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guidance for new users / new site mgmt - UPDATE!

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

jax

jax Report 15 Nov 2010 19:52

I know that JC

I am not one for reading instructions anyway, if I buy some new electrical product I get someone else to read it and then tell me how it works.
So maybe the newbies are just clicking on the X and not reading it first..like me lol

jax

JaneyCanuck

JaneyCanuck Report 15 Nov 2010 19:45

jax, we figured out that's because you clicked the "x" which closes the box permanently -- but if you click on the little box again, they show again.

Anybody posting for the first time will definitely see the guidelines.

Cynthia, I know ... but remember when I tried the survey about whether newbies had read the pinned post? Not a one replied ... because they're all beavering away on their "surname boards" and don't know we're here ...

We could ask them one by one in their threads!

Cynthia

Cynthia Report 15 Nov 2010 19:21

It would be interesting to have some feedback from new folk to see what they think of the guidelines.......if they've read them of course!

jax

jax Report 15 Nov 2010 19:10

The guidelines do not pop up when you start a topic you have to click on it. It only happened the once when I tried it, then never to be seen again

jax

JaneyCanuck

JaneyCanuck Report 15 Nov 2010 19:02

I've seen some pee-poor posts today. One-liners, no info to speak of, completely useless for helping.

I'm starting to say "didn't you read ... ??" and direct their attention to what they see when they post.

Cynthia

Cynthia Report 15 Nov 2010 18:52

So far I think it is a case of swings and roundabouts.

Today I have sent around 20 messages out from TTF - the usual number would be around 30 or more.

A very small percentage of these messages were to those who had posted on an old thread.

I guess it looks as though some new posters are reading the guidelines ..........and some aren't!

It could well be that even if the guidelines were in flashing lights, there are still those who would ignore them.

What do others think?

Cx

JaneyCanuck

JaneyCanuck Report 9 Nov 2010 17:52

But they appear whenever anybody *starts* a thread, and that's the main thing! When they add to their thread, they'll be replying.

Yes, we'll soon see whether it helps. ;)

Cynthia

Cynthia Report 9 Nov 2010 17:46

Hmm. Not bad but needs refining. The guidelines disappear after they have been seen once which won't help the posters who have short memories!


I will soon be able to tell if it is working or not by the number of people I have to send a message to. Will let you know.

jax

jax Report 9 Nov 2010 15:39

Yes I tried to add a topic and the guidlines came up clicked the X and it went... not seen it since

jax

JaneyCanuck

JaneyCanuck Report 9 Nov 2010 15:36

Are you not seeing them? Just click Edit on your post above.

You can click the X in the upper right corner of the guidelines "drop down" to close it, as was surmised earlier here.

It just doesn't need to be there for editing a reply in an existing thread, though.

jax, have you tried Add Topic on TTF?



edit

Y'know why?

When you Edit a post, what's up top is

Home > Message Boards > Trying to find > Add Post

Well, you aren't adding a post, you're editing an existing post.

#1 on the list of bugs to fix!


And yeah, the size of all these posting boxes, especially the edit one. Horrific.

jax

jax Report 9 Nov 2010 15:22

Are you saying the guidlines are coming up when you try to edit?

jax

FannyByGaslight

FannyByGaslight Report 9 Nov 2010 15:19

And the box that opens for edits is TINY and takes some squinting to see what you are typing...well I have to check mine all the time when typing as I am still a 2 finger typing merchant..

Edits.
Nope,didnt chuck me out,told you JC, it likes me at GR..;)

JaneyCanuck

JaneyCanuck Report 9 Nov 2010 15:14

"It even comes up when you edit a post.."

Yeah, that's annoying. It did it when I edited the OP for this thread to add info about the new update, and I figured it was just because it was an OP.

That has to go. I edit and re-edit posts on TTF constantly -- not just to update info as I search, but to fix my typos! Can't be doing with that every time. It should only be for starting a new thread and editing an OP.

JaneyCanuck

JaneyCanuck Report 9 Nov 2010 15:12

They didn't have time, not to say I wasn't suspicious. ;) I posted and immediately went back to TTF and "Add Topic". But maybe they're tracking my keystrokes ... Nah, still wouldn't have had time.

Look right up top and you'll see the train of links:

Home > Message Boards > Trying to find > guidance for new users / new site mgmt - UPDATE!

Since I was in the Add Topic page, where there isn't a list of boards on the left, I just clicked that "Trying to find" link. That's what booted me out.

Everybody try it, now. C'mon, tell me you aren't thinking of it. Human beings are just a curious lot. ;)

But don't come crying to me if you don't remember your password!

jax

jax Report 9 Nov 2010 15:09

First time I tried to add a topic it came up but the second time nothing, as I did'nt bother reading it I have no idea what I am meant to be doing now lol

ja...x

FannyByGaslight

FannyByGaslight Report 9 Nov 2010 15:03

They aint reading your mind Sweetpea,they are reading this thread I have no doubt..

Never use the TTF drop down meself,always use community boards,It didnt chuck me off,so must prefer me to you..;)

Bit daft having it only on the 2 boards though,it needs to be on all,well maybe not Gen or Chat,but I guess that would be discrimination to leave em out??

But one small step is better than none..

Edits..
It even comes up when you edit a post..

JaneyCanuck

JaneyCanuck Report 9 Nov 2010 14:56

Somebody was reading my mind. ;)

I posted this and went back to TTF to have another look at this innovation.

This time, the paragraphs were spaced out. Much better and more likely to be seen/read that way.

And then when I clicked on the TTF link above the drop-down to go back, the site signed me out. Nice try. ;)

JaneyCanuck

JaneyCanuck Report 9 Nov 2010 14:51

Well, folks, it's here.

On Trying to Find, click "Add Topic".

This is what you see at the top, above the box for composing a post to start a new thread.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

How to get a fast and accurate response
There are many volunteer helpers on the ‘Trying to Find’ board who will happily help any member who has hit a brick wall when looking for a certain ancestor or trying to locate lost family. Below are a few helpful hints as to how to get the most out of the ‘Trying to Find’ board.
Give as much detail as possible when explaining who you are trying to find. If known, try putting the name, place of birth and year of birth in the subject line of your thread. All known information will make it much easier for volunteer helpers to help you.
After posting a question, please stay on the boards for a while as replies are very quick. You may be needed to answer questions and give feedback to the replies given. Please be aware that you will not receive answers into your inbox.
To reply to a post, simply click on the ‘Reply’ button found at the very top of the thread.
To return to a thread that you posted on Genes Reunited click on 'My Threads' in the left hand navigation of your screen, then click on your thread title.
Please don’t post about the same person or family twice as this can make extra work for the volunteer helpers.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

It's a copy of the contents of the "How to use" thread pinned a few weeks ago.

Small print. No white space. No emphasis. Not exactly designed to be in-your-face unmissable.

As well, the note beside the message composition box has been redesigned slightly to stand out more, with the link to the message board guidelines (long and unlikely to be read as they are) boldfaced.

Let's keep an eye out to see whether we notice any difference in new threads!

Brenda

Brenda Report 5 Nov 2010 12:33

thank you for the advice im a complete novice trying to learn fast iv had some amazeing help from people on this site thanks to you all keep the advice comming if as a learner we make mistakes we dont know were makeing them till were told so keep the advice comming

JaneyCanuck

JaneyCanuck Report 4 Nov 2010 23:28

And here's me the cockeyed optimist on this thread!