Making the boards friendlier for new users?

[randomling]

I've changed "My Account" to "My Account" for the moment.

 

[Henry]

One suggestion: Even though I love "The Hive" name and its position, my opinion would be that it would be easier for new users if it were called specifically "Off-topic:" and given some funky name that changed regularly such as:

"OFF-TOPIC: Algernon Q. Thristwhistle's Gouda and Havarti Cheese Emporium"

or some such.

Also, it would be easier if it were, say, the last forum in the top grouping, even though I know it technically goes more logically with the other non-RPG forums. That way, new users wouldn't be likely to post off-topic in general discussion. However, this so far a rare happenstance, so unless that changes I don't think it's as good of an idea.

 

[Morrus]

Let's hope I can undo that change. I'll have to figure out a different way to change the text.

 

[diaglo]

it has been sometime for me (so i don't recall), but does the site send a welcome message with each new registry?

perhaps a nice how do you do...and several links in the message to help navigate the site would be more friendly.

plus a list of mods or some such info.

 

[Piratecat]

One suggestion: Even though I love "The Hive" name and its position, my opinion would be that it would be easier for new users if it were called specifically "Off-topic:" and given some funky name that changed regularly such as:

"OFF-TOPIC: Algernon Q. Thristwhistle's Gouda and Havarti Cheese Emporium"

Got it!

 

[Henry]

Got it!

You rat bastard.

 

[Brown Jenkin]

One suggestion: Even though I love "The Hive" name and its position, my opinion would be that it would be easier for new users if it were called specifically "Off-topic:" and given some funky name that changed regularly such as:

"OFF-TOPIC: Algernon Q. Thristwhistle's Gouda and Havarti Cheese Emporium"

or some such.

Also, it would be easier if it were, say, the last forum in the top grouping, even though I know it technically goes more logically with the other non-RPG forums. That way, new users wouldn't be likely to post off-topic in general discussion. However, this so far a rare happenstance, so unless that changes I don't think it's as good of an idea.

I mentioned this when the off-topic forum was first created but apparently I was in the minority. Not all people like the Hive. Whether or not it is true I always felt that the Hive was a clicish or eliete group. The name implies a "groupthink" and I opose this whenever possible. While I tollerated the Hivemind thread and didn't mind its existance since I could ignore it, I never desisired to be part of something I felt was excusionary in feel. I realize that not everyone feels as I do but when I posted this before there were some others who agreed with me. Now with all off-topic items banished to the new "Hive" forum I have lost the good feelings and sense of family I always had visiting ENWorld. While no-one may care, I will not visit the off topic forum under its current incarnation as "The Hive". I gave it a chance when it started but I always felt put off visiting it and after a couple of weeks of checking it out I have not been back since. Since this time I have also noticed that as a result I have changed by participation paterns. While I still read the boards I do not reply much any more, even in the more friendly off-topic Fantasy-SciFi media foum. I see this now as a chance to plead my case again. While it may be fun to play in-jokes with your fiends, when it comes to the entire comunity some will feel left out and new people will be confused. I miss my old ENWorld with the feeling of belonging to a community, now I feel like I am just visiting someone-elses private playground (Those who who are part of the Hive, who seem to run things around here). I am not trying to lay blame on anyone or say anyone in particular has been unfriendly, just that I do not feel as comfortable or as included as I generaly used to. I realy do like the people at ENWorld which is why I am even mentioning this.

[Edit] P.S. While I was writing my post PirateCat made his change so I didn't see it until I was done. I will add though that until the words "The Hive" are removed altogether I stand by my above statements.

 

[JoeBlank]

Hmm... that's odd. The change seems to have applied to my post, too. Maybe "Replacement Variables" isn't quite what I thought it was. Just goes to show that software can sometimes be too confusing!

Funny, it changed in my previous post too. Makes us look like idiots for people reading this thread for the first time. I certainly don't need any help in looking like and idiot.

Wonder if the change only affected already existing uses of the term, or if it will proactively autocorrect? I'm going to type the previous term, "U____ CP" below and see if it changes to My Account.

User CP

 

[JoeBlank]

Ha, it did! Now we can't talk about "U___ CP" at all, it will continue to be changed to My Account.

Note, I am not complaining, just enjoying the funny quirks that come with using new software and the learning curve.

 

[Henry]

So you mean that every time Someone types My Account it becomes My Account?

Cool!

Now fix it.