World Beyblade Organization by Fighting Spirits Inc. World Beyblade Organization Discuss worldbeyblade.org

The Rookie Program (Interest Check)

Mar. 13, 2016  1:42 AM
 
The Rookie User Class
What is the Rookie User Class?

The Rookie User Class is essentially the step before the Standard Member User Class for new members. Ideally, it will have limited posting capabilities, but will have less strict rules on warnings and such. The current amount of posts I’m looking at is 5 Threads and 20 Posts per day. I’d also like to include captcha enabled*.

What is the purpose of the Rookie User Class?

The purpose of the Rookie User Class is to halt really bad posts and spam, and have the new users learn how to become a contributive member of the WBO, before they go rampant on threads with questions that don’t necessarily belong. It’s also useful to stop spam bots because of having captcha enabled* which will make it so that they can’t post, unless it’s a genuine person filling them out.

How would one graduate out of the Rookie User Class?

One could graduate out of the Rookie User Class by being an active member for two weeks, or by having at least 50 good posts, which is not the hardest thing to achieve when you have 15 per day. When they feel they are ready to graduate, they can either PM a staff member, or inquire in a dedicated thread.

How would a Rookie be distinguished from the Standard Members?

A Rookie would be distinguished from standard members by having a non-changeable user title of “Rookie Member.” This is to help know that standard members choose how to react to a new member.

Special Conditions

This concept will really be useful when new members make one question topics. However, to truly accelerate the process, the current members have to most likely change how they respond to these threads. As it stands, it seems sort of common place to just say “This thread does not belong here.” But, this will not work or be necessarily acceptable. What I, and the Rookie would most likely want to see is a sort of formula for the replies to these threads. Ideally, you’d want to answer their question and redirect them to the correct thread for their later questions. While just saying “This thread does not belong here.” is not truly bad, it’s just discouraging to members and seems overly rude.

Overall

Overall, the Rookie User Class, in my eyes, will help bring the WBO forward in contributive members. It doesn’t have to go into effect necessarily soon – but I’d like to see it come before the new surge of members when Burst drops worldwide.

It's a rough concept, and I'll iron out some kinks. But, this is the general idea of it.
Mar. 13, 2016  2:06 AM
 
Great concept, Shirayuki!

It's a good idea to get new members to have quality posts, and I think it could work out, but one thing that comes to mind is; they don't seem to be any different posting wise. It's more of making them where a sash saying "I'm new". If there was something a little more significant to make them differ from the rest, I think it would make it better.

One part that caught my attention is this;
The OP Wrote:As it stands, it seems sort of common place to just say “This thread does not belong here.” But, this will not work or be necessarily acceptable.

Love this, as this is pretty common; new users making a thread to ask a question and getting no redirect and just a "go back to the rules". While it may not need to be apart of the rookie idea, I still like how you pointed this out.

All and all, concept is good, and could use a little tweaking (I'll give my ideas later) Smile
Mar. 13, 2016  2:36 AM
 
great idea!! really i hope committe members will think about it. btw in what group i would be in?

just a suggestion. add poll to this thread, will help to knw how many agree with this [i know 90% will agree but it's always good to keep a second option in case anyone don't want to post.]
Mar. 13, 2016  2:39 AM
 
(Mar. 13, 2016  2:36 AM)FIREFIRE Wrote: great idea!! really i hope committe members will think about it. btw in what group i would be in?

just a suggestion. add poll to this thread, will help to knw how many agree with this [i know 90% will agree but it's always good to keep a second option in case anyone don't want to post.]

Users signing up after the program would go in effect will be placed in the Rookie User Class. Current and future members before the program goes into effect will stay as a Standard Member.
Mar. 13, 2016  5:31 AM
 
Does the committee have any part in this idea or is this just somethings you came up with?

Anyway, it seems unnecessarily restrictive. If a member goes on some sort of posting spree and the posts are all SPAM, they will get called out for it and will learn. However, this really doesn't seem to be much of a problem anyway. Regarding SPAM bots, they are so rare, that they aren't even really a problem anymore.

The biggest problem I see is the extra work the committee (I assume) would have to do. They'd be constantly having to "rank up" rookie members. This could become tedious at best and overwhelming at worst. The committee already has a lot on their plates on the site alone, not to mention their outside lives. This just seems like it would add an extra burden.

Finally, the heavy restrictions on rookie members (even if it is reasonable) could leave to people feeling dispirited and thus not attempting to be as active in the community or might make people leave altogether.

As for the whole "this does not belong here" thing, I made a thread about that awhile ago and I agree it's a problem, but no one else seemed to think so.

Anyway, this just seems like there's a lot of work that would be required with little reward. I don't mean to sound rude or critical, I'm just analysing it and commenting my opinion. Feel free to disregard it.
Mar. 13, 2016  5:40 AM
 
(Mar. 13, 2016  5:31 AM)Dual Wrote: Does the committee have any part in this idea or is this just somethings you came up with?

Anyway, it seems unnecessarily restrictive. If a member goes on some sort of posting spree and the posts are all SPAM, they will get called out for it and will learn. However, this really doesn't seem to be much of a problem anyway. Regarding SPAM bots, they are so rare, that they aren't even really a problem anymore.

The biggest problem I see is the extra work the committee (I assume) would have to do. They'd be constantly having to "rank up" rookie members. This could become tedious at best and overwhelming at worst. The committee already has a lot on their plates on the site alone, not to mention their outside lives. This just seems like it would add an extra burden.

Finally, the heavy restrictions on rookie members (even if it is reasonable) could leave to people feeling dispirited and thus not attempting to be as active in the community or might make people leave altogether.

As for the whole "this does not belong here" thing, I made a thread about that awhile ago and I agree it's a problem, but no one else seemed to think so.

Anyway, this just seems like there's a lot of work that would be required with little reward. I don't mean to sound rude or critical, I'm just analysing it and commenting my opinion. Feel free to disregard it.

I personally see liberating yourself from the rookie member status gives members a sense of accomplishment, and to give yourself a goal. The restrictions themselves aren't necessarily overly awful either. But that might just be me. With the site overhaul (or I hope so at least) I'd want the rank up process to be automatic. Reading a PM and changing a user group isn't exactly the hardest or most tedious thing in the world, haha. Maybe make a usergroup for curators for ranking up? That's the thing though, it makes things over complicated, and you're right, it does pile up work for the committee and staff. It seems harsh and restrictive on purpose, to make new members into good members right off the bat.

Thanks for your input !
Mar. 13, 2016  6:30 AM
 
This really is a great idea. I don't have the time to time up my response to everything at the moment, but I really hope this goes out there. Good luck!
Mar. 13, 2016  7:13 AM
 
Which class would I be in?
Mar. 13, 2016  7:28 AM
 
Yeah I like this idea. As long as it is not too much of a hassle for the staff to do something like this, I think that it may encourage people to contribute, once they get ranked up. Even before, it will give them a goal to work towards and hopefully make them really read the rules and contribute good posts and threads right off the bat, so that they can become a standard member. It could also keep newer members from posting wrong and getting embarrassed, therefore making them less apt to post again. I think that also, the ranking up would possibly give them the courage to contribute bigger things, since, in being ranked up, they have been given the nod that they are following the rules and doing things the right way. A kind of pat on the back that lets them know that they are welcome to fully share their perspective with us. Of course, with things like they now, everyone is an equal and everyone's perspective is as good as anyone else's, but I just think this official rank may be more tangible to them and be a solid unmistakable intivation to share their thoughts with us.
(Mar. 13, 2016  7:13 AM)Paul° Wrote: Which class would I be in?
All current members would be standard members
Mar. 13, 2016  8:40 AM
 
(Mar. 13, 2016  7:28 AM)Zoroaste Wrote: Yeah I like this idea. As long as it is not too much of a hassle for the staff to do something like this, I think that it may encourage people to contribute, once they get ranked up. Even before, it will give them a goal to work towards and hopefully make them really read the rules and contribute good posts and threads right off the bat, so that they can become a standard member. It could also keep newer members from posting wrong and getting embarrassed, therefore making them less apt to post again. I think that also, the ranking up would possibly give them the courage to contribute bigger things, since, in being ranked up, they have been given the nod that they are following the rules and doing things the right way. A kind of pat on the back that lets them know that they are welcome to fully share their perspective with us. Of course, with things like they now, everyone is an equal and everyone's perspective is as good as anyone else's, but I just think this official rank may be more tangible to them and be a solid unmistakable intivation to share their thoughts with us.
(Mar. 13, 2016  7:13 AM)Paul° Wrote: Which class would I be in?
All current members would be standard members
Thanks!
Mar. 13, 2016  10:08 AM
 
This is a great idea< it will really help with things like one word and double posts.

But what would happen if the rookie commonly posts SPAM or fails to meet graduation requirements without the need to warrant a ban?
I think that rookies should have a different colored username, like lavender or something to make them as distinguishable from us as we are from the committee.
Mar. 13, 2016  10:40 AM
 
I'm inclined to see this as a detriment to community growth. I'd rather see encouragement and incentive in the form of something undeniably positive. I've joined communities where new members are very restricted, I've never gone back to any of them. It's unnecessary. Even when we were a much bigger community and doling out warnings or checking reported posts were higher for CM such a thing was never implemented. Has it been thought of? I don't know, but clearly if it was it never gained any traction with the people having to actually deal with the "mess". I think the starter PM you get is pretty good as it is. Seems like a bunch of work for very little gained. Good members will start as good members a lot of the time, bad will start as bad. It changes. Seems elitist and dumb to me.
Mar. 13, 2016  4:53 PM
 
(Mar. 13, 2016  5:31 AM)Dual Wrote: Does the committee have any part in this idea or is this just somethings you came up with?

Anyway, it seems unnecessarily restrictive. If a member goes on some sort of posting spree and the posts are all SPAM, they will get called out for it and will learn. However, this really doesn't seem to be much of a problem anyway. Regarding SPAM bots, they are so rare, that they aren't even really a problem anymore.

The biggest problem I see is the extra work the committee (I assume) would have to do. They'd be constantly having to "rank up" rookie members. This could become tedious at best and overwhelming at worst. The committee already has a lot on their plates on the site alone, not to mention their outside lives. This just seems like it would add an extra burden.

Finally, the heavy restrictions on rookie members (even if it is reasonable) could leave to people feeling dispirited and thus not attempting to be as active in the community or might make people leave altogether.

As for the whole "this does not belong here" thing, I made a thread about that awhile ago and I agree it's a problem, but no one else seemed to think so.

Anyway, this just seems like there's a lot of work that would be required with little reward. I don't mean to sound rude or critical, I'm just analysing it and commenting my opinion. Feel free to disregard it.

i agree with dan on points i bolded. but even after that i think it's a pretty good idea. but need some improvements

i still think you should keep a poll
Mar. 13, 2016  5:08 PM
 
(Mar. 13, 2016  5:31 AM)Dual Wrote: Finally, the heavy restrictions on rookie members (even if it is reasonable) could leave to people feeling dispirited and thus not attempting to be as active in the community or might make people leave altogether.

In all honesty, I doubt people that are actually interested in beyblade and want to attend tournaments would leave the site because they cannot post more than 20 posts a day.