The forums arn't friendly enough for newcomers

Tzarcon · August 2002

<div class="IPBDescription">No wonder they annoy us</div>First off, I'd like to say this is simply my oppinion, so I am in no way interested in any kind of argument, but more in simple comments or ideas.

We've all noticed recently the huge increase in newcomers asking questions like "when is the game coming out?" or "WHEN IS THE ####### GAME COMING OUT YOU #######", "where can I find this?" "what about that?" "Is this going to happen?" and so forth.

I believe that when people come to the forums, information that can answer their questions is not presented clearly enough, thus we end up with new people asking these questions every hour. I think it would work very well for everyone if somehow we could make these questions clear to them the moment they see the forums, how exactly is not really something I'm sure of, which is one of the reasons I figured it would be a good idea to open up a discussion on the topic

BedwettingType · August 2002

Showing a small, 10-question FAQ as part of the forum registration may help. The newbies will be more informed, and there's no excuse for not reading the FAQ. =)

Vober · August 2002

I totally agree, I myself was a lurker for a very very long time and saw more newbies shot down than I care to count, I read the FAQ, and many qusestions were left unanswered, but I found them during my lurker time. However it gets anoying have the same 3 questions clogging the forums solution: A newbie forum

This would be dedicated to anyone who had any question that needed to be asked no matter how many times it has been asked. If would be like this

<b>Newbie Center</b>
Ask about questions that you have and get your answer here. NO FLAMES.
Forum Led by: Comprox, Greedo386, Moleculor, rob6264, Spyder Monkey
User(s) active in this forum : 4

P.S. thought of this as I wrote so it prolly sucks <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

Tzarcon · August 2002

A newbie forum, thats an excellent idea, we'll have to hear from others though

Rico1 · August 2002

Yes, a newbie forum would probably help newcomers alot. I know people complain about people posting about the same thing over and over, so the solution: Dont look at the newbie forum unless youre willing to ask/answer questions.

You dont like the question? dont reply. Save the newcomers some time and grief and keep your comments to yourself when/if you post there.

Bill · August 2002

Well I am pretty darn new myself, but compared to other forums you guys are as friendly as they come. You're really not giving the people here enough credit, the worst thing I've seen a person say is "This has been answered a million times, 'when it's done'." There is nothing wrong with that, it HAS been answered a million times even since I've read the fourms, and if you do barely ANY searching at all you'd know that, if anything the people here get it easy.

Tzarcon · August 2002

I know they get it easy, which is different from almost any other game forum, but its not as easy for us people that have been here a long time, the ones that answer the questions. It could help both us and them

Jammer · August 2002

I've found the best way to enter a community is to lurk for a month or two, then start intelligent replys. Once you have built up a post count past newbie level (20+ here, I'd say) you can start writing smart, non spam posts. Too many people use the forums a dynamic faq, which it isn't. This community has evolved into so much more, and I guess we're hostile to those who want to turn us into a big faq.

Theres a difference between good questions (Should/Can aliens do X) and asking (How many aliens are there).

Moleculor · August 2002

I agree, most responses are beginning to get a bit hostile.

However, there is an email they are supposed to read that DOES tell them to read the FAQs, and the questions that typically get asked (like "When is the mod gonna be out?") with hostile responses are in there.

I would however like to ask that the threatening newbies with death, pain, and suffering on them and their families -please- stop. It's not a good thing. It's sorta like a single player mod being hostile towards a multiplayer mod (Remind you of anything?).

Mustafa · August 2002

I think the problem is that everyone is too serious.One thing I dont understand is how ppl can get angry at release date threads. They are unhappy to see a new one but they take the time to reply, then the thread stays at the top and they just see it more.... In fact, most of them they arent angry, they are just jokin and sometimes the newb that posted get offended but he shouldnt cause this is internet and u have to be dumb to get ###### off each time someone is a bit harsh.

To be short, there is no problem, only an illusion of one.

I guess most wont understand but wtf I gotta raise my post count...

Hobbes · August 2002

I agree, Mustafa. A lighter tone would suit many of us. =)

I'm endlessly amused by the variety of ways that people can ask about the release date of the game. You can be, too. =) Less hate, more love, folks.

humbaba · August 2002

All you need is love. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

10RoUNdTOmMYgUN · August 2002

I too was flamed my very first post. I cried , I laughed , and in the end....................I was still me :| People need to be a little more friendly to the n00bs. Look at the cs community and players , nuttin but newbs being flamed on servers and in the forums. I hope the NS community doesnt act likewise.

XyberBob · August 2002

Maybe the newbies need to realise that the post saying "The game will be released when it is finished" actually means "The game will be released when it is finished" If the NS team makes any further developments they will definitely say and will give a release date. It is said that the maximum wait for NS is one month, I have not heard if this is confirmed, but I am willing to believe it as it can't take too long to squish a few bugs. Maybe if the newbs stop the continuous posts asking "How long till release?" etc etc that the team has to reply to, they can actually "release it"!!! You hear that!!! "R E L E A S E - N A T U R A L - S E L E C T I O N!"

pielemuis · August 2002

another great way to get answers fast is to visit the IRC channel, just use the <a href="http://www.readyroom.org" target="_blank">readyroom</a> IRC link, you don't need to download mIRC if you don' thave it s:)Don't worry, we're very friendly s:) If you got a question jsut ask it in the general chat, or PM me (just look for piele or pielemuis or something like that) s:)

Dunsby · August 2002

i got a idea, when you click the forum button, a page comes up up saying - bla bla bla DONT ASK FOR RELEASE DATE bla bla bla search before u ask questions bla bla bla and at the bottom a button saying accept / decline

CollateralDamage · August 2002

I have another idea: When they ask about the release date we just tell them there is none yet. When they asked any question, we just answer it. Politely.

Unfortuntately, these questions generate a lot of completely useless replies like "read the FAQ" (even for questions whose answers isn't found in *any* FAQ), "search the forum" (this is a discussion place, not a library) or worst: "Moderator, please delete this post" (like they need deputies. or suppression of questions would help anyone).

People who develop a feeling of superiority because of their registration date, their post count or their "friendship" with moderators are an annoyance in any community.

We are all equal, and should behave accordingly.

Rob · August 2002

/me pats CollateralDamage on the back

This is what we need people. Less griping. Less flaming. More good hearted community oneness. It's a simple matter to answer a short question.

And then, if you see someone has already, don't clutter the topic with more useless replies or spam or flames. One answer is sufficiant. You're not getting graded on who answers the question first, so don't feel the need to look good all the time.

chalupamonk · August 2002

Well, pie, that's not always such a great idea. The hostility Tzar mentioned that floats around the forums is multiplied ten-fold in IRC. But you're right when you suggest PMing people. That's probably the best way to get a question answered, assuming that it's a valid question and you send it to the right person.

GobyWan · August 2002

I think the problem is that we're all on edge waiting for release, and we've all been told not to ask about the date so many times that we don't realize that the new people haven't heard it yet.

The one big reason they're asking is because of the big progress report on the main page, and we need to be a little more sympathetic because they're not spazzing out about it like we are. They just want to know, since it's so close, but theirs is not a vested interest like ours, it's curiosity. Whereas ours is obsession.

Edit: Hobbes, you post here now? Cool.

ChromeAngel · August 2002

Reading though large FAQs can be rather tiresome. That's one for the reasons we keep seeing posts about the same things. I think we need 1 thread per FAQ question to be made sticky at the top of the forum rather than 1 thread for all. Prehaps in the Newbies forum.

Vober · August 2002

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> (InterFect0r @ Aug. 20 2002,03:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">another great way to get answers fast is to visit the IRC channel, just use the <a href="http://www.readyroom.org" target="_blank">readyroom</a> IRC link, you don't need to download mIRC if you don' thave it s:)Don't worry, we're very friendly s:) If you got a question jsut ask it in the general chat, or PM me (just look for piele or pielemuis or something like that) s:)</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
the NS mIRC community is great, when I first began my lurking I got on and asked stupid ultra newbie questions about mapping with world craft in genral, not NS related, but a fast and happy response. The only problem I have ever seen is some time your question is lost in the massive amounts of chatter <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

MrPink · August 2002

a special forum for newbies would be pointless, because no one but newbies would check there, so threads would go alot like this

when is ns gonna be released?

i dunno, i was wondering that too

Insane · August 2002

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> (Scarface121 @ Aug. 20 2002,22:22)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">a special forum for newbies would be pointless, because no one but newbies would check there, so threads would go alot like this

when is ns gonna be released?

i dunno, i was wondering that too</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Nahh, helpful people like me in a good mood are sure to drop by now and then to answer questions.

The forums arn't friendly enough for newcomers

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