Posted by Dinah on April 21, 2004, at 23:16:40
In reply to Re: Psycho-Babble Newbies, posted by Dr. Bob on April 21, 2004, at 20:29:26
In reading your opening paragraphs to the board (and possibly what shows up in the registration process) that while you tell people that they might get a wider response to medication questions on the medication board, and a wider response to therapy questions on Psychological, you don't really make it clear that they aren't being shunted off to a Newbie board because that's where they are supposed to post, or because they aren't welcome on the Social Board. Perhaps you should also mention that they'll get a wider range of support and friendship, and be warmly welcomed, on the Social Board.
People who are new to Babble often seem to have trouble navigating even the clearly labelled boards. It may not be clear to newcomers that by posting on that board, they are choosing to speak only to other newcomers. That other people, who don't fit the restrictive requirements of the board, might wish to give support or offer friendship, but are unable to do so because they are unable to post on that board. Newcomers might assume that if they get limited response to their posts, it's because other people are ignoring them, not that other people are prevented from answering them. I say this only because medication questions are often posted on nonmedication boards, and therapy questions sometimes end up on the medication board. It's clear that people don't always read the fine print at a new and unfamiliar place.
Perhaps if you are unwilling to make those facts known *very clearly* in your introduction, the "greeters" could be encouraged to inform newcomers of these facts, and direct them to any replies to their posts that are perforce made on Social by people who are not welcome to post on the newcomer board.
I am also rather sad. The unfortunate truth is that people come and go at Babble, and Babble relies on new blood to keep fresh and to replace those who move on. Well not replace, of course. People can't be replaced. But you know what I mean. I hope the new board doesn't divert much needed posts and posters from Social. (I don't know if you've noticed, Dr. Bob, but the activity on Social is hardly overwhelming.)
That's just my two cents. For whatever it's worth, which I suspect isn't a heck of a lot.
poster:Dinah
thread:300134
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040307/msgs/338603.html