3. How to get newbies to read the "Read this first" sticky
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mickR

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How to get newbies to read the "Read this first" sticky
« on: September 30, 2024, 07:42:38 pm »
I doubt I'm the only one to have noticed the significant number of newbies who fail to read or even notice the "Read this first" sticky.
It's quite annoying that this needs to be pointed out to them.
is there any way of making it more obvious to a newbie? such as linking it to the first post of a new thread maybe as a pop up or banner or the like?
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andy_foster

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Re: How to get newbies to read the "Read this first" sticky
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2024, 07:46:34 pm »
I've asked if we can send 100kV to their IP address, but the Admins said no.

Pop-ups are annoying. Newbies are annoying. Having pop-ups because entitled newbies can't be bothered to read, even more so.
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mickR

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Re: How to get newbies to read the "Read this first" sticky
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2024, 08:00:21 pm »
true I don't like pop ups.
how about the link embedded into the first post of each new thread?
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dave-o

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Re: How to get newbies to read the "Read this first" sticky
« Reply #3 on: October 01, 2024, 10:35:18 am »
At the risk of getting flamed, may I ask if there is absolutely no possibility of making the inbuilt forum upload function work?  I am on a number of forums, free and otherwise, and this function normally works.

We ask the question "how to encourage more people to fight", but using third party image hosts is outside the experience of most people.
« Last Edit: October 01, 2024, 10:40:22 am by dave-o »
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BertB

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Re: How to get newbies to read the "Read this first" sticky
« Reply #4 on: October 01, 2024, 02:08:27 pm »
Change the thread title from 'read this first' to something more enticing like 'free stuff here'. Followed by 'read through the message below for details'
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andy_foster

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Re: How to get newbies to read the "Read this first" sticky
« Reply #5 on: October 01, 2024, 03:51:17 pm »
This is a forum of 3 halves - speeding, council PCNs and private PCNs. Each have different "requirements". For speeding, images are usually of little assistance. For private parking, they never seem to include the signs that purport to communicate the terms of an offer, and council tickets is something that I am aware exist.

The "Read this first" in the speeding forum very much needs updating. Although there seems little point as those that do read it seem to ignore the bit at the top which says that it needs updating, and ask where the missing bits are.

The last images I recall being posted in the speeding forum were the first pages of a number of documents - and the issue was that the OP had not bothered to read the second and third pages of the COFP, despite much prompting. Assuming that they were not trolling, Darwin was clearly wrong.

« Last Edit: October 01, 2024, 03:55:25 pm by andy_foster »
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DWMB2

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Re: How to get newbies to read the "Read this first" sticky
« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2024, 04:15:03 pm »
As someone who wrote one of the three "Read this first" posts (the private parking one), I've tried to make the guide thorough and easy to follow, as well as easy to spot, by making it a 'Sticky' at the top of the forum.

I've accepted as a fact of life that some people will post without having read it, and I am generally fairly patient with those who have somehow missed it, but otherwise seem to be posting in good faith, and will generally point them towards it.

I've less patience for those who, having been directed to read it, fail to do so thoroughly, and expect answers to questions I've already gone to the trouble of answering in the "READ THIS FIRST" thread.

Taking a philosophical view, the reason some posters end up coming here in the first place is because they didn't see/chose not to read relevant information/signs...
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mickR

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Re: How to get newbies to read the "Read this first" sticky
« Reply #7 on: October 01, 2024, 05:39:31 pm »
I agree entirely and speaking as one who had a hand in composing the council forum sticky on Poo which has been transcribed onto here, I find it very annoying people fail to read these important notices but it's clear many dont even see it in the first place.
hence my question as to any way it can be written into the first post of a thread so it can't be missed. shoukd an OP still ignore then it's a members decision if they wish to contribute
« Last Edit: October 01, 2024, 06:02:33 pm by mickR »
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Southpaw82

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Re: How to get newbies to read the "Read this first" sticky
« Reply #8 on: October 01, 2024, 06:23:10 pm »
Quote from: mickR on October 01, 2024, 05:39:31 pm
hence my question as to any way it can be written into the first post of a thread so it can't be missed.

You mean after they’ve posted (and already missed it)?
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sparxy

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Re: How to get newbies to read the "Read this first" sticky
« Reply #9 on: October 02, 2024, 02:24:04 am »
Whilst I'm sure that a plugin exists or could be written for the forum software to achieve this, I'm not sure that it could be used on this, third party hosted, forum.
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The Slithy Tove

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Re: How to get newbies to read the "Read this first" sticky
« Reply #10 on: October 02, 2024, 08:42:58 am »
I think the only thing to do is to politely encourage posters to read the README thread when they first post. All it needs is to have some pre-written text along with a link to the thread, that can simply be posted as a response to the OP's first post. Keep it helpful and polite, saying that the best advice will be forthcoming if they follow what it says. We all know that there will still be plenty of people who won't do so, will drip-feed information, will precis (inaccurately) the correspondence sent to them rather than posting it up, will provide half stories with confusing and inconsistent timelines, and so on. That will always happen. Remember that not everyone is able to think through things logically and methodically, or even type in exactly the words they see in front of them on a form - even when asked to. That's life!
« Last Edit: October 02, 2024, 08:45:11 am by The Slithy Tove »
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mickR

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Re: How to get newbies to read the "Read this first" sticky
« Reply #11 on: October 02, 2024, 06:38:19 pm »
Quote from: Southpaw82 on October 01, 2024, 06:23:10 pm
Quote from: mickR on October 01, 2024, 05:39:31 pm
hence my question as to any way it can be written into the first post of a thread so it can't be missed.

You mean after they’ve posted (and already missed it)?
lol no, I meant when they first open the page to post. so they can't miss it.
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  3. How to get newbies to read the "Read this first" sticky