New forum section coming

[dguy]

Hey folks...

Working on a new section; basically a place where new & old members alike can introduce themselves, babble about their cars, their hobbies, etc.  It's more or less the product of some thought about how well most of the "regulars" know each other, and how the familiar banter may unintentionally make newcomers feel left out.

I'll make the section active once I've finished writing up a set of guidelines and whatnot...   

In the mean time, please give some thought to which area of the forum would be most appropriate for this sort of thing, and cast your vote above.  The first two choices should be self-explanatory; please don't select "None of the above" unless you intend to post a suggestion of your own.   


Thanks.

[MacPhail]

I think it would go well under "Off Topic" and have a section called "New Member Introductions".

Cheers, Derek

[Kitten]

Personally I would put it in the members only section...

[FieroBUZZ]

^  ^  Arrr! Me too.

[lacelles]

Members-only 

[MacPhail]

Question:  What is the advantage to having it under Members Only?  Anyone can sign up and become a member...heck, you guys let Frenchie join!   

hehe 

Sorry Stephane...had to even out the make-fun-of-ratio as Gary has been a target quite a bit as of late. 

But seriously.  How 'bout a new rule where you have to post submit an intro about your self before gettting access to the members-only section to keep out the riff-raff?  Not you Gary...don't you worry!   

Cheers, Derek

[FieroBUZZ]

But seriously.  How 'bout a new rule where you have to post submit an intro about your self before gettting access to the members-only section to keep out the riff-raff?  Not you Gary...don't you worry!   

Cheers, Derek

Should post an intro before getting 'posting' access to any of the board.

[aaron88]

The goal?

If it’s to not scare newcomers off then it should be hidden.

If it’s to encourage people to chat then it should not be hidden (sometimes people join for that reason).

We already have general and off topic areas, so you would have to create another.  Let me think a few minutes.....

I have thought about it and I think you may just end up confusing new members as to where to post.  So retract my vote for members only.

Aaron

.

[dguy]

But seriously.  How 'bout a new rule where you have to post submit an intro about your self before gettting access to the members-only section to keep out the riff-raff?

Should post an intro before getting 'posting' access to any of the board.

Either suggestion is do-able, if I tweak the board permissions a bit and make a small change to the post count groups.

Whether or not there is any real benefit to forcing people to bare their souls is a question in and of itself however.  I can understand it if you're not a fan of hit-and-run use of the classifieds.  What other benefits would there be however, if any?   

(in other words, convince me that such restrictions would be overall a good thing and that a significant number of people would be happy with the changes, and I'll do it)

[dguy]

New section to appear shortly after this reply...  currently with no "you must post an intro before..." -type restrictions.  i.e. Use of it is encouraged, but not required.

I'm still open to be convinced that essentially forcing someone to write a bio is preferred, in case anyone wants to bend my ears a bit.