Since March is Snark Forums‘ birthday, and since it’s been the one forum I’ve actually stuck to over the last couple of years, I figured I’d write about it for a bit. Of course, a lot of people are also going to this over the next few weeks, and they’re going to say things like “Snark is soooo awsummz you shud tolly joinnnn!!!!111″ (well not quite, because 99.9% of them are spelling and grammar nazis). Therefore, I’m going to assume that you have already joined, or will do very soon, and am instead going to talk about Snark itself, and not about why you should join… because that would just get repetetive.
I joined Snark on 1st February 2008, when I was 16. I was blogging back then, but still used Paint Shop Pro, was hosted by someone I barely knew from my Piczo days, and often felt emo because nobody commented on my blogs. I’m sure you’ve been there. Many of the blogs I visited often referenced Snark, or seemed to be in one of these little circle of bloggers who knew each other, commented on each other’s posts, and were also a member of Snark… so I joined to see what all the fuss was about.
And do you know what? I was right! Snark was full of all these people who knew each other, and had really INTERESTING things to say on their blogs and on Snark. I didn’t introduce myself, but nosed around, posting here and there, and not getting much notice taken of me. Within a couple of weeks I’d decided that I didn’t like it since all the rumours were true: Snark was cliquey. It was full of snobby people with sites better than mine, more interesting things to say, who knew more about the internet than me, and who were all friends. I just didn’t fit in. Boo Hoo.
I, of course, blogged about this (the post has since been lost to the depths of time) and expected no more to come of it. Not so – Snarkers got wind of it, and started commenting, and one of them even blogged about it. And subconciously I learned my first lesson about Snark – the people there are interested in you (not in a pervy way, I hasten to add). They want to find out more about you, they want to relate to you, they want to talk to you. Because, after all, a forum is about talking, something which Snarkers love to do. I’d already isolated myself by not introducing myself, and by not actively joining in a lot of discussion – something I found hard to do since back then Snark was a lot more web-savvy-based than it is now.
So I attempted to integrate myself into this small community (and it was small – I remember when we passed 400 members… although 404 members was actually what everyone pointed out), since I’m sure you’ll agree that integrating into a community is the best way to learn about them. Now I think I can safely say I’ve done this, and am in a position to tell you all the other things I learned about the Snarkers.
- A lot of people actually suck at the whole internet-web-design-coolness-thing. Sure, there are a few more geeks than usual present, but most people are comfortably unintelligent when it comes to computer stuff. Maybe that’s why there are a lot of discussions about it – we’re asking other people for advice.
- People have the most unusual interests. I first encountered Jem when she was tearing apart some kid’s site in one of her follow up to a drama inducing Pants award. Now she’s had her daughter she’s turned into some crazy ninja mother, opening a whole new section for it in Snark.
- People say what they think, and they’re not afraid of the repercussions. A lot of people get fired up by important issues to them, and sometimes arguments start. But interesting issues are explored, and everyone has their own say, and that’s what I like. People aren’t afraid to be genuine.
- Sometimes people get the impression that Snarkers are a bunch of oldies because they use proper spelling and grammar. That, my friend, is the curse of the internet, and in my case, my FF spell checker. However, for the most part, Snark’s a mature bunch of people who just don’t like people adding extra letters to the end of wordsssss. Likeee thisss (incidentally, WHY do people do this on facebook ALL THE TIME NOW?)
- Snark’s different to other places. And I like it.
I really don’t understand the Snark-is-cliquey accusations. I mean, it’s a fairly old forum, and a lot of the members have been around for awhile, so obviously some of us are close and have inside jokes. That’s NATURAL. You can’t expect that not to happen. I talk on AIM with some people, and a few members have even met up. Of course you form bonds with people. I think that’s why it’s seen as so cliquey. But we’re really welcoming of new people. A lot of people sign up and don’t really post, so obviously we’re not going to be their BFF. But if you sign up and take the time to post and get to know us, you can be ~one of us~.
#3 is probably my favourite.
I love that we can have discussions. It never turns into a flame war. I’ve seen discussions on other forums that could be tame, but that end up getting completely out of hand. On Snark, I think we’re mostly mature and intelligent and able to put differences aside. I’m not going to name names here (it’s not the place), but there are members who I disagree with most of the time – and I still respect them as funny, intelligent. mature individuals. The few people who I don’t like are petty, rude, and bitchy; it has nothing to do with opinions.
Also, #5 – agreed. What I like most about Snark is how relaxed it is. I’ve seen forums with really strict rules, and I don’t like it. I know that you have to have guidelines to keep from everything getting out of hand, but I’ve seen people banned from forums for using chat speak, or for getting into arguments/debates. Snark has its lovely troll (*costevenugh*), and even HE doesn’t get banned. It’s just such a nice, relaxed environment, because you feel like it’s okay to have OT discussions – usually they’re interesting, anyway, even if not relevant. Most of the best arguments come from slightly off-topic discussions.
THIS WAS A NOVEL TO TELL YOU THAT I AGREE.
I agree with everything in Clemmie’s novel. In fact, Clemmie and I are meeting up next month! *excitement*
I can sort of see where a new member might think it’s cliquey as well, I certainly felt a little of that when I first introduced myself, but the great thing is about the people at Snark is that as long as you keep at it you’re certainly welcome there. I only joined a little over a year ago when some members have been there since it opened, and regardless of the fact that they’d been there so much longer I’ve already made some really wonderful friends!
I absolutely love that we don’t always agree, and I think it’s great that we can have a raging debate in one topic while discuss what we ate for breakfast in another and no harm done.
I’m not going to lie, I’m still feeling a bit lost as to where I fit at Snark. I’ve met some great people, but others I feel as though I could probably never connect with them. For one, I don’t have awesome webdesign skills. I’m also not that interesting. I’m an elementary teacher, for pete’s sakes. I’m almost 25, getting ready to start my own family. The majority of Snark is still in high school or university, barely starting their own lives. I find it hard to fit in.
However, I do love it there. I admire so many people, and find them incredibly interesting. So, while I may never find where I fit, I do love posting and hearing from other people on Snark.
I’m glad you gave us a chance, it’s been interesting getting to know you
Hahah, back when I first joined Snark, I used to think the same way with the cliques and all. I didn’t understand the indide jokes but I eventually gave way and fell in love with it
I’ve always joined forums, and it’s nice that I actually stuck to one since 2007. I usually quit one within 3 months.
I love how Snark has fewer rules and more activity and genuine feedback. Contrasting opinions are amazing, afaik, and few forums allow that because they like to have a ~peaceful community~. Plus Snark accepts OT-ness
I love how some discussions completely shift focus and give a slightly entertaining side to it 
YAY SNARK!
Yay for this post and for Snark! I felt the same way that you did when I first joined, and to be honest I still feel left out of things sometimes, but I grown to like it and always find myself typing in http://snarkforums... when I open up my internet browser.
I’ve grown*
Woops.
As much as I like Snark, I do feel like a bit of an outsider there. I guess there are cliques, but not bad, exclusive ones. I’ve found that people there are actually rather friendly and accommodating.
Also I’m grateful for Snark because it helped me discover some interesting blogs, and I even made some RL friends out of it!
I really need to get back on there. I don’t know why I stopped posting there…
Haha, wowwww we sure do go WAY back, hey?
I’m glad I wrote that entry, because I’m glad you’re around! 
I know I always manage to start a flame war/raging debate but I hope that nobody thinks that it’s because I’m a naturally horrible person, or that I hate anyone. I’m just a bit… passionate. Yeah, passionate.