Observations re limits, readability, search-ability, etc

[KathyK]

Eddie wrote:
> (*clears throat*)  This is my first post on Feedback.  I haven't 
> read all the threads, but I've read through the "5 posts per day 
> limit" thread, so I'm somewhat up to date on the issues.

KathyK:

> Eddie, I'm glad you decided to post over here. 

Eddie:

> * I think some (a lot?) of the problem with newbies asking obvious
> questions that have been hashed many times before ("Hey, did 
> anybody notice that Harry's scar is in the shape of a lightning 
> bolt?!"), is that Yahoo's group-list software makes it difficult 
> to find
> _INFORMATION_.  The software promotes posting and tends to demote
> searching.  The new Search functions help, but it's clear that 
> newbies aren't using it much before they post.  The number of 
> repetitive posts speaks for itself there, I think.

KathyK:

Well, I think that the Search difficulties certainly contribute to 
the problem.  It has improved greatly but still is inadequate for a 
group like ours, unfortunately.

The other big factor with newbie posts is Excitement.  Many posters 
are very enthusiastic when they first join and, in my experience, 
want to discuss what interests them.  Now, this means they are 
either not paying attention to the fact that said interests have 
been hashed out forty billion times from lots of angles, or they 
know what's been said but don't care because they haven't had the 
chance to to add their two cents.  Either way, even with improved 
search functionality, we'll always have repetition of ideas, IMO.  
Amazingly, there *are* HP fans out there who haven't picked up on 
the possibility that RAB is Regulus Black and really haven't 
theorized that the locket in OoP is the missing locket from HBP and 
really *do* want the chance.  For instance.

Eddie: 

> 3) To help newbies feel welcome, if they post a topic has been 
> covered before, we should encourage older hands to be nice and 
> provide a link to those older discussions and to remind people 
> about the search function.  *** NOTE: I'd suggest that 
> such "pointer" posts not count towards the posters daily 5.

KathyK:

I think several of our members who have been around are pretty good 
about this.  Not just about providing links to past discussions, but 
doing so in a manner that welcomes and encourages new folk rather 
than shutting down a thread or a poster.  Of course, not all newbie 
questions are greeted with links and quotes from the past.  I 
believe this is because not everyone is interested in all subjects, 
and some old hands do not want to post every time a new thread pops 
up.  And they, of course, do not have to.  

We do have a couple of recommended posts databases, so if something 
really strikes you, you can add it to the db, and then it would be 
around for future reference for newbies.  These databases, of 
course, are not comprehensive in any way.  Heh, I was about to 
suggest a database for different subjects that we could add message 
numbers to, but it seems a little catalogue-y (and therefore, 
redundant?). 
;-)

I do like the pointer posts not counting toward the daily five, but 
I'd also like to remind everyone that the limit is a loose one.  
Speaking personally, I only offlist posters about exceeding the 
limit if it's becoming a pattern or if someone were to go really 
crazy one day and posts much more than 5 times.  I'm not the only 
elf to follow this practice.

Eddie:
 
> 4) It would be nice if once a month (or maybe even once per week
> during wartime) an Elf/Admin could post a message with links to 
> useful places (Search button, Database, Files, HP-Lexicon, Harry-
> Potter Wikipedia pages, Google).  This Admin post could remind 
> everybody of the 5-post limit.
>    The point of this post is to prevent the useless posts before 
> they are posted.  It also gives the helpful old hands an easily-
> found place to point newbies to.

KathyK:

I like this.  I don't think it will necessarily prevent 
those "useless" or repetitious posts, but it's a good idea to remind 
people of these resources.  Sigh.  Those are things I point new 
folks to when I send them their welcome message.  Having to post 
this on list regularly makes me feel defeated.  Does no one read 
their welcome message?  *sobs in a corner*

Potioncat wrote:

Could someone start a discussion of good canon-based resources? I 
don't know, maybe a general post about which ones are good, or maybe 
a deeper weekly review of some?

It would let the old-times show off without being insufferable know-
it-alls. It might be good to have some the HPfGU resources brought to
light as well.

KathyK:

You mean like, "The Lexicon is a fantastic resource for Harry Potter 
fans, unlike KathyK's Fictitious www.lupinkilledsirius.com which 
takes serious liberties with canon?"

Or are you talking about our own resources?  Or both?

KathyK, speaking only for herself