"Newbie" Program

[Uruviel]

So I was thinking about this, and I figured it would be good to get some input/development from everyone before we do anything with it.

What I'm thinking is a Newbie Program for the new members of the site. It would apply to anyone who has been here for less than two weeks, and it would be a way for them to get started out on the site.

Essentially, I'm thinking we do a "matching" type program that would match an old member of Anikira with a new one for a thread or two so that people will kind of get the hang of how things roll around here. That way, you've got an experienced member of Anikira that is helping to acclimate the new people to the site, and that way it isn't three or four new people trying to figure out things on their own. I've noticed in the past that people get adjusted quicker if someone hops in and threads with them right off the bat. This would just be a way to ensure that everyone gets involved!

I was also thinking that, as a way for new members to earn points right away, we could offer 25 points for the completion of a Rules Quiz, similar to the Anikira Pop Quiz, so that we can make sure that everyone is reviewing and agrees to abide by the rules of the site. As for biographies, I'm thinking of putting together a FAQ thread to go on The Sacred Lives board that can answer basic questions for people so that they will have a place to go to right away. I don't think we need a full FAQ in the General Information board, but it would probably be a good idea to have some quick references right there with the biographies beyond what is explained on the form.

Anyone have any additional comments/suggestions?

[Deleted]

I really like this idea. I certainly think it would help us not only get acquainted better with the newer members, but also help them feel more welcomed. A FAQ thing would probably be helpful with certain things. Like when I first joined and made Spirit, I was told I only needed a few words under the coat color section, which I don't believe is specified.

Personally, I would love to volunteer for this because it seems like a lot of fun and it's worth the threads and posts. But what if a member (new or old) doesn't want to participate? Is this going to be a required thing or volunteer-based? If it's just volunteer based, maybe there could be a rule for the older members to be required to do it at least once or twice. Just a thought.

[Deleted]

I am definitely on board with this. It's a great way to get the newbies a little more acquainted with the site and those of us vets (not that I'm much a vet XD).

As Spirit mentioned, I don't think we should force the newbies/veterans into threading if they don't want to. But the requirement thing is great idea. Yeah. Definitely sign me up!

[Deleted]

I'm on board for the newbie program. I think it's a great way to get newer members up to speed (if they aren't already) with the rest of the site. I think that joining the program should be voluntary for the newer members of it may feel like they are on probation or something before they are "officially" members. But for the older members, I think that it should be a requirement with some kind of an incentive to want to. Maybe we give the older members 15 or so points on top of the points they would receive in the thread for the posts.

I don't think that giving a 25 point prize for going a rules quiz for new members is such a good idea though. I can't remember if each post is worth 2 or 3 points but that's like 8 or 12 posts (depending on which it is) which could be an entire thread. And, reading the rules should be a habit for role-players playing at an intermediate to advanced level. Besides, a newer member could get 25 points just for creating an encouraged character with no "specials." I know you all can do math but adding those two things together would give a new member 50 points straight off the bat which isn't a bad thing but I think that it's much more rewarding to buy something knowing that you've put in the posts to do it or worked hard to get them. I think that if we are going to give a prize for newer members that it should be something a little smaller for first characters.

As for a FAQs with the new bios, I like the idea and it would be helpful for newer members when no one else is around. Also, it may discourage guests from visiting the site and then leaving because no one is online to answer questions.

[Deleted]

Oh! GIMME THOSE NEWBIES! |D
Well this idea is fantastic! I mean it would definitely makes things easier for both the newbies and the older members. As for the threading and requirements, I'm a very relaxed person so I personally wouldn't force others to do it (even though I would love to help, even if I am a bit new myself ^^; ).

The FAQ should be placed at the top near the home, profile, sign out buttons for ease of access, I think.

And as for the pop quiz, I do think 25 points is a bit much. Maybe make it 10 points? Scout is right that we would be giving the newbies a ton of points without giving them incentive to stay active in Anikira. It would kinda lose the purpose of the points. But we do need to make the newbies to read and remember the rules, so perhaps just lessen the points given to them? Or maybe at the bio ask a few random questions of the quiz for the member to answer, and if he or she gets them all right you then approve the bio if there are not problems with it?

[Deleted]

I like this. It would put to rest most of the problems we've been having here. I most definitely think the older member should be a volunteer based thing, we would have plenty of volunteers (I think) that we wouldn't have to push anyone who didn't want to be involved into it. As for the newbies, I think it should be a requirement. They were going to post with their characters anyway, right? So, why not stick them with older members who know the rules and knock out any kinks they may have in their writing (i.e. bolding and italicizing, word count, etc.) in the first two weeks, right off the bat? It would make it easier in the long run. I don't see it as "probation" but more as a way to help them understand what is expected out of threads and posts.

As for the Rule Quiz, I like the idea. Maybe not as many points, but still as a requirement that must be completed during the first two weeks with their first character. The Quiz with the Veteran Thread will ensure they understand the rules and are ready to role-play on their own. I don't like the idea of putting questions at the bottom of the bios in place of the quiz.. I've seen that done on other sites and all the new members had to do was look at other unaccepted but completed bios and get the answers from them. Never had to read the rules if they didn't want to.

The FAQs are a wonderful idea, I have nothing much to say about that other than it should be easy to find and probably advertised in a place where newbies can find it without looking too far (they may not know it's there). That way they aren't in the CBox asking questions they could have answered on their own.

[Deleted]

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[atrb=background,http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t26/corpes3/mysterymid.png] Heh. I like this idea. I certainly think it will help new members learn how we do stuff around here. It will help newbies get to know the site a little better. I'm not suggesting that I can do anything yet.... I've only been on Anikira for a few months. I just wanted to say that if I do ever think that I'm able to and you will allow me to, I would volunteer to help. It seems fun and it will give me something to do in my free time on the computer. Count |Does it matter? Muse | Good, good. Tags | Everyone!!! Notes | There's not a word minimum on OOC threads is there?