Possibly make the BB more "new-user" friendly?

[SevenT]

Just a suggestion here but would it not be better if a forum like "Introduce Yourself" was actually put on the top-level selection... along with Announcements, Discussion and Expansion Pack?

IMHO people from whatever variations of computer they are using might find initially "docking" into this BB a little less intimidating if they had a "stickied" first point of reference.

The current "Introduce Yourself" is tucked away in the "Suggestion Box" - not somewhere I would automatically check as a new user of this site.

Other boards have used this approach.... http://www.bermudasucks.com/forum/index ... rsllhjfgf6 for one.

My fear is that the current "Introduce Yourself" thread is currently difficult to see for people who are just signing up to this BB. That means it is probably going to get old very quickly and therefore will get buried and forgotten...

I think.... IMHO that a "Welcome - Introduce yourself" thread on the top level would encourage more new users to register and participate on aegidean.org.

That's just my thought having been a fairly recent newcomer to the site...

[SevenT]

Oh yeah - they do it here too in the "Arrival Hall" section.... "Who's ya Deddy...."

http://bermudaisanotherworld.org/forum/ ... ncafgqqp7&

Shouldn't this site have the "Lave Docking Station" or something?

Once again... just a thought.... sorry....

[Commander McLane]

The current "Introduce Yourself" is tucked away in the "Suggestion Box" - not somewhere I would automatically check as a new user of this site.

It's also plain wrong, because "Suggestion Box" is for making suggestions for the game. Fortunately, a moderator will be able to move the thread into "Discussion". (This applies for this very thread as well.)

IMHO people from whatever variations of computer they are using might find initially "docking" into this BB a little less intimidating if they had a "stickied" first point of reference.

There is of course the Oolite FAQ - New Forum Members Please Read......, but that's of course about the game and not about the forum.

Also it's quite apparent that both the FAQ and the recent "Introduce yourself" thread (yes, that one also already) suffer from our collective penchant for thread derailments, going on tangents, and lively communication and exchange about each and everything, whether related to a thread or not. That's not even meant critically, we just like each other's company, and that's actually a big part of what makes these Friendliest Boards This Side Of Riedquat™ such a special place.

It doesn't take a lot of imagination to assume that any introduction thread for new members would quickly be all over the place as well—we just can't help ourselves. Besides, most new forum members either create their own thread to introduce themselves anyway, or just do it when they first post to an existing topic.

Once again... just a thought.... sorry....

Stop apologizing for your suggestions. You're part of the family now.

[SevenT]

No seriously chaps and chapesses... go over to Bermuda Sucks "Introduce Yourself" thread and see how it is actually NOT being abused http://www.bermudasucks.com/forum/intro ... rsllhjfgf6

It seems to me that when a new user stumbles upon this website that there should be a big "WELCOME" sign on the front door... followed up by some free drinks.

At the moment all we have got up there looks like a nerds invitation to a perl script debate...

Not very inviting....


I must say that I was initially very intimidated about this site - even though I am a usually feckless motor-mouth a la Jeremy Clarkson....

It was only after I had the testicular fortitude to start the thread "Introduce Yourself" that I realised how many other "Noobs" to the site (like myself) were just waiting to begin a chance to say "Hello - I am new on here" without having to delve into the complexities of Oolite itself.

I also didn't realise how many friendly people there were on this site willing to greet and help me with problems I had been having...

Surely there should be a "Welcome - Introduce Yourself" thread stickied on the main "Oolite" section?

"Rules and Disclaimer" and an "FAQ" might also be useful to stick up there in the "Ooolite section."



Just a suggestion!

[Diziet Sma]

Hafta admit I've often thought along the same lines as SevenT.. this BB is actually a little unusual in that it doesn't have a section or even a thread for newbies to say hello.

[Smivs]

It is a bit odd I suppose.
I don't know how useful it will really be though, as I'd rather get to know people over time than rely on a synopsis they have penned. That's the way to really get to know folks.
Also I was a lurker for quite a while before actually joining, so had a pretty good idea who was who and what was what. I can see that a new member who finds the board and joins immediately could feel a bit lost.
Whatever, we now have an Introduce Yourself thread and I'm sure it will get plenty of use.

[Shipbuilder]

To be honest I think that this is a good idea and after all it can't do any harm.

Everyone is different and I can see how some new forum members would find it easier to make there first post on a specific welcome section.

[aegidian]

Inflammatory posts have been deleted.

You can choose to continue discussing this topic, but please do so without insulting other users.

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[Star Gazer]

Gosh!! I'm glad to say I missed all the nastiness!

Thanks Giles for taking the matter in hand so promptly!

Hhhmmm... ...that must mean you visit here far more often than you let on... ....