Before you write up a new thread .............

[curiousSasha]

Is there any way that when someone registers they can automatically receive an introduction statement? Something along the lines of how GC works, what is acceptable (i.e. no MIP questioning), and what the environment of GC is like. I think it would save many new users from feeling out of place and/or offended. Some newbies eagerly post without reading about the frustrations of veteran users first and receive hostile reply because they are unaware that many would prefer the "search first, ask later" policy that seems to be in practice.

[CULater]

it would be nice if the search function lets you type in 3 letter words...many orgs are 3 letters, and it's not like everyone on GC types in Alpha Beta Gamma Sorority, Incorporated every time they mention ABC org....so to get around this.... (I learned this from another GC, i'll give credit when I can find the person who suggested this again)

go to google

go to advance search

type in whatever you are interested in (including the 3 letter word of the greek org)

in site (or domain): type in greekchat.com

and voila!

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by CULater

it would be nice if the search function lets you type in 3 letter words...many orgs are 3 letters, and it's not like everyone on GC types in Alpha Beta Gamma Sorority, Incorporated every time they mention ABC org....so to get around this.... (I learned this from another GC, i'll give credit when I can find the person who suggested this again)

go to google

go to advance search

type in whatever you are interested in (including the 3 letter word of the greek org)

in site (or domain): type in greekchat.com

and voila!

Another thing you can do is use an asterisk whenever you're typing a three letter word/phrase.

For example, if you want to look up "NPC," the search function will allow you to search "NPC*"

Originally Posted by curiousSasha

Is there any way that when someone registers they can automatically receive an introduction statement? Something along the lines of how GC works, what is acceptable (i.e. no MIP questioning), and what the environment of GC is like. I think it would save many new users from feeling out of place and/or offended. Some newbies eagerly post without reading about the frustrations of veteran users first and receive hostile reply because they are unaware that many would prefer the "search first, ask later" policy that seems to be in practice.

This is actually a nice idea. Perhaps a general email once the account is activated can be generated. However, I just don't see it happening.

Many will argue that it's the user's responsibility to pay attention to the stickied threads at the top of each forum, and in a way, I agree. At the same time, I know for a fact that pulling teeth would be more pleasant than getting all the mods to agree on what gets included in that introduction statement. Take Recruitment/Membership Intake, for example. MIP discussion in NPHC forums is strictly forbidden. Recruitment discussion is not only welcomed, but encouraged, in the General Recruitment Forums. I think it'd be difficult to not get detailed in a general intro statement.

But hey, if that's something you really want...by all means, PM John. $5 says he'll get back to you in two years.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by curiousSasha

Is there any way that when someone registers they can automatically receive an introduction statement? Something along the lines of how GC works, what is acceptable (i.e. no MIP questioning), and what the environment of GC is like. I think it would save many new users from feeling out of place and/or offended. Some newbies eagerly post without reading about the frustrations of veteran users first and receive hostile reply because they are unaware that many would prefer the "search first, ask later" policy that seems to be in practice.

Well, the thing is, unless you are interested in an NPHC group, that info really doesn't apply. A 60 year old alum of an NPC group registering and getting a message like that will probablly just get confused and not participate.

The best rule for GC or ANY message board is: LURK FOR A WHILE BEFORE YOU REGISTER/POST. Unless you're stupid, you can figure out how things are done just by shutting up and reading.

[curiousSasha]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Well, the thing is, unless you are interested in an NPHC group, that info really doesn't apply. A 60 year old alum of an NPC group registering and getting a message like that will probablly just get confused and not participate.

The best rule for GC or ANY message board is: LURK FOR A WHILE BEFORE YOU REGISTER/POST. Unless you're stupid, you can figure out how things are done just by shutting up and reading.

Thank you for the advice. GC is the first forum I've used, and I actually stumbled upon it by accident. The only reason I knew about the "environment" was because the first post I read was addressing the stupidity of a newbie that did not search before posting. I was just thinking that many of the posts I read (in connection with MIP and the NPHC which are the topics I am researching) that are began by newbies usually begin with a harsh statement about searching before posting. Afterwhich, many of the newbies take a defensive stance because many have figured that joining a forum means that they can post questions and will be greated with quality answers, but do not consider the stance of veteran users. Many either use the search function INCORRECTLY, which I can say was one of my problems until I started using the Google advanced search function (thank you to the person that posted this resource. It helps GREATLY!), or they just didn't consider using the search function after reading through the first few recent posts.

Maybe a simple "SEARCH is your friend" would be appreciated because search is EVERYONE's friend no matter who you are (i.e. NPC, NPHC, interest, SF, sister, brother, etc.)

[AlexMack]

I have a forums account at somethingawful.com. They have a set of forum rules which wouldn't all be applicable here, but in a general sense could really help both n00bs and mods here.

http://www.somethingawful.com/d/foru...les.php?page=1

Basically, LURK BEFORE POSTING. If we could get a better probation/ban system in place, it might keep the idiot posters at bay a little more.

No Mod sass if they make a fair ruling. Gripe about in a PM to a friend or something.

Does your post contribute to the discussion in anyway? If not, don't bother posting.

If your spelling sucks, you will be mocked, the mods won't save you. None of us are perfect but there are standards.