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Read Thread: Please be kind

Please be kind
Board: Virtuals
Dec 23, 2006 4:23am
Thread (disabled) Board
My children were upset one day when we got rained out of letterboxing, so we tried the virtual boxing. Once they had solved a couple, they wanted to create a couple of their own. I thought this was a great idea. They would learn so much from creating a virtual box. They had to pick a topic, have a logical series of questions, figure out how the passkey would be found from their clues, carve the stamp, etc. Theses are all great things for children to practice. Both children sucessfully posted a letterbox. We have received so much positive feedback the children are just thrilled. Especially from other children who find many of the boxes way to hard to do on their own (as did my children)

What I was surprised about was some of the negative feedback we got--About 10 solvers, or so, decided to tell us things like, "you call that a virtual box" and "this is too easy" "you have no business doing this". Obviously, I didn't show the children these messages, though I did reply to all and let them know that a 10 and 13 yr old created these boxes on their own. Both boxes are marked that were created by Jr's. I guess it just saddens me that people can be cruel, especially when hiding behind their computer. I understand that there are many people in the world like this, I was surprised that we have a bunch here on AQ.

For all those who read my message, I thank you for letting me vent. My final thought is this--
Be kind. And like my mother always told me, if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all!

Thanks- MM
Re: Please be kind
Board: Virtuals
Reply to: #58395 by Mango Minstrels
Dec 23, 2006 5:51am
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Quote if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all!


My very thought. And if a virtual is too easy for you, then move on to another one that will challenge you. Some traditional boxes are very easy, and some are so hard they seem darned near impossible. There's room in the world for a wide range of boxes, both traditional and virtual.

DebBee
Re: Please be kind
Board: Virtuals
Reply to: #58395 by Mango Minstrels
Dec 23, 2006 5:59am
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You keep right on encouraging your children....and virtuals could certainly be a learning tool of some substance. And as a parent, you remember that folks on AQ are just like the rest of the world.....some are kind, some are not, some are rational, some are not, some have wisdom, some do not.......and always remember that this machine we use so freely is often the only contact some have.
Re: Please be kind
Board: Virtuals
Reply to: #58395 by Mango Minstrels
Dec 23, 2006 7:02am
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I understand how you feel. I found many participants of this hobby are harsh and flat out mean. You see this reading posts, in the messages you get back, etc. But it's a reflection on them, not me. No one here is perfect and quite frankly, there is no "right" way to do this. Everyone has an opinion, but I think people should maybe read their emails again before they send them. I have a pretty short list of folks (3) that will not be included in my rings because of things they have said to me. So when they get dropped off, I hope they will understand why, but chances are they won't. And call me a jerk, but I will not be telling them "why" they were dropped because I can't be bothered. (my vent)
But, the good news is, I has met so many other people that are wonderful and kind. There really are so great folks and I am blessed to have "met" them.
ok, I'm done. Thanks
Karli
Re: Please be kind
Board: Virtuals
Reply to: #58395 by Mango Minstrels
Dec 23, 2006 7:08am
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It looks like over 135 of us have solved the Disney Virtual so far! Good for you folks!

There are plenty of Virtuals for all skill levels. When I'm struggling over all this Binary stuff or having to rent Buffy movies or watch Webcomics to figure out the clues to CQ's virtuals, I really appreciate something that isn't quite so taxing on my brain or time. Yours were fun and I had to do some research on them. ( Cheetah Girls were not in my realm of information at all until now.)
There are some virtuals that I don't care for but that isn't the creators problem now is it?
So...bring 'em on. The effort of your family is appreciated by most so bask in the glory!

Thanks for your creations-Teacup (who is hoping for a set of Buffy videos from Santa)
Re: Please be kind
Board: Virtuals
Reply to: #58395 by Mango Minstrels
Dec 23, 2006 7:13am
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I think it is precious that your kids want to be involved in this hobby. Tell them I said "thanks! " and keep encouraging! julie
Re: Please be kind
Board: Virtuals
Reply to: #58395 by Mango Minstrels
Dec 23, 2006 8:01am
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I'm impressed that you had them carve the stamp. I haven't done many virtuals, so maybe this isn't the norm, but most of the ones that I have found were not images from hand carved stamps.
Stacy-heading over to see it now!
Re: Please be kind
Board: Virtuals
Reply to: #58395 by Mango Minstrels
Dec 23, 2006 8:39am
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I think it is great that you have your children involved in Virtuals! My daughter enjoys solving them and has gotten "hooked". I think once she finishes her Camp Fire WoHeLo project, she will start posting virtuals.

Please encourage them to continue with their research and postings as we all can learn something new from kids.

Twinkle
Re: Please be kind
Board: Virtuals
Reply to: #58395 by Mango Minstrels
Dec 23, 2006 8:48pm
Thread (disabled) Board
It's a pity that some people would be so disrespectful of another person's work, but a lot of these problems can usually be solved if do a good job of communicating what someone can expect from your boxes (this applies to all letterboxes--not just virtuals).

I'm not defending these individuals--comments like "you have no business doing this" are clearly unacceptable, but it's also obvious they were disappointed with the box which isn't the goal either. Explaining that the virtual was created by children could have warned them it might be easier than they prefer for a box or help them better understand why the virtual was easier than they might normally expect. Sometimes, just giving people a head's up about what to expect is all that's needed to avoid such misunderstandings. Not every letterbox is for every person, and it's important to make sure that anyone who might look for it knows what they are getting into so they aren't disappointed with it later.

Keep a stiff upper lip, though. For every person who doesn't like a box or it's clue, there will also be someone else out there who thinks it's the most precious thing ever created. Those are the people you want to focus your attention on. =)

Carpe diem!

-- Ryan
Re: Please be kind
Board: Virtuals
Reply to: #58495 by Green Tortuga
Dec 24, 2006 4:41am
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I understand your point completely. Each of my children wrote a message at the end of their virtual (on the clues page) and signed it the Jr. of Mango minstrels. I felt that way other people would have the heads-up on the box. Now I understand that isn't coming right out and saying kids created this, but many people understood exactly what that meant. I do have to say by and large the results have been over the top positive. Most people on AQ are very kind and encouraging. Have a great holiday!
Re: Please be kind
Board: Virtuals
Reply to: #58395 by Mango Minstrels
Dec 25, 2006 9:34am
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote What I was surprised about was some of the negative feedback we got--About 10 solvers, or so, decided to tell us things like, "you call that a virtual box" and "this is too easy" "you have no business doing this". Obviously, I didn't show the children these messages, though I did reply to all and let them know that a 10 and 13 yr old created these boxes on their own. Both boxes are marked that were created by Jr's. I guess it just saddens me that people can be cruel, especially when hiding behind their computer. I understand that there are many people in the world like this, I was surprised that we have a bunch here on AQ.


How craptastic is THAT??? I know I've created 6 boxes with the intent that they should be for younger people, so I'm very surprised that people would be so rude. Take it with a grain of salt. My mom always said that "not everyone is as nice as your mother told you to be because they didn't all have your mother to teach them!" (no small amount of pride there!)

The S & H
Re: Please be kind
Board: Virtuals
Reply to: #58617 by Sprite and Highlander
Dec 25, 2006 10:20am
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote My mom always said that "not everyone is as nice as your mother told you to be because they didn't all have your mother to teach them!"


I think I like your mother!

DebBee
Re: Please be kind
Board: Virtuals
Reply to: #58626 by DebBee
Dec 25, 2006 7:18pm
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Quote I think I like your mother!


LOL Like all mothers and daughters, I appreciate her best when I share her wisdom with OTHERS...not so much when she's sharing it with ME! ;-)

The S & H
Re: Please be kind
Board: Virtuals
Reply to: #58395 by Mango Minstrels
Dec 25, 2006 7:20pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I'm so sorry that someone was so mean about your boxes. That's just terrible! I love virtual letterboxing, and find I learn something from every one I solve - easy or hard. You tell your kids that those were great boxes and they got rave reviews on them! Tell 'em to keep the boxes coming!

Bookworm
Vancouver, WA