Rules for new members

[Stuart Ackerman]

What about PM or e-mailing new members the RULES?
Such as no sales etc on this forum...
Get us to acknowledge with a PM, so we don't have guys like TreeDr having a thread bashing him/her/them...
Might save a ton of grief for us all.

Thank you.
Stuart

[4 s ter]

zackerty/Stuart

TreeDr was told what the rules are, not bashed. Any new member to any Forum should check out the rules of the Forum before they start posting more than an introduction - particularly before they start trying to advertise for free.

There is a link titled "Forum Guidelines and Disclaimer" at the top of both Forums. This should be adequate.

David

[Stuart Ackerman]

david,

I was not defending treedr at all..

I never knew the rules when I first joined, and I only read them for the first time a week after I joined... I know.. I was slack.

I apologise from the bottom of my coal black heart...

Just thought it would "correct " those, who like myself, were so excited about joinng this forum, that we rushed right in...

My wife says that I am good at ..... not reading the instructions, before assembling something!

Please delete this thread if you want?

Stuart

[The Deacon]

Not every new member chooses to activate Private Messaging, so PMing them won't always work. Neither will email, as not everyone gives a legitimate address when they join, and between ISP spam filters and individual ones, email does not always get read by the recipient.

Perhaps the best solution, to avoid genuine misunderstandings, would be to have the forum registration process include a step where the rules are displayed and the registrant is asked to read them and actively acknowledge that they have read them. For example a check box next to each rule that would need to be checked, then an "I agree" button to complete the process.

[Hannibal Lecter]

Perhaps the best solution, to avoid genuine misunderstandings, would be to have the forum registration process include a step where the rules are displayed and the registrant is asked to read them and actively acknowledge that they have read them. For example a check box next to each rule that would need to be checked, then an "I agree" button to complete the process.

This would be the best policy if it can be implemented. In retrospect, I pushed the envelope (regarding sales/trades) a couple of times myself before seeing others get politely flamed for such things and wising up. Committing any infraction of forum policy was entirely unintentional on my part; you know my thoughts on the exhibition of rude and discourteous behavior, and I consider flagrant and intentional violation of the decorum and etiquette on a forum to qualify on both counts.

I would make the "no sales or trades" the first thing a new user sees during the registration process in big, bold letters. It is all too easy to miss otherwise.

Just a thought.


Ta,

H

[Senate]

I think the dude was just here to draw some attention to his auction. But if he's back to participate by the rules, he'll be accepted as everyone even if he made a mistake, we're tolerant people here...

(my guess is he won't be back;))

[Stuart Ackerman]

Deacon and Hannibal,

Thank you for your comments.

Deacon, I think that you have the idea, as in ticking the box etc.
And, Hannibal, The "no trades and sales" idea is just as valid.

I had no intention of rocking the boat, I just thought that things should be done decently and in order, and folks like myself might need spoonfeeding sometimes...

I only actually read the rules after seeing someone get "flamed" for trying to sell...

Stuart

[4 s ter]

Zackerty

There's nothing you need to apologize for. Nor do I think you were rocking the boat.

I guess it's just a matter of perception, but I just didn't agree that telling a person that the rules don't allow sales or trades was "bashing" or "flaming" It's just informing, and it's generally done in a civil manner here.

A problem with PMs or emails is that someone has to generate them or build in additional programming to automate it. In other words, someone has to pick up the additional cost provide the additional warning that this Forum (like most) has rules. I personally think that the priviledge to participate in a Forum carries with it some obligations - one of which is to be aware of the rules which have been established.

Deacon - Unfortunately, most people click a "I Agree" button without actually reading what they're agreeing to, so this extra step in registration isn't any real guarantee.

I guess it's just a question of how many levels of "rule education" are reasonable. As long as posts telling someone about the rules are polite and civil (no namecalling, profanity, etc. etc.) they can function just as well as PMs or emails to inform new members. Now, if old members repeatedly break the rules ---- all bets are off :D

David

[Senate]

a sticky thread with a title like "no selling or trading allowed in this forum" at the beginning of both forums sould be enough to prevent "accidents" to happen. :)

[Stuart Ackerman]

David,

Well said!

Stuart

[Hannibal Lecter]

Hannibal,

And, Hannibal, The "no trades and sales" idea is just as valid.

I had no intention of rocking the boat, I just thought that things should be done decently and in order, and folks like myself might need spoonfeeding sometimes...

I only actually read the rules after seeing someone get "flamed" for trying to sell...

Stuart

Yes, it is easy to just click "AGREE" and go on without actually reading the rules.

There may not be an easy solution to this other than to all agree to politely inform newcomers in the way it was most recently handled. Quote the rules tactfully and see if they return to the forum; if they are just trolling or trying to make a quick buck they probably won't. In any event, as long as it is handled in a polite manner, I feel the problem is at minimum under control for the moment.

I don't think anyone here wants to see new users unceremoniously run off due to an honest mistake, but the rules are in place to protect Spyderco and, as an extension of that, this forum itself. Anyone in violation of the rules merely needs to be politely reminded of them. Were it me, I would personally appreciate someone drawing my attention to a potential breach of ettiquette on my part.

Just a thought.

---
Ta,

H

[JD Spydo]

I agree with Zackerty that there should be some kind of spontaneous e-mail that could be dispensed to every new member. I have only been on this Great Forum since September myself and I stumbled my way around having trouble finding out all of this. It would have been a little nicer had there been some kind of " WELCOME But Read This" and then present the new member with the rules/guidelines. I am all for making the new folks feel welcome. We all were new at one time: Were we not? PEACE :)