Flawed NEW MEMBER system.

I think a lot of the new members get scared off, or forms a very bad opinion about the site because of the introductions and what follows.

If a lot of different users use the same system and all of them keeps making the same mistake then surely you would start to consider the system is flawed and at fault.

Maybe the intro section can be changed a bit? Make the title in big fat GREEN letters, or make the intro part of the signup process.

Or restrict your ability to post unless you introduced yourself. Like not being to PM before 7 posts.

I know Rory and them have a lot of work but I think sorting this out would really help.

Any other ideas for changing it? ( Sending Zoom after the guilty does not count )

 

How about no posting in the Classifieds section until 10 posts have been placed??

G!

 

How does the defendant please?

"Guilty".


You raise some good points there Vis. I think the problem is that the Forum is a template based on an international standard, meaning it's been pre-programmed, and only certain things can be changed to suit the needs of the forum. I don't think Rory physically programmed the entire forum... and not sure if he would even have the time to change it.

I agree with the fact that maybe you HAVE to go to the new members section before you can go anywhere else... BUT will this work. We might loose more. Guests are almost always reading, and the moment they join, if they get forced to do something, they might just forget the whole thing?

New members have to post 10 posts before PM.

I agree also with the principle of a certain number of posts before being able to advertise something... although again... why bother putting your posts up if you can just simply put it into the general forum?

 

I don't think we should neccesarily force people to introduce themselves, but I do think that limiting their ability to put up 'For Sale' items will reduce the number of people trying to make a quick buck from our friendly community. I think that if we reduce the chancers trying to take advantage then that would help!!

If I remember correctly, I didn't do an introduction to myself when I joined a year and a half ago, and yet, most people know me round these parts. Don't know what my point was there?? Too Tired with the young one!! Haaha!!

Cheers
G!

 

Regardless of whether the new members post in the intro section first or not, I find the way that many of the established members attack the new memebers for not posting in the new members section. For one, I wouldn't dare come back on this site if I was new and treated like that - I think many people have been scared off already.

 

I agree with salmon !
new members are just that, new.
they do not know what is expected snd we should guide and teach them not harass them if they do not do something that they did not know was required of them.
it is not nice to tell people of if they don't introduce themselves . I know that its seen as rude but is it not equally or more rude when people gang up on some one . . all im saying is if you see that someone has not introduced themselves, inform them what to do instead of harassing them .

most people are EXTREMELY EXCITED when they find this sanctuary and just can't wait to get posting. it must be hurtful to see their first post get shunned .

imagine how you would feel . think about it.

cheers guys

 

Actually... I didn't introduce myself either. BUT I did start a thread with what I had, and what I was planning on doing. I hadn't actually started my tank when I joined TASA. I had BOUGHT the tank, but had not started the cycling.

You are 100% right SA. I have made a concerted effort to ONLY be hard on the people coming on who are selling stuff... or are asking where to buy something at a cheap price. I have offended a few people, and I have actually sent those people private PM's of apology.

It's the chancers that I take it out on now.

 

Hmmm the new members thing is kinda optional. Also think it will p people off if you make it compulsory. Don't mind you guys being hard on guys who just come here to sell stuff
I better check the restrictions on the classifieds, thought it WAS limited that you need x posts...

Well fixed the classifieds. It was set on the "parent" forum but not the subforums. Need 5 posts to create a thread.

I could make it that only the new member forum is visible until you have at least x posts but then you'd see everything, register, and it would all disappear...

 

Hi Rory,

I'm pretty sure that the Classifieds is not limited, as I remember a few new members placing for sale adds as their first, and in some cases last, post!!

If we can reduce this number of people who just want to use the forum as a gumtree, I think it will resolve a lot of problems!!

As for introductions, I think this should remain voluntary myself, but peeps should also be free to ask them to introduce themselves 'nicely'. I don't like it when we are like, 'I won't help you til you introduce yourself' attitude!

Cheers
G!

 

Ok forcing them to do it may not be the way, but then not a single member may say something
To a member that do not introduce himself.
Most people who post under any topic do go and introduce themselves after it is pointed out.
What I thought of was more a guide towards that section, the first thing you encounter, and if you then
Not to introduce yourself then its your choice.
A lot of the new members simpy miss the new members section.

 

why not have a sticky topic on the homepage thats clearly visible reading 'READ THIS BEFORE POSTING' which gives a quick intro into who/what tasa is/ and requesting new sign-ons to give us a quick introduction in new members section/ with a link to that forum?

 

Sounds like something that might work.

 

yeah im sure most people will comply if they are informed what to do when they register .

 

Guys you are also forgetting something here....
when I started on this forum I needed help quickly or I would have lost a lot of my fish and to be honest if I got a "introduce yourself before we help you" then it would have been my last post as well..... a lot of new members come onto TASA to get help and if we help them they will stick around and introduce them selves just like I did..... the big problem here is sometime we just don't feel like being friendly to the new guys.... As for the just posting to sell stuff I agree with you guys there at least 5 post before they can sell stuff but why restrict them from buying things from us I mean if we sell it to them chances are they will stick around.
Just my Opinion....

 

i don't think you should limit new members to the intro section,the classifieds one is a good idea thou.check the site in my sig,they use the same forum format and are pretty succesfull.

 

Not a limit but a channel towards the New Member section. If you don not use it then,we put Zoom on your case

 

Zoom is become like a mini-Henk.....:bigsmile::bigsmile::bigsmile::bigsmile: Beware!!!!!! hahahahahahaha

 

Locked & loaded.. let me at em! I'm ready for a good one tonight. Wife's plane have been delayed by 1hr45min...

 

Remember, that established members could loose out on a cheap deal, if new members are restricted, and everyone don't look at Gumtree everyday!I do aggree that this forum could be misused, but if we can benefit by it, why not.At least, we can tell the advertising member, that he is too expensive, on this forum!Just my devil's advocate oppinion....Gert.

 

Actually we can't really Gert - well not in the thread anyways - it goes against the rules :blink1::bigsmile: