I'm not sure whether there is a proper vehicle for this, so I'll start it off here and hope that some of the more knowledgeable subscribers can add ther e 2ps worth.
There have been a lot of newbies registering lately and possibly more will do so as the Big Garden watch approaches.After seeing some of the threads lately, especially the "Little Brown Birds" thread, I was wondering whether we need an "Advice for Newbies " sticky.
I would see it as containing a link to the:
Forum Map
seymourraves thread with the "Bird Topography" chart, with an explanation of how it might help - they are newbies after all
the link that Alan(doggoe) keeps posting to help people who are having trouble adding pictures
perhaps a link to the "bad pictures" thread to demonstarte that we don't all take perfect pictures after all, and are not ashamed to show it.
and or a link to any of the threads that show interaction , which would again demonstrate that most of us are only happy to help
any other links that you knowledgeable folk can suggest -eg
I don't think we need a newbies forum, but anything that helps them has got to be good hasn't it?
What does everyone think and, more importantly, how do we go about it if it's deemed to be useful.
Bob
Birding Blog here.
Flickr photos here.
Maybe there should be a HELP CENTRAL thread to which everyone could be referred to for help.
Tiger Signature
Unknown said: From what Ian's been saying there is another community upgrade due so we all may need Help Central if the chaos is same as last time.
From what Ian's been saying there is another community upgrade due so we all may need Help Central if the chaos is same as last time.
Maybe GRAND CENTRAL HELP STATION
If an upgrade is due I hope they have sorted some of the problems in the present software.
I am a newbie and you have all been so helpful in pointing me in the right direction about posting, ids, general advice etc I am sure I would not have looked for such help and advice from a designated area; the email advice aside. obviously as old hands you find yourselves repeating the same old advice but that makes it more of a community. we learn better from mistakes particularly when they are so delicately highlighted. of course others may find it VERY useful.
my photos on flickr. grandy253
Andy
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I think this is a good idea. When it comes to birding I am still a novice! The brown bird blog has certainly taken me on a higher level where I am now thinking of the identification and recognising birds and learning about them, as opposed to just watching them feed
Cheers, Jason
Hazel b said:Maybe there should be a HELP CENTRAL thread to which everyone could be referred to for help.
I do so agree Tiger. I kept saying this after the last "upgrade" chaos. Lots of others were saying the same thing but nothing happened. Navigating through the Community pages is a nightmare when you start and I know I still keep finding things I hadn't known were there.
The best bit of help I can give is, first don't ever sign out. Second, "favourite" all threads or places you think you want to return to. Third when you enter the website, click on your name at he top right which takes you to your own page where you will find favourites in the right and your recent posts etc. on the left.
Cheers
Jenni
God gave us two ears and one mouth for a very good reason!
I'm new and fairly used forums and blogs and found this one generally OK to find my way round but there's a couple of things that aren't intuitive or usual that might benefit from being put as a sticky.
Phographs: is the same as most forums except for the fact that to get the facility you can't just use the fast reply box and have to select the 'use rich formating' button - not exactly an intuitive label!
Configuration and mapping: is complicated with these different areas and so many topic areas. I sometimes can't find where I saw a thread I'd seen before. Something more prominent or intuitive or less complicated would be great. There's ever so many topic areas, many overlapping too which makes it all the more complex.
Following me: I had an email telling me someone was following me and with a link which took me to my profile page? What's that about ? I didn't have any friends requests or messages as far as I could see. Or should I expect someone behind the hedge in my garden when I go to feed the birds today ;-)
Stickies with general advice/links. Things there that's good for everyone to know like eg nest boxes, bird table feed dog's and dont's , what to do if you find an injured bird, trichonomosis and what to do if you suspect a bird has it.
Now the above may all be covered and I've just not found it or figured it so it's just a perspective from a newbie member.
Thanks
A bird in the hand can make an awful mess!
I agree with all the good ideas suggested so far; just wish the Forum could be simplified, as others have said, it is difficult to navigate around or know exactly where to post things and it would be better for the BOP to have their own separate section so it's not intermingled with general topics. I think a good idea would be to have a Home Start Forum Menu would be helpful giving itemised links to basic areas like Photos, Help & Advice, How to Upload pics, video, etc., and another for ID's instead of all the millions of links. It may be nice for the Newbies to have a "common garden bird" section with proper photos of the birds you are most likely to see in your garden so as to help them get off to a good start with recognition of species and Seymour's Topography chart.
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Regards, Hazel
Could be a great idea even those of us who spend too much time on here get baffled at times,or is that an age thing with me ? Getting an e mail to say someone is following you could be worrying and I for one do not totally understand that.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
I don't know if it's 'following' someone but, if I've missed a few days and want to catch up with regulars, I clink on one of their posts and look at their recent posts at the bottom of their profile.
If I've caused and worrying emails, I'm very sorry.
Grandmamac said: I don't know if it's 'following' someone but, if I've missed a few days and want to catch up with regulars, I clink on one of their posts and look at their recent posts at the bottom of their profile. If I've caused and worrying emails, I'm very sorry.