Isn't this subforum useless?

[momo313]

Is there really a need for a Introduction forum? Seems pretty useless to me.

[cacheborn]

Looks like lot of new comers are using it.

[Le Roi]

20K posts have been made in this forum so far. Not quite useless.

[moonrambler]

I think this subforum is not only useless, but probably detrimental.

[Le Roi]

Originally Posted by moonrambler

I think this subforum is not only useless, but probably detrimental.

How so?

You mean asking ppl to introduce themselves but then having no one respond to their posts leads to them feeling unwelcome?

(Though, this subforum is used for more than introductions)

[moonrambler]

Originally Posted by Le Roi

How so?

You mean asking ppl to introduce themselves but then having no one respond to their posts leads to them feeling unwelcome?

Yes, that's exactly what I mean. I do wonder how many people never come back because they get no response to their introductory post.

(Though, this subforum is used for more than introductions)

Not much more! We could easily create a subforum called "General Forum Questions" or something and leave out the introductory stuff.

[Mariana Trench]

Originally Posted by moonrambler

Yes, that's exactly what I mean. I do wonder how many people never come back because they get no response to their introductory post.

Not much more! We could easily create a subforum called "General Forum Questions" or something and leave out the introductory stuff.

I agree. And this forum being very high traffic I'm not sure introductions serve a positive purpose anyway. People will get to know them much faster jumping into discussions.

I know I don't get value out of online intros, whether reading or writing them. I'd be interested to know if other people did, though.

Are there "General Forum Questions" that wouldn't fit anywhere else?

[Le Roi]

Originally Posted by moonrambler

Yes, that's exactly what I mean. I do wonder how many people never come back because they get no response to their introductory post.

Yeah, I think that's a good point. New members are prompted on top of the forum to post their introductions when they are a new member, but have 0 posts.

Maybe Steve could be asked to remove that message if there is a mod consensus on it?

This forum could then serve for people who *really want* to post their introduction (and I bet a lot less people will if Steve removes that message prompting people to do so), and for the Mod questions (like why did so-and-so get banned??), and other few stuff that comes up once in a while that don't fit anywhere else.

[Mariana Trench]

Originally Posted by Le Roi

Yeah, I think that's a good point. New members are prompted on top of the forum to post their introductions when they are a new member, but have 0 posts.

Maybe Steve could be asked to remove that message if there is a mod consensus on it?

This forum could then serve for people who *really want* to post their introduction (and I bet a lot less people will if Steve removes that message prompting people to do so), and for the Mod questions (like why did so-and-so get banned??), and other few stuff that comes up once in a while that don't fit anywhere else.

I like that idea. I also have a feeling this subforum would get -a lot- less traffic if that message was removed.

But I do imagine there was probably a reason for the message in the first place. I'd like to hear from Steve what that was and if it's something that's outlived it's purpose. I'd also like to hear from any members, if there are any, who feel they truly get value out of these sorts of introductions (reading, writing, or responding).

[Criseyde]

I don't know if I ever would have started posting if it hadn't been for the prompt at the top of the page, honestly... and now I'm a mod! Good or bad -- you choose.

I kind of like the introductions forum, because sometimes people might be too intimidated to just jump into discussions. Having a "hi, I'm new" post kind of breaks the ice.

[Cado]

Part of its uselessness may have to do with its placement. Sometimes I forget this place even exists-my eyes tend to stop after Erin Pavlina's subforum.

Then again, that's also because everything I'm interested in happens in the forums above that. I don't actually care enough about introductions to reply to them-most of the time there's not any novel information, and even if there is I'm not likely to care without knowing the person already. In fact, unless someone posts something particularly good somewhere else, I'm unlikely to take notice of them at all prior to the 100 posts mark. That means they're somewhat likely to stick around and that's when they become more than generic text attached to a user name to me.

Honestly, if someone is so self-important or insecure that 0 replies on their introductory thread-in a forum with thousands of members-will make them not post again, we're probably better off without them. You've got to actually do something before you know how people feel about you and if someone lacks the courage to take that step they probably don't stand to benefit from what's offered here.

However, that this forum may serve as a kind of filter for those types of people, or that it might get the posting ball rolling for some, seems like a very weak argument in favor of its value. The only reason I'd keep it around is because it's a place for things that don't fit anywhere else, and it could be repurposed as a way for people to communicate with the moderators and administrators. Make it "General Topics and Forum Questions" or something like that, you know?

[cacheborn]

I do agree with Moon. Many times I am surprised to see a newcomer's post has 50 views and no reply. In my view, that kind of goes against the PD principles. I think the announcement can be removed.

By the way, if you want Steve to see this, maybe open a thread in Mod forum. I am not sure if he has started looking at forum posts again.

[moonrambler]

Originally Posted by Criseyde

I don't know if I ever would have started posting if it hadn't been for the prompt at the top of the page, honestly... and now I'm a mod! Good or bad -- you choose.

I kind of like the introductions forum, because sometimes people might be too intimidated to just jump into discussions. Having a "hi, I'm new" post kind of breaks the ice.

I wonder if it would work to get rid of the Introductions section of the forum but still have a prompt. Do you think that might have encouraged you to post, Criseyde?

Originally Posted by cacheborn

I do agree with Moon. Many times I am surprised to see a newcomer's post has 50 views and no reply. In my view, that kind of goes against the PD principles. I think the announcement can be removed.

By the way, if you want Steve to see this, maybe open a thread in Mod forum. I am not sure if he has started looking at forum posts again.

I'm surprised about the 50 views / zero posts also. I've never seen a forum like this where the tendency is for nobody to respond to introductory posts. Some of us (like you, cache ) go in streaks where we do respond but then when nobody else does, it gets time-consuming.

[Criseyde]

Originally Posted by moonrambler

I wonder if it would work to get rid of the Introductions section of the forum but still have a prompt. Do you think that might have encouraged you to post, Criseyde?

Not sure. When foruming, I tend to lurk for a veeeeery long time before I post. I'm sure plenty of people just sign up and jump right into the fray.

I think having the Introductions section all the way at the bottom is the reason most people don't ever think about it/post in it. Most other forums have it closer to the top.

[momo313]

I don't believe many people are intimidated about joining a discussion before introducing themselves.

Forum discussions don't have the same social dynamics as actual in-person discussions; people aren't afraid to jump into discussions on forums.

Although, the presence of this subforum may actually presuppose one should "introduce" themselves before jumping into discussions, thereby introducing a sense of disconnect if one doesn't do so before discussing topics -- made worse if no response is given.

I predict if this forum were removed, we'd notice an increase in post and topic count.

[ZephyrusX]

I will occasionally drop by on these forums to take a look around, but I do not bother saying anything, like welcome!, because I do not think that people would care one way or another. Am I wrong in thinking thisÉ

É = question mark... my keyboard is being wonky...

I never introduced my self when I first started posting. I am not sure why. I guess I figured most people would not be interested, and from personal experience, most people are not (at least on forums). I suppose it would have felt nice to have been welcomed though. Actually, now that I think about it, I believe Elucidate did on a separate forum and it felt nice.

[ZephyrusX]

I suppose I should contextualize my thinking around this matter a little better. Some of the intro posts I read are very limited, and at best, I could may be respond with, Hey! Welcome to the forums! I find it hard to believe that such a response would be important. I suppose it may result in some temporary relief (easing the anxiety of intimidated lurkers) or establish a sense of belonging.

But then, those feelings would be very fleeting unless the member is successful in integrating him or her self with the rest of the community on other forums. Is there any actual evidence suggesting that the new members who are welcomed stay longer compared to those that do not receive a response on their introsÉ I suspect the forum members who stay around the longest are those that are capable of integrating themselves into the community with or without an introduction and or welcome.

Originally Posted by ZephyrusX

I will occasionally drop by on these forums to take a look around, but I do not bother saying anything, like welcome!, because I do not think that people would care one way or another. Am I wrong in thinking thisÉ

[Cado]

Originally Posted by momo313

I don't believe many people are intimidated about joining a discussion before introducing themselves.

Forum discussions don't have the same social dynamics as actual in-person discussions; people aren't afraid to jump into discussions on forums.

Although, the presence of this subforum may actually presuppose one should "introduce" themselves before jumping into discussions, thereby introducing a sense of disconnect if one doesn't do so before discussing topics -- made worse if no response is given.

I predict if this forum were removed, we'd notice an increase in post and topic count.

There's really only one way to find out-experiment.

[Midnite]

I am actually surprised that so many long-standing members managed to find this topic here lol..

The norm for this part for the forum is like 0 replies, and when I do see something with 2-3 replies I automatically think that person must be hot property or something, because what's with the crazy amount of interest?

I believe this section only serves to break a little ice, because there isn't exactly any kind of beneficial interaction going on down here. I'm sure everybody who has posted something along the lines of "Hi my name is BallsOfSteel2569, I'm new and I love this forum, and I love Steve, and I love you even more!' and gets 0 replies, they must feel like a million dollars!

I really want to know who are the 50 people taking the time to read through the posts and not even bothering to hit the reply button and say "Hi". We could probably account for about 5 of the hits as mods making sure it isn't spam, but what's everybody else's excuse?

In most cases when there actually are replies, I consider those people the stand-out 'vibes up in heaven' people because they were lucky enough to get a little action, and then they don't even bother replying back...

I have also seen some people throw down half their life history here and not get a single reply either. Yeah I'm sure their ice was broken.

Even if we were to post a reply to like 5-10 people, it will be [ctrl] + c, [ctrl] + v "Hey Welcome to the forum". I noticed that Cash personalised some of the messages and tried to add an aura of genuinity, which is really quite admirable. I am quite certain this must be the reason as to why you have such a devout following in Fun & Recreation? haha Superstar.

I was once part of a forum that had a section called "le cafe", where everybody would just chat about whatever they wanted. Introduce themselves, chat about random things, talk about the game on T.V, socialise with people, and have a relaxed atmosphere to just hang out. It would be really great for moderators to break the ice with people that kind of way, rather than what's happening right now.

[ButterflyWoman]

Originally Posted by Midnite

I am actually surprised that so many long-standing members managed to find this topic here lol..

I only saw it because it was posted to the Mod fourm.

Originally Posted by Midnite

I was once part of a forum that had a section called "le cafe", where everybody would just chat about whatever they wanted.

One of my regular forums has an "off topic" forum for that purpose. It's for stuff that doesn't really fit anywhere else, and also for genuinely off topic stuff, like posting jokes and such. Works really well.

Putting this forum waaaayyy down at the bottom doesn't help with the traffic, IMO (which has been mentioned in this thread already).

[Criseyde]

I sense a poll coming.

[ButterflyWoman]

Originally Posted by Criseyde

I sense a poll coming.

Are you psychic?!

[Midnite]

Originally Posted by Criseyde

I sense a poll coming.

Like a poll in this sub-forum or maybe Fun & Recreation where people will actually see it? haha

It would be even better if it got stickied at the top of all the sub-forums for like 2 weeks, and that way the entire forum could be part of the decision process for something they really want. The idea of being 'part' of the community would attract a lot of people to whatever was created.

[Andrew Gubb]

I feel like I've snuck into a moderator forum discussion

I am actually surprised that so many long-standing members managed to find this topic here lol..

I rarely browse the main page, actually: I find threads to reply to either through my subscriptions or through the "new posts" link. So that's how I found this.

[Midnite]

Originally Posted by Andrew Gubb

I feel like I've snuck into a moderator forum discussion

That's right! All our covert operations are now officially being discussed in General & Introductions, which goes really well with the Illuminati strategy 'hidden in the public eye'.

The One place everybody over-shadowed with doubt, cloaked in darkness from the un-slightly-more-welcoming community, hidden beneath a thick a veil of ignorance, sitting right under the tip of your nose the whole time! Who would have thought such a genius operation was to be master-planned from such an innocent sub-forum (not including the sheer army of spammers who seem to like this place a lot)?

NOW you know where the real power-brokers hang! You think it's all happening up there in one of the actually visited sub-forums? pfft!

Just remember the secret handshake for the next time you want to visit.

[ZephyrusX]

Cachy Cachy Ra! Ra! Ra! You are our superstar! *From fangirl #1*

♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥

Originally Posted by Midnite

Even if we were to post a reply to like 5-10 people, it will be [ctrl] + c, [ctrl] + v "Hey Welcome to the forum". I noticed that Cash personalised some of the messages and tried to add an aura of genuinity, which is really quite admirable. I am quite certain this must be the reason as to why you have such a devout following in Fun & Recreation? haha Superstar.

[newmark]

I hardly ever look at this sub-forum, and I never posted an introduction to myself because I saw how few responses/interest each post received.

This sub-forum should be banned permanently.

[OptimistPrime]

Originally Posted by newmark

I hardly ever look at this sub-forum, and I never posted an introduction to myself because I saw how few responses/interest each post received.

Second.

[cacheborn]

Originally Posted by Midnite

Even if we were to post a reply to like 5-10 people, it will be [ctrl] + c, [ctrl] + v "Hey Welcome to the forum". I noticed that Cash personalised some of the messages and tried to add an aura of genuinity, which is really quite admirable. I am quite certain this must be the reason as to why you have such a devout following in Fun & Recreation? haha Superstar.

It's an old habit. When I joined the forums, I was so shy that I could not even muster up the courage to say Hi to someone. To overcome this, I decided that I would welcome the newcomers. It was safe, because most of them did not reply. I also put a condition on myself that I would find at least one thing about him/her and make the reply personalized. Sometimes, I would find nothing and I would say "Give me something, Man."

Now of course I am not that shy, but the habit has stuck.

I really want to know who are the 50 people taking the time to read through the posts and not even bothering to hit the reply button and say "Hi". We could probably account for about 5 of the hits as mods making sure it isn't spam, but what's everybody else's excuse?

I am trying to figure that out since long back.
Interesting statistics

I think even if you cut-paste a reply, it's much better than nothing.

[Criseyde]

I always figured that the other views were other new members. Or lurkers. Do non-registered viewers show up in the view count?