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Topic: Writing a welcome message - page 5. (Read 16192 times)

member
Activity: 462
Merit: 14
September 24, 2018, 06:17:51 AM
#23
I am sorry to intervene here but I am also concerned that we should have a forum logo modifications, theme design, and simple 3-D effects on welcoming the new members in the forum. This might help the positive environment for cryptocurrency especially in choosing the right theme and color for the forum. We could make a contest here for the making of this additional.

Lastly to have a very good understanding between the newbie party and the forum all of those listings should be consider a check mark box when accepting terms and legal condition for one to proceed in the furom.
legendary
Activity: 2772
Merit: 3025
Join the world-leading crypto sportsbook NOW!
September 24, 2018, 05:30:58 AM
#22
I don't want to put in a lot of exact numbers such as all of the merit/activity thresholds, since then I need to remember to update them.
 

How often do you plan to make changes to the merit/activity thresholds? I hope this alludes to more are possibly coming or you're considering it. Updating this shouldn't be a huge issue though, but you don't need to keep updating it if you link to my Ranks/Merit/Activity FAQ thread and I can keep that updated. Same goes for all the other rules and guide threads. As we've all said, just keep the message as brief as possible with the most important or frequently broken rules displayed prominently and link to everything else like guides or the history of the forum if you want that there. Just give them the bare bones of what they need to know and the smart or weary amongst new users will take the additional time to educate themselves further.

I also believe the message is too long.   

Most new members (esp the ones who don't care about bitcoin) are not going to read it.

Make it around 1/5th the size and post a link to the full thing.

I think we should probably just go with the template I came up with but re-write it or add all the additional information theymos wants there. The most important info in bullet points is probably much easier for Newbies to digest or understand.
Vod
legendary
Activity: 3668
Merit: 3010
Licking my boob since 1970
September 24, 2018, 05:19:30 AM
#21
I also believe the message is too long.   

Most new members (esp the ones who don't care about bitcoin) are not going to read it.

Make it around 1/5th the size and post a link to the full thing.
legendary
Activity: 2688
Merit: 2444
https://JetCash.com
September 24, 2018, 05:06:54 AM
#20
I agree with a lot of the comments, and especially the ones referring to the length.

I think a short punchy message would be enough, and it should include links to a couple of stickies. Follow that with a statement such as
" Read the contents of those stickies carefully, breaking the rules will probably lead to the loss of your account, and a permanent ban from the forum".
legendary
Activity: 2828
Merit: 6108
Jambler.io
September 24, 2018, 04:07:56 AM
#19
I think the message should be shorter - much shorter. Or at least have the table of contents expanded into more of a summary: this is a Bitcoin forum, not a job... don't post shit... don't fall for scams... etc, with links to more details on each point.

We know that people don't read, particularly 90% of people who register on this forum. So the "donts" for bounty hunters should be very prominent in this message.

Exactly, nobody reads the T&C with Google, Yt or Fb, let's not fool ourselves believing they will read this if it takes more than 1 minute.

Quote
If you are fluent in any language other than English, then it is highly encouraged for you to post in your local board. These boards often have tight-knit communities which will be able to help you, and in some ways you might be at an advantage compared to English-only posters.

In the English sections, only English is allowed. It is not necessary to speak perfect English, though you should be understandable. Try your best. If you're unsure whether your English is good enough, ask in your local board or in the Beginners & Help section
vs
Quote
If you are not able to speak English at a basic level please use ONLY the Local Boards, do not try to use automated translation services.

The only way to make sure they will go through all of it would be to put captchas after each paragraph.

PS.
I don't remember reading those T&C myself, I didn't even read the entire mortgage contract as it was 70 pages long...
legendary
Activity: 2772
Merit: 3025
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September 24, 2018, 03:26:23 AM
#18
I think this is too long and filled with needless information. 90% of Newbies won't read it let alone understand it. Just keep it simple and concise and give the most important info but include many links to further/in depth information so the info is there if they do want to investigate further and so they're not overloaded by text or things they don't even understand or care about. You could put half of this stuff in some other thread that is linked to and they can read that if they wish, but most will just gloss over it if you're trying to give them the entire history of the forum which isn't necessary for a welcome message.


 - I don't believe in creating definitive rule lists.

We should probably get rid of half the rules here if you don't care that much about them. Most of them aren't enforced or to standard that is effective such as ban evasion. If rules aren't gong to be enforced properly then just get rid of them as it's a waste of time for staff and some users are punished unfairly whilst others get off completely free or given a free pass. I don't think getting rid of rules is something we should do but rules are useless and become a joke when they're barely ever enforced or just selectively.

A lot of people come here primarily looking to make money. The forum administration is very happy that people are able to use the forum in order to better themselves; indeed, one of the reasons for Bitcoin's creation was to break the artificial barriers which prevent so many people around the world from attaining prosperity. However, if your attempts to make money conflict with the forum's primary goal of enabling discussion, then you are swimming upstream, and you will not be sucessful in the end.

The majority of people who come here these days speak very poor English. They're not going to understand half of this. You could cut this down to a much simpler sentence or two that gets the point across.


If you view the forum as some sort of "job" where you complete some basic tasks and get paid, then you will almost certainly be disappointed, and the forum administration will not be sympathetic. If you do make money using the forum, then it will be through innovation and entrepreneurship, not any sort of mindless busywork.

Why even say things like this and the above when they're really just not true (unless you've got some huge changes planned on how people can earn here)? Unless things change to how ICO campaigns can operate here then users won't be disappointed. They'll be overjoyed by being here and how easy it is to earn from doing little to nothing. People can still get paid for either copy and pasting posts or writing mindless drivel that is text-spun over as many accounts as they like and requiring one merit isn't going to stop this. People who are farming hundreds of accounts copy and pasting with bots are never looked into so is that what you call 'innovation and entrepreneurship'? This just seems like a hollow threat that won't be enforced just like half the other rules so it's pointless even saying unless we're actually going to be cracking down on the huge abuses here which are only going to get worse the longer we do nothing about them.

legendary
Activity: 2226
Merit: 2169
Need PR/CMC & CG? TG @The_Cryptovator
September 24, 2018, 02:29:34 AM
#17
1) Should add one more option to encourage people's for reporting spam post. This thread could be embedded for help new member's, Report effectively

Table of contant title could be; Help forum by reporting spam post
A new user should know how to report spam post so that he can avoid spam himself.

2) Title could be ; Read most useful post by users and I think this thread could be embedded [GUIDES] on Bitcointalk. Index thread (until there is a dedicated subforum?) . So newbie will able to read all useful post on one place. And there is all important post available.


I think the message should be shorter - much shorter. Or at least have the table of contents expanded into more of a summary: this is a Bitcoin forum, not a job... don't post shit... don't fall for scams... etc, with links to more details on each point.

I am agree with it. If message write too longer than member will discourage to read it. So it's better short discription with embedded link. So people will click link to read details. One more thing all clickable link should open new window/tab instated of redirect on same window/tab.


I don't think so escrow thread should suggeste by forum admin and shouldn't add on welcome message. If happen any scam who will responsible for that ? Theymos shouldn't involved with escrow system.
legendary
Activity: 2422
Merit: 1036
Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks
September 24, 2018, 12:29:22 AM
#16
Maybe add the thread made by Lauda:
[General] Bitcoin Wallets - Which, what, why? so that they have informations on what wallets they will use. Since they are newbies, they don't have idea into which wallet is the safest to use.

Made in Mobile Cheesy
legendary
Activity: 3612
Merit: 8904
https://bpip.org
September 24, 2018, 12:18:53 AM
#15
I think the message should be shorter - much shorter. Or at least have the table of contents expanded into more of a summary: this is a Bitcoin forum, not a job... don't post shit... don't fall for scams... etc, with links to more details on each point.

We know that people don't read, particularly 90% of people who register on this forum. So the "donts" for bounty hunters should be very prominent in this message.
legendary
Activity: 1540
Merit: 2036
Betnomi.com Sportsbook, Casino and Poker
September 24, 2018, 12:03:27 AM
#14
While this is currently a touchy subject in itself. I think the message would benefit from having some information regarding account recovery.

An explanation about how it's not automatic or guaranteed at this point in time. This could be in the form of explaining why it's important to secure their password.
legendary
Activity: 2383
Merit: 1551
dogs are cute.
September 23, 2018, 11:31:33 PM
#13
Please mention about the trust system, if you want to. It might be a little important for newbies to know more about it...
hero member
Activity: 2002
Merit: 578
September 23, 2018, 08:51:26 PM
#12
Maybe add Tomatocage Stake your bitcoin address here to reduce someone's who usually complains about account being hacked or stolen and maybe introduce the copper membership account and it's features comparing it to being a newbie rank.
legendary
Activity: 2940
Merit: 3030
September 23, 2018, 08:37:44 PM
#11
Good to see that in the last weeks a lot has happened for the forum!

Devinitiv which was very good the change with Merit and newbies!
So it is good to greet the new users with a good welcome message, or at any rate make them aware of some of the things the forum is about!

Unfortunately, I also know of another site where I am active as a moderator, although many read the hints quickly (best example forum rules) but do not pay attention or take seriously!

But the hint is there and if you do not read these you are guilty!
hero member
Activity: 536
Merit: 513
September 23, 2018, 07:19:27 PM
#10
Maybe mention machine translated post as the Common rule violations or Languages section.

Ideally, being English the default, the message could be selectable somehow (I.e. dropdown box or so). Another way round would be to link the translations next to the local board list you mention.
Good point, this will reduce confusion most of local members had.

It would be helpful for new members if the message includes these links to the rules and account security threads.
legendary
Activity: 1274
Merit: 1924
฿ear ride on the rainbow slide
September 23, 2018, 07:12:15 PM
#9
I agree with ddmrddmr. A lot of users don't have English as their first language. I'd have to add to that : A lot of users have poor reading skills. They are likely to only skim the text or read the first two paragraphs. Not that they cannot read. Just that they often don't even read the previous posts above their own comments when they post a reply.

For this reason I would recommend fine tuning  and condensing the opening statement so it contains everything about the most important message that you want to communicate to the new members..

Also avoid using phrases like "swimming upstream" as they may not be understood by some users.

Being dyslexic I'm not the ideal person to give advise on this. The organised thought in my head doesn''t always end up expressed well in writing.  It also often causes me to miss things reading or misread things.

Keeping that in mind - it is good to keep the language as brief and simple as possible. Which will take effort for an eloquent writer like yourself. But the people that need the message the most are not necessarily able to comprehend a high level of English.
legendary
Activity: 2170
Merit: 2019
Join the world-leading crypto sportsbook NOW!
September 23, 2018, 06:49:03 PM
#8
If i were a newly registered user i'd probably like to see forum rules:
Unofficial list of (official) Bitcointalk.org rules, guidelines, FAQ

Also, [Guide] Bitcointalk account security will help them avoid frequently made mistakes which concerns the security of their bitcointalk accounts.
legendary
Activity: 2184
Merit: 3134
₿uy / $ell
September 23, 2018, 06:29:09 PM
#7
I would add a reminder to read the stickies, as some sections have specific rules and regulations.

Actually, reading the pinned posts will give you all the initial information you would possibly need as a newbie.

Happy to see one more crossed out from the list with suggestions Smiley
full member
Activity: 714
Merit: 158
To live is to think
September 23, 2018, 06:09:05 PM
#6
It's very helpful for new users if they can select their mother languages for welcome message.
I think the most important part of welcome message is to notify new users of this forum's purpose and rules in brief. Therefore, welcome message should be understood as much as possible by their mother language.
At the very least, local board members will help to translate welcome message for each local board language.
legendary
Activity: 2240
Merit: 10532
There are lies, damned lies and statistics. MTwain
September 23, 2018, 06:01:11 PM
#5
In addition to what had been said, I’m trying to get myself into the shoes of a person who is not very literate in English, and forseeing their obvious first problem which is understanding the content properly. Ideally, being English the default, the message could be selectable somehow (I.e. dropdown box or so). Another way round would be to link the translations next to the local board list you mention.
I’m sure the translations are not an issue, for there are enough volunteers around here to do that.

Edit 24/09/2018: Just one more thought. If you go head making this welcome message available in multiple languages, the ownership of them and the derived stickies should be yours (Admins). The idea is to avoid situations I’ve encountered on my local board where by rules are translated into the local language, but the OP is no longer active and thus the rule post is now out of sync (I’ve PMd the mods on my local there to see if it can somehow be fixed).
legendary
Activity: 3290
Merit: 16489
Thick-Skinned Gang Leader and Golden Feather 2021
September 23, 2018, 05:30:38 PM
#4
~, ask in your local board or in the Beginners & Help section
Add a dot (.) at the end.

Quote
  • Multi-posting: Do not post twice in a row in a topic. Instead, edit your old post.
Can you add: "Also don't post the same message in more than one topic".

Quote
First, search for your problem to see if anyone has asked about it before. If you don't find anything on it, ask in the Meta section.
I think this will be interpreted as if the Meta section is the place to go to with any problem, instead of just forum-related problems.

Did you use hilariousetc's What should be included in a newbie welcome message? thread for suggestions already? I think at least "don't post referral links" and "don't beg for money" should be added.
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