RobertB-DC's Journal: From n00b to Karma Whore in 10 easy steps

(Disclaimer: I have not actually counted the steps)

It all started when Google News came out of beta. Of course, I knew about Slashdot before then -- I even looked at using Slashcode on a site I was designing (decided against 'cause I didn't have that sort of access to the server). But when I saw that all the best news links were to Slashdot, I started reading more, and got hooked.

But I didn't bother registering. Why? I'm able to get all the news without signing up, and besides, user numbers are in the 600k range... I'd be an obvious newbie (or I guess I should say, n00b).

Then, Slashdot announced that they were load testing a new server. Being a programmer myself, I jumped over to try it out. It was fun... the most popular story was titled "Ph33r I have 30 moderation points". Now that caught my interest... for the load test, everyone got 30 mod points! Of course, the moderation and meta-moderation are the coolest features of Slashdot, so I decided to try it. Who cares if I look like a n00b on test, right?

Well, it wasn't that easy. It took a lot of hacking to get the magic letters graphic to appear on the signup screen. But pushing "back" and resubmitting finally tickled the server enough to let me sign up. So I was ready to moderate!

Except for one problem. The moderation system was still subject to the original rules: you have to earn the right to moderate! It's right there in the FAQ... you need positive karma, lotsa posts, and a certain amount of time before Moderation ability is even enabled.

So I couldn't moderate, but I could post! So I posted a note about my experiences... and it got modded up to "5 - Informative"! Of course, the moderation included three "overrated", one "troll", and one "flamebait"... the first may have been true, but the other ones must have been (surely!) just for testing purposes. I also got some "Insightful" and "Funny" mods.

Obviously, I was hooked. When the actual move occurred, I signed up. Strangely enough, I had the same problem with the validation graphic, but the problem resolved itself after an email to the Slash crew.

So far, I've posted three messages... and I've realized that I'm showing signs of turning into a total Karma Whore. I check my email constantly for moderation notifications, and was entirely too thrilled to see my first +1. Even better, I got my first MOD PARENT UP reply from someone who couldn't moderate in the discussion! Oh, happy day! I'm going to add him to my Friend list... why not? After all, aren't n00bs supposed to try every bell and whistle?