Maybe I joined this site at the wrong time....
Hello everyone,
I am new and since I first joined I have noticed a great amount of tension in the air. I also noticed that I did not receive any welcome until I mentioned it yesterday.
This a great website so far for me. I have not had too much time studying on it, but the time I have has been enjoyable.
I have seen a lot of negative comments, etc, from the "oldies" on here and I wanted to say my goal has been to learn. Not socialize. I understand that talking in Spanish and interacting with friends here is great, but please do not forget the whole reason why this site was created in the first place. I am not saying that people are using the chat room only to socialize!
Also, Martha did not say it was permanent. I think most of you should show more appreciation towards her and the others because the whole reason why they closed it is because it was getting out of control (at least that is what I've gathered, correct me if I'm wrong). Thus, she was trying to protect you all. Don't you think they deserve thanks and not hates?
I was wondering if maybe I could put this in perspective a bit: Oldies (no offense at the term), how is it different from when the old admins and moderators were in charge? What has changed and why/how is it worse?
Please do not close this post. I would like to receive answers and hopefully get people to realize that maybe it hasn't changed that much and that it is a simple rejection of authority.
My opinion only.
Thank you all moderators, admins, and members,
Dare
P.S.
If this is against the forum rules and you have to close it or delete it, I understand. My PM box is open if you need to get in touch with me about any misunderstandings.
11 Answers
As you can tell from the posts that you are seeing, there was some disturbance on the site several months ago when some long time moderators left because they were unhappy with the owners of the site. This made a lot of people leave with the moderators (taking their side). Those of us who stayed with spanishdict were determined to not let this situation affect us, and we are here ready and willing to learn. I believe that the change in the chat room brought back some old feelings, but things around here have been being good.
Trust me, this is one of the VERY best sites for learning Spanish. I have been tremendously successful here, and for the most part the previous problems are in the past. Come help us to create new memories of those that help us to learn Spanish.
Welcome. You must understand that there are MANY members on this site. Sometimes people stay gone for awhile, and then they come back. You really do have to announce that you are new. The rewards are worth it. We love having new people, and we look forward to learning with you. You bring new blood, so you absolutely picked the RIGHT time to join.
G'day mate , welcome ! I have been away for the past 3 weeks so may have missed
saying howdy when you first came on , now young'n there is always tension in the air
and that is just how I like it , that nose tingling ozone keeps you on your toes and
gets the grey cells excited and itching to work. I am an oldie probably the oldest
here in years , and if you ever hear a negative comment emanating from my
medula oblongata you will need to use a " oui ja board " so take no notice of
people who cannot handle a change of socks let alone a change in tempo ,
all things in life are impermanent and subject to change , we just have to learn
to swim along with the incoming tide , so do your lessons and have fun mate , and if
you have any problems then PM old Ray and he will try to help you . Thanks for your comments mate , intelligent input is always welcome and necessary. : ) 
Hey dare7,
Bienvenido de nuevo amiga jeje... I saw this and felt obligated to say, I've been here since early '09 and have seen L O T S of changes (as you can imagine). I'm not writing you as a mod, but as a fellow member in this case and hopefully as an eventual friend. Everytime changes come, as is in life, there are many people who wish to reject those changes and raise a fuss about them. The problem is, change is the only thing that we can rely on to never change. Change will always happen, one way or another, someway and/ or somehow.
I think back to a change that bothered me as a child that of course now is nothing. I don't know how old you are, but I remember when Coca-Cola changed their Cherry Coke label (and I think the taste some) to the newest design. It used to be a black can with a really good looking Cherry (well cherries checkered all over) and well, I won't bore you with my silly childhood story. The point is it really upset me, I thought, "How could the change the Cherry Coke!?! There's nothing wrong with it!" 
I guess what I would like for you to take from all this. I'm here to help (as are the other mods and experienced members of course), and I hope you don't feel awkward with the displeased people here trying to stop the inevitable cycle of life. The goal everyone seeks of pleasing everyone is unfortunately unrealistic so we choose to focus on a smarter goal and that is keeping this site running and efficiently educational. 
I'm glad you've chosen to come learn with us. Stick around a little bit and the tension will leave soon enough. 
Saludos,
DJ ((( d(-_-)b )))
I hear and feel what you are saying! I also came to SD at the wrong time! I have been out for about a week and have stopped by for a few minutes once in a while. Like someone else said, there has been some tension since the old moderators left. Some of them who are still here and their close friends (oldies) still have remnants of their unhappiness and it shows!
Welcome to SD! Ignore rudeness, embrace the learning and good people!
One thing that I have learned over the years is that I have the power to change my actions and attitude, but I cannot change others. I can try to influence them, but the ultimate power resides within each one of us!
- Have fun, and enjoy the site!
Bienvenido otra vez, Dare!
I would actually not worry too much about 'bienvenidos' Dare"'. It's not personal, it depends on somebody noticing that you're new. I don't think I've had one yet..
As for the chat, I'm sure we can survive until it's sorted out. I've never used it actually, I'm not sure how you do it!.
As DJ and Ray so sensibly say, things change.. Life goes on. Change your socks according to Ray's instructions and keep going, as we get better we give better answers, then some of us leave for various reasons , others come in.
It's inevitable. I recommend a glass of wine as the perfect antidote unless you're too young to drink alcholic beverages. If so, make yourself a mug of hot cocoa and relax. Feel welcome !
I've been on this site for quite some time, and have seen many changes.
Hola DonCiro, you are very wrong! I do not know who that person is, but I find it highly offensive that you would assume that just because I am new and outspoken that I am a fake.
I am a woman. Not a man. Check out my profile and look at my questions and answers. Prove it if you can. But you can't because you're wrong.
Dare
P.S.
FYI, you owe me an apology.
LOL As nice as it is to see everyone getting along, I would simply like to say:
Dare7 = camorra!!! A.K.A. monarchy/heirarchy/quespam/quespanol/etc. I can't remember all of his names.
Just an FYI
You joined at exactly the right time!
We are moving up and onward toward a more positive site that focusing on the love of learning.
The positive experience is in the knowledge related by the native speakers & the syntax pundants. Focus on the goal &, like missy888 once said, try to learn how the Spanish/Latino mind thinks. All is well when the steps are made sure with eyes open. Be well & SAFE!!!
Yes, things do change and time marches on. People must adapt like in life. I have tended to refrain from answering questions or welcoming members since the new protocols started and that is unfortunate. Also, a pity, is the loss of the chat room. But, I'm hoping things will get better. Stay a while and see. Welcome to the forum.
