Welcoming New Users

free4440273

MSE_Webmaster wrote: »

I'm afraid not

:rotfl::rotfl: was only joking !

fermi

free4440273 wrote: »

MSE Web: can I have that sticker as my avatar ? :laugh: :O }

I was waiting to see [STRIKE]which one of the usual suspects[/STRIKE] who would be first to say that.

free4440273

fermi wrote: »

I was waiting to see [STRIKE]which one of the usual suspects[/STRIKE] who would be first to say that.

er, hold on a sec fermi: since when have i been a usual suspect - :rotfl: anyhow, it's a good idea i think !

Gina_22

I'm new here and i really like this website... i hope i will learn to use it right fast

*madcat*

I don't think you should be rude or abusive to anyone, even trolls as that makes you as bad as they are - and in most cases it's what they want you to do! I would just like to see that kind of post removed asap without a comment.

There has been a lot of 'spamming' lately in the form of threads being started by the same people with different usernames and I must admit I have been a bit uncomfortable 'bashing' some of the posters who have been polite and may have had a genuine grievance just to get the thread removed

Isn't it possible to remove just those offending posts leaving the thread there but perhaps with a different title?

Perhaps persistant pests could have their IP or computer ID banned?

dmg24

Meepster wrote: »

But MSE can't do anything about the trolls, other than banning the username.

If they really wanted to, they could, but it would cost them. I'm not going into details, I have highlighted it previously and the thread was deleted without comment. Meh.

Outpost

dmg24 wrote: »

If they really wanted to, they could, but it would cost them. I'm not going into details, I have highlighted it previously and the thread was deleted without comment. Meh.

Agreed. I'm very dubious with this whole idea that the forum management is completely powerless to stop a person registering literally dozens of new accounts and spamming the board with offensive material.

I pointed out at the start of this thread that perhaps the technical staff's time might be better spend dealing with this particular issue than with the introduction of 'newbie badges' that I think will do nothing to prevent those with a mind to give newbies a hard time doing so.

Unfortunately MSE Webmaster seemed happy to respond to the jokey posts but chose not to address my own.

Meepster

*madcat* wrote: »

Perhaps persistant pests could have their IP or computer ID banned?

In an ideal world, this would be the best solution and if everyone had a static IP address could be acheieved. The problem is that some companies don't offer a fixed IP address, which would therefore mean you would have to ban a huge group of IP addresses to stop one repeat offender, which would no doubt block genuine users as well.

Add to the fact that even if it was easy to block an IP address for one person, if they really wanted to keep coming back and spamming the boards, they could just user a proxy.

mandi

MSE_Webmaster wrote: »

Hi folks,

We want to help newbies get up to speed on our site. We know sometimes existing users get annoyed by posts in the wrong place or someone not knowing the etiquette but we’d like you to help us encourage people to get it right, rather than berate them for getting it wrong.

We feel it is important to be a little extra protective of our Newbie users until they’ve gained some confidence in the process so, to that end, we’re going to start a campaign to encourage our regular users to help us welcome and take care of newbies. To begin with, from next week, we plan to highlight our brand new users and request that our veterans treat them a little more gently while they’re learning the ropes. To do this, we’ve created a sticker that will appear below the newbie’s names and will stay up for a few weeks or until they’ve made a certain number of posts.

Please pay a little extra attention to the new folk, be more tolerant and accepting that they may ask what you consider to be a silly (or previously asked) question.

If you would like to add any thoughts or comments, or if you have any suggestions for the campaign to welcome new users to our Forum, please do so below.

Finally, please remember to be nice to all other MoneySavers.


Thanks,

Webby

I think this is a great idea in principle , however I don't think it will deter the " hardcore " of regulars who constantly gang up against some new posters adding their mutual thanks to each others posts .


While I appreciate that something is finally being done , removing the "thanks button " from some of the forums , a longer time out for Yellow cards & a complete ban for those who still persist would help.

Ames

I'm not going to get into the spam/AE discussion because I'm not techie enough to have anything useful to add!

I've been thinking about the new avvie though and I've got a few reservations. Someone can be an old user of the forums but new to one in particular. A couple of times I've ventured into a new board and because I've not known the right terminology or whatever been ripped to shreds. The new avvie just encourages the attitude of 'you should know better' because by implication everyone without it knows the ropes.

On the fluffier forums it'll work as it's planned, it could even help newbies more as people are more likely to help someone who seems to need it more, is more naive etc. But on the rougher forums it could just lead a lamb to the slaughter and bring attention to the fact that there's a new victim in town.

Just my two pennorth worth.