, and he was setting it for you. I think that is one of the reasons I have really stopped coming here.

This criticism aside, the StackExchange sites are a damn sight better than any Q&A sites I have ever seen. The quality of questions and answers here are great. However, there is a risk of becoming cliquish. Having a clear FAQ for new users to become familiar with a site, as well as ensuring everyone on the site is held to the same rules should make it at least understandable to new folks.

Also, mods could perhaps be community welcomers.

I think the whole Larian vs Ron fiasco highlighted something about this community as well. While Ron was a fantastic contributor for physics, his personality can be seen as abrasive by some, and others have said he is incredibly rude to them. Because of his high reputation, it seemed that the community tolerated him, and then even coddled him, letting him continue to get away with behavior that just isn't socially acceptable.

As time progressed, I think his kind of behavior started to get viewed as acceptable by other members, and it devolved from there. Tone is actually a very important aspect of any community, and he was setting it for you. I think that is one of the reasons I have really stopped coming here.

This criticism aside, the StackExchange sites are a damn sight better than any Q&A sites I have ever seen. The quality of questions and answers here are great. However, there is a risk of becoming cliquish. Having a clear FAQ for new users to become familiar with a site, as well as ensuring everyone on the site is held to the same rules should make it at least understandable to new folks.

Also, mods could perhaps be community welcomers.

I think the whole Larian vs Ron fiasco highlighted something about this community as well. While Ron was a fantastic contributor for physics, his personality (to put it kindly) was abrasive at best, and incredibly rude to anyone who had the audacity to disagree with him in the slightest. Becuause of his high reputation, it seemed that the community tolerated him, and then even coddled him, letting him continue to get away with behavior that just isn't socially acceptable.

As time progressed, I think his kind of bahvor started to get viewed as acceptable by other members, and it devolved from there. Tone is actually a very important aspect of any community, and he was setting it for you. I think that is one of the reasons I have really stopped coming here.

This criticism aside, the StackExchange sites are a damn sight better than any Q&A sites I have ever seen. The quality of questions and answers here are great. However, there is a risk of becoming cliqueish. Having a clear FAQ for new users to become familiar with a site, as well as ensuring everyone on the site is held to the same rules should make it at least understandable to new folks.

Also, mods could perhaps be community welcomers.

I think the whole Larian vs Ron fiasco highlighted something about this community as well. While Ron was a fantastic contributor for physics, his personality can be seen as abrasive by some, and others have said he is incredibly rude to them. Because of his high reputation, it seemed that the community tolerated him, and then even coddled him, letting him continue to get away with behavior that just isn't socially acceptable.

As time progressed, I think his kind of bahvior started to get viewed as acceptable by other members, and it devolved from there. Tone is actually a very important aspect of any community, and he was setting it for you. I think that is one of the reasons I have really stopped coming here.

This criticism aside, the StackExchange sites are a damn sight better than any Q&A sites I have ever seen. The quality of questions and answers here are great. However, there is a risk of becoming cliquish. Having a clear FAQ for new users to become familiar with a site, as well as ensuring everyone on the site is held to the same rules should make it at least understandable to new folks.

Also, mods could perhaps be community welcomers.