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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Gary LaBombard on April 27, 2009, 10:56:38 AM

Title: Suggested Newbee area on bb'd for information
Post by: Gary LaBombard on April 27, 2009, 10:56:38 AM
Hello Everyone,

I am really glad to see that many experienced busnuts are offering information to "Newbees" to consider doing before purchasing a bus, after purchasing a bus and traveling with a bus.   So that those that frequent these bb'ds I want to suggest to the moderators that we have a special section for all this Newbee information to be stored in archive and easily acceptable to them or anyone. 

Many possible future busnuts are now doing the right thing by researching, (as I wish I had some years ago) and learning what to look for and information how to set up their buses etc. and the information just goes on and on. Well not everyone wants to read all this information especially if there is more than one post on different Newbie sections and may lose patience with wanting to look at other subjects on the bb'd.  I may be all wet now saying this, I enjoy telling them information but many may not enjoy what I have to say.  I have been told this before, but I will not stop but if I can continue to help them without infringing on those that don't want to read all this Newbie informationthen maybe an area on the bb'd intended for it would work out good for everyone.

Now this is only a suggestion, (remember, suggestion) before anyone twists my intentions in this post. 

Thanks to all that also post valuable information, suggestions, examples of previous experiences to encourage all newbees to also join us with more of their own knowledge and enjoy this hobby also. 

I do not want to make any extra work for those that maintain these bb'ds as I know this must take a lot of time and planning.  If this request is above what is intended for our boards please do not go through the effort to consider.  You all know what is involved.

Thanks for your time,

Gary
Title: Re: Suggested Newbee area on bb'd for information
Post by: buswarrior on April 27, 2009, 11:21:46 AM
Which posts aren't important to a new or wanna be busnut?

Just keep posting whatever inspires you, natural selection will run its course no matter what and where we post...

happy coaching!
buswarrior



Title: Re: Suggested Newbee area on bb'd for information
Post by: happycamperbrat on April 27, 2009, 12:00:20 PM
I am a newbie and I half agree. It would be cool if there was a newbee section so that I could easily read thread after thread of the basics of whatever subject I was interested in at the time. But I am also concerned that if it were sectioned off from the All Topics there wouldnt be as much info in the threads because the old timers would ignore that section. One thing I have learned is that BusNuts like talking buses and sharing their information if asked. If a newbee posts a question in the newbee section I think it would be ignored by many because they dont go to that section. And yes, natural selection keeps whatever the majority of posters are interested in at the top.
Title: Re: Suggested Newbee area on bb'd for information
Post by: Gary LaBombard on April 27, 2009, 12:07:28 PM
ok, that takes care of that suggestion.
Gary
Title: Re: Suggested Newbee area on bb'd for information
Post by: John316 on April 27, 2009, 12:28:35 PM
Gary,

Still, it was a good idea. Thanks for the idea anyways.

God bless,

John
Title: Re: Suggested Newbee area on bb'd for information
Post by: HighTechRedneck on April 27, 2009, 04:37:38 PM
I like Gary's suggestion.  I also agree that it would be unfortunate for both the newbies and the forum in general if there was a separate forum area that new busnuts hung out in and experienced ones stayed out of.  I also agree that most threads are things newbies would benefit from knowing.  But, only a few are likely to read through thousands, or even hundreds of posts to catch up and there are certain things that they need to know early on.

So, I think I have a reasonable solution.  Just liike I am planning with the Newbie bus purchase warning, When threads targeted at information especially critical to new busnuts appear, I will try to monitor them.  When they run their course, I will copy (not move) the thread over to the Help board.  That board doesn't move as swiftly so topics especially helpful to them will be easily found.  If separate threads are on a related topic (like tips on finding and buying a bus), I will merge them into one thread.
Title: Re: Suggested Newbee area on bb'd for information
Post by: Dallas on April 27, 2009, 05:51:49 PM
What about using the wiki? isn't that what that program was suppose to be for?

Quote from: HighTechRedneck on April 27, 2009, 04:37:38 PM
I like Gary's suggestion.  I also agree that it would be unfortunate for both the newbies and the forum in general if there was a separate forum area that new busnuts hung out in and experienced ones stayed out of.  I also agree that most threads are things newbies would benefit from knowing.  But, only a few are likely to read through thousands, or even hundreds of posts to catch up and there are certain things that they need to know early on.

So, I think I have a reasonable solution.  Just liike I am planning with the Newbie bus purchase warning, When threads targeted at information especially critical to new busnuts appear, I will try to monitor them.  When they run their course, I will copy (not move) the thread over to the Help board.  That board doesn't move as swiftly so topics especially helpful to them will be easily found.  If separate threads are on a related topic (like tips on finding and buying a bus), I will merge them into one thread.
Title: Re: Suggested Newbee area on bb'd for information
Post by: HighTechRedneck on April 27, 2009, 06:34:53 PM
Yes, that would make a good category for the wiki.  But the bottom line is whether on the forum or in the wiki, people new to bus conversion may not know what it is they don't know and therefore don't know to go looking for it.  It's kind of like trying to use a dictionary if you didn't have a clue what the first letters of the word were.  That is where some easily found threads, specific board or wiki section come into play.  Pointing out the things they need to know to get started.
Title: Re: Suggested Newbee area on bb'd for information
Post by: NewbeeMC9 on April 28, 2009, 05:35:46 AM


How about a Newbie Sticky or FAQ Sticky that would just have links to threads in it.  The threads themselves would be up dated.  Maybe it could be locked after n initial period and only suggested thread links added.


I look at this board sometimes too, and they have so many members it is kinda what the have done.


http://forums.tdiclub.com/forumdisplay.php?f=43 (http://forums.tdiclub.com/forumdisplay.php?f=43)    look at about the eighth sticky down.




just a thought :)
Title: Re: Suggested Newbee area on bb'd for information
Post by: Tenor on April 28, 2009, 05:51:24 AM
I like the idea of a sticky, with a breakdown of subjects that then would have a bunch of links to relevant posts.  For Example:

Newbie FAQ's (sticky)
    Tools   Common Repairs  First time out  etc.
     link        link                       link
     link        link                       link
Title: Re: Suggested Newbee area on bb'd for information
Post by: HighTechRedneck on April 28, 2009, 06:45:19 AM
That works for me.  Voila!

Now in the Help board:

Important Info for New Busnuts and Soon-To-Be Busnuts (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=11781)

Title: Re: Suggested Newbee area on bb'd for information
Post by: buswarrior on April 28, 2009, 08:25:38 AM
Fascinating....

The sociologists/organizational behaviour types will have words to describe this phase of the community's evolution.

something to do with the bureaucratization of our endevours as the culture shifts inexorably away from the pioneers to wherever it is we're going.

Wish I'd paid more attention to those earnest teachings...

happy coaching!
buswarrior
Title: Re: Suggested Newbee area on bb'd for information
Post by: HighTechRedneck on April 28, 2009, 11:56:30 AM
Quote from: buswarrior on April 28, 2009, 08:25:38 AM
Fascinating....

The sociologists/organizational behaviour types will have words to describe this phase of the community's evolution.

something to do with the bureaucratization of our endevours as the culture shifts inexorably away from the pioneers to wherever it is we're going.

Wish I'd paid more attention to those earnest teachings...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

lol, the sociologists/organizational behavior types have words to describe everything including why first, last and middle children are phychologically damaged.  At least bus nuts already know they are crazy.  ;D