Want to tell newbies where to go?

seven-day-weekend

Yes, I like that Martin (and linsey) - it's welcoming and then points people in the correct direction.

I don't think some people are very patient with new members - they seem to forget they were new once.

I have on several occasions directed people how to make a new thread of their own (when they don't know how and have posted on someone else's); have directed them to board rules about non-judgementality (is there such a word?) or have politely but firmly pointed out that we don't give advice on how to commit fraud.

Us old hands should help new people and this is a good start.

Hope it works.

superscaper

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I have on several occasions directed people how to make a new thread of their own (when they don't know how and have posted on someone else's); have directed them to board rules about non-judgementality (is there such a word?) or have politely but firmly pointed out that we don't give advice on how to commit fraud.

Have you occasionally found some newbies take it as a personal sleight though? Most usually react cordially to the kind of response you talk about. But there's been a few that start reacting as if you've thrown abuse at them merely for trying to point them to the appropriate posting etiquette etc.

seven-day-weekend

superscaper wrote: »

Have you occasionally found some newbies take it as a personal sleight though? Most usually react cordially to the kind of response you talk about. But there's been a few that start reacting as if you've thrown abuse at them merely for trying to point them to the appropriate posting etiquette etc.

One or two, yes, but then I suppose you get ar$y people in all walks of life. I think if you have pointed out these things politely and made them welcome, then how they react is up to them.

However, I think Martin's idea of 'telling them where to go' with a post from HIM, is a good one as it will carry more weight with them if just you or I say it!:rotfl:

superscaper

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

However, I think Martin's idea of 'telling them where to go' with a post from HIM, is a good one as it will carry more weight with them if just you or I say it!:rotfl:

That's another one, you sometimes get accused of being the "forum police" just because you're not a mod or the admin team as if you therefore have no right to mention etiquette or forum rules. Again it is only a minority and the vast majority of newbies are appreciative of the help. But then of that minority I know some for a fact are AEs of banned posters anyway. Probably why I'm getting cynical in my old age. :rolleyes:

jacktyler

superscaper wrote: »

That's another one, you sometimes get accused of being the "forum police" just because you're not a mod or the admin team as if you therefore have no right to mention etiquette or forum rules. Again it is only a minority and the vast majority of newbies are appreciative of the help. But then of that minority I know some for a fact are AEs of banned posters anyway. Probably why I'm getting cynical in my old age. :rolleyes:

yes, the 'forum-police' or 'self-appointed admin' slur is one i've seen a lot of recently, even when the person was being perfectly polite, welcoming and helpful.

Bismarck

My observations are the sinking feeling when a basic question is raised and I realise it's the same question that occurs most days....some regulars simply cut and paste their answers and seem very helpful and I am grateful that they do this.

When I was a newbie, I didn't read any of the stickies about posting BUT I did lurk for months to get a feel for what was going on and learnt how not to get flamed when I first posted until I got my confidence up. Unfortunately, some of the newbies haven't got that luxury.

The problem I see is that the newbies needing help are sometimes getting the displaced frustration caused by the trolls and spammers who just wind us up and make us less "nice" than we really are. I suppose an ongoing feeling is forum fatigue which is something that seems to be going around at the moment.

I don't know if there are any stats on regulars becoming disenchanted with MSE and consequently being less tolerant but I'm thinking we could all do with a regular reminder that being polite and courteous does not cost anything.

That said, I've noticed a few more newbies coming in, asking a question and getting a lot of quality responses and disappearing off again - without any appreciation - leaving it a one-sided thing that doesn't help the reaction for the next newbie that comes along.

I recognise that respondents give their time and effort freely but and should not expect anything in return....however - being courteous should work both ways.

Hope that made some sense!

superscaper

Bismarck wrote: »

The problem I see is that the newbies needing help are sometimes getting the displaced frustration caused by the trolls and spammers who just wind us up and make us less "nice" than we really are. I suppose an ongoing feeling is forum fatigue which is something that seems to be going around at the moment.

Definitely find I sometimes have to make a conscious effort to not appear too stern etc. having been exposed to quite a few trolls, spammers, and even banned members coming back under AEs. Distilling genuine newbies from that can be something people (including me) get too frustrated over and probably carry over a bit of that frustration into all newbie posts. I've never in all my time here ever asked for a thanks but it can be a bit disillusioning when a question is asked by a complete newcomer, you go through the effort of answering (sometimes a lengthy solution or explanation in your own words) and they don't even bother logging in again, never mind give feedback to say whether it even helped or worked.

It's certainly far from the majority of newbies but that fatigue (you're absolutely right with that word) expressed by a lot of the regulars does end up unfairly getting mixed into responses to all newbies.

MarkyMarkD

I agree with you entirely, superscaper. What is with people who come on as newbies, ask a question, and then disappear never to be seen again - or, worse, come back and post different questions without ever acknowledging the responses. It's downright rude.

I've asked some of them why they haven't responded and they've given claptrap reasons like "I didn't like some of the responses so I didn't answer at all".

I'm also fairly cheesed off with people who come on with an apparently genuine question, but who turn out to have obviously believed there was only one acceptable answer to the question and proceed to flame anyone who provides any contrary view to this "acceptable" one. I don't think they are all trying to be trolls, but they really don't understand the point of a discussion forum.

jacktyler

jacktyler wrote: »

yes, the 'forum-police' or 'self-appointed admin' slur is one i've seen a lot of recently, even when the person was being perfectly polite, welcoming and helpful.

a case in point: :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1071403

MarkyMarkD

I'm intrigued that on one of sunshine's threads, you are being slagged off and called "mini mod", whilst on another you have actually bumped his/her thread this very evening!

How on earth does sunshine manage to recommend 3 different web hosting companies in 3 or 4 threads? If they are all so good, why keep changing from one to another?