Here's a crazy idea...
By snam23
@snam23 (3157)
United States
June 14, 2012 9:41am CST
Put the TOS, FAQ, Guidelines, and anything else new mylot members should read, on their home page! Wouldn't that encourage people to read all these necessary pages? I heard new members get emailed some of this too but you can never have too much!
I (and other members) have been talking a lot lately about the usual newcomers who fail to read anything, whether it be the Terms of Service or the very easy-to-understand guidelines so this is why I thought about this.
Of course, if this were to ever be implemented, many little details would have to be worked out, such as when they would be removed, not to mention the technical task for the mylot tech team. And there will always be those who oppose because they think people should have the freedom and responsibility of reading the necessary stuff and blah blah blah but you know what, it's obvious that there are more people who don't than do! In addition, they could reward the people who actually read through them with a bonus or something.
What do you think about this idea? Should mylot add the important documents referenced above onto the home pages of new members? Should they reward "good" newbies? What are your solutions to this problem of new members not reading and following guidelines? Do share your thoughts and maybe mylot will listen!
4 people like this
8 responses
@lonewoulfe (585)
• Philippines
14 Jun 12
Well if you mean more cents for rewards I'm all for it brother but if otherwise you meant that before anyone could hit on the keyboards to start hitting on topics then you'll get one less vote from me. My argument would be that it would only create a feeling of with the rules breathing down your neck so be very careful what you post thing. Although, to give your thoughts some credit that may set the tone and create better mylot posters from the onset. But then again, just my take, to give a sense of non-complexity once you had taken the effort of signing then its just a matter of learning for the better as you go along.
Just my 0.01 cents of an idea that I would earn for this post, nevertheless good suggestion you have here.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
14 Jun 12
Lonewoulfe, you don't earn 1 cent per post here. There is no fixed rate for contributions.
@snam23 (3157)
• United States
14 Jun 12
I was thinking more of a sign up bonus so that new members would be encouraged to stay. Something where members who post quality discussions (or anything that passes the guidelines) would earn, say a 10 cent bonus. Or there could be other requirements and as they are done, mylot could surprise you with the bonus. And as for your concern, most newbies don't start quality discussions like experienced members do. Plus, if they don't know about the bonus, they will be happily surprised!
1 person likes this
@BabyCheetah (1911)
• Australia
16 Jun 12
OK after MyLots weirdness yesterday here is my resonse for the fourth time!
I have been on MyLot for 3 or 4 days now and I read the terms before signing up and the FAQ's and guidelines but I feel I have more questions that I can't find the answer to. This community does seem to be very nice and polite but I'm considering starting a new discussion to ask some questions but my only worry is that maybe a lot of newies ask these questions. I have found using the search to find discussions isn't very reliable either at times. I started my first discussion a few days ago and used the search to try and find if anyone else asked the question. It only came up once and it was last resonded to 6 years ago. Then I find out the question was asked only about 5 hours ago by someone else and I only saw it by chance.
But there are so many people that not only with this site but anything never bother reading the terms and conditions and then wonder why they get banned or in trouble with the company. MyLot could try and shove it in the faces of newies but still no guarantee they will read it so may not be worth the effort. From what I can see they do put the FAQ's in spots people can get to. If they don't take the time and responsibility to read them there is not much else that can be done I guess.
@snam23 (3157)
• United States
28 Jun 12
So it wasn't just me! I've had technical problems too! (And I was very sick.)
I understand a lot of your concerns. The search feature could definitely be improved and being afraid to ask questions is never a good thing. That said, you can PM many older members who would happily answer your questions (myself included).
I agree with you. If people are not going to read them when they are in their places, they are not going to read them even if you shove it down their throats! I think maybe a constant reminder that such documents existed could be an alternative. The problem is not all new members are as responsible as you are to read the necessary documents. But some people can't be helped I guess.
@BabyCheetah (1911)
• Australia
29 Jun 12
Nope not just you but it seems to have been running smoothly again which is good :)
Yeah well I definitely did read them and I have tried to rememeber all terms but some to me were kind of odd. I got one discussoin removed which was a question of what people cooked that was quick, easy and healthy. I was just curious but it got removed because in the very last sentence I accidently wrote that if anyone knew any good slow cooker recipes they could send them my way. I did read that they were not allowed but forgot because it's such an odd one for me :( It's a shame they couldn't have just edited the last sentence out and left the rest as it was an innocent question.
I was scared to ask a question but then I thought I'd ask one anyway which I couldn't find in the FAQ's. I thought it was either a flaw or glitch with MyLot and I wasn't sure so I asked if it's normal that we are not always notified by email about comments. I noticed I wasn't recieving them when someone commented. My question was answered but then the discussion was removed. It just felt like anything said against MyLot was just taken down or something :(
But anyway thank you for being friendly. I sent a request so if I have another MyLot quesion I might just PM instead :)
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
14 Jun 12
myLot already puts all that information in front of everyone (and not just new members), every time we are here in the discussions. From where I am typing in this response box right now, I can look up just a bit and see the "myLot" button on the navigation bar under the row of interest icons/photos. It has a drop-down menu of all that information. Then, there is a series of links right under this response box (below the myLot population number) that includes privacy, terms, FAQs, guidelines and more.
All of this is constantly available to every myLot member, every time we are here posting... and yet so many ignore it in its entirety. I don't think repeating it all again on a home page would help, for the same reason -- people won't stop and read, they just want to dive in and start posting, whether they understand what to do or not.
This is an unfortunate fact of life on virtually every web site. People create accounts and tick those little boxes to say "I agree" to terms and conditions they never read. Then, when they are held accountable for their behavior, they get mad and blame the site or the moderators. Unfortunately, it's not myLot that needs to "listen."
@lonewoulfe (585)
• Philippines
14 Jun 12
Welcome to the human race thinkingoutloud, no pun intended, on a serious note your intentions are well if not noble. Those subjects you have mentioned are reasons why lawyers were invented on a bigger scale of life. If a reward will somehow be attached to the effort, put a quiz or something to check or verify compliance then you might get a few takers for the sake of the rewards but sure as mighty joe, let it be the rewards be worth it otherwise I'm no happy camper on the thought that once I accomplished the task and somehow I passed on the verification only to be directed to a link to fill-in some offers as a reward, mylot would definitely be added to my block list.
Just my chiming cent of a thought.
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
14 Jun 12
We already have Ops,Very Active helpful and informative Senior Members,and a bubbling kettle of discussions all about the guidelines and Mylot's options..and we have a recently redesigned front page with MYLOT drop down menus that anyone with an interest can read.if they want to..I recently responded to a discussion from someone who stated they had been on Mylot 3 Years,then went dormant for months leaving a balance behind,and came back to find the balance had reset to zero as they had been away so long..and they weren't aware this would happen..It reminds me a bit of "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".."Beware of the Leopard"!
There's enough "Nanny State" in our lives as is..do we really need to shove the guidelines down people's throats,especially if they're not bothered about reading them?
@snam23 (3157)
• United States
28 Jun 12
Yes, I agree we already have a lot of resources. And I think I saw that same exact discussion! I think you're right, we have to draw the line somewhere.
However, the guidelines and FAQ and such are not in most visible places. I didn't even notice that new drop down menu until I read about it in multiple discussions! And how often do you really scroll down to the bottom of the page? (although I must admit, when replying or commenting, the page isn't that long) My point is, moving the important pages to a more prominent place could encourage people to read them. But of course, some people just won't and we can't change that.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Jun 12
I do think it would be a great idea to have a quick link that users could refer to when it comes to the terms of service for the site. However, I don't think that those quick links need to be something that is staring us down all the time. Instead, when it comes to new users, I think that they should have to read and answer questions about the terms of use before they are actually able to start posting on the site because that way there wouldn't be nearly as many newbie mistakes.
@lynn2457 (500)
• United States
14 Jun 12
NO, no matter what they do, people do not read. It is a hit and miss. I had been on here a few years ago and forgot and made an error, mylot admin is really awesome and explain that it is not allowed and moves it. Errors happens and no matter where you put the rules, people do not read unless there is only like 3-5 rules only and then, people will pay more attention. Nice discussion
@snam23 (3157)
• United States
28 Jun 12
I think the few people who look for the rules will find it helpful. But I agree, it is a hit and a miss. Then again, I disagree. Some people actually follow the rules and DO read them, whether they are on the front page or hidden at the bottom. That's how most of the mylot veterans got to where they are, by reading the rules and following them!
Thank you. Happy mylotting!
@topffer (42156)
• France
14 Jun 12
It would be too long on a homepage, and annoying for members after they have made the effort of reading these docs. If they have not read the TOS when they joined -- what should do everybody joining a new site -- it is not easy to encourage them to read the guidelines. Maybe a quiz about the rules here with a one time possibility of reward, so they will try to learn the FAQ and guidelines to earn the reward ?
@snam23 (3157)
• United States
16 Jun 12
It would only be for newbies until they met certain preset qualifications. They could summarize them and put them in short bullet form (although the current guidelines aren't that long).
I'm liking the quiz idea! It would certainty have encouraged me to read the guidelines and such more carefully.
