Go BottomWhats with all the Welcome new member posts
 | AnnBrush
Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 463 Troy OH 
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2008-03-28 152511
Are these legitimate posts - I have seen much more than usual recently and they all appear to have the same format?
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 | DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2707 NorthWest NJ 
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2008-03-28 152513
Yes they are just a feature to automatically post a message when a new member joins to alert us, and possibly engage in discussion with them!
Dennis ....
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 | kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2008-03-28 152516
Dennis, I like this feature. If a new member is bringing an interest I have or location it is has been good to me to send them a comment on that. kt ....
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 | earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2008-03-28 152524
As you all know I don't mince words, right Kenny? hahahaha.
I'll say it again: I find it very annoying all those welcome posts--it clogs the "system" as it were, with name after name and then another post of some non-descript, inane, one-word question.
I wonder what the stats are for those first timers who get welcomed and post, and never return---even to read or reply to their own question?
There has to be a better more effecient, and effective way of inviting new comers--without clogging the system with welcome posts. I have suggested a moving banner or the like--which in itself, I feel, should expire after a few days or so.
The reality is I have cut my time on the board WAY back; if I had to estimate, likely by 80% cut back. If I see a bunch of welcomes on the page--or carelessly written posts, I leave, and go look at some other site; it's a waste of my time to page down and wade through the welcomes and try to sift out a good morsel to read or reply to.
And yes, I'm jis' sayin' ....
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Add PhotoWhats with all the Welcome new member posts
 | kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2008-03-28 152526
At first these posts seemed like a good idea but now I'm inclined to agree with EW. All the welcome posts increase the general "noise" level and proportionately decrease the content.
But welcoming new members is a good idea. So I'd like to suggest an alternate two step approach.
Step one might be to automatically generate an email to new users that welcomes them, gives a brief intro to the board and what content is available, and encourages them to post *and answer* questions in their area of expertise.
Step two might be to display a list of new members and their location for the last 7-10 days. By clicking on names of new members you could view their profile. This way members could easily seek out new members in their area without introducing noise into the board content.
Just some ideas.
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 | cutter
Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 1307 The South Shore of Lake Ontario, New York 
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2008-03-29 152534
I agree, it looks more like spam than intelligent conversation, ultimately detracting from what is a wonderful website.
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Add PhotoWhats with all the Welcome new member posts
| DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2707 NorthWest NJ
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2008-03-29 152538
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I completely agree!
So here is my solution the "New as Posted" and "Active Subjects" will no longer show the auto generated posts for New Members and New Photos. We still will have those forums if you are interested in who has joined or added a pix lately, but you will have to go to that forum to check it.
I think that should accomplish the objective. Let me know if that solves it.
Dennis ....
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| DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2707 NorthWest NJ
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2008-03-29 152539
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Great idea Ken.
I do send an email to new members but it is very spartan, if you have ideas of what should be in it, I can modify the one I send out.
On the auto posts I am thinking of changing the subject from :
"Welcome Bernie!"
to something like:
"New Mbr: Bernie From: Texas Equipt: Kubota B7800"
Think that will be better?
Dennis
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| cutter
Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 1307 The South Shore of Lake Ontario, New York
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2008-03-29 152555
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Good idea Dennis... ....
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Add PhotoWhats with all the Welcome new member posts
| kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2008-03-29 152556
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If the Welcome New Member messages are restricted to the new member group there there is probably no need to change it much, but putting the location in the subject line is probably good.
As far as what the welcome email goes, if it could encourage members to contribute in areas of their particular expertise it might build some traffic. To do that you'd probably have to summarize the forum areas that are available to pique some curiosity and encourage participation. ....
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