What did you have trouble with when you first joined the forums?

[Hypn0ticD 1,213]

Seeing as this hasn't been asked before, I put forth this question to all members of this site:

 

What did you have trouble with when you first joined?

 

For me, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how mention people properly! Thankfully, a lovely staff memeber PMed me and helped me out!

 

Another issue I had was how to use colored text. Three years later, and look at me now!

 

I say all this, as I would like to create a FAQ guide for any newcomers so they can learn and post like the pros, but in order to do that, I would need to hear from you first!

 

Don't be shy. We all started somewhere, after all!

 

So far, I have:

 

• How to mention members
• Spoil me, for I need to be hidden (or How to make a spoiler)
• How I met (and fell in love with) the autosave tag!
• Moar Pix Pl0x!
• How to make signatures
• Dust off and review the Welcome message
• Site Navigation (What type of posts should go where!)
• Dear Blog: I need to know how to create you!
• More friendly mobile mode (and can it be done?)

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but with your input, we can make the forums an even more welcoming place!

[Venomous 18,813]

When I had first joined these forums, I had issues figuring out how to mention other users and use spoiler tags. It took me a few years to end up figuring it out. I look back on it now and I feel so silly; as I could have just easily asked a staff member.

 

[Randimaxis 8,633]

My biggest issue when I first joined?

 

... does finding the courage to post something count?

 

*chuckle*   Actually, it took a while for me to figure out things like the spoiler tag and how to utilize that wonderful, wonderful auto-save!

 

*kisses the auto-save tag at the bottom of the text box*  ... I love you, my little friend...

 

Aside from that... *face lights up*  oh yeah!

 

*reaches into pocket, pulls out a piece of paper, begins to read it in a horribly monotone and droning voice*

 

I would also like to mention that I have had such a diff-i-cult time knowing what topics would go into what section when I post them it would be...

 

*squints at paper for a second, shrugs and continues*

 

... indubitably helpful for me to have perhaps a short list or something for us n00bz to ref-er-ence okay thank you.

 

*crumples the paper and tosses it into the wastebasket*

 

So yeah, I'd say those would be good.

[JonasDarkmane 19,777]

I had trouble with figuring how to post pics/images, mention people or any other codes. I thought an @ and then the user's name was enough, considering I came over from satwcomic xD. 

 

But yeah, I mostly had trouble with the codes when I first came over here, as well as figuring how to set up a signature....   

 

[Hypn0ticD 1,213]

@Venomous,

 

It's looks like that's two for mentions!

 

It also took WAAAAY longer than it should've to figure out how to spoiler things! :crackle:

 

Good to see I wasn't alone!

 

@@Randimaxis,

 

Current circumstances prevent me from accessing the site in its full, wonderous glory on a regular basis, but I almost forgot about that wonderful feature! I'll be sure to include it!

 

Also, you bring up a good point! A short directory of what type of posts go where should go where would help spare many a thread from getting moved along with those scary mod messages!

 

@@JonasDarkmane,

 

I was also at a loss as to inserting gifs and pics, which took me a bit to even warm up to!

 

------

 

Gonna add everything mentioned to a list in the first post!

 

Lemme know if you can think of anything else!

 

And for the rest of you reading this: don't be shy, and post away!

 

EDIT: The list has been created!

Edited June 11, 2016 by Hypn0ticD

[Fhaolan 4,468]

Let me see... the problems I ran into... 

 

I struggled with that weird IE bug that might still be happening (I only use IE at work now, because Microsoft, so I'm not sure), where things go wonky in WYSIWYG mode.

 

I had trouble setting up a Blog the first time. I believe there's already an article/help thing for that, but it might be an idea to 'raise awareness' of it and maybe it needs a refresh/rewrite.

 

Oh! And I noticed all the weird IP.B behaviour that a normal person would think is a bug, but IP.B thinks is 'working as normal'. Status notifications that bring up blanks when you click them (Because the status was deleted). Notifications going to an error pages (because the topic got merged, and notifications don't understand that), etc.

[Jeric 46,834]

 

 

What did you have trouble with when you first joined?

 

Psychologically - getting over the fact that I felt too old for this site.

 

Technical - How and why the BBCode would convert to HTML - and how to avoid that.  Other than that, I was familiar enough with IPB ... so a lot of the functionality was old hat. Part of the reason I started helping in SQ back in 2014 was the fact that the IPB design can be unintuitive. 

[Hypn0ticD 1,213]

@Fhaolan,

 

I personally avoid using IE like the plague and favor Firefox or Chrome, so I've never run into that bug. But I'm certian you're not alone!

 

We can put our heads together and create a topic on this!

 

I've... Never written a blog, as I wouldn't know the first thing to write!

 

We can definitely see about bringing that article to speed and somehow spread the word! What say you, bloggers??

 

The notifications thing honestly sounds like something staff should tackle, as members wouldn't be able to do anything about that.

 

GET ON IT, STAFF! :=:

 

... That means me too, doesn't it??

 

An article at least addressing it should be a thing as well!

 

@Jeric,

 

I know how you feel, there! I was 29 when I first joined, and felt like I was the oldest one here!

 

Perhaps fellow older members can write up a collective welcome message for members 13 and up!

 

How and why the BBCode would convert to HTML - and how to avoid that.

 

THIS. So much this! I feel it's a hurdle many members face when they're new / haven't been here for a while.

 

While MLPForums isn't the first IPB Forum I've been on, it was the here that I taught myself how to use BBCode and input it manually, and I think a guide on the subject would work wonders!

[Teavvi 627]

I had trouble with siggy's. Honestly, don't judge me

[Stormlight 1,371]

It took me around a year to finally figure out how to mention people in my posts instead of quoting their previous post. In the previous forum I was in, a simple "@" in front of their username was enough Easy to say I did the same thing here until someone explained exactly HOW to mention others

[Jeric 46,834]

I now have an accounting of how unintuitive the site can be the first time you sign up. Maybe review the welcome post that new members receive with a concentration on specific items?  

[Hypn0ticD 1,213]

,

 

No judgement here! I can see about making an article on how to make sigs!

[twiia 1,842]

Navigating the site, especially on the mobile version. Thats pretty easy to learn. As for mentioning and spoilers, I could have easily asked somepony but I eventually learned it without asking anypony.

[Hypn0ticD 1,213]

,

 

Admittedly, it only took me a day, but someone had to show me, and that was after I asked. I figured mentioning someone was going to be one of, if not the single biggest issue facing a new memebr!

 

Perhaps will say they had the same issue, giving me all the more reason to create an article!

 

@Jeric,

 

As do I - or at least the beginnings of one!

 

Perhaps I can forward this to staff so we can discuss it, then perhaps come up with an updated welcome message!

 

,

 

As someone who's pretty much consigned to the mobile site, I find it pretty much straightforward and easy to navigate, but as @Randimaxis suggested, a guide to what goes where on the full site should more than suffice!

 

It's good to hear that you figured it out on your own; I find that it's practically a no brainer once you've figured out how to mention members, but your only builds my case and resolve to create a guide!

 

------

 

The list has been updated, yet is far from complete. If anyone has any more suggestions, don't hesitate to post them here!

[Guest]

I didn't have much trouble on this forum because an another forum I frequent has a similar layout so all the setting stuff are in similar places.   My first struggle was that I couldn't remember which forum section was which. I've also wondered about blog entries, so I think that also counts as one thing because I don't actually know how to write one. 

[viper213 224]

i had trouble talking to people. i still have trouble with pictures in signitures but i am slowly gettin g the hang of things

[LHfunk 422]

I was using the mobile version, so navigation and reading recent posts on large threads was difficult.

[Moonlight 7,279]

The usual coding problems (how do I sig, how do I mention people, what do you mean I didn't mention people right how dare you, etc...)

 

And on a more personal level, the amount of people felt overwhelming and it felt like everyone had their own little groups of people which admittedly was off-putting.

[Troblems 5,608]

I couldn't figure out how to insert youtube videos into posts, or how to direct status updates at people. I know how to now, but I felt so stupid when I had to ask after being staff for several months.

[ConcorDisparate 385]

I couldn't figure how to use the search too properly.

 

For example: I want to find a topic about cars and racing. I click on the little "search" button, I write "racing". Well, the result is quite disappointing. Now that I think about it, I was never able to find anything I was looking for, with that tool.

 

I guess it could be important for newcomers.

[Hypn0ticD 1,213]

(Sorry for the late reply, everyone! Time to play catch-up!)

 

@Jaspers,

 

That's good to hear! Having experience with any IB.P site does work wonders, doesn't it?

 

I need to start counting how many people say what issues they've had, but for now, I'll say I need to chalk another one to site navigation!

 

I can add to the list a how to about the creation and writing of a blog!

 

@viper213,

 

Yeah, I had a bit of trouble opening up and talking to people myself, but the best way to overcome that is simply interacting and adding to the conversation in whatever thread you're in!

 

It also helps to look for what you're interested in, or even start a new thread in the right place, so... Another one for site navigation?

 

@@LHfunk,

 

As someone who also uses mobile mode to access the forums fairly regularly, I know your pain!

 

Perhaps I could pass the word along to other staff, and see what can be done, if it can be done. I'll let you know either way!

[Jeric 46,834]

Yes IPB's old mobile site (it is stock .. not custom) always had this feeling of one part Beta and one part afterthought. A feeling that isn't exclusive to just IPS.

 

Many times when a IPB Community Developer would create a Hook to modify the main software, the mobile theme was not part of the enhancement.

 

There are some tricks I've gleaned over the years for using it more effectively. If you want to go straight to the most recent post you can 'Mark All As Read', or manually change the page number in the topic URL. Both are pains ... but it's better than paging through a topic with page after page of new replies you may not want to read.

[Guest]

Fixing the "threads I've participated in" because mine's been broken for months and apparently others have been too. It makes it hard to follow threads I've participated in.

 

Also better mobile site would be a godsend.

[Hypn0ticD 1,213]

Yes IPB's old mobile site (it is stock .. not custom) always had this feeling of one part Beta and one part afterthought. A feeling that isn't exclusive to just IPS.

 

Many times when a IPB Community Developer would create a Hook to modify the main software, the mobile theme was not part of the enhancement.

 

There are some tricks I've gleaned over the years for using it more effectively. If you want to go straight to the most recent post you can 'Mark All As Read', or manually change the page number in the topic URL. Both are pains ... but it's better than paging through a topic with page after page of new replies you may not want to read.

@@viper213,

 

@Jeric actually provides a good advice - he's a former staff member, after all!

 

To add to this, I've found that manually giinputting a high number (say, "page-2,000") automatically takes you to the last page.

 

I can put in a word to staff to see if improvements can be made on the mobile version, but I hope these bits of information help out for now!

 

@,

 

Ohh, yes. The coding issues. I should start a poll to see what the biggest issue is, then find a way to change it as guides are created...

 

You're not the only one who said that! I think all staff should put their heads together and come up with least an welcoming message. From there, see what ways we can make the site more welcoming!

 

@@Fresh Nonsense,

 

Ditto, especially with the latter. I should definitely look into creating guides for video links, as well as how to direct status updates!

 

@@ConcorDisparate,

 

I'm racking up a list on what quick guide on what to work on, aren't I?

 

A quick guide on how to use the search tool should help both new and seasoned members alike!

 

As for your query, I tried the term "cars and racing" in the search tool, pulled up the "find in forum tool, checked Beyond Equestria, Everfree Forest, and General Discussion, as such a topic would most likely show up there.

 

I did find quite a few topics on cars and racing, but They haven't been active in quite some time.

 

Your best bet is to start a new topic in General Discussion.

 

Hope this helps!

[Guest]

I have also noticed that the search feature doesn't seem to work so well either. I try and find topics that I know I started because "My Content" stopped updating months ago so I search for topic titles and it doesn't seem to be able to find them either and it returns tons of relatively random results. So "My Content" is more or less broken, "Topics I've Participated in" is more or less broken and the search feature is more or less broken. It makes it impossible to follow topics I've been involved in unless someone quotes me, brohoofs a post or I just bookmark every single one which is something I may have to start doing.

 

Is there any word on if and when this will be fixed?