Forum Starter Pack

Spitfire · Post by **Spitfire** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:45 pm

Would be interested to know what people think, might have been thought of or suggested before, so forgive me if it has.

As the title implies, might be a good idea to have a button on the joining page that says 'Request starter pack'.

This need not be anything more than a PM from the mods and admin, telling new members a few helpful things. Not suggesting for a moment that they are told what or how to post, just a friendly, confidence building PM. Maybe a paragraph on a few things like:

-About HHAD
-Welcome message from the mods
-Tips on joining a large forum for the first time
-Things to remember
-How to help your first 50 posts go well(such as, be as factually accurate as possible and leave room for other members to post with additional information, etc, etc)
-Then at the end say please read the full terms and conditions ASAP.
-Off you go to introductions

This PM from admin would not have to be mandatory, but an optional bit of help, if so desired.

Sure you all get the drift. The reason that I have posted this is because it may be helpful to some new members, I know not all need this kind of thing as they are experienced in forums, Thailand etc, but if I remember correctly from reading the terms and conditions, you only have to be 13 to join and post here and it's not like you're talking to Bambi, Maid Marian or Father Xmas here.

It might also cut down on misunderstandings and the need for moderation as the new members get a vague set of goal posts straight away.

It would also be the pinnacle of humiliation to be told by one of the mods 'surely you have read the starter pack', shrink to an inch high and it's 'time for a sharp harp'(remember those beer ads).

Would be interesting to get both experienced members points-of-view and those new to the forum.

Post by **buksida** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:04 pm

Not a bad idea, but from observation the majority of new members are pretty well behaved and the only things that need moderating are threads posted in the wrong section.

It could be done as a 'sticky' thread in introductions.

More malevolent are the trolls who register and start threads (usually in the property section) just to get a reaction and stir up the brown stuff.

Spitfire · Post by **Spitfire** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:02 pm

Maybe a sticky thread would be enough, you're right about most new members are not a problem. Moderation part aside, the orientation benefits could be OK and appearing more professional and helpful, forum history etc could also be a benefit.

Crossed my mind as the newest member space changes almost everyday. Thanks for the reply.

Post by **Guess** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:50 pm

buksida wrote:Not a bad idea, but from observation the majority of new members are pretty well behaved and the only things that need moderating are threads posted in the wrong section.

It could be done as a 'sticky' thread in introductions.

More malevolent are the trolls who register and start threads (usually in the property section) just to get a reaction and stir up the brown stuff.

I have favoured this for a long time. Although most newbies are OK and may have forum experience already, there are still many who would welcome a holding hand to start them off.

Another paragraph could be added to state what is considered Troll like behaviour and what actions are taken when they are suspected or proven to be Trolls.

Arcadian · Post by **Arcadian** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:07 am

As a novice I find some of the jargon confusing, eg. what is a sticky thread and what is a troll?

Post by **STEVE G** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:55 am

Arcadian, a sticky thread is one that stays at the top of the list on the forum menus to make it easier to find, because it contains useful information or something like that.
A troll is someone who joins forums just for the fun of being disruptive or insulting people, or starting arguments purely to annoy people. (Don’t ask me why they enjoy doing this!)

Post by **Randy Cornhole** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:02 am

Don't ask me why they enjoy doing this!

Because they are sad little people with no real friends and a chip on their shoulder. They usually drink alone and regulary get punched in bars...

Post by **Guess** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:57 am

I would like to see the statement:

Please check if the topic has already been discussed before posting a new one.

I have just spotted a new one that must have been covered 20 times already.

Post by **BaaBaa.** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:56 pm

Guess wrote:I would like to see the statement:

Please check if the topic has already been discussed before posting a new one.

I have just spotted a new one that must have been covered 20 times already.

Not another how do I get from Bangkok to Hua Hin post.

Post by **Lev** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 1:17 pm

We have now compiled a forum starter pack for new members:

http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/hh ... 10054.html

Spitfire · Post by **Spitfire** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:52 pm

That's good gentlemen, clear and concise, immediate goal posts for all.

Post by **kendo** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:02 pm

Well done Spitfire for the suggestion of the starter pack, i think it would have definitely have helped me from the start.

Kendo.

Spitfire · Post by **Spitfire** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:16 pm

Yeah Kendo, would have helped me too. To be honest, I didn't even know when it all started till Lev said so in 'The Starter Pack'.

Spitfire · Post by **Spitfire** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:21 pm

Having thought about it, credit should go to Admin/those that replied to the OP for this one, they are the ones who made it happen.

All I did was sling the idea on the table to be pushed around and everyone else came up with a better solution than what I proposed in the OP.