Be Nice To Newbies

MSE_Martin

Be Nice To Newbies Rule

Sadly we’re seeing more and more that some regular forum users are rude to newbies. Of course sometimes people post questions that have been asked 1,000 times before, post in the wrong place, make a mistake with a link.

Yet this is an inclusive community and one aim is to introduce more people to MoneySaving, thereby helping them and increasing the collective research resource we have.

We are soon going to introduce a ‘be nice to newbies’ rule. How this works Im not sure yet.

The prime way is to ask people to give forbearance, and if newbies have made an error, politely tell them what it is in a way that’s helpful not aggressive. Plus a “you cant have a go at a first post” rule.

Yet I’d love your thoughts on how we best do this. I’m not talking about dealing with trolls here as they’re a necessary evil – its more how help frustrated regulars realise that for someone posting the fisrt time its a daunting place and very easy to get it wrong.

Martin

(forgive typos RSI is back - using speech dictation)

ThinkingOfLinking

Martin, hope the RSI gets better soon.

I remember at times when I was a newbie, I was put off by what I perceived to be personal attacks. I also understand how frustrating it can be for regulars, seeing the same mistakes made and questions asked. Simply put, if you can't say something nice, say nothing. So if you can't be bothered to answer a tedious question without being sarcastic, leave it for someone else to answer who won't be mean.

Some people coming here now may have just lost their job or have gone through some other misfortune, and this means they are more sensitive and can also blow things out of proportion or get more upset than normal over things others may see as fairly harmless ribbing.

MSE_Martin

I agree, part of it i think is to create a culture of being nice to newbies - which means that other regulars will ensure they're helped.

ThinkingOfLinking

Another thing is that some of us are too suspicious of newbies because of spammers/AEs/self promoters and some innocent newbies are being hung, drawn and quartered without a fair hearing.

How about when a newbie signs up, along with the confirmation email I assume they get (can't remember personally), a little friendly message with a couple of links, eg to Forum Rules, Etiquette and the Comping Guide to help them get started? I can see how some people find it rude when some peoples' first post is almost demanding something; eg when the Damian Hirst competition was running, some people signed up to demand answers etc. First impressions and all that....Etiquette should include more thanking and less bumping.

fermi

MSE_Martin wrote: »

I agree, part of it i think is to create a culture of being nice to newbies - which means that other regulars will ensure they're helped.

Certainly needs that spirit to become more widespread on the boards. Don't get me wrong; the vast majority of MSE'ers are friendly and welcoming, but I have noticed more of the "rudeness" you mentioned over the last year.

To be honest it is already coved in the site rules/motto. On the RHS of every page.

Pls be nice to all MoneySavers. There's no such thing as a stupid question, and even if you disagree courtesy helps.

That should apply equally when replying to a newbie with just one post or a regular with 1,000s.

However, it has probably got to the stage where it needs spelling out in no uncertain terms regarding new posters.

Not sure about the format or mechanics of that. :undecided

One thing I would suggest though is that if you have a new rule, it would be nice if it was slightly easier for people to report it (and others) being broken. Having to send an email is problematic or a lot of hassle for many people. I'm aware that it does have the bonus of cutting down on frivolous reports, but it does perhaps encourage a "I can't be bothered" attitude? Obviously you don't want to to making reporting too trivial a task either, otherwise your abuse team would be swamped with reports, but I think it should be a little easier.

Flickering_Ember wrote: »

How about when a newbie signs up, along with the confirmation email I assume they get (can't remember personally), a little friendly message with a couple of links, eg to Forum Rules, Etiquette and the Comping Guide to help them get started?

People don't always read confirmation emails. They just want to click the link and get onto the board.

Maybe when people first log on the should be taken to a page with something along the lines of Instructions, Rules and Guide to Chat? And maybe be required to confirm they have read it before they then proceed?

frivolous_fay

fermi wrote: »

One thing I would suggest though is that if you have a new rule, it would be nice if it was slightly easier for people to report it (and others) being broken. Having to send an email is problematic or a lot of hassle for many people. I'm aware that it does have the bonus of cutting down on frivolous reports, but it does perhaps encourage a "I can't be bothered" attitude?

I agree, and yes it does.
I don't have an email client on my PC at present, so I am reduced to posting on threads asking other people to report them!
Reporting via webmail is too many clicks and too much copying and pasting, and yeah, frankly I don't bother.

ThinkingOfLinking

It's not that hard just to copy and paste the link to the offending thread, quoting post numbers and emailing from Hotmail to the abuse email address, although it would be much easier if we had a button, like the rate and spam ones, for abuse...*hint hint Martin*

edda

When you give blood, you can pick up a lapel sticker saying "Be nice to me - I gave blood today". What about something similar under the name on the LHS until they reach a certain number of posts (say, 10 or 20)?

*MF*

Nothing better when you arrive as a newbie - anywhere - than that you feel

Amend the "Top Thread" as below,

- and open a sticky for new members to just say "Hello" and let existing members respond in turn.

New MoneySavers: Say "Hello" here and Pls read this

Not every newbie will respond, and not every existing member will reply, but I am sure more than enough will to make it work,

- and may I suggest it may also be more appealing and welcoming than the existing "here are your rules and instructions" approach, and may just help in getting them read - miracles do happen

***********************************

*EDIT*

Interesting Stat

(which maybe shows the root of the problem, and how you can test if the above suggestion is working or not - if implemented)

MSE Members: 528,454

Sticky: MoneySavingExpert.com Forum Rules Last Updated 29 April 08

has been viewed only - 96,065 times

Sticky: Instructions, Rules and Guide to Chat

has been viewed only - 53,257 times

savemoney

How about a "be nice button". If a poster is rude and so many click button like the spam button automatically temporary ban of say 2 days applies to them IF it can be implemented

dontknowwhatimdoing

Because I felt I was asking too many questions on MSE about my 'problem', I started to feel guilty that the same fantastic people were answering - I tried a different site (nothing to do with MSE) just to give the regulars here a break - my second post was met with what I perceived as ridicule even from the site administrator - I know they were only having a laugh but it hurt me so much at the time I just cried for ages. I was sent a PM which cheered me up but I much prefer MSE. This is the only site for me.
Some people have a very abrupt way of 'speaking' which is fine for them, especially if they are very busy but for those more sensitive/worried/heartbroken of us, it can cause great hurt.
My personal rule is...if it annoys you don't post a reply.