With the repetition of stupid questions on this site, (amongst others... What is a rec? Why did my rating go down even though I won? Why can I not start a new game even though I only have 5? etc), I propose a new feature in the posting section, limited to newbies (who can be defined in a number of different ways).
The question, which they get before the can click on post, is: I have read the FAQ, and understand that if my question is in the FAQ and I ask it anyway I will be taken out back and shot. Furthermore, I have made an attempt to at least look through Page 1 and Page 2 of the Help forum to see if my question was recently asked.
I agree I disagree
The FAQ should be a "sticky": always at the top of the help forum.
This has been suggested before (using Russ' trick of cheating on the post date to keep an admin post at the top).
It still wouldn't help with the shockingly lazy who can't even be bothererd to look at the first few help posts, let alone page 1 or the help section.
Originally posted by AlcraMaybe a mandatory tour of the FAQ for new members would be useful.
With the repetition of stupid questions on this site, (amongst others... What is a rec? Why did my rating go down even though I won? Why can I not start a new game even though I only have 5? etc), I propose a new feature in the posting section, limited to newbies (who can be defined in a number of different ways).
The question, which they get before the ...[text shortened]... and Page 2 of the Help forum to see if my question was recently asked.
I agree I disagree
When someone opens an account here, during the registration process they could be taken through the Help/FAQ pages and be forced to read each page before proceeding to the final steps of getting their account and username.
Of course that would not guarantee they have actually read the information, but maybe it would at least make them aware of it's existance.
Just a thought.
Marc
Originally posted by AlcraI see no reason to take people "out back" to shoot them. Most people could easily be shot right where they are.
With the repetition of stupid questions on this site, (amongst others... What is a rec? Why did my rating go down even though I won? Why can I not start a new game even though I only have 5? etc), I propose a new feature in the posting section, limited to newbies (who can be defined in a number of different ways).
The question, which they get before the ...[text shortened]... and Page 2 of the Help forum to see if my question was recently asked.
I agree I disagree
Ok, seriously, I don't think people are too lazy to read the FAQ. I think they just join up and immediately want to start playing chess. So they ignore everything else, get a game(s) going and away they go. Then of course they run into a problem in the middle of a game and they think the quicketstway to get an awnser is to post a question in the forum. Of course it's not.
I like it when posters refer new people to the FAQ in responses here. That seems to work. Doesn't solve the long term problem, but it may have helped a lot of others that we never saw asking questions here.
Originally posted by AlcraI disagree.
With the repetition of stupid questions on this site, (amongst others... What is a rec? Why did my rating go down even though I won? Why can I not start a new game even though I only have 5? etc), I propose a new feature in the posting section, limited to newbies (who can be defined in a number of different ways).
The question, which they get before the ...[text shortened]... and Page 2 of the Help forum to see if my question was recently asked.
I agree I disagree
These questions are harmless.
Older member of the community can choose whether to help or hinder the newbie. Chess is complex and websites are confusing by nature to many. A quick question in the forum is often easier than trapsing through endless FAQ's, especially if English is not your first language.
Originally posted by AlcraWhat's a FAQ?
With the repetition of stupid questions on this site, (amongst others... What is a rec? Why did my rating go down even though I won? Why can I not start a new game even though I only have 5? etc), I propose a new feature in the posting section, limited to newbies (who can be defined in a number of different ways).
The question, which they get before the ...[text shortened]... and Page 2 of the Help forum to see if my question was recently asked.
I agree I disagree
😛
Personally, I think no-one on this website should be allowed to play a game until they have passed three sets of exams over, say, five years on both the game and the detailed operations of RHP. We should also have a panel of proper RHP users who understand these things who will operate a black-ball system to keep such unworthy users out.
Alternatively, and I know this is way out there, real blue-sky thinking, but we could, just possibly, answer their questions politely and helpfully, encourage them and, above all, be patient.
Remember that we were all beginners once and that what was most frustrating when we were trying to get to grips with this most (wonderfully) infuriating of games was having some jumped so and so lecturing us about how we are doing everything wrong.
I have got off my horse now.
Originally posted by mwmillerPlease! The second they "force" me to read the FAQ before I start playing is the second I say "You're not the boss of me" and get the hell out of dodge.
Maybe a mandatory tour of the FAQ for new members would be useful.
When someone opens an account here, during the registration process they could be taken through the Help/FAQ pages and be forced to read each page before proceeding to the final steps of getting their account and username.
Of course that would not guarantee they have actually read the ...[text shortened]... mation, but maybe it would at least make them aware of it's existance.
Just a thought.
Marc
To this day I have still never read the Terms of Service.
