The Introductions Area

[Ozzy]

Yet another poll
Shall we make the Introductions area a bit more flexible with the persons introduction, where they can post a full intro to their business perhaps a bit more tolerance on salesy comments, but that no-one can reply to their posts (so lose the post boosters).
That way everyone gets to post an intro about themselves with no debates starting in that section too.

So, what do you think?

 

[creospace]

Implementing this would be a huge mistake. The welcoming to and the receiving there of to this forum actually performs a vital part to the community that we have here.

In short: If this were to happen I would expect to see more newcomers keeping quiet and not joining in other conversations as they would affectively not feel that they belong and this actually stems back to not having received a welcome from other established members. The input of fresh blood from new members is essential to keeping a community alive and so with that removed the forum (which is in effect a community) would become stagnant.

So I propose a third way that is continue to allow welcomes but step up policing of that area for a period. Make it clear that it's introductions and welcomes only and not for discussions etc

As I've mentioned before it's something I'm starting to study and hope to turn something that is an interest to me into some serious research.

If anyone knows more about community formation than myself (and I'm currently far from being an expert) and would like to challenge that then a)go ahead and b) I want to speak to you about my research project



Gary

 

[mattk]

I very rarely go into the Intros section now. If it was solely used to the purpose above I would never even bother looking at it.

 

[creospace]

It's not everyones job to welcome people but as a member of a community you should take an active interest in new members.

Not sure if your reply was to me or to ozzy but it's a little supprising from one who pomotes a 'team building' website on his signature?

 

[Cornish Steve]

I do like the idea of letting members post an introduction to their company without permitting replies. In a sense, this would be an expanded user profile, letting others know what we're all about (rather than having to trawl through a website). I'm not sure whether this should replace the current introduction function though.

 

[bwglaw]

I have voted 'leave as is' because the purpose of intro is to at least introduce both ways so they feel welcome and enticed to go into other forums.

By just allowing them to introduce themselves and block replies will give a very cold welcome on here because the OP will be wondering why people have not said at least 'hello'

Jonathan

 

[Urban Space]

I've voted 'leave as is' too and agree with all the points Jonathan and Creospace have made with regards to the Introductions Area. I think that blocking replies would mean losing the warm, welcoming, community spirit of these forums and seeing more inactive members because those who are less confident would be reluctant to post after the reception they'd received.

Liam

 

[Rusty]

I agree with the above posts that it is very welcoming as it is but also think it is the most spammed area, and it seems that the majority of posters in this area are simply spamming. For this reason I have voted for Ozzy's suggestion. Is it possible to have a standard welcome from the forum members as a whole that would encourage newcomers.

 

[creospace]

Is it possible to have a standard welcome from the forum members as a whole that would encourage newcomers.

There's no such thing as a 'standard welcome' in a live community!

 

I went for Ozzy's suggestion too - I was posting in the other forums for a while before I posted an intro in the Introductions forum. I had already been welcomed by others by then.

 

[creospace]

I had already been welcomed by others by then

That's great and to be honest a sign that it's a nice forum but isn't that statement a little self centred? I don't want to appear judgemental at all but what we're talking about here is not our own expereinces but the potential expereinces of those who will join in the future so eyes have to come off ourselves and onto them.

 

But it's by mentioning our own experiences, surely, that will help Ozzy make what will be a major decision? I do think this is a great forum. I've picked up lots of useful info and hopefully helped others in return.

 

[fastfences]

Prefer as is for the community interaction.
cheers, N

 

[Arhiann]

Don't know if this will be contentious or not, but does it really have a value? I may be looking at this from my point of view, but I didn't see a lot of point in introducing myself in this forum, since I don't think a quick "helllo" has a lot of value to me or anyone else, especially since it would be lost in the midst of many other similar exchanges and realistically you don't know me any better as a result. I could still be an axe wielding homicidal maniac.

I do take on board the fact that it may encourage others to participate, which is why I think I'm looking at it clouded with my own experience. I took the (possibly vain) view that most OPs would probably welcome any relevant input that I had to give since exchange of experience is one of the intentions of UKBF, and that provided I didn't behave like a real arse I would be welcomed. To exchange "hellos" seemed a little trite given that that forum was specifically designed for only that purpose an dthat every message is "Hello".

It's a quick way of getting your post count up though I guess, as others have already realised. There are one or two that seem to spam away in there unchecked. Well, maybe just the one now I think of it. I should stress, I'm all for community and contributing and all that, I'm here after all aren't I, but I'm just not too sure that it really serves any great purpose. Surely you could just introduce yourself on your first post; as it is I don't think that many actually look in there do they? I posted my first ever message in there today, and felt a little daft doing it.

 

[cjd]

I quite liked the greeting I received when I arrived, to the extent that I have put aside my cynicism from time to time and said hello occasionally to newbies too.

But I see an increasing trend of attempted selling to the newboy which I don't like much - along the lines of

"hi, welcome - if you ever need a horsebox check out my website"

If you could put an end to that kind of opportunism it would be an improvement.

 

[Tin]

Completely agree with cjd above with one addition, maybe rename the Introductions area to The Opportunists area