Newbie - FAQ

Sure. A "sticky" is basically a thread that...
bluepillman 386 reads
posted

does not get bumped down the page with each new thread. It stays at the top of the page with a title e.g.
"P411 vs. Datecheck Debate. Which is best for you?" So when the newbie who was going to post about that issue would see that "sticky" just above the most recent thread of the day and he would click that on to get his info. There are proly 8-10 or so issues like that that get asked every 1-2 weeks. It would stop the impatient answers from some of the vets saying "do your homework! Thats been asked a 1000 times!" response and be much more user friendly for the newb. Many other sites use this to great success. Thanks for proposing to admin! Blue

I just reported 2 posts that were misplaced on this forum.  This is not a board to introduce one's self to the forum, that post was totally removed.  The other was asking about the frequency of high dollar providers, it was moved to the GD board.

Newbies, and veterans too, this forum is to ask for advice from whomever wants to impart it.  Please confine your new threads to this type of post.  My only intent of this post is to inform the posters, and those that responded to them, what happened to their posts.  I have no power as the host, but I do try to monitor the board as much as I can and keep the posts pertinent to what this board is intended to do.

Vets, I know sometimes we get frustrated by seeing the same questions repeated here, but as a former teacher, I am used to it.  So, please go easy on the newb's and do your best, as you have done so well, to help them make their entry into this wonderful hobby of ours as painless as possible.

Thanks.
Your newbie host,
Swim

bluepillman299 reads

Sticky's would be ideal for the "P411 vs DateCheck issue", the "how to get started", "how to prepare for first date", etc. There are 7 or 8 questions that constantly come up from the newbies and it does seem a little ridic to have to answer them over and over again. The self help center is awkward for newbies and its a slew of info thrown at them and its not well organized. Sticky's would be the perfect solution, if compatable with the softward. Great suggestion L!!!

It is a great idea, but it's not like swim can do anything about it.

bluepillman305 reads

But just because something has been suggested in the past doesnt mean it shouldnt be revisisted and instituted in the future if its a great (your word) idea. Just assumed Swim has some pull and I cant imagine its that much of a technological hurdle and I cant think of any downside to do it. The self help center is kinda thrown together and ironically isnt "newbie" friendly. Other sites have incorporated stickys with great success. Whats the point to have an S&P board if not to institute great ideas? I dont think the "like" button is one of them. lol

Your post came off to me like you thought swim has some pull and could do something about it (which apparently is exactly what you thought, since you verified it in your reply). Well, swim has no "pull" with TER. As host, all he has that is different than the rest of us is a red name. My point was basically telling you that while it is a good idea, and has been suggested numerous times before, swim can't make it happen.

Make a suggestion on the S&P board. Add your name to the list of folks who have suggested it. Suggesting things on this board sure won't make it happen.

For the record, I feel the name of this board should not be "FAQ for Newbies." That is not what it is. It is a newbie discussion board. FAQ are a list of questions that get frequently asked, with their answers. There should be a true FAQ for Newbies and a Newbie Discussion board.

Posted By: bluepillman
But just because something has been suggested in the past doesnt mean it shouldnt be revisisted and instituted in the future if its a great (your word) idea. Just assumed Swim has some pull and I cant imagine its that much of a technological hurdle and I cant think of any downside to do it. The self help center is kinda thrown together and ironically isnt "newbie" friendly. Other sites have incorporated stickys with great success. Whats the point to have an S&P board if not to institute great ideas? I dont think the "like" button is one of them. lol

bluepillman356 reads

And he may or may not have already done this, I have no idea. And yes, I do believe that admin, with a reasoned plea from Swim, would give the idea more weight/thought than if it came from the rest of us. But I just think that would be common sense and good business on TER's part. Just my 2 cents storm. Thanks for your suggestions.

Because the threads drop off the page instead of moving back up when a new reply is posted, a Sticky would probably not work with this format. They would have to redo the entire site.

bluepillman316 reads

TER could have its on version of sticky's without a complete site redesign I am sure. The self help center and message board policies at the top are similar to stickys. It can be done, but maybe not in the manner you or I have in our mind from seeing it on other sites.

...that Swim is a former teacher? You have the patience of a saint! :)

the power I do not have on this site.  Absolutely none.  In fact, I was never even told by admin exactly what they expected of me as host of this forum.  As a moderator previously, I was asked by admin to stay on as the host of this board.  I guess they assumed I would figure out by myself what a host should do.  So, I offer assistance to newbies along with the numerous highly unpaid assistants that help me out.  As I said in the opening post on this thread, I try to monitor the board and keep everyone doing what is expected on here.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by 'Sticky's'.  If someone would clarify that for me, I would be happy to propose the subject/idea to admin.

Again, thanks for all the help and constructive comments that you all bring to this forum.

Swim

bluepillman387 reads

does not get bumped down the page with each new thread. It stays at the top of the page with a title e.g.
"P411 vs. Datecheck Debate. Which is best for you?" So when the newbie who was going to post about that issue would see that "sticky" just above the most recent thread of the day and he would click that on to get his info. There are proly 8-10 or so issues like that that get asked every 1-2 weeks. It would stop the impatient answers from some of the vets saying "do your homework! Thats been asked a 1000 times!" response and be much more user friendly for the newb. Many other sites use this to great success. Thanks for proposing to admin! Blue

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