.....To many the community is and means many different things. When playing, mapping, reviewing, helping, or critiquing, I always try to do my best within the community. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, but I never stop trying.
.....Moving from the 'casual gamer' community to the mapping community was interesting. I was continually surprised by people's willingness to help out and share info, and I try to do the same now that I know more, well, more than I used to.
.....However, I find the mapping community a difficult place to participate in. Good feedback ended up being harder to get that I expected. And much of the feedback tends to focus on the negative side of one's creation. Although this is helpful, it's sometimes tough to take. However, when something goes right, it's extremely rewarding.
As a mapper, I try to visit certain forums to help out a little, as well as to pick up more info. Often, I post at UnrealPlayground's forums, while I lurk in others.
.....At NaliCity I have the priviledge of reviewing maps for the community. My purpose for this is three-fold: first, I get to help other mappers; second, I keep my game skills alive by playing new maps; and third, I get inspriation and editor knowledge from examining others' maps.
.....At the UCMP, I've become surrounded by knowledgeable, friendly, helpful people and it is a pleasure and an honor to work with them. Good feedback, and new ideas are never far away when I'm with them.
.....I was invited to participate in Project Torlon's CXP pack, which was a collection of Halo-themed UT2K4 maps. While working with them I tried to help the other members with the editor knowledge I had gained thus far. I hope I was a help.