Posted: 10/23/2006 7:30:21 PM EDT
|
We have a new member who has been asking a bunch of questions... some silly, some garden variety newb and he's getting some flak for it. This is not the first time I have seen this. Chances are the guy's 10 years old, but that could be the opportunity to educate and better inform future shooters and new adults. I think a newbie/getting started section would be beneficial for the following reasons: 1. How many @#$%*&^ times do we have to read the questions "How many mags should I have for my firearm" "Which AR should I get?" "What gun did Al Pacino use in Heat?"  Granted, we could have a newbie section tacked over every forum category and we will still get the stray nuissance question, but that will be the exception to these first time posters, instead of a barrage of them from every person who joins.2. This is a good place to protect the new Arfcom member. Many times the "nuissance poster" just wants to learn and after a few curious questions (s)he gets the whole "troll" flaming, etc. This would provide the new but serious shooter a flame free zone to ask whatever silly thing (s)he desires and the people who respond would actually be those who came there specifically to help, instead of an incredulous reader who finds this "abominable inquiry" in his favorite forum. Feel free to follow my suggestion how you will anyway as if you needed my blessing  but this is how I might run it.- ONE folder section for newbies. Your choice to subdivide it into DIY, ARs, Ammo, etc or leave it one large GD style forum. - One sticky with visible "NEWBIES READ THIS FIRST" in every major forum (ARs, AKs, Handguns, etc) which directs them to a hot link and instructions to read the resources in the forum and post there first unless they are sure their question has not been addressed and it is sufficiently technical. - Newbie resources: there could be voluntary articles written by members who wish to contribute to the new crop (like selecting a first weapon) and FAQs. The FAQs would take a little mod eye/legwork as ones that aren't FA today will be tommorrow, but I think this might save more bandwidth and hassle in the long run. Overall, I think it's win-win since the grumpy folk can have a little peace (soon to be disrupted by the pee pee match du jour), and the new folk won't feel alienated or intimidated from joining in and contributing to the site in the future. Thank you for your consideration of my brilliant idea. 
|
There's a definite burnout factor in answering the same old questions again and again. I think your idea is sound. |