[Tom]

I understand that some of the advances users would sometime like to getaway from some of the newer users, and there are some discussions that would be nice to have without someone asking a common question.

Idea of a open "Advanced BlackBerry User Discussion" Forum, as Mark Rejhon has suggested?

[Steve]

How about just the opposite? A "start-here" forum for new-to-average users. You already have a BES Admin Corner in Blackberry Architecture, a Developer Forum in Blackberry Technical, etc. The pros are everywhere.

For those who don't know the answers:
an "Afraid-to-Ask?" forum.
Or a "Q-A-F" forum because no one likes FAQs:
The Questioners Axed Frequently Forum

I think BBForums and it's users (that's everyone) will gain more insight and feel good about helping others or being helped, than if all the pros are hiding in a smoke-filled teacher's lounge. Where they're prolly drawing straws to see who has to stop laughing, go out, and answer the noobie's question.

Just the opposite...

Thanks!
Steve
The Final Frontier

[NJBlackBerry]

We could have a test involved - Guess, can you see if the person has ever used the search feature?

[Dawg]

Is there a way you can make it so they cant start a new topic untill they have posted a few times? So the first time they visit they wont ask a question that has been answered a few huindred times.

[dozment]

My initial thought was that this was a bad thing. I think many of us have become advanced users partially because of useful information we have picked up on this forum. Seperating the advanced users from the noobies will, IMHO, keep them from getting the answers they need, and take something away from the success of the forum.

On second look, it seems like we're discussing an area where anyone can read, but only advanced users can post. If that's the case, (and as long as everyone commits to checking the noobie posts often to help them become advanced users), I think it could work.

When I'm looking for help if I find a forum that requires some initiation process (test, number of posts read or answered, etc) to get to the answer I need I usually skip right on by and find another source. Yes, that keeps me from asking a dumb question, but it also keeps me from becoming a part of a forum to which I may contribute useful information one day. Welcome me in as a noobie (as you did here), and I will eventually advance to the point where I can help another noobie or two.

When I read the forum every day (several times most days) I start with the New Posts button at the top. That way I see every post. I choose to ignore the posts from people who should have used the search button, those who want their BB unlocked, etc. If I see something that I think I can answer, I answer it.

On the other hand, I think the moderators here are doing a great job of managing the forum. I really don't see nearly as many, "me, too!" posts, duplicate posts that could have been answered with the search button, or flame wars here as I have on other such forums. When those things happen here, the users are normally respectfully corrected by another user or moderator.

Let's tolerate the noobies. We were once noobies ourselves.

[coreyg510]

Originally Posted by dozment

My initial thought was that this was a bad thing. I think many of us have become advanced users partially because of useful information we have picked up on this forum. Seperating the advanced users from the noobies will, IMHO, keep them from getting the answers they need, and take something away from the success of the forum.

On second look, it seems like we're discussing an area where anyone can read, but only advanced users can post. If that's the case, (and as long as everyone commits to checking the noobie posts often to help them become advanced users), I think it could work.

When I'm looking for help if I find a forum that requires some initiation process (test, number of posts read or answered, etc) to get to the answer I need I usually skip right on by and find another source. Yes, that keeps me from asking a dumb question, but it also keeps me from becoming a part of a forum to which I may contribute useful information one day. Welcome me in as a noobie (as you did here), and I will eventually advance to the point where I can help another noobie or two.

When I read the forum every day (several times most days) I start with the New Posts button at the top. That way I see every post. I choose to ignore the posts from people who should have used the search button, those who want their BB unlocked, etc. If I see something that I think I can answer, I answer it.

On the other hand, I think the moderators here are doing a great job of managing the forum. I really don't see nearly as many, "me, too!" posts, duplicate posts that could have been answered with the search button, or flame wars here as I have on other such forums. When those things happen here, the users are normally respectfully corrected by another user or moderator.

Let's tolerate the noobies. We were once noobies ourselves.

I agree, roping off a section from newbies is not the solution. One can be an advanced user, but still be a newbie to the forum. I believe a pluasable solution would be to have a couple of the most important tips or pointers to using the forum in big bold letters after the registration is complete, but before you enter the site and begin posting.

[audit]

As someone that is new to these forums but not blackberry's, and someone that likes to read the forums and not post alot, I don't think a locked out section is a good idea. Just because someone doesn't have a lot of posts, doesn't mean they are new and can't help people.

Over at a forum that I'm a super moderator at, we have a section called the newbie lounge and push new users to post questions there. It's a flame free area and anyone caught flaming get's a 30 day ban. Doesn't matter if they have 50k posts or 1 post. Maybe something like that would be a good idea.

[Tom]

THE FORUM IS NOT LOCKED, it would be open to anyone.

[mikealdo]

Most of my knowledge has come from reading, rather than posting, hence my low post count.

[keithc]

...

[gregg]

Kinda on the fence - reading the same questions over & over gets annoying, however, I too skip forums that require some type of threshold to allow posting. Tough call, I think I could support either decision -

[udontknowjack]

I don't like the idea of an "experts forum". For many of the same reasons mentioned here. besides, this forum is so new. Many very smart people might not have enough posts yet to meet the threshold and then wouldn't be able to participate. I, for one, have been a BES admin for over 5 years and have lots of experience but don't have 100 posts yet, mostly because I have a regular job and don't always have the time to post and because I don't post comments in threads if there is nothing else to add. many people seem to post the same thing that someone else has already said in the thread so it is no help but their post count goes up.

That's my 2cents!

[PCW]

This is but one of numerous forums I peruse several times a day. Going from one sub-forum to another on a website just slows things down for me. Sure, there's a need to sub-categorize specialized subjects, but sometimes it gets to be a bit much, as evidenced by the lack of participation and low number of postings to some of the more arcane sub-forums.

I'm in the KISS camp (Keep it simple, stupid!).

I would think that the moderators and administrator(s) have developed a sense for what's enough and what's too much. There's nothing wrong with a little experimentation with new categories, but do it for the right reasons when it's necessary, not just because...

That's my humble opinion, but I am always interested in other ideas, too.