What Price Success? Improving Posting Quality on HPfGU

[cubfanbudwoman]

--- In HPFGU-Feedback at yahoogroups.com, "quigonginger" 
<quigonginger at y...> wrote:

> We welcomed many of our great posters during the joining glut that 
> was OoP's release.  For that reason, I would hate to see us lose 
> other quality potential posters by having a ban on joining.  
<snip> 
> Many gave up on trying to read all the posts, and just went ahead 
> and posted.  Within 100 messages, it was guaranteed that someone 
> would ask why Neville could see the thestrals, and several people 
> would answer.  Repeat every hundred posts.  
<snip> 
> Submitted for your approval: 
> 1. Having new members wait until they are contacted by their 
> welcoming Elf before posting.  The Elf can send, with the standard 
> welcoming letter, a standard warning of the pit-falls (see point 2) 
> that accompany the release of a new book, which would include a 
> strong suggestion to look around before posting to see how the 
> group works and the standards that we have.
> 
> 2. An ADMIN to all members asking cooperation with:
> Reading other posts before writing.
> Posting specific points rather than full-book reviews.
> Drasticly limiting their number of posts immediately after the book.
> 
> 3. Creating a HBP FAQ, updated frequently, which all must consult 
> before posting.  Howlers to those who ask oft-repeated questions.


SSSusan:
Given that this forum, and specifically this topic, has been set up 
to gauge member reactions to suggestions and to gather input on them, 
I'm assuming it's more okay to do a "Me, too" post here than at 
HPfGU?  With the reasoning that if someone has a great idea & others 
say, "Yes, that's brilliant!" then the admin team will know how 
popular an idea it is?

Assuming I'm right about that, here goes.  [And if I'm *wrong* about 
that, let me know, elves.]

I *really like* the notion of a "You may not post 'til you hear from 
your welcome elf," in combination with the welcome elf specifically 
addressing the pitfalls, as Ginger so aptly put it, of post-book-
release posting.  I think a SPECIFIC mention of something so 
important to the list members' [and elves'] sanity in that initial 
contact will help reinforce it, rather than a generic sort 
of, "Here's our policy; please go read it and familiarize yourself 
with it."  

An FAQ specifically for HBP would be a tremendous help, if it's do-
able by admin staff, especially if the first few "Why can Neville see 
the thestrels?" type of repeat postings were directed *right away* to 
the FAQ.  IOW, make it an *expectation* that people turn there, and 
point out to them -- publicly, I think -- that they should be 
utilizing that resource, not that it's just a nice little extra that 
they maybe sorta kinda could look at some times.

And back to yesterday's comments, may I reiterate that I am REALLY 
looking forward to the announcement that people should cut their 
posts to 3 [or whatever # admin determines in the end] per day?  I 
think it will make a big difference... truly.

Siriusly Snapey Susan