What Should NEW Members KNOW?

[Adina P]

I would like to come up with some more permanent pages on DK.  Pages that we can easily direct members to when they ask very commonly asked questions.  It can be specific to groups (like the Food Group, Puppy Madness, Grooming, etc) or general types of questions. 

So think about "What did you first wish you knew when you joined the site?" and "To what info do you think members need quick and easy access?"

If, for example, some of these pages work well in certain groups each group can link to those pages and the pages can in turn link back to the groups if members have further questions. 

Right now every new member gets a link to this welcome page with BASIC info on using the site: http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/Welcome_to_Doodle_Kisses!! -- But I'd like to create more than this and have specifics about the doodle experience AND using the site...for those who want more info.

So...shout out your brilliant ideas!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

The link went nowhere.
The suggestions you have gotten so far are spot on - kind of like site etiquette. I would have a section for the Technologically inept with a non-threatening title. I have physically met members who don't ever really get much out of dk because they just can't figure out some of the things that are obvious to those of you that already know how a social network works, and they are afraid to push the wrong buttons. I started here knowing very little and because of my playing around - starting a discussion or blog, adding photos, decorating my page, inserting things in a discussion, following links, etc, I have learned so much. I just joined Face book and while it is similar, it is a whole new intimidating world for me - one I am not really interested in because it doesn't involve doodles - tee hee.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Was typing while you fixed the link, I guess, but there is still nothing for me to see. It is probably still being fixed.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm still getting nothing, too.

[Adina P]

Just copy the text and include only one exclamation point after you paste it in your browser's address bar.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think maybe we should reassure people that experimenting doesn't do any real harm and that most of us are helpful. Remember the old "Fatal Error" message on computers. It never was.: )

[Adina P]

There's a delicate balance we need...and it's not always possible to achieve perfectly. Since we are a social network...not a book or encyclopedia I don't want members AFRAID of asking something that has been touched on in the past...but it's also not useful to ask questions that HAVE easy answers already in the forum. Quite often after a subject gets discussed...newer members join who MIGHT have additional helpful info that wouldn't get shared if a new member didn't ask an 'old' question. And yet just repeating the same info isn't 'fun' for DK Veterans =)

Let's move away from the group issue for now... and try the link again above. It IS working for me but if you can't click on it go to EXTRA and find the one called "Welcome New Members"

[F, Calla & Luca]

All too true.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Okay, I just read the info in the Welcome New Members link, and I think it's excellent. But I also don't think half of the new members are reading it. Maybe Nancy and the other teachers here could give us ideas about how to get people to read.

[Adina P]

Yes I welcome opinions. It's pretty long, but all of it needs to be said, sort of. So...teachers...speak up! Help us improve our welcome message!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

What if there was a separate and very visible New Members tab that walked the newbie through everything they need to know to effectively use and enjoy this site. It would take a little time to put this together, but I think it would be really worthwhile. For those of us who have been on the site for quite a while, it all seems pretty straightforward, but much of it has been through "trial and error". A key to avoiding redundant discussions is really specific "search" directions. I know for me that was difficult at first because I wasn't specific enough in my criteria. I would bring up all kinds of discussions that I had to "weed through" to get to my answer. Many times I gave up and just posted the question on the board.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I am having this same problem now with my searching on DK. Unless I am VERY specific with my key words I get so much information that it is overwhelming. Sometimes I refine it 5 or 6 times before I get the exact words needed to bring up the information I am looking for. And sometimes I give up and try searching the Internet instead or post the question on the board.

[Adina P]

Where do you search...?