I agree with a lot of things that have been said in this thread.
One thing I have to say, is that my major pet hate is new members posting correctly in Meet the Community and NO ONE answer them, a simple welcome is all that is required. Doesnt not have to be a moderator, anyone can do it...makes them feel welcome and more likely to stay.
Posting a simple hello and then potentially leaving is not a good way to increase the member base.
I should be thanking you for starting this thread, it brings up extremely valid points and is something I have also noticed as well.
The new members who sign up on this forum should be welcomed, not just by the welcome email received when they sign up but in person by members.
As someone mentioned, if a thread is recent and answers the posters questions, then by all means direct them to that thread. It may not be directly related to their point but will offer information perhaps they have not thought of before starting another thread asking about it.
The classified section, yes a lot of threads go unanswered unless someone is interested in the item being offered..other sections though, the threads as mentioned may be lost with the new posts in other threads..I know Byron is extremely active in a lot of forum sections and rightly so with his knowledge.
My area is African Cichlids, which I am no expert on but know more about than anything else, I will still offer advice if it is relevant and not likely to cause harm to keepers fish or if regarding equipment, potentially themselves in other sections and have done.
It was an excellent thought on your part starting this thread..congrats.
I agree.. the community should be warmer and friendlier to new members..
I've seen a lot of new people get frustrated when they're doing something potentially dangerous, and just because someone acts more forceful about the right thing to do, they naturally want to do the opposite..
For example this betta site is incredibly warm, and willing to continue to offer help as long as the person is trying (there have been times of hostility in the past, and this just gets everyone more frustrated). If we all posted "your betta will be miserable with out a heater" to new members, it just seems a lot more intimidating than "you'll notice your betta full of energy once he has heated water".
If that makes sense to you guys. People listen better if you treat them nice. Of course over text on the internet, things are misinterperated, and we have to solve those issues, it's why I tend to use a lot of smiley faces actually. :p
Same can be said with humans, I got majorly cranky when I had no hot water in the middle of Canadian winter and had to go down the road to my friends house in -20°C to have a bath/shower
I agree with what you are saying Olympia, it is hard to convey information via text, that is why the posts should be clear and to the point without offering arguments.
People should remember too the main focus of these forums is for people with similar interests come together and exchange info, many times new members are unfamilar with forums and usually are stressed out over issues with there tank. Then when they post a question and need help some folks jump on them for being overstocked or mixing species that they shouldnt, sometimes just a little patients and understanding goes a long way
People should remember too the main focus of these forums is for people with similar interests come together and exchange info, many times new members are unfamilar with forums and usually are stressed out over issues with there tank. Then when they post a question and need help some folks jump on them for being overstocked or mixing species that they shouldnt, sometimes just a little patients and understanding goes a long way
Yes you have a good point, but often times it is the overstocking, overfeeding, and mixing of fishes that shouldn't be together that causes the health problems that brought newcomer here in first place.
Questions should be answered, but one must also point out that which may be contributing to the problem or soon will be.
Just my two cent's.
Don't get me wrong google is good but it will never como as close as plant advice from MO, or Bombalurinas journal thread "Maybe this will help", or pictures of Olympia's garden and so on.
Just googled "my betta won't eat" and got a variety of personal experiences from several fish forums including this one. I stand by the GOOGLE FIRST advice.
Yes you have a good point, but often times it is the overstocking, overfeeding, and mixing of fishes that shouldn't be together that causes the health problems that brought newcomer here in first place.
Questions should be answered, but one must also point out that which may be contributing to the problem or soon will be.
Just my two cent's.
I totally agree, I guess its just in a few cases I've seen some remarks to newbies that seem very snooty or degrading to them, I know its not always easy to get a compationate response to someone in text form.
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