| ??? 10/13/06 11:03 Modified: 10/13/06 11:33 Read: times |
#126379 - Clicking of Next.. Responding to: ???'s previous message |
..is one of the easiest things to do! How many time we read all the EULAs when installing any software? Very few can refrain from clicking the next button, before reading the whole page!
Hi Andy et al, insisting the newbie to read the rules, can be accomplished like this. -------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Dont activate the membership as soon as one registers. Send him/her (hereafter masculine pronouns refer to both gender) a mail for with a activation link. 2. Dont give the hyperlink for the activation page !! If he finds that hyperlink, naturally, his tendency would be to click the same, and get the activation completed. Instead, just send the link as ordinary text, let him read atleast some parts of the mail, before he finds the link text. 3. Let the introductory /activation mail be in HTML format, just like webpage, with titles, subtitles, important points highlighted, and Dont's steps be in bold faced red. This would atleast emphazise something. And ofcourse, the link text be just as normal text, let the newbie search for it. I reckon that these steps can make the newbie one step closer towards reading the rules! -------------------------------------------------------------- If one needs to start a new thread, then he (all other members also) must specify in what category he is posting. Common categories can be LCD, IO, Xtal, ISP, ADC, ... This can further be used for searching category specific posts. Eg: Search for 4-bit interface under LCD category I've already posted something about indexing and sorting of posts here. But that thread dint gain momentum. -------------------------------------------------------------- I still insist on using Google's (and other popular search engines)way of presenting the search results: You will have a preview of the results. This will allow you to quickly discriminate between what's required and what's not. For instance, try searching "noob guide" in Google and thru our search facility. Which one would you prefer? I dont say that our search facility is inferior, but for a starter, anything new is always skeptical. All said, even with all mechanisms, if a newbie tries to post a vague/non formatted/not-well-defined question, we may ask him to read the rules once again or to reframe the question, or to give more details, instead of frightening him with 'gimee code' and 'looks like home work' demarcations. If the newbie still does'nt listen to 'Give more details', let that thread be un-answered until he returns (There is already a mechanism for locking the thread with 'Pending OPs reply'). Or even better, if the Start new thread contains specific fields like
The forum shall not accept newbie's post with any specification not entered. If the member has made considerable postings, say above 100, then these fields are optional for him. The newbie may not know the rules (which is his fault ofcourse), but intimidating him within his first few posts will certainly be demotivating. A total # of posts counter may be implemented, and below every member's name in everypost, this can be shown. By this, one can easily find that the person is a starter or not. I know most of you (vice versa), but does a newbie know?! All the above are some of the ideas which I felt good somewhere, which I thought are useful, but as always, Opinions differ! Above all, we want this forum to be more productive and useful for everyone here. Thanks for your time in reading this. Best Regards, Vignesh Edit: Just now, thought a way of implementing the "Pending OPs more info". If a thread needs more info, then the forum's regular members can declare that thread to be under "Pending OPs reply". Within next 24 or 48 (or some length) hours, if the OP doesnt log in, then that thread can automatically be locked. Additionally, the amount of pending time can also be shown along with the thread. But if the newbie logs in, but doesnt give proper response to questions asked, upon his next scribble post, he may be warned of not answering the questions (of that thread can be left untouched) Could someone make this idea even better? |
