Why doesn't this forum have a welcoming/welcome back section?

**The Black Wolf** · 10-03-2011

When I first joined here months ago, I noticed there was no welcome/welcoming back section for new and returning members. A new member joined, posting in the "announcements" section and I finally got the courage to ask: Why doesn't this forum have a section like that? Where members can introduce themselves or announce they are back.

**F34R** · 10-03-2011

Here ya go.

http://www.psu.com/forums/threads/184-Welcome-Thread-If-you-re-new-introduce-yourself-here!

**The Black Wolf** · 10-03-2011

Originally Posted by F34R

Here ya go.

http://www.psu.com/forums/threads/184-Welcome-Thread-If-you-re-new-introduce-yourself-here!

Yeah, I know about that thread, but what about a whole SECTION (not yelling, emphasis) for it? The thing about that thread is if you don't check it you won't hardly see new member's intros. Also, I think it's just right when a new member can make a intro thread instead of posting their intro in a thread. Let them have their own thread.

**F34R** · 10-03-2011

That'd be the least active section.

**The Black Wolf** · 10-04-2011

Originally Posted by F34R

That'd be the least active section.

I think it is worth a try. It would make new members feel more comfortable and good welcomes in their intro thread would encourage them to stick around.

**F34R** · 10-04-2011

Oh I agree with the idea, don't get me wrong...

**VintageElise** · 10-04-2011

Originally Posted by F34R

That'd be the least active section.

Harsh...

Anyway, that thread is actually quite active and help and advice for new members is always given. Don't really think there's a need for it tbh.

**Seahawkk** · 10-04-2011

Originally Posted by VintageElise

Harsh...

Anyway, that thread is actually quite active and help and advice for new members is always given. Don't really think there's a need for it tbh.

dont we have a welcoming thread? why do we need a whole section for it

**F34R** · 10-04-2011

Actually, introduction sections are quite popular. Makes members feel more personal with the site and other members when they have their own thread that people can read and reply to.

**Seahawkk** · 10-04-2011

Originally Posted by F34R

Actually, introduction sections are quite popular. Makes members feel more personal with the site and other members when they have their own thread that people can read and reply to.

I dont see the need for it when we have a welcome thread, to many sections just clutters up the forums. Thats why i stay away from the official PS forums

**F34R** · 10-04-2011

A section like that allows people to be heard. It's easier to find an intro thread rather than search through thousands of replies in a single thread for a persons intro. I think it's a good idea. Is is NEEDED, or NECESSARY? No, not at all. It just brings something different that's all.

**Blacksite** · 10-05-2011

Originally Posted by F34R

Is is NEEDED, or NECESSARY? No, not at all. It just brings something different that's all.

There are a lot of suggestions that would bring something different to PSU. But it's important to take into account how that changes the overall forum experience.

**btbam** · 10-05-2011

A whole section is overkill. A thread is more than enough for the newbs

**F34R** · 10-05-2011

Originally Posted by Blacksite

There are a lot of suggestions that would bring something different to PSU. But it's important to take into account how that changes the overall forum experience.

Well, there aren't any really negative points to the idea other than cosmetic objections. Really... it's not going to "change the overall forum experience" in such a negative way.

**Blacksite** · 10-07-2011

Originally Posted by F34R

Well, there aren't any really negative points to the idea other than cosmetic objections. Really... it's not going to "change the overall forum experience" in such a negative way.

And it would make it harder to keep things organized for the staff when you have dozens of spam posts spread out into multiple threads, as opposed to keeping them all in a single thread. If you really want to "let people be heard" then you may as well abolish all of the other forum rules and policies. The idea that you're getting behind would certainly do away with the 25-post minimum rule.

**F34R** · 10-07-2011

oh noes... staff would have to do their job? the horror. If a SINGLE user can read just about all the threads, surely an entire team of staff members can keep up lol.

**Blacksite** · 10-07-2011

Originally Posted by F34R

oh noes... staff would have to do their job? If a SINGLE user can read just about all the threads, surely an entire team of staff members can keep up lol.

It's easy to say that when you're no longer in a position of power yourself, isn't it?

**F34R** · 10-07-2011

Originally Posted by Blacksite

It's easy to say that when you're no longer in a position of power yourself, isn't it?

Nothing about my browsing habits has changed since then. That wasn't a jab at the staff either, they are fully capable of dealing with it.

**x6Teen** · 10-07-2011

But if they have threads, doesn't that mean the "5 posts before making a thread" rule will have to be removed? Or is their a way to only apply it to specific forums? And wouldn't their be more spam/advertising if they can make a thread as their first post?

I actually like the idea of having a sub-forum, maybe attached the forum rules, help & info.

Maybe disallow members below 5 posts to post links?

**F34R** · 10-07-2011

You really don't have to remove any limitations. I new member can post until he has acquired enough to start his intro thread. Easy.

**The Black Wolf** · 11-28-2011

Originally Posted by VintageElise

Harsh...

Anyway, that thread is actually quite active and help and advice for new members is always given. Don't really think there's a need for it tbh.

It doesn't look active to me, it's been a while since a new member posted in that thread. Heck, I'm seeing new members make intro posts in other threads saying, "I'm a new member."

It would be very beneficial for this forum to get a welcome/welcome back section and post stickies with rules and everything.

**Blacksite** · 11-28-2011

Originally Posted by The Black Wolf

It doesn't look active to me, it's been a while since a new member posted in that thread. Heck, I'm seeing new members make intro posts in other threads saying, "I'm a new member."

Unless they aren't also contributing to the topic of those threads, they're simply proving that they don't need to welcome themselves to the forums with their own thread. But just because the official thread to something hasn't been used for a while doesn't mean they shouldn't start using it. That's like asking the staff to dedicate an entire forum to celebrating individual members' birthdays simply because the official birthday thread hasn't been used in a while.

It would be very beneficial for this forum to get a welcome/welcome back section and post stickies with rules and everything.

I really don't see how it's beneficial to the forums. I know you mean well, and I'm not trying to attack you for that, but I think you should stop and think for a moment on how needlessly repetitive that kind of forum would be on PSU, for both the community and staff. And we won't always have a guarantee that the OP will actually stick around either.

Let's not kid ourselves. All of the threads in the suggested forum would have the same replies. They may not have any replies if the OP turns out to be another spambot or troll. Yeah, the staff could always take care of them, but then it ends up being more of a burden. You'll have maybe one or two people welcoming the newly-registered member to the forums but there is no guarantee that the OP will actually come back to respond. So it's better to stick with the official thread. It's not going anywhere. And if they're too shy to welcome themselves, then that's fine. Maybe they just registered to ask a question for the latest videogame?

**SchaffinOSX** · 11-28-2011

Welcoming committee anyone?

On a more serious note, I think things are fine with a thread. As noted, a section would simply get the same replies over and over, and for what? An introduction section would give each individual member a chance to introduce themselves, but that can be accomplished via a thread, too. If the Welcome Thread was overflowing with posts and the thread became immensely impersonal, then yes, perhaps a section should be considered. But that isn't the case right now, and I don't see it being that way for awhile.

We should, however, promote the thread in more ways. I'm not sure what happens when members register these days, but there should definitely be a PM sent out with a link to the Welcome thread. We want users to feel welcomed, but we shouldn't create a section that is clearly unnecessary.

**darky89** · 11-28-2011

Originally Posted by SchaffinOSX

We should, however, promote the thread in more ways. I'm not sure what happens when members register these days, but there should definitely be a PM sent out with a link to the Welcome thread. We want users to feel welcomed, but we shouldn't create a section that is clearly unnecessary.

That was actually one of my first suggestions many a year ago. I don't think it ever got implemented though.

http://www.psu.com/forums/showthread...ers?highlight=

**Agriel** · 11-28-2011

its actually not a bad idea, it would be more welcoming environment if they were able to make their own threads. I will pass this along and have a chat about it before I talk any more.