1. Did you message a new noder in the past 10 days? If so, how well do you
think you introduced them to the site?
I've indeed sent writeup-specific messages to new noders and pointed them
to the FAQ, along with a hearty welcome. Before I was a CE, I did this too,
but not as often. The extent to which I mention actual instructions for
using the site is writeup-specific. I try to pick one important thing and
overlook the others until the new writer gets that one thing right; then we move on from
there. The lessons (I prefer the term, "advice") nearly always go in this order a)
HTML, b) Spelling, c)
Link and Link, d) Resolving links to existing nodetitles, and, sadly, in
some cases, e) English grammar and punctuation.
Did I mention that I invariably ask that new noders have wild sex parties
with me at an airport hotel?
2. Did you receive any replies or messages from new users of the site? How
many? What were they generally about? What was your reaction to getting
contacted by these user?
Often I receive no answer. When I do, it's thanks and usually an
additional question. Thanks with comments typically mention complaints about
a noder or E2's complexities. I think that if I'm the only one who greets a
new noder, I get the feeling that they think I'm someone
special, or an authority figure; which I immediately quash by explaining
that we do have volunteer Content Editors and greeting and helping is our
job. I am always delighted when a user engages in dialogue; it means they'll
probably stay.
Did I mention that I invariably ask that new noders have wild sex parties
with me at an airport hotel? Most reject my proposal, however.
3.
How did you do with communicating in general? What were your reactions (to) their
comments?
About a full third of the time I communicate something, it's not
understood by the new user the first time, so I must reiterate it. I guess
sometimes it's hard to articulate what need be done. I blame myself; after
all, the student's only as good as the teacher. My reaction to their
comments is great (except for the one who said "fuck you and the whole
*$#! bunch of you).
Did I mention that I invariably ask that new noders have wild sex parties
with me at an airport hotel? I don't usually react well when they reject my
advances. I thought I was gonna score with the one who said "fuck you" but
realized it wasn't literal.
4.
What kinds of things did you do to learn about helping new users out? How much
content of theirs did you read before messaging them and what impression did you
form about them?
I read whatever they've done so far; whether nuked or not. However,
typically if something's been nuked, another CE has already intervened. In
that case I only intervene if the first CE indicates a problem with
communication or lack of communication. My theory is that another voice
occasionally gets listened to. This has only worked twice.
Re: forming impressions, the precious little that I read usually results
in me keeping an optimistic but neutral impression. It's a true delight when
a new noder continues on, follows direction and we can both celebrate their
success. I'm very impressed, occasionally. There was a 15-year old, don't
know if he was scared away; he did improve a bit and was sharing (perhaps a
little too intimately) stuff about his family. Haven't heard from him in 2-3
weeks. I was quite impressed 'cause I couldn't write like that when I
was 15.
Did I mention that I invariably ask that new noders have wild sex parties
with me at an airport hotel? I learned that helping new users is a pitifully
unsuccessful way to persuade them to have wild sex parties with me at
airport hotels..
5.
What did you think about new users and how well they fit into the concept of E2?
New users, while typically not the seasoned wordsmiths we have around
here now, are necessary. As a matter of fact, I'm quite new myself, having
only been here a year and a half. It's up to users who've pierced the
occasionally-experienced veil of cliquishness of more tenured noders to then reach a hand out
and invite new users to the party. At this party, however, it's not
social skills they're learning, it's writing. Without new users E2 will
eventually die. Don't color me a pessimist; I'm just of the opinion re:
growth that if you're not moving forward you're moving backward; there's no
such thing as standing still.
Did I mention that I invariably ask that new noders have wild sex parties
with me at an airport hotel? I always assume that it's easier for me to
convince new users to visit airport hotels with me for the purpose of having
sex than it is to convince users who already know me.
6.
Why do you think they come to this site?
It appears to me that about 2/3rds of the new users I've met have an
interest in writing, or a passion about a subject, and come here to write,
typically about the subject they're passionate about. The other third
arrive, it seems, to post a comment about a particular writeup and then
flee.
Sadly, I must admit that I should keep this in mind. It wouldn't hurt to
ask new users what they expect of E2, so then I'm intelligenced about how to
go about either supporting them or letting them know that E2 will not live
up to their requirements/expectations. I've gotta laugh; twice I've been
asked if I'd help with homework assignments.
Did I mention that I invariably ask that new noders have wild sex parties
with me at an airport hotel? I've sadly concluded that new users don't come
to this site to have sex with strangers in airport hotels.
7.
Why do you think they leave?
Many new users are young. Therefore they get bored easily. Then, of
course, there are those who can't handle the learning curve and go away. One
noder, our eldest (in life-years) left after she'd completed her novel, or a
portion of it, and I believe longed for more affirmation of her efforts than
we gave her here. Her writing was incredibly candid, so I think we did her a
good service by being here for her. I don't think writing more fiction, nor
factuals, is for her, though, so that's why she left.
Did I mention that I invariably ask that new noders have wild sex parties
with me at an airport hotel? I sometimes think they leave because I ask them
this.
8.
Where do you want E2 to go?
I'm for growth, but at a moderate pace. I would be disappointed if the
community of this place were disrupted by a sudden spurt in growth. From
what I hear, E2 was once quite more heavily populated with active users. I
think the general opinion around here is that E2's solely to blame. However,
we've got a lot of competition. And there are plenty of fabulous wordsmiths
out there who're writing their own blogs (and therefore "sniff" have
no use for us nor our critique of their work).
Would that we wanted to go after more "E2-Friendly" people, perhaps
embarking on a crass promotional invasion of somewhere like Blogspot.com
would garner a few more wonderful writers.
TinyMCE, I believe, as well as interface changes, and the improved speed
and reliability of the site will make it more attractive to writers. I'd
like to see more writers who're my age join.
I can't even recall how I discovered E2; I think I was Googling for
something and ran into a node title that I had to read. That's how
I'd like people to be attracted to E2.
Did I mention that I invariably ask that new noders have wild sex parties
with me at an airport hotel? I have a dream of having a wild sex party with
the entire E2 noderbase. In an airport hotel.