Unity

Keep in mind that in reality not all users fit in one sole stereotype or display traits associated with those stereotypes.Traits observed in one stereotype may also be observed in other types. Ranges go between extreme and the opposite. This guide could always use a bit more information. If you can also help me out by pointing out mistakes and errors content related or grammatical I would be glad. Please message me then. If you have the time please check out the topic I made in preparation to this guide. The link can be found at the bottom.


Newbies/Newbs/New members
These may be veteran virtual pet site perusers or people who are completely new to the niche. Some of them are quite capable of finding their way around sites by themselves and may only ask questions on occasion. Others may have a lot of questions. The best way to deal with Newbies is to direct them to guides catered towards them. Newbies vary a lot in behavior as they usually grow into any other type of user.

n00bs/Noobs
They can annoy the heck out of most user types. Trolls, Whiners, Flamers etc will probably be the only ones who like them. In general they might repeatedly ask the same questions, repeatedly ask questions they could easily have found out if they looked at the page they asked about some time earlier and they may also make up questions about things that don't exist on site. If you come across someone asking where the lava fountain in median village is when there are no such places on site you can be sure you are dealing with a Noob or the easiest troll victim. They might also ask questions they already know the answer to just to get attention. A Noob can't always be recognized as one by looking at one question. Observe them a bit and you'll know where the line between Newb and Noob lies. These users are likely to become trolls, whiners or flamers but if you hold the mirror to them they might cease their bad behavior.

Casuals/Occasionals
These users only come to play sites on occasion. Their involvement with the community tends to be minimal. Often easy going they might chat with a few to update on the going ons. Don't expect them to get involved with issues. They just come to relax.

Whales
These users spend $1k or more on free to play game sites.

Chatter boxes/Chatterers
These are the users who post a lot on the forums. A lot! Expect to see high post counts and their names on almost or really every board on the forum. They seem eager to share their favorite songs, their agreement to a new suggestion even though they don't always post why and sometimes their posts can contain exaggerations. They don't always have something important to say but they contribute well to forum activity. Some also tend to post comments on just about every profile they come across. If they have been around on site for a good while they can also act like helpers and maybe post something to be taken seriously once in a while. They are usually very young. They also usually like to chat with anyone.

Debaters
These users can be quite rare especially on sites that allow users as young as 13. They tend to handle topics broadly and deeply. They try to see things from as many points as they can before they share their thoughts on the matter. Expect long posts, many quotes and feedback from them. It's very good for a site to have many debaters as their interactions with other users and especially each other can provide vital information to the site and inspire good ideas both site related and unrelated. Cherish them even if you don't always agree with them.

Helpers
These users are very good to have on site and having a lot of them may indicate a good community. Most helpers have been on site long enough to know all the basics and have a good amount of scores and items. They are often looked up to by Newbies who have received their assistance.They generally stalk the help boards and newest members. They make well known that anyone can ask them questions and they often offer free items to Newbies. Usually they are very polite and mild in behavior. If you can manage to become friends with one you are in for a good time. Helpers may be easy victims of Noobs.

Guide makers
These users often have experience as top players,hoarders and/or helpers. They have a very good grasp of the game, know at least some html and how to work with images. They love making guides for others in order to help them and to rack up some fame. They are often in the know about going ons and can be the best people to ask questions about new features and events.

Restockers
These users often have a very fast internet connection and/or great reflexes. They can stock up on all sorts of items from the games shops to put in their own shop on the user marketplace. They may specialize in particular sorts of items or they might offer you a variety of goods. These users have a lot control over the economy. They can damage it to a point at which staff are turned to in the hope that they bring relief by increasing stocks to name an example. Some restockers are hoarders.

Hoarders
These users are extreme. They lurk in the shops for hours on end every day or so. They are the ones with the most items and have the most complete collections. Having lots of experience as restockers and in clicking on f5 these user are often the most rich. Having so great an inventory and such a fat bank account these users have the most control over the economy a single user can have. They are often so obsessed with the game and what they do that they tend to be unreasonable sometimes. Having the most knowledge of the economy they can give useful advice and information if they choose to do so but beware as their main goal in doing so is often to manipulate the economy to their sole benefit. Also, beware as they usually mass refresh which can cause different kinds of problems to the site. They are likely to be elite users.

Top players/grinders/gamers
These are the users with the greatest gaming scores and should go outside and feel the good delicious soothing regenerating healing fabulous great warmth of the sun for once. They are also likely be elite users.

Elites
These users are the ones who have virtual swag. Lots of it. Don't expect them to be the nicest of users unless you have done something they wish they'd have done. They tend to have a big mouth and can throw all sorts of arguments both reasonable and unreasonable. They are often obsessed over the site and having control. Say anything negative about their values or site and they won't take it well. You will either love em or hate em. Or you might not take them seriously at all.

Old users
They have either been around for a long time as any other user type or they have joined the site long ago. If they are around expect them to know a lot about the happenings from way back.

Artists
These users usually make art in order to gain site currency or items. Some also make art just to show their appreciation. They may also be roleplayers using their skills to enchance the story. Some only make art to have fun other might display their work in order to have it critiqued by other artists. They are usually user types like chatterboxes, casuals, debaters, helpers and elites as well.

Roleplayers
These users can be quite carefree. They usually come to the site because of its artwork and stories. They are either reserved or love to chat. They don't often bother with most features on site. They mainly chat and roleplay and play the game only to take a break. Some may be recruited as writers.

Whiners
These users seem to complain about everything in an annoying manner. If something something doesn't go their way they have to say something. They don't want to see things from other peoples perspectives and are selfish. They often play the victim.

Flamers
They try to bring down others by using extreme tactics. They can act like whiners and more manipulative. Anything they can say to put others to shame will be said by them. They exaggerate things to great proportions and insinuate all sorts of things to make others look bad. These can be incredibly damaging to a site when left alone. Staff should recognize flamers and know not to do what flamers advise them to but to punish them. Other users should know not to react aggressively toward flamers. The best way to deal with them is to expose their actions. Take a good look at what they are saying and make known what you have observed. Be careful as anything a flamer can use against you will be used.

Trolls
These users post for the sole purpose of making users feel uncomfortable. They post things like how their nan died that morning then wait for a condolence and then post ''april fools'' right after . They aim to sow fear, confusion, irritation, sadness and anything else you'd rather not feel. They may also aim for you to go out of your way to grant them something. Best way to deal with them is to expose how what they are saying is inappropriate and inconsiderate.

Spammers
They post the same or similar message over and over. They may also mail multiple users with the same message. Sometimes in order to advertise something and sometimes for the sole purpose of irritating. They may often beg for items as well.

Scammers
These users are con artists. They want to trick you into selling them something priced way too low or they want you to buy something from them for a way too high price. They may also trick in trading by not giving their share. Best way to deal with Scammers is to stay away from them and their offers. Always use the trading place for trades.

Hackers/Cheaters
These users are a waste of coding skills and understanding. They hack into programs or create programs in order to cheat the game. It's not always easy to identify them as they can go about their business quite subtly or undetectable. The staff are usually capable of dealing with them. Sometimes hackers can be a great nuisance if they generate a huge amount of items and send them to others. Good security should hold them back. Sometimes a person with hacking skills can be of use though. They could test the sites security and give the staff a heads up.



Special thanks to all who who helped me out here:
User Sterotypes