"What was your first...?", What's better...?" Discussion Threads

[Grrilla]

Equity 78 brought up a valid point in a recent discussion, regarding the "What's the best tld?", "How old were you...?", "Who's the best...?", category of threads that cycle through general Discussions, on a fairly regular basis. Equity pointed out that the abundance of these threads at NP created a general impression that NP was being overrun w/ newbie topics.

I was wondering if there might be a way of addressing this issue and if, indeed, it is an issue that needs addressing. I agree w/ equity, and agree w/ -RJ- and others, that these repetitous posts- particularly in General Discussions- do get tiring and do, at least, tend to get a little annoying. At the same time, I think they represent topics that, from the new domainer's perspective, are new and fresh and, (even for some of the oldsters), interesting.

To help out the general "Discussions" area and to promote it as an area for a more serious vein of discussion and for questions about current and topical concerns, would it be possible to somehow corral the, "What was your first domain?" discussions into another area, perhaps, the Domain Newbies area, w/o insulting or discouraging the OP?

One idea I had, that might help, at least, subtly, would be to rename the "Domain Newbies" board to something like "Newbie Topics" or create a new "Fun Topics" board. Maybe go as far as to stickie a few of the more common ones.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

 

[-db-]

I agree, and I've been thinking about this too.

Something very simple occurred to me, which is the position of the general domain discussion section. It's at the top of the forum; the very first thing you see. I'm wondering how much effect that has on the number (and type) of posts we see there.

I definitely think we need to steer some of those topics to the "newbie" section, but I also worry that most of the seasoned domainers don't visit that section often, and there would be nobody to answer their questions or help them. Maybe if there was some type of incentive for the pros to visit that section, we could boost overall member participation.

One idea I had, that might help, at least, subtly, would be to rename the "Domain Newbies" board to something like "Newbie Topics" or create a new "Fun Topics" board. Maybe go as far as to stickie a few of the more common ones.

Yes, I like that idea!

:tu:

 

[Grrilla]

What about actually having a "Stickie Posts" section that included most of the recurring common topics that we are referring to? That way, the topic wouldn't necessarily have to be considered or categorized as newbie post. Than, when a "How many domains...?" or "When did you...?", or What is the best...?" question comes up, there will be an ongoing thread avail to cover this. If a post comes up in general discussions that is covered in the "Stickies" or "PopularTopics" board, the newcomer or uninformed can be directed to the appropriate thread, and the post in General Discussions can deleted.

 

[-db-]

Yes, yes...excellent. And when somebody makes a particularly meaningful (random) post in whatever topic, and it suits/applies to one of the stickies - then it can be added too.

I think you are on to something here.

 

[Sabre]

I don't think sticky topics are a good idea, they will provide a distraction for other members IMO.

The fun topics area sounds fun

 

[dgaussin]

You could have only one sticky topic with links to the most common discussions...

Anyway I think a lot of thread posters only post for NP$. Sad but true. A lot of peep are coming to NamePros last weeks only for NP$ and because NamePros "give" domains for NP$...

 

[Mark]

I think if We could link to Certain common searches on one page it would be nice .... I think Folks could use the Search Box a bit more though as a lot of these subjects are touched on Every week

Here are some more references as well :

NameFAQs - Answers to common domain name questions

NameFAQs - http://www.namefaqs.com

 

[OvenMitt]

I think that stickying a "best extension" voting thread in the DND or n00bs forum is a good idea.
The rest of the repetitious threads, just delete them.
And Mark is right, folks don't know how to use Google or sitesearch apparently.

 

[-db-]

I think Folks could use the Search Box a bit more though as a lot of these subjects are touched on Every week

Absolutely. We need to encourage the use of the forum search.

A few times I've made comments to people such as..."This topic has been covered recently, and you will find a lot of helpful information if you use the forum search feature"... and most were receptive to it, though I do remember one guy saying that he didn't have the "time or patience" to search for old threads.

 

[Sabre]

The "Similar Threads" at the bottom should help, but, as much as i like it *cough*, it doesnt appear to be doing its job properly..... :td:

 

[Grrilla]

A lot of peep are coming to NamePros last weeks only for NP$

:D Good point, and believe me, we are aware that there is an element that is motivated to "work the system" for NP$. We have addressed this problem before and have instituted policy, on a site wide basis, to help control the abuse and to maintain the integrity of the NP$. For instance, the appraisal board used to be a primary target for members who were mining for NP$. It was common to see certain individuals, habitually, come to the board and work at a blistering pace to "copy/paste" a string "reg fee+/-" style appraisals. Once the policy that required appraisers to be preapproved before earning NP$ was established, the unscrupulous filtered out, the practice curtailed and the quality of the appraisal board improved. That policy was the result of ideas that were germinated from discussions at this board.

Abusers beware! Although there are numerous reasons not to cheat, (reputation is one that quickly comes to mind), if you are determined to bend the rules, do so carefully and discreetly, because if it becomes apparant to us that you are a perpetrator, you will loose your NP$ priveleges.

I think Folks could use the Search Box a bit more though as a lot of these subjects are touched on Every week

Agreed. I think members and staff could be a little more judicious in pointing out the search box and/ or providing links, (if so inclined), to appropriate threads to posters who are unaware, (or lazy).

You could have only one sticky topic with links to the most common discussions...

I think if We could link to Certain common searches on one page it would be nice ....

I like it. Maybe we could start to isolate the threads that would fall under the category of "commonly discussed topics".

Probably, the type of redundant questions that we see the most often, are the *generic* and very *general*: "(After .com), what are the best ext's/tld's?" or the ".INFO - .BIZ - .US-- What is best?" posts. I emphasize *generic* and *general*, because there are discussions based in ext/tld comparisons that provide new info or a new twist to the subject, but the question is more specific in it's design.

Any others that fall into the generic/redundant category that you would like to see less of in general Discussions?

 

[jeter4982]

Maybe if there was some type of incentive for the pros to visit that section, we could boost overall member participation.

Thats exactly what I was thinking. I don't think the Newbie forum needs to be renamed, but maybe if we have a team of domain "profesionals" that post answers to the common questions. I think plenty of people would volunteer to be on this team, especially if they got some kind of recognition. A lot of other forums, have commitees, such as a welcome committee, where the only reason people join is so they can get a little badge, or symbol, recognizing them. I think something similar could be successful at NamePros.

Tom

 

[Sabre]

Just to highlight another annoying type of thread we get there;

The constant "this" or "that" threads....

I mean, whats the point in continuously putting them up, why not just put them up if its really necessary eg. you need help in decided a domain name....?