I've been thinking about this. We have had an awful lot of newbies joining in the last couple of months and 99% of them don't post. Yesterday, I joined a motoring forum and I wasn't allowed post anywhere unless I first introduced myself AND I only had access to the informal part of the forum, i.e., not the sections where I could look for answers to the questions I had. This was all explained to me in the introduction email. What would everyone think about applying the same here? We need to do something to get newbies to break the ice.
+9
Jimandsi
cunningham
Gypsy
Adam Mint
Topdog
Perfectspecimen
Mcqueen
Campbell Brodie
3rdforum
13 posters
Newbies
3rdforum-
Posts : 22953
Join date : 2011-08-30
Age : 54
Location : Ireland
3rdforum-
- Posts : 22953
Join date : 2011-08-30
Age : 54
Location : Ireland
Well that idea sank like a lead balloon!
Campbell Brodie-
Posts : 59106
Join date : 2011-08-13
Age : 69
Location : Scotland
3rdforum wrote:Well that idea sank like a lead balloon!
Dermo, you've got this thread in the "basket". The only people who can see it are admin, none of the others can see it.
3rdforum-
- Posts : 22953
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Age : 54
Location : Ireland
Blox, thanks Cam.
Campbell Brodie-
- Posts : 59106
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Age : 69
Location : Scotland
3rdforum wrote:Blox, thanks Cam.
No worries pal.
Mcqueen-
Posts : 30546
Join date : 2011-08-13
Age : 70
Location : England
Irish innit, Maybe thats why no fecker could find us, Sorry D i fell over laughing 
Perfectspecimen-
Posts : 14451
Join date : 2011-08-15
Age : 70
Location : Cambs / Golf del Sur
Thought it was me cracking under the pressure.
Mcqueen-
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Age : 70
Location : England
Admin do a great job and get little thanks, We shouldnt laugh, 
,
,
3rdforum-
- Posts : 22953
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Location : Ireland
Oh blah! 
Topdog-
- Posts : 21262
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Age : 65
Location : England
The bin is where sensible posts should go as al the daft ones are here live.
Perfectspecimen-
- Posts : 14451
Join date : 2011-08-15
Age : 70
Location : Cambs / Golf del Sur
It bothers some Dermot but dont worry me. They are just shy. Specially the celebrity ones. 
Adam Mint-
- Posts : 23101
Join date : 2011-10-07
Age : 59
The Lone Ranger wrote:3rdforum wrote:Well that idea sank like a lead balloon!
Dermo, you've got this thread in the "basket". The only people who can see it are admin, none of the others can see it.
And you left him in charge...
Gypsy-
Posts : 12655
Join date : 2011-08-14
3rdforum wrote:I've been thinking about this. We have had an awful lot of newbies joining in the last couple of months and 99% of them don't post. Yesterday, I joined a motoring forum and I wasn't allowed post anywhere unless I first introduced myself AND I only had access to the informal part of the forum, i.e., not the sections where I could look for answers to the questions I had. This was all explained to me in the introduction email. What would everyone think about applying the same here? We need to do something to get newbies to break the ice.
I see we have another newbie (welcome bansar) I agree with you 3f. It would be nice if part of the registration system was an Intro which gave newcomers their first post and if you didn´t complete then you could not see anything other than the main menu and the topic headings. The email part is the easy bit but I think it is probably far too complicated to stop guests/lurkers (because that is all newbies who don´t post are) from seeing the forum content.
We could put a banner right across our page saying
Welcome XYZ
It looks like you've not posted in a while. We don't bite, and by contributing to a thread or replying to a question, you help keep our thriving community interesting and vibrant for all.
Please start a thread or reply to an unanswered one in order to help out another member. We're happy for your contributions!
Which is what I was greeted with from a certain forum after having made 780 posts and not been on since 19th April due to holidays - I did think it appeared a bit quick and smacks of desperation - in fact due to the colour and size I found it was quite intrusive so rather than rush to add a post I will probably avoid logging on totally until I feel a desperate need to say something !!
Topdog-
- Posts : 21262
Join date : 2011-08-13
Age : 65
Location : England
Got no probs with that if someone wants to sort and all admin are ok with it.Gypsy wrote:3rdforum wrote:I've been thinking about this. We have had an awful lot of newbies joining in the last couple of months and 99% of them don't post. Yesterday, I joined a motoring forum and I wasn't allowed post anywhere unless I first introduced myself AND I only had access to the informal part of the forum, i.e., not the sections where I could look for answers to the questions I had. This was all explained to me in the introduction email. What would everyone think about applying the same here? We need to do something to get newbies to break the ice.
I see we have another newbie (welcome bansar) I agree with you 3f. It would be nice if part of the registration system was an Intro which gave newcomers their first post and if you didn´t complete then you could not see anything other than the main menu and the topic headings. The email part is the easy bit but I think it is probably far too complicated to stop guests/lurkers (because that is all newbies who don´t post are) from seeing the forum content.
We could put a banner right across our page saying
Welcome XYZ
It looks like you've not posted in a while. We don't bite, and by contributing to a thread or replying to a question, you help keep our thriving community interesting and vibrant for all.
Please start a thread or reply to an unanswered one in order to help out another member. We're happy for your contributions!
Which is what I was greeted with from a certain forum after having made 780 posts and not been on since 19th April due to holidays - I did think it appeared a bit quick and smacks of desperation - in fact due to the colour and size I found it was quite intrusive so rather than rush to add a post I will probably avoid logging on totally until I feel a desperate need to say something !!
cunningham-
Posts : 3211
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Age : 70
Location : in the dog house
well i think it one of your better ideas d.fecking get on with it addmin.
Jimandsi-
- Posts : 1361
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If I got that message, I'd tell you to shove your forum !
cunningham-
- Posts : 3211
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Location : in the dog house
we should be so lucky jim. 
3rdforum-
- Posts : 22953
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Age : 54
Location : Ireland
Jimandsi wrote:
If I got that message, I'd tell you to shove your forum !
log in to TF Jim and see do you get a "welcome back" message
Mermaid-
- Posts : 10439
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Location : Scotland
My view is we are different to the 'other forums' and by putting a banner similar to what they have we are copying them. Also It annoys me to get that when I sign in after not posting for a while. Yes we need to try and encourage the newbies to post but we have been along this track before
Perfectspecimen-
- Posts : 14451
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Age : 70
Location : Cambs / Golf del Sur
Can't wait to redeem my posting vouchers in The Pub.
3rdforum-
- Posts : 22953
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Location : Ireland
Mermaid wrote:My view is we are different to the 'other forums' and by putting a banner similar to what they have we are copying them. Also It annoys me to get that when I sign in after not posting for a while. Yes we need to try and encourage the newbies to post but we have been along this track before
That's the problem Mermaid, how do we encourage newbies to post. Should we add in the introductory email that it is expected of them to introduce themselves or something similar?
Mcqueen-
- Posts : 30546
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Put Howard in charge of PR
Topdog-
- Posts : 21262
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Offer them a view up Cams Kilt fr an introduction note.
Ok here is what we should do (imo) Put a note in saying it is expected for new members to either introduce themselves or to register a post in the first day even if a thumbs up or smiley. We also add that members with less than 5 posts after 3 months will be emailed and if no response they will be removed.
Ok here is what we should do (imo) Put a note in saying it is expected for new members to either introduce themselves or to register a post in the first day even if a thumbs up or smiley. We also add that members with less than 5 posts after 3 months will be emailed and if no response they will be removed.
3rdforum-
- Posts : 22953
Join date : 2011-08-30
Age : 54
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Topdog wrote:Offer them a view up Cams Kilt fr an introduction note.
Ok here is what we should do (imo) Put a note in saying it is expected for new members to either introduce themselves or to register a post in the first day even if a thumbs up or smiley. We also add that members with less than 5 posts after 3 months will be emailed and if no response they will be removed.
I'd certainly go along with that but maybe say in the 3 monthly email that's its not necessary to post as long as they are happy to keep "looking in" but as you say, if no response, remove them
Jimandsi-
- Posts : 1361
Join date : 2011-08-14
3rdforum wrote:Jimandsi wrote:
If I got that message, I'd tell you to shove your forum !
log in to TF Jim and see do you get a "welcome back" message
No good I'm afraid - I'm still being told to feck off.
