I think this place could benefit from having a few mentors around.
I was thinking the main objective of the mentors would be to be labeled as available to PM to get guidance, help, advice and tips on using the site.
Preferably non moderators, these people should have been around for long enough to know who’s who.
They could assist with a bit of ettiquette training for those have never been in a BBS before, and all the other basics like BBcode problems, posting pics etc.
I think many newbies are intimidated by the perceived clique here, and if they felt they could ask private questions (within the rules) about how things operate then the ice might break more easily for some potentially great community members. A flow on benefit would be more people willing to try HHs etc too.
[quote=“truant”]
Preferably non moderators, these people should have been around for long enough to know who’s who. [/quote]
Usually the people that have been around long enough and know who is who, is a mod by now. If they aren’t mods by now, something must be wrong. So why trust them to be a mentor?
[quote=“Frost”][quote=“truant”]
Preferably non moderators, these people should have been around for long enough to know who’s who. [/quote]
Usually the people that have been around long enough and know who is who, is a mod by now. If they aren’t mods by now, something must be wrong. So why trust them to be a mentor?[/quote]Huh? That discredits a lot of people.
My sarcasm detector is switched off though as is my internet breathalyser machine.
[quote=“Frost”][quote=“truant”]
Preferably non moderators, these people should have been around for long enough to know who’s who. [/quote]
Usually the people that have been around long enough and know who is who, is a mod by now. If they aren’t mods by now, something must be wrong. So why trust them to be a mentor?[/quote]
My goodness…Can you be more pretentious? Didn’t you have a newbee-friendly signature for a while? In a sense, you and 914 started this mentor thing. I thought it was pretty nice.
[quote=“Frost”][quote=“truant”]
Preferably non moderators, these people should have been around for long enough to know who’s who. [/quote]
Usually the people that have been around long enough and know who is who, is a mod by now. If they aren’t mods by now, something must be wrong. So why trust them to be a mentor?[/quote]Would you please post the number of years as a member, and the post count, where it becomes obvious there’s ‘something wrong’ with a poster? I need to know if I should stick around or slink away in shame. Thank you.
Frost, dammit. :grrr: You know you’re not allowed to post sarcasm without smilie faces! Now the crowd is crying for your blood - what the hell am I supposed to do? :taz:
Drop and give me 50! :fatchance: (er, push-ups, that is…)
[quote=“Frost”][quote=“truant”]
Preferably non moderators, these people should have been around for long enough to know who’s who. [/quote]
Usually the people that have been around long enough and know who is who, is a mod by now. If they aren’t mods by now, something must be wrong. So why trust them to be a mentor?[/quote]
Something wrong with me? I’ve been around for years, although not always active … and I’m not a mod … why? … tell me … pleeaaaseee.
[quote=“Frost”][quote=“truant”]
Preferably non moderators, these people should have been around for long enough to know who’s who. [/quote]
Usually the people that have been around long enough and know who is who, is a mod by now. If they aren’t mods by now, something must be wrong. So why trust them to be a mentor?[/quote]
Of course some people might not want to become a mod (wow is that possible? - yes it is), or, like Tetsuo mentioned, might be more ‘individual’ than the Admins would prefer.
You are also missing the fact that as the site get’s bigger there isn’t a need for everyone that has been around a while to become a mod - and besides some Mods may have been made so ahead of their time. I would have liked to have thought Mods were more objective and less arrogant than that, but I guess it is a power trip for some after all.
From a newbies point of view, approaching a Mod may seem intimidating, where as approaching a mentor may not. And you have made my point.
As for me, I get approached all the time by PMs to help out newbies with stuff on here, who’s who, etc. I just thought it would be good to make it more official for the rest of those that need to but are not sure.
[quote]From a newbies point of view, approaching a Mod may seem intimidating, where as approaching a mentor may not. As for me, I get approached all the time by PMs to help out newbies with stuff on here, who’s who, etc. I just thought it would be good to make it more official for the rest of those that need to but are not sure.
[/quote]
Yes, if a newbee is having difficulties integrating this community, it’s nice to know that they can have someone to talk to in private. I wish I had known I could pm you a while back Truant. But that’s just me and I’m sure there are others who do not voice their opinions as I do and perhaps they just lose interest.
Frost’s comment above wasn’t thought through very well and it happens to everyone, mods included. He said it was a joke and he had to drop for 50 for the chief. That satisfies me, I forgive him. This said, mods can be “very” opiniated in times and yes, it is intimidating as a newbee.
Truant, I’d like to suggest something. You describe a mentor as someone available for help and guidance on the site and you get a smile from me on that one. I think a mentor should also be active as opposed to passive. I think in many cases, it’s obvious when someone doesn’t feel welcome and you could pm those invividuals with a few words of advices and perhaps just a warm welcome to Forumosa.
I’d be glad to help you with that. I have had a pretty rough start here myself and I think it puts me in a good position to understand what it’s like and what it is you are trying to do here.
[quote=“bobepine”]
Truant, I’d like to suggest something. You describe a mentor as someone available for help and guidance on the site and you get a smile from me on that one. I think a mentor should also be active as opposed to passive. I think in many cases, it’s obvious when someone doesn’t feel welcome and you could pm those invividuals with a few words of advices and perhaps just a warm welcome to Forumosa.[/quote]
Yes I agree absolutely, and this is where the selection of a mentor (or indeed a Mod for that matter) needs to consider the sensitivity and perception an individual has in that appointment.
Some newbies wouldn’t want a great deal of help while others would want a lot, and being perceptive to this is key.
:bravo: 
This said, mods can be “very” opiniated in times and yes, it is intimidating as a newbee.