As a new person here at TFP, I find this thread utterly fascinating. I've been reading it for over an hour, looking at the profiles of the members who've posted here (that's enough fun all by itself!).
So if I may, I'll offer a humble newbie's opinion on what it's been like to be here and still be wet behind the ears (2 days) in light of what I've learned so far (granted, not much--long way to go).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vodka
i've since learnt it seems forum newbies are generally ignored, regardless of a requested introductory post...
|
I made the requested intro post in two places. In one thread [New & Improved Intro Thread] my intro was ignored (or maybe one person responded), but in the forum called (New Users Visit Here FIRST), I started a thread.
But rather than just introduce myself egotistically like "Hi, it's ME" or some other non-commentable (or flameable) statement about myself, I asked a question about TFP.
And I got answers! Quickly!
So I asked more. My thread now has 15 or so posts in it.
So I just suggest that new folks be told to introduce themselves, ask a question about TFP and
give veteren members a reason to respond.
[chopped out some]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vodka
as for the forums like TFP that do have an 'Introduction' thread, considering online communication can impersonal as an automatically generated email, the Introduction thread is a waste of bandwidth - to me - given those that DO introduce themselves as i did, newbies are only generally ignored anyway  granted forums generally have a vast number of members, getting to know newbies can be somewhat difficult, however, intentional ignorance of those newbies who do take the time to introduce themselves is hardly encouraging to participate more actively |
If that is indeed the case, and I simply lucked into posting on a good day, then maybe my suggestion will help. When I signed up, there was no "required reading" but maybe there should be? I did find the guidelines and info on my own. Those sticky notes might be put in bold red type or something. They're kind of easy to overlook and they are important.
Of course, since I write training material for a living, I know that you can lead a horse to water, but not make him drink. Most folks don't read anything more than about 100 words anymore.
But maybe just in that intro forum say: Introduce yourself and ask us a question about TFP
You're going to get some seemingly dumb questions and obvious questions and the same questions over and over, but that's because the people asking them are new.
Taking the time to answer them might just make all the difference and draw more members into interacting with the new folks.
And I am proof that introducing myself and asking a question about TFP works. Really.
On the downside, I noticed that it was mostly just the same 3 or 4 members who were responding to the newbie intros. Again, you can't make veteren members go do "grunt" work so to speak. There's more members posting in
this thread than in the new member thread.
Like most gnarly problems--no straight, easy answers. Anyway, my humble 2 cents.
OK, flame away. I'm made of asbestos.