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Controversial Topic #6: Making This Site Better

I would like to see the FAQs situated so they are not only very conspicuous, but also listed as a bunch of related questions that require a click on them to see the answers. Then people could see lots of questions to find the one they want, without having to wade through answers they already know or don't care about. Questions need to be grouped according to subject. The idea presented earlier about making it easy to navigate by asking a question (i.e. Why won't my snake eat?, etc) may be a good idea too. We should do whatever we can do make it easy to use the FAQs.

And we should should agree on a sort of standard answer to nicely direct people to them when they ask very broad, newbie questions. Something like "Welcome to the site. That is a really broad question that is difficult to give a through answer to in a post, and has generated a lot of discussion here. But take a quick look at the FAQs - you will find them really helpful. After reading them, you will be able to narrow down your questions to something that we can give you a much better and more thorough answer to."

We could pretty much just cut and paste it (or something similar). Then we could concentrate on providing more one of a kind answers to pressing problems that are not covered in the FAQs (and are more interesting for us to answer, lol!). Actually, if newbies saw a standard but polite direction to the FAQs multiple times when they first visit, they may get the idea pretty quickly to spend a few minutes perusing the FAQs. I don't feel too inclined to go out of my way to help somebody who is not willing to spend a few minutes reading basics. But I also don't want to turn them off the hobby or the site with a harsh response. I think this might be a way to accomplish both goals with one post.

I like the idea of new members being required to wait a few days to post, both for spam control and to encourage a little helpful lurking and reading before posting.
 
kathylove said:
I like the idea of new members being required to wait a few days to post, both for spam control and to encourage a little helpful lurking and reading before posting.
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I agree whole heartedly on that one. :cheers:
 
Well... I somewhat agree. but then what if someone has an urgent question. and quickly signs up to ask it. but they cant, because they have to wait...
 
The chances are very good that if they are "forced" to use the time reading the FAQs, they will find the answer. But if not, I have had plenty of people privately email me their questions, and I am sure many other members have had the same experience.
 
Or you may lose them altogether, which may be a good thing or a bad thing. I came to the site looking for support after the death of our first snake. Having to wait seven days would have sent me off to another site looking for someone to give me a little moral support and understanding when I needed it.
 
I suppose there is always that possibility, although I don't think that most people would be joining under such sad circumstances. But I could be wrong.

I would guess that many people at least read, or maybe even post on, more than one site. But I don't know that for sure.
 
kathylove said:
The chances are very good that if they are "forced" to use the time reading the FAQs, they will find the answer.
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I'm not sure about the capabilities of vBulletin, but maybe it would be possible for new members to start out in a member group that can ONLY view the FAQ sections for the first week after they register. After that time, they're automatically promoted to a new group that allows them to view and post in the rest of the forums on the site.

And as far as suggestions, an administrator/moderator designated to approve/deny registrations could cut down on spammers. The aforementioned waiting period before posting could help with that, too. Preventing spammers in the personal forums could also be solved by implementing some method of having a certain post count to post in them or something.
 
I think seven days of not being allowed to post is maybe a little bit overkill. I'd say 24-48 hours would be more appropriate.
 
ShadeFX said:
I think seven days of not being allowed to post is maybe a little bit overkill. I'd say 24-48 hours would be more appropriate.
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I would have to agree.

I also think two more mods would be a good idea. Just to keep the peace... and make them peeps who like peace... and therefore would want to keep it... maybe they would like a piece of peace... or pie. I like apple.



HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! early of course
 
I was also thinking of a time period (not sure how long is good - maybe shorter than 7 days?) when new members could see everything, but maybe could also post in the new member intro section too. But I don't know anything about programming and whether that is possible or really difficult / impossible. Or even if it would be something helpful for the site and its members.
 
I would have to agree that 48 hours would be more appropriate. Having to wait seven days would put people off IMO. It is a good idea, though.

I feel that nobody reads the FAQs because they are just so general. The titles do not grab you in. The stickies look like ordinary threads, they just don't stand out. I like the idea that there could be an FAQ forum here, and the FAQs can be split down in to seperate threads - ie, it could look something like:

How can I get my snake to eat?
How do I use my heat mat?
How will I know when my snake is shedding?

(etc etc). And each of those would be a seperate thread title. We can even compile the threads together and all have a say on what should go in them. That would really give a community feel to it all. Just my .02 cents.

I love this place, though and I fully plan to contribute in the new year. Thanks guys and thanks Rich. :cheers:
 
Controversial Topic #6: Making This Site Better:

Is this the true question? Or is it How to get it back. If the latter the answer is time heals all. Hopefully.

Now, How to your making the site better.
I agree with the other members. We like it the way it is. Yes the new ads took time to get adjusted too, but I don't notice them much any more. Separating chat with help too and I thank Rich for making an afford to improve it. A waitting period is a great idea, this will help with the spam and implementing a system to get new members to use the F/Q section or research would be helpful to this site too.

Overall, I like this site. Like stated by Mike...It like home. With nice folks and you receive fast responses, that's why I think it's popular with new members and unfortunately spammers too.
 
A few tidbits from me (mostly about everything posted so far):

*I love this site...and had no idea there was any turmoil until I scrolled down to the bottom forums and saw all of those threads!

*I am fairly "new" here, and even I get frustrated with the posts that could have been saved if the FAQs were read. I also notice that these posts seem to have fewer and fewer replies. Mostly due to Lennycorn's link-o-rama! :grin01: I also agree with a more prominent FAQ section.

*I could care less about the google ads...I hardly even notice them anymore.

*Often times chat is empty when I am online, so I don't have much to say to that.

*The "common-sense" topic above: there have been many times I have hit "reply" and written a lengthy post, only to hit the "back arrow" and never leave it. After getting all my frustration/other feelings out, I realize I will probably look like an idiot, and I never post it. I truly hope others do the same.

*P.S. I love the spell check.
 
Just remember, things could be worse. Instead of the Google ads you could have pop ups appearing every time you clicked on a thread.

Nobody likes change but change is necessary. Just think of how unpleasant things would get if you didn't change your socks. :eek1: :sidestep:
 
"Just remember, things could be worse. Instead of the Google ads you could have pop ups appearing every time you clicked on a thread." (DAND)

OMG, glad we don't have popups! I hardly notice the new ads after the first few times I saw them. I don't see them as a problem if they help pay for the site.

I believe that most of the people who were unhappy were primarily put off by problems with the chat room. Separation should help a lot, although I never go to the chat room, so it doesn't matter to me personally.

..."I would have to agree that 48 hours would be more appropriate. Having to wait seven days would put people off IMO. It is a good idea, though.

I feel that nobody reads the FAQs because they are just so general. The titles do not grab you in. The stickies look like ordinary threads, they just don't stand out. I like the idea that there could be an FAQ forum here, and the FAQs can be split down in to separate threads - ie, it could look something like:

How can I get my snake to eat?
How do I use my heat mat?
How will I know when my snake is shedding?

(etc etc). And each of those would be a separate thread title. We can even compile the threads together and all have a say on what should go in them. That would really give a community feel to it all. Just my .02 cents."...(Plissken)

I agree!
 
Agreed that the Google Ads have to stay, on a fairly busy site like this they must make a good bit of revenue. I have Adsense on my *very* small page and in the first week I had made about $10.

I do plan at some point to become a contributor, but being able to edit posts would be great. Not so much for correcting spelling, that's what the spell checkers for, but sometimes you do just need to edit the whole thing lol.
 
Google ads don't have to say, in a sense. You all have the ability to download Mozilla Firefox with adblocker and you'll never have to see those ads again.
 
Happy Turkey Day! :)

I joined this forum just a few months ago, and of all of the forums I checked out on other reptiles -- including corn snakes -- this is the one that I still check on daily, if just to look at newly posted photos. Despite this literally being an international forum, it doesn't have an overwhelming feel to it -- which I appreciate -- and as someone who is relatively new, I also do not feel intimidated in posting or responding. I find it quite reassuring that even if someone does not know the answer to a question, it is still ok to simply post a response offering emotional support.

So, I got to thinking about when I joined and some of the suggestions recommended -- how would I have handled being new once again?

Waiting Period: I think this is a good idea. I'm incredibly impulsive -- on occasion ;) -- and I literally set up my ID and posted in the New Member Intros. However, I did so after briefly perusing for about 15 mins following finding the link via Google. I was impressed with the format & really excited to join. *HAD* I been told, upon first joining and before posting that I had to wait 48 hours to post & that I needed to read the FAQs (or, at least check them out) prior to posting, I do know that I'd have definitely done that, no complaints. If I remember right, a confirmation email is generally sent to a person's email address to confirm a new account; in the email, there could be a link straight to the FAQs section -- with a disclaimer at the top stating that all new members must check out the FAQs (or click on some little checkbox to confirm) prior to any post and to confirm the account.

I can maneuver my way through a computer and find just about what I need, but as for programming -- I have zip zero zilch knowledge so I have no idea how messy this would be to make happen. :p

FAQs: I *love* the idea of having a set-up of a list of questions linked to answers below -- as well as the FAQs being its own separate sub-forum (with a link in each sub-forum to its section in the FAQs). Scanning just a list of questions would be helpful two-fold: first, I could quickly skim to find my answer, & two, I could also become aware as to other potential frequent problems/questions while skimming and read up on those issues, as well, *without* having to post a redundant question. :) When I check FAQs elsewhere, and I see answers to other questions around my question, I do often read the other posted questions. I think that members here have been incredibly generous & generally gracious in answering redundant questions -- but, it's true: those are the ones that a person should've read about *prior* to even getting the snake. However, once the situation is in front of you, the obvious answer occasionally seems to escape you, and I know that I've been guilty of that -- so the benefit of the doubt is always appreciated. I do like Kathy's stock "gracious" reply to redundant questions...I wouldn't have been offended at all to receive a response like that, because *at least* I'd have gotten a response. :)

Ads and Chat: Neither bothers me. Ads are necessary evils, and the ones here aren't dreadful at all. I only pop into the Chat room on occasion, and only to be nosy...I'm not much of a chatter in the evenings. :)

I *do* wish that I could have the edit function, because even after I do preview my post, I still find a mistake occasionally. Grr...ah, well. More incentive to join, I s'pose. :)

Otherwise, I do appreciate that this forum exists. It's been a marvelous source of information for me & I actually mention it frequently when talking about my classroom snake with other teachers and friends who are curious. This is a wonderful support network, even for owners with more than just corn snakes or reptiles, even. :) So, on this Thanksgiving Day, I give my thanks to this forum for simply being there*. ;)

(*We made Thankful Turkeys -- you know, where you trace your hand & then glue construction paper feathers onto the fingers & then write a thankful sentence on each feather -- yesterday in 2nd grade and I must've said "I am thankful for" about a gazillion times...:p)
 
Susan said:
Personally, I've never seen anything wrong with this site. I don't see any spammers, the Google ads aren't a problem, I rarely had a problem with trolls in chat (the ignore button works well), repetitive questions don't bother me (if I don't want to read a thread, I simply don't open it...and I don't use the "new post" function, I recognize a new post by the bold type &/or the date). What has bothered me a bit lately is the "loss" of some of the veteran members, especially in chat. Neither chat room is the same anymore. Maybe with a new chat "exclusively" for CS will rekindle the family feeling about CS, but that's only wishful thinking on my part, I think.[/QUOTE]


Could not have said it better...especially the bold! :cheers:

Also, a 48 hour waiting period might be a good idea if it promotes the search function. Same questions with the same answers are everywhere...a little search would take care of a lot of that.

As far as mods...there is the good and the bad of being one or having some. This site really does a good job of policing itself and I'm not too sure it is needed on the forums...maybe chat if the trolls enter...but in my opinion we probably do not need them in the forums.
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