A way to help newbies...

Ray Salamon · #1 03-25-2005, 01:42 PM

OK, I don't know how good of an idea this is, or how pratical it is, but it's something I just thought of...
All of us know that it seems people just don't use the search function, and end up posting a question that's been either discussed to death, or is even sticky'd at the top of the forum!
What I think we could do, would be when a new user registers, along with the validating e-mail, you either include, or send another e-mail with links to the FAQ/stickes/etc. I find it kind of tiresome when I log into TB and see the same topics at the top of the forums... but that's me.

Ray

Peter Squire · #2 03-26-2005, 09:40 PM

Maybe there should be a function whereby newbies cannot post into a forum until they have read the stickies at the top of the page. Any attempt to post would just direct them to the FAQ section or something.

I am getting really tired of the "which strings/amp/bass/carrot should I buy" type threads. it seems there is a new one every day. some musicians need to realise that its all about taste, personal opinion and cash when determining equipment. no one here really has the qualification to say "only buy Fender/Fodera/Sadowsky/Behringer

etc...

thanks for letting me rant....

KeithPas · #3 03-31-2005, 10:33 PM

I think that both suggestions are great ones but I would like to add that seeing TB'rs sometimes rudely direct newbies to the search function is very old. Perhaps linking old, beat to death threads to the search function would help as well.

Ray Salamon · #4 03-31-2005, 10:59 PM

Hey guys, didn't get an e-mail about anyone replying. I do tend to jump down newbies throats about the search, but I try to be polite about it. It just *really* aggreviates me when I can see 4 and 5 of the same threads all on the first page, most posted by newbies. Maybe we just need to make the search button bigger or something. Anyone else have any input?

Ray

KeithPas · #5 03-31-2005, 11:00 PM

Ray
I was'nt suggesting that you do this, sorry if I made it look that way.

Ray Salamon · #6 03-31-2005, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithPas

Ray
I was'nt suggesting that you do this, sorry if I made it look that way.

Oh, I dunno if you were implying that I did or not, but I readily admit that I do.

Ray

MJ5150 · #7 04-01-2005, 09:38 PM

Then again.....you can really bump up your post count by simply throwing in a "Do a search" post in all those threads.

The newbie threads don't bother me as they once did. I just refrain from adding much since I figure if they are too dumb to figure out a search, they are just going to buy whatever the salesperson at GC suggests regardless of what we tell them.

-Mike

Hurley000 · #8 04-01-2005, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

I just refrain from adding much since I figure if they are too dumb to figure out a search, they are just going to buy whatever the salesperson at GC suggests regardless of what we tell them.

Never thought of it like that... I agree.

I find this irritating too.

Peter Squire · #9 04-02-2005, 05:38 AM

Slightly off topic - how can KeithPas post here when he doesn't have a supporting member icon in his name bar?

Hurley000 · #10 04-02-2005, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southpaw1

Slightly off topic - how can KeithPas post here when he doesn't have a supporting member icon in his name bar?

The Suggestion Box forum doesn't have any restrictions, I believe.

Ray Salamon · #11 04-02-2005, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hurley000

The Suggestion Box forum doesn't have any restrictions, I believe.

Correct - you're thinking of the Lounge.

Ray

RLT · #12 04-02-2005, 02:17 PM

You need to be a supporting member to post suggestions now?

Ray Salamon · #13 04-02-2005, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLT

You need to be a supporting member to post suggestions now?

No

SciFiGuy · #14 04-09-2005, 09:19 PM

Maybe each new member should get an email

Directing them to the FAQs
Encouraging them to use the search
Reminding them to be as specific as possible (what music do you play/rig you use)
With a list of common abbreviations (GAS, MIJ)

Masher88 · #15 06-05-2005, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SciFiGuy

Maybe each new member should get an email

Directing them to the FAQs
Encouraging them to use the search
Reminding them to be as specific as possible (what music do you play/rig you use)
With a list of common abbreviations (GAS, MIJ)

A dictonary of abbreviations used here in TB would be a brilliant idea! It took me way to long to figure out what GAS stood for!!!!

daofktr · #16 08-19-2005, 04:44 PM

i think that an introductory email listing the threads with FAQs and such is a great idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithPas

I think that both suggestions are great ones but I would like to add that seeing TB'rs sometimes rudely direct newbies to the search function is very old. Perhaps linking old, beat to death threads to the search function would help as well.

i have to say i'm guilty...but i try to do it not-so-rudely.
i was a noob, once. hell, i'm not so much of an old hand!

i guess it seems like a rite of entry: noob posts a chestnut, veterans groan yet again, someone replies with a 'welcome to TB/search for it, moron!' posting, the nicer members jump on that post, the vet gets defensive/pissy, the noob thinks s/he ended up in tabcrawler, and the debate goes on...

(FWIW, i appreciate the search function, and do use it. glad i found out about it.)