Take it easy on the new members

[TubaMorg]

I have noticed, recently, that there are several people posting on CD who are offending the delicate view that some more experienced posters have of how the forum should run. The most common offense is someone asking a question that has already been addressed. This question is usually (and quickly) followed by a derisive reply saying "SEARCH THE POSTS FIRST!"

While I agree that users should, indeed, search before posting, I would like to request to please please please try to treat the new posters more gently. Take it from a mentor who is dealing with a BUNCH of computerphobes, harsh response to a naive post will only sour their view of CD and FIRST.

Believe it or not, some people come on here and have never ever seen a forum. Nor are they even in the slightest bit aware of the rules that go along with general forum organization that is common to many forums. So I am asking to take it easy on them. Guide them towards the rules, give them gentle reminders on how to use the forums. And for Pete's sake make them feel welcome. No one wants to come on here and be stupid in public, much less have it pointed out to them!

Please take it easy on the newbies!

[Schnabel]

Hey, Search before you post, no not really. But I do agree with this. When I first came to CD, the normal thing happened to me, I posted, got yelled at, felt embarrassed, and then didn't return for almost 3 months because I didn't feel welcome. I had never used the search and I posted another thread of the same kind, but what I got was harsh. Considering this was my first forum to every use, I wasn't too happy. So please take it easy, and if you want to say "Use the search, that is what it is for", pm-ing is the best way if you ask me. And don't be rude about it, they're new!!

[Brandon Martus]

I agree .. we should be nicer to the new guys. Point out that they should search .. but also provide some insight as to why this should be done, and maybe a link to the search page (or a result that they were looking for originally). And as Schnabel said ... a private message may be better than telling them publically. In the private message, let them know they can delete their post by hitting the 'edit' button.

In our defense though, after the recent upgrade the new users of this forum get an e-mail upon registration that says the following:

Dear <username>,

Thanks for registering at Chief Delphi! We are glad you have chosen to be a part of our community and we hope you enjoy your stay.

If you have any problems with usage please search the forums for an answer to your problem and then if you cannot find your answer send the admin (Brandon Martus) an email or private message, or post in the Help Forum (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=8) for fast(er) answers from the existing forum members.

Some helpful hints:

* Please search before you post!
* Ask youself: "Does this post contribute to the discussion?"
* Clear and straightforward thread titles good! Vague thread titles bad!
* Read the site rules, please. (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/rules.php)
* Post in the correct sub-forum! There are a lot of them!
* An instant message style of chatting between a few people in threads is not allowed. Edit your posts, use the private message system, or try to gather all of your thoughts before posting.

If this is your first time here, or have recently joined you may want to start out by reading the thread listed below. It will give you an idea of the expected attitude and level of gracious professionalism found on these forums, as well as give you an idea on how to use some of the key features in its software.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/announcement.php?f=59

If you get anything from these posts, it should be: SEARCH BEFORE YOU POST, and when you do post think twice before pressing the 'post' button.

Thanks,
Chief Delphi

[Beth Sweet]

While I agree not to be so mean as to scare them off, we have certain rules on these forums and if they are going to post here, they need to learn them. Things like searching and using proper manners are among these. So while a "SEARRRRRRRRRRRRRRCH" may not be appropriate, telling someone to search and giving them an example of the link that they could have found had they searched is entirely acceptable and appropriate.

When in Rome, do as the Romans!

[JaneYoung]

Thank you for starting this thread, Dan.
Your team members aren't the only ones that are shy about posting in CD. CD can be very intimidating and even though it is busy season/build season, it is also 'welcome the newbie' season on our teams and on CD.

I do agree with Beth that there are rules to follow and I think Brandon does a super job of posting how-to's for new posters to read and to follow and for the experienced ones to use as a reminder.

As individuals with more experience, I would like to suggest that we refrain from negative repping new posters who may be inexperienced like Dan said, and have never participated in a forum situation before. They may not know what the green dot is or why it has turned red, they just know it did - Being new, curious, and a little awkward in using the forum doesn't warrant a red rep, just a little bit of guidance.

Our reactions to inquiries or posts may be affected by our own stress and fatigue during this very busy time. Let's just try to be a little less quick to hit the red rep and a little more informative and helpful.
Jane

[RyanN]

I agree. What has happened to all these teams claiming they show "Gracious Professionalism" when they are always nagging at the new members. We should all practice "Gracious Professionalism" whenever we have the chance. Instead of saying "SEARCH THE FORUM BEFORE YOU POST A NEW THREAD", kindly say, "Well, this is how you do it... Oh, by the way, next time, please search the forum before you post a new thread, it takes up precious memory on Chiefdelphi's servers." I agree with people nagging at members asking stuff clearly stated in the rules manual, but PLEASE go easy on them as well. If they're like me, they hardly have enough time to sleep (but at least I spent my time reading the manual rather than sleeping .

[Mike Schroeder]

Instead of just telling the "newbs" to search before you post, how about telling them to search, but also give links, and maybe even answer the question. if i were new, i would like that alot

[AnimeBio]

i agree