Editing Forum:New Users Guide and Other Important Stuff

{{Forumheader|The Realm of Sleep|The World that Never was}}

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{{BebopKate|time=06:42, December 13, 2009 (UTC)|text=Okay, I'm really getting tired of coming on to the wiki to add to the Mission Project, check on deletions, or fix pages, only to spend my time breaking up fights and reprimanding editors.  I've got three points I'd like to make.

1. One recent occurrence was caused by a lack of clarity on the rules, which was admittedly our fault; I though the policy had been posted somewhere here or on Wikia.  In addition, we've had continuing problems with editors posting in the wrong areas, again because we lacked clarity on what belongs where.  We have pages with guidelines scattered around, and I think it's time we linked all of our rules and pages in one place.

In [[User:BebopKate/Sandbox|my sandbox]], I've started a (very) rough outline for a New User's Guide.  Whether this becomes its own page, an addendum to our current welcome template, or whatever form, the idea is to gather everything a new user could possibly need to know in one place.  I think it should be short and simple so potential new editors don't get overwhelmed, but also enough so anyone should know right from the beginning the way the wiki is run.  Therefore, I want you guys input on how to make this thing user-friendly and helpful to our new folks.

2. I've said it before so many times, and I'll say it again until it sticks.  If someone is creating an issue within the wiki, ''report it to a staffer'' and then ''back off''.  I am getting so very tired of having to repeat myself.  It seems like every time someone starts a controversy on the wiki that before a staff member can respond or help out, there are two or three users who have stuck their noses in and turned the whole page into one long argument.  It basically amounts to feeding the trolls; I'm sick of it, and I'm sure Kryten, GS, Ultima, and the other admins are as well.  If it doesn't stop, I will start issuing warnings; I don't want to, but if that's what it takes to keep the peace around here, then so be it.

3. In a similar vein, watch how you use warnings.  I've seen someone make an honest mistake, such as deleting part of their talk page, and then someone immediately jumps on them with a warning.  If they are new or it is their first offense, you need to kindly let them know the wiki policy first.  If they then choose to continue to flout the rules, warn them once and then, as per point number 2 up there, ''back off''.  If it continues after that, then let a staffer know.

I'm sorry if I sound angry or upset with you guys.  I'm really not; I'm just tired and frustrated with some major personal issues that have popped up for me in the last couple of weeks.  I come here to help out, relax, and enjoy as part of my ever-shrinking free time, and I know you guys do, too.  This wiki has come so far since I joined a year and a half ago, and a big part of that is you guys, who continue to amaze and impress me with the wonderful ideas and skills you contribute.  We have a wonderful group of editors here, no matter what anyone says, and I'd just like to make sure even more can join us as time goes on.}}

This is a great idea, nice job. I don't think the problem is the userpages/user talkpages (most new users get help with those by the user(s) who welcome them); they need to be included, but the emphasis should be their edits on actual articles.
When making an edit many users (new and old) don't always check the MoS. Although we cannot force a user to read it, should we stress reading the MoS more? I know when I first started editing a user here and there would tell me to read it and check my edits, but it wasn't stressed to where I felt compelled to do so.

If you really want to test the New User's guide, why not give the link to some of the new users? We get at least three or more every day, so finding people wouldn't be hard.. You could ask their opinions about it after they've read it. Then go from there..just a thought.--[[User:Xion4ever|<span style="color:black">''Xion''</span>]][[User talk:Xion4ever|<span style="color:darkred">''4''</span>]][[User:Xion4ever/Atelier|<span style="color:maroon">''ever''</span>]] 01:29, December 14, 2009 (UTC)

{{Azul|time=00:47, December 18, 2009 (UTC)|text=I like. This is rough, yes, but with edits to it, it could be a great New Users Guide! 

This place wouldn't be as great and/or awesome without a majority of the earlier changes which paved the way for new ones coming from you Bebop :} }}

{{BebopKate|time=02:28, January 6, 2010 (UTC)|text=Okay, after some feedback and such, I've made an "official" version of the [[Help:Guide For New Members|Guide For New Members]].  I say "official" because I'm sure it still needs some tweaking here and there.  New and old users alike, please check it out, and see if there's anything I forgot or needs changing.  If it meets with general approval, we should probably go ahead and add it to the Welcome Template.

My only request regarding it is keeping it short and sweet; I'd really rather it stay about as long as it is now.  We don't want to intimidate new editors off the wiki.}}