How do we make the forum and local board more welcoming

[casey15]

Hello Bitcoin talkers...

So I have been thinking about the journey of a new user in the forum and those joining our community.. We have a lot of reputable  memebers here in our local board and sometimes some discussions may seem overwhelming for new comers, especially for those who are not curious enough or have the drive to really study about Bitcoin.
   I also noticed that some high ranking  memebers are fond of looking down on newbies and making them feel they are not good enough to make some types of contributions to the forum.
 I would really like us to give suggestions on how we can make the forum and our naija community to be more welcoming and friendly to new memebers.  Here are a few questions I have in mind ..

1. While we have a guide about  the forum in the Beginners and Help board, will it also be a good idea to have an official welcome thread on our local board where new memebers can introduce themselves and also ask basic questions without fear of being judged. Not all new memebers can navigate the forum and find information by themselves...

2. When a new user asks a question that has been answered before, instead of just saying "use the search function next time", shouldn't there be a more constructive way to guide them that will not make them feel stupid  because this is a very popular act across the forum...

3. How can we create a community where no question is a dumb question?... Everyone of us started somewhere and at some point, did not know some of the most basic things about Bitcoin...

 A strong community is one that brings in and accommodate new people ... Let's make our contributions in how we can make the  naija board Very welcoming...

[ColdLava40]

I guess we just have to learn from the old members. It's not really a bad way to understand the forum. As someone new, we sometimes might make mistakes while giving information, so I'f an old member talks something that offends us, we can just ignore and learn from our mistakes.

The naija board already has a welcome thread, you can find it here, link= https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5121680.0

I saw a newly pinned thread on beginners and help board I think it covers a lot of frequenlty questions and answers.
Link= https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5500358.0

No question is dump on the forum. Moreover, every new topic must have been answered years ago but new people can still create then to ask.

[Hatchy]

Just read what @Coldlava40 said because that's the truth. We were all ones newbies on the forum and learnt the hard way. The forum is filled with diverse people with varying perspectives and view regards a particular matter. So even if one person criticises your post, someone would still appreciate you no matter how bad it is...You learn from the mistakes and grow, if you aren't ready for such then this forum would be much difficult for you on the long term...

[Ever-young]

Just read what @Coldlava40 said because that's the truth. We were all ones newbies on the forum and learnt the hard way. The forum is filled with diverse people with varying perspectives and view regards a particular matter. So even if one person criticises your post, someone would still appreciate you no matter how bad it is...You learn from the mistakes and grow, if you aren't ready for such then this forum would be much difficult for you on the long term...

Definitely. One more thing is that, newcomers that get into this forum must learn to grow a thick skin, some people have this lifestyle of wanting people to see things their way and if not, they're emotionally disturbed, and I kid you not that such a person can't survive here, cos there are millions of people here just like you emphasized and even when what you've said is correct, there'll always be people who'll disagree with you or even feel sceptical about your reason of making that post or statement, you'll get a lot criticism here, some constructive, some not, I believe every newbie here experienced it so it's important for newbies to grow a thick skin and avoid being too affected when people criticize you or not on your side.

[Yablee0]

I guess we just have to learn from the old members. It's not really a bad way to understand the forum. As someone new, we sometimes might make mistakes while giving information, so I'f an old member talks something that offends us, we can just ignore and learn from our mistakes.

The naija board already has a welcome thread, you can find it here, link= https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5121680.0

I saw a newly pinned thread on beginners and help board I think it covers a lot of frequenlty questions and answers.
Link= https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5500358.0

No question is dump on the forum. Moreover, every new topic must have been answered years ago but new people can still create then to ask.

My brother you have said it all, everything way you as a newbie surpose know for this naija forum dey for all those links stated above, once you click on it all your questions and answers will all be resolved and you go definitely understand everything way dey ground.

Secondly, this forum way we dey so na a place of survival of the fittest, immediately you don join this forum carry for your mind say no body dey pet you as a newbie, expect anything insult oh, criticism etc, except so many things from different set of people but the ability for you to conquered all this challenges na the only ground way fit makes you dey successful for the forum.

So for our new members them , e dey very important say una know all this things way dey the forum because e go contribute a lot to una success journey.

[fredericktaylor]

Just read what @Coldlava40 said because that's the truth. We were all ones newbies on the forum and learnt the hard way. The forum is filled with diverse people with varying perspectives and view regards a particular matter. So even if one person criticises your post, someone would still appreciate you no matter how bad it is...You learn from the mistakes and grow, if you aren't ready for such then this forum would be much difficult for you on the long term...

Definitely. One more thing is that, newcomers that get into this forum must learn to grow a thick skin, some people have this lifestyle of wanting people to see things their way and if not, they're emotionally disturbed, and I kid you not that such a person can't survive here, cos there are millions of people here just like you emphasized and even when what you've said is correct, there'll always be people who'll disagree with you or even feel sceptical about your reason of making that post or statement, you'll get a lot criticism here, some constructive, some not, I believe every newbie here experienced it so it's important for newbies to grow a thick skin and avoid being too affected when people criticize you or not on your side.

Right, those who are new to this forum should keep their minds strong and steady and walk the path here. There are many people in this forum and it is normal for their opinions and views to differ. When you make a comment, someone else may not take it naturally, so don't get discouraged. No one in the forum creates a position for someone in advance, here everyone creates a position through their qualifications. Your knowledge, contribution, behavior, will gradually build your respect and position, for this you have to be patient. By acquiring knowledge with patience, good results are obtained in the long run.

[SatoPrincess]

1. While we have a guide about  the forum in the Beginners and Help board, will it also be a good idea to have an official welcome thread on our local board where new memebers can introduce themselves and also ask basic questions without fear of being judged. Not all new memebers can navigate the forum and find information by themselves...

We have a existing thread for this and it’s pinned on the board: Naija Novice Hangout {Newbies introduction & Orientation} Thread. I know the forum can be tough for beginners but you will need those early criticisms in the long run because you got to have thick skin if you’re going to last in this forum. We all started as newbies, there is nothing you’re experiencing now that is new to us. My advice to you is don’t take criticisms personal, take the corrections and improve yourself. You will find that people respect your opinions when it is adding value to them.

[PremiumcryptoHub]

Actually that's right, everyone on our local board may have started from scratch, so for this forum to survive, you will have to be patient and try to gain knowledge. We also have a welcome thread on this local board, similar to the Beginners and Help thread that someone already mentioned here. It is true that not all new members can find information on the forum, so they should proceed without fear to learn the basic content, meaning they have the right to ask anything educational.

If a new user asks a question and it has already been answered we can provide a link to it so that they can access it without having to search, even they can easily acquire knowledge and solve their questions correctly. You first need to make sure what topic you want to create a question on in this forum because you will see various related threads here, so before asking a question, consider whether you are asking for something knowledgeable.

[Marykeller]

Hello Bitcoin talkers...
I also noticed that some high ranking  memebers are fond of looking down on newbies and making them feel they are not good enough to make some types of contributions to the forum.

First, let me start by correcting your stance on old members looking down on new members. There is nothing like that if I should let you know. The old members are welcoming and treat and correct anyone who gives a wrong view about Bitcoin. I can be corrected by old and new members of our LB because I don't know it all, so do other members of our LB.

Don't feel less of yourself because of the forum rank; instead, believe in yourself that you can achieve what you dream of accomplishing someday. We are here to learn, to keep on learning if I should put it that way. Some of us didn't come this far(forum rank, Bitcoin knowledge) in a day. It is a steady, consistent process of reading, asking the right questions, and visiting other forum threads for us to be impacted by Bitcoin knowledge.

I believe you can do the same if you are not in a hurry to learn everything or rank up within a short period. I wish you luck

[Ever-young]

Right, those who are new to this forum should keep their minds strong and steady and walk the path here. There are many people in this forum and it is normal for their opinions and views to differ. When you make a comment, someone else may not take it naturally, so don't get discouraged. No one in the forum creates a position for someone in advance, here everyone creates a position through their qualifications. Your knowledge, contribution, behavior, will gradually build your respect and position, for this you have to be patient. By acquiring knowledge with patience, good results are obtained in the long run.

Also very important for newbies to stay out of trouble. Honestly, E get plenty places for the forum wey trouble just dey linger and hover, and E dey important as a newbie to avoid those kyn places. Like my homeboy dey always talk, "makes sure say you Waka well" because any newbie wey go overdo, you fit go step on the wrong toes, put yourself for wahala wey fit cause you big wahala. So as you dey fyn way to carry grow and gain your own position for the forum, make you know say here no be anybody papa compound and so respect yourself and others, and you no supposed get any issues.

[Agbamoni]

The recent development. Dont share false information on the technical board, as a new member your knowledge on that board may be limited so avoid it by all means. Only say what you know and can prove if you are much more interested in the technical board.

However whats the point of sharing advice if the new members do not act and implement what they are being told. I think this is the part i have to be plain and point out this fact. Newly members of the forum, mostly create similar thread seeking for advise and help while they go about doing the opposite of it.

[Rgram]

1. While we have a guide about  the forum in the Beginners and Help board, will it also be a good idea to have an official welcome thread on our local board where new memebers can introduce themselves and also ask basic questions without fear of being judged.

This shows just how well you’ve managed to ignore all the pinned posts as you’ve done to the referenced thread in the beginners and help board. Frankly, it would be of no use suggesting what you didn’t mean else, how could you suggest an introductory thread that already exist?

Have you ever tried looking up this: Naija Novice Hangout {Newbies introduction and orientation} Thread. I guess you didn’t and it’s the second pined thread on the local board which the header sums all you’ve said here.

2. When a new user asks a question that has been answered before, instead of just saying "use the search function next time", shouldn't there be a more constructive way to guide them that will not make them feel stupid  because this is a very popular act across the forum...

I don’t think any forum user would outrightly call anyone stupid if they didn’t have a banter and should a response make anyone feel themselves to be stupid, I guess no one can help with that. I understand that criticism could be constructive but, when asked to use the search button, that’s not in anyway an insult, it’s more or less an advice or guide on what should be done.

3. How can we create a community where no question is a dumb question?... Everyone of us started somewhere and at some point, did not know some of the most basic things about Bitcoin...

As a newbie, you are allowed to ask dumb questions, that’s what makes you a newbie and even then, it doesn’t stop anyone from recognizing the question to be a dumb one. Maybe it would make beginners like myself feel a little better when the truth is being sugarcoated but, it’s that what we are here for, to have hard truths being sugarcoated? That wouldn’t make you a core forum user. Be open to just anything and see what’s the best means you can utilize whatever is thrown at you, there are different kinds of persons here.

[Agbe]

While your Idea of making our local board become more friendly and accommodating to newbies I still think that it's up to these newbies to ask questions because you can't be comfortable in a place where you don't know the laws and regulations of that place and for the newbies it's only proper for them to ask questions because asking questions will provide the information that they need become knowledgeable which will make them to feel welcoming

[Obim34]

Newbies are hardly criticized for their post in Local boards compared to other parts of the forum. Correction isn't judgement.

The forum has rules, same does the local section and both the Mod and whoever comes across what is typically by the rules unofficial has to judge, local board may cover your mess but not like that outside the board, you can face worse judgement that may end your existence in the forum.

The forum holds data, you can check and read every posts made by high ranked members from when they were newbies till date, to be fair you can see worse posts than yours, there is no stigma in being a newbie but don't be there forever, the longer you stay in the forum quality should increase.

[GiftedMAN]

While your Idea of making our local board become more friendly and accommodating to newbies I still think that it's up to these newbies to ask questions because you can't be comfortable in a place where you don't know the laws and regulations of that place and for the newbies it's only proper for them to ask questions because asking questions will provide the information that they need become knowledgeable which will make them to feel welcoming

In addition to what you have said I also urge the newbies not to rush into creating threads in the local board rather they should ask questions, read the local board rules, the forum rules and get to see how things are done before rushing to start a new thread. Members will be willing to share good information to newbies but that can not be possible or they don't admit what they don't understand, they should just try to have a little knowledge and don't jump to engage in a conversation they know nothing about.

[Pressurizedem]

This board already dey very welcoming and exciting to me and also to almost all member of the community.
I believe say once one start to make posts for this local board, e go see so many interesting posts to comment on, and na those comments be the interesting part of the forum cus some of the comments dey teach us good lessons, while some of the comments dey make us laugh.

We also dey welcome newbies into this community by telling them the dos and the dont's of the forum,
Wetin dem suppose do and the things dem no suppose do, and try as much as we can to make them grow at thesame time.

[Stormisover]

Just read what @Coldlava40 said because that's the truth. We were all ones newbies on the forum and learnt the hard way. The forum is filled with diverse people with varying perspectives and view regards a particular matter. So even if one person criticises your post, someone would still appreciate you no matter how bad it is...You learn from the mistakes and grow, if you aren't ready for such then this forum would be much difficult for you on the long term...

Definitely. One more thing is that, newcomers that get into this forum must learn to grow a thick skin, some people have this lifestyle of wanting people to see things their way and if not, they're emotionally disturbed, and I kid you not that such a person can't survive here, cos there are millions of people here just like you emphasized and even when what you've said is correct, there'll always be people who'll disagree with you or even feel sceptical about your reason of making that post or statement, you'll get a lot criticism here, some constructive, some not, I believe every newbie here experienced it so it's important for newbies to grow a thick skin and avoid being too affected when people criticize you or not on your side.

What you said is good and Make we talk the truth there are criticism that are unconstructive and this as a result of different ways of responding to the same post by different persons, but this should not be much of the problem for the newbies, they should look more on the positive side of the criticism and learn rather than looking at the negative side, most of us learn by being challenged by criticism while some might not with stand it, the forum has lots of flexibilities for newbies in my experience and not as bad as that .

[Odusko]

I hate it most times when newbies come into the forum and trying to advice everyone here how to act and behave with others around here and for that we have been accused many times of operating an account that seems to be controlled by an existing high ranking member i have seen that cases sometime here in the forums.
Between newbies that have genuine intentions will definitely grow here in the forum without having tough time as you speculates.

[Ever-young]

What you said is good and Make we talk the truth there are criticism that are unconstructive and this as a result of different ways of responding to the same post by different persons, but this should not be much of the problem for the newbies, they should look more on the positive side of the criticism and learn rather than looking at the negative side, most of us learn by being challenged by criticism while some might not with stand it, the forum has lots of flexibilities for newbies in my experience and not as bad as that .

Yeah, I've seen a few people, particular some high ranked members who are literally just picking on newbies simply exercise their superiority over them, even when they are not really attempting to correct or pass a meaningful message to them. There are people like that and it's important for newbies to avoid getting stuffed or intimidated by such act of bullying and focus on others who are genuinely engaging on their posts or giving them a constructive criticism.

[Man of peace]

How we can make the forum and the local board more welcomed.

1)is by helping to introduce the forum to people out there , because a lot of people are missing out .believe me many have not heard about this forum,and many have heard it but didn't know how to go about it.

2) guidelines:so many people have heard about the forum but needed guidance to move on,they have tried to do it by themselves but could not make it,it looks so difficult to understand it..

3) encourage the newbies:let them know that they can do it ,just be consistent and patience and always make an effort and by so doing you will arrive there..

I think will this little few words i mention it will enable the forum and local board more welcomed because we will make the forum more attractive because the forum is for everybody, whether you are a higher ranker or small rank,we all was once a newbies before getting to wherever we maybe today and we needed to carry everyone along..