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Insert Coin to Start Arqade

Insert Coin to Start Arqade

A room to discuss what we can do to improve new user experience on Arqade
4611d ago – BrQAnt
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user2334
Jul 6, 2012 19:52
Comments go a long way, don't underestimate them at all. The difference between "Read the FAQ: X is off-topic" and "Hi, <name>, welcome to Arqade! We work a little differently than other sites, and X is off-topic here. Check out our FAQ for more info about these types of questions" is huge.
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FAE
Jul 6, 2012 23:32
I think that one thing that may go a decent way to easing new users into the site is if you VTC a question and you see that no one has left a comment explaining why they're VTCing, leave a comment. If someone has left a comment that you feel explains the reasoning well, upvote that comment.
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user2334
Jul 6, 2012 20:38
One thing we don't want to do is make the FAQ a catch-all any time someone questions a closure: then nobody will read it even if they happen to stumble on the page. We made that mistake on Programmers and got nothing but flak for it until it was simplified.
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user2334
Jul 6, 2012 20:15
New rule: don't call questions ridiculous.
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Grace Note
Jul 6, 2012 19:50
Our responsibility, as a community, is to do what we can. And that includes stepping up to the plate when others are slacking. If people are failing to leave helpful comments, then those of us who know to do that should do so in their stead.
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Ben Brocka
Jul 7, 2012 01:09
How should we deal with rude comments?
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QAtash
Jul 6, 2012 20:39
@MarkTrapp Another good suggestion. Always just pointing to the FAQ is not very helpful
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user15026
Jul 6, 2012 19:18
I think a lot of the problem with new users is the vast difference between how SE works and how say, forums work.
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QAdp
Jul 6, 2012 21:39
@SteveV I don't think so. I think it's good to make it apparent that users closing questions are that - users, not almighty power hungry modraters
user2334
Jul 6, 2012 21:03
@QAtash Skeptics works, though. It's important to remember the site doesn't exist to get more users: it's to answer questions. More users doesn't mean anything if quality goes down as a result.
Grace Note
Jul 6, 2012 20:20
Unfortunately, because comments are comments, we don't actually have recorded who flagged it or who declined it.
Grace Note
Jul 6, 2012 19:48
@JasonBerkan And saying that the system can't enforce it, as if we need the system to handle us for us, is just giving up.
Wipqozn
Jul 6, 2012 19:40
Changing the rules of the site is not the solution. The only problem is how we communicate rules to new users.
user2334
Jul 6, 2012 19:29
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Q: Why so many barriers for newcomers on this dicussion forum?

unknown (google)In this age of fluid information exchange it seems odd that a site such as this one, that gives the impression of representing super users, would actually contribute to raising barriers to communication by imposing quotas on opinions (I couldn't put an approval on a previous question because I do...

discussion
user2334
Jul 6, 2012 19:28
@QAtash The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Every site thinks they have a new user problem: SE is just not for everyone.