How do we help folks that don't know how to use a forum?

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xr7g428
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How do we help folks that don't know how to use a forum?

#1

Post by xr7g428 » 18 May 2018, 10:26

I get several emails every week from people that don't know how to use the forum. That is they don't seem to get the registration process or if they get in they can't figure out how to post or start a new thread. It seems that knowing how to participate on a forum is a lost art of sorts.

I am too close to this to have a good understanding of the difficulties. Here are a few of the emails I get (no names used, I am not trying to embarrass any one).
it has been long time since been on site . I am registered but forgot
everything . when trying to change things I get no where . help . help .
help help . very frustrating !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
having terrible time with registrating . have not been here in long time
and forgot everything but site is not helping to fix problem !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
eeeeerrrrrrrrrrrr !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am trying to respond to ad
for XXXXXXXX wanted because I have one to sell !!!!! VERY
FUSTRATING SITE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello, I forgot my password and User name to boot. Sorry about that. Can
you assist.
Thanks
I just tried to set up a account. It's saying my email is in your system
can you help looking to sale a view things. Thanks for your time.
No where on my screen do I see "New Topic" yet it says I'm registered and
logged in
reset password a number of times still can log in since 3/29/18 is the
wed site down
Good a.m. and yesterday I tried to register for your CCC.com forum. It
replied..." you have not correctly answered the question". I have not
received an email confirmation in 18 hours. I doubled checked my address.
What have I done wrong?
how do I post a question to the forum ?
Bill Basore, Editor / Publisher
Legendary Cougar Magazine
Currently in the Cat House
'67 XR7 GT 390 4 speed, AC, AM FM, Lime Frost Green
'68 XR7-G 428CJ C6, Tilt-Away, AM, Black Cherry
'68 XR7-G 390 4 speed, Sunroof, Cardinal Red
'68 XR7 GT-E 427 C6 AM Cardinal Red
'68 XR7 resto mod 351W, soon to be AOD, Black Cherry

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thunderchero
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Re: How do we help folks that don't know how to use a forum?

#2

Post by thunderchero » 18 May 2018, 12:38

As an owner/administrator of a forum myself I understand your difficulties. While my site is much less active these days I still get these type of e-mails.

One thing you could try would be a chat window. Some chat window will even allow guest to post, but this requires constant monitoring. And chat windows have a large con of that those chats will be lost eventually.

I hope you find an answer I would be interested myself.
I miss hearing my kittens roaring....

1972 Comet GT red/black interior 302 auto (1979)
1970 Cougar standard pastel blue/blue interior, (1979-81)
1970 Cougar standard competition gold/black interior (1981-1984)
1970 Cougar XR7 convertible pastel blue/blue interior w/power windows (1983-1989)
1969 Sunroof Eliminators Hertz-Rent-A-Racer (1984-1985)
1970 Cougar standard convertible competition gold/dark ginger interior (1984-1985)
1989 Capri convertible/hardtop (1989-1995)
1995 T-bird LX police interceptor 4.6 (1995-2004)
1964 Ranchero deluxe (1999-) in-progress resto-mod
2004 Mazda 3 (2004-2017)
2017 Chevy Cruize (2017-)

CATHOUSE
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Re: How do we help folks that don't know how to use a forum?

#3

Post by CATHOUSE » 18 May 2018, 20:32

I see that one recurring problem listed in your sample emails is when someone has forgotten their log in information. I believe that a lot of sites have a button saying something along the lines I HAVE FORGOTTEN MY USER NAME or I HAVE FORGOTTEN MY PASSWORD. Do we have that here? I know that I was away from the site for a good year and I had no problem logging in with my same information. Of course it helps that I knew my log in information. I cannot say the same thing for the other site, I still have not been able to get logged in over there.

As for some of the other problems, and at the risk of sounding judgemental, based on their use of the English language it might be difficult to get some people to understand how a forum works. Something though that might help would be if a new section were to be added to the board index. You already have one on how to post photos to the forum so perhaps you could add one on how to navigate and use the forum. You could have separate threads on topics such as how to register for the forum, how to send and respond to a PM, how to start a new thread, how to respond to a thread, and any other topic that would be helpful.

Randy Goodling
CCOA #95

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xr7g428
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Re: How do we help folks that don't know how to use a forum?

#4

Post by xr7g428 » 18 May 2018, 22:53

Randy those are very good ideas! We do have the "i forgot my....." links. Yet it seems to not be working for some.
Bill Basore, Editor / Publisher
Legendary Cougar Magazine
Currently in the Cat House
'67 XR7 GT 390 4 speed, AC, AM FM, Lime Frost Green
'68 XR7-G 428CJ C6, Tilt-Away, AM, Black Cherry
'68 XR7-G 390 4 speed, Sunroof, Cardinal Red
'68 XR7 GT-E 427 C6 AM Cardinal Red
'68 XR7 resto mod 351W, soon to be AOD, Black Cherry

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jays
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Re: How do we help folks that don't know how to use a forum?

#5

Post by jays » 19 May 2018, 09:56

It's not perfect, but there's always the FAQ. Of course, judging by the emails you've received, the users in question may not know what a FAQ is, or don't notice the link to it in the navigation menu.
Allergic to Cats

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1969XR7Vert
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Re: How do we help folks that don't know how to use a forum?

#6

Post by 1969XR7Vert » 19 May 2018, 18:12

jays wrote:
19 May 2018, 09:56
It's not perfect, but there's always the FAQ. Of course, judging by the emails you've received, the users in question may not know what a FAQ is, or don't notice the link to it in the navigation menu.
Judging by the quotes, maybe change "FAQ" to "Frequently Asked Questions" to get better visibility/intuition? Just a thought...
Isabel, the realization of a seven year long dream:



Canted--Texan on the351cforum: "One of my most impressive attributes is that.......a lot of people don't like me.....or the horse I rode in on"

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xr7g428
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Re: How do we help folks that don't know how to use a forum?

#7

Post by xr7g428 » 20 May 2018, 08:37

Maybe a pop up for unregistered viewers that says " new to forums? click here for instructions" Kind of like the ones that ask for you to join their email lists.
Bill Basore, Editor / Publisher
Legendary Cougar Magazine
Currently in the Cat House
'67 XR7 GT 390 4 speed, AC, AM FM, Lime Frost Green
'68 XR7-G 428CJ C6, Tilt-Away, AM, Black Cherry
'68 XR7-G 390 4 speed, Sunroof, Cardinal Red
'68 XR7 GT-E 427 C6 AM Cardinal Red
'68 XR7 resto mod 351W, soon to be AOD, Black Cherry

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jays
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Re: How do we help folks that don't know how to use a forum?

#8

Post by jays » 20 May 2018, 10:01

1969XR7Vert wrote:
19 May 2018, 18:12
Judging by the quotes, maybe change "FAQ" to "Frequently Asked Questions" to get better visibility/intuition? Just a thought...
Or maybe just change "FAQ" to "Help."
Allergic to Cats

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jays
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Re: How do we help folks that don't know how to use a forum?

#9

Post by jays » 20 May 2018, 10:05

xr7g428 wrote:
20 May 2018, 08:37
Maybe a pop up for unregistered viewers that says " new to forums? click here for instructions" Kind of like the ones that ask for you to join their email lists.
You must really be getting fed up with all those emails to suggest a pop-up. :)
Allergic to Cats

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Re: How do we help folks that don't know how to use a forum?

#10

Post by xr7g428 » 20 May 2018, 11:41

I know that I am taking it far to personally... They are just so frustrated by their own lack of understanding.
Bill Basore, Editor / Publisher
Legendary Cougar Magazine
Currently in the Cat House
'67 XR7 GT 390 4 speed, AC, AM FM, Lime Frost Green
'68 XR7-G 428CJ C6, Tilt-Away, AM, Black Cherry
'68 XR7-G 390 4 speed, Sunroof, Cardinal Red
'68 XR7 GT-E 427 C6 AM Cardinal Red
'68 XR7 resto mod 351W, soon to be AOD, Black Cherry

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