Does that sound like a good category for the Discussion area?
This is a friendly community, and after all, we all need each other to survive in the business. Nonetheless, I do know some people are loath to ask questions because sometimes the seasoned members have "heard it all."
My take on this:
- It is important for the life of AFI to help increase the sense of community that members feel with one another.
- It’s NOT ok to treat new people in the community badly.
- Newcomers will ask dumb questions. They will ask questions that have been asked dozens of times before. They will make various faux pas. You need to accept this.
But that’s the easy part.
- The hard part is the oldies need to accept this too. We all need to know how to not only tolerate but encourage newbie questions.
- Tired because there is no new discussion or ideas? You want this site to be lively? then we need to be careful not to deter the newbies from participating again.
- When a long-time regular says "FFS, search the forum for the answer before you post" that's not only unhelpful, it drives away that newcomer and other newcomers from participating.
This doesn’t necessarily we're going to ban or punish those that do respond with a sarcastic comment. It does mean overwhelming such posts with so many more good remarks.
Some people only post once. If they get a rude or hostile answer, do you think they'll be back? Their posts need to be responded to. Respond nicely, usefully, and hospitably. Ask a question in the response to solicit further contributions. This is how we build the community to be even better and more helpful. Can you help out here?
Communities need new blood to survive. If we drive away the new blood, our community won't last long and serve you the way it has in the past.
What do you think? (oh no, was that a dumb question???)
