Posted by LisaWI on 2/2/10 12:08pm
Msg #320760

An Idea

When we do postings that would be good for a newcomer to read, if we put Newbie in the subject line everytime, they can do a search as we have referred to many times and all the postings would come up with that in the subject line.

I know, hard to remember, but it would help them out in their searches. Another thought would be to have a seperate tab just for them. I think this has already been discussed though. Not sure what the outcome of that discussion was.

Reply by Kay/IL on 2/2/10 12:12pm
Msg #320762

Agreed n/m

Reply by BossLadyMD on 2/2/10 12:19pm
Msg #320767

no matter how long you have been doing this, you cant possibly know everything there is to know. we encounter different things everyday - sometimes just based on our geographical location. i have been doing this for 5 years and just had my first cancel at the table last week. i dont mind rubbing elbows with the new people. i kinda like the fresh dialogue to keep me on my toes. you can teach this old dog new tricks..

Reply by Susan Fischer on 2/2/10 10:30pm
Msg #320916

That's why your're the Bosslady. Cheers! n/m

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 2/2/10 12:21pm
Msg #320769

Great idea! n/m

Reply by jba/fl on 2/2/10 1:33pm
Msg #320788

Newbie: Re: An Idea - learn to search and use that orange

button.

Newbie: take the time to read

Newbie: how do you think that overall this will impact the searching for all things if this clutters the messaging?

Newbie: Have you done your homework?

Newbie: since you ask questions before searching, why would you search now?

This is just one minute of thinking about this - what else can anyone come up with to counter this possible trend?

Reply by Linda Juenger on 2/2/10 1:44pm
Msg #320791

Agree Jules, but MHO is that NR could do something a little

more aggressive in the Reading of the posting guidelines. It is so faint at the top of the screen, who bothers to read it if they can't see it???? It should be in very BOLD print and very pronounced and practically hit you in the head BOLD to READ the guidelines before posting. Maybe also that no one can post Without first reading the guidelines and checking a box that say you did read them before you can post anything. I see that a lot on different sites, you have to agree to the terms before you go any further.
JMO

Reply by PAW on 2/2/10 2:08pm
Msg #320798

Re: Agree Jules, but MHO is that NR could do something a little

>>> It is so faint at the top of the screen, who bothers to read it if they can't see it???? <<<

Do you mean the statement, "Welcome to the Notary Talk General Discussion Forum. Before posting, please read the Rules & Guidelines" where 'Rules & Guidelines' are bold print. Actually, it's a graphic image (imgTheRules.gif).

At least on my screen it is not faint and very hard to miss.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 2/2/10 2:57pm
Msg #320807

Paw, with due respect, it is very small reading at the top

and although the Rules and Guidelines is a little bolder, it is still not very noticeable. I'm saying it should be HIT you in the face BOLD, so that NO ONE can miss it. The way it is now, it is easily missed. I'm sorry, but these ole eyes just ain't what they used to be and I think I can speak for a lot of us getting a little older. I also think that EVERYONE who posts their 1st post on this board should have to read those Rules and Guidelines and agree to the terms before the post is allowed. JMO

Reply by jba/fl on 2/2/10 2:31pm
Msg #320800

If I hit the New Message button - what comes up?


"Important Notice
Please consider consulting the Search feature before asking questions. Many questions have been answered repeatedly on this forum by expert notaries: Should I buy a laser printer? • What are e-docs? • What is a signing agent? • How much should I charge? • How do I get started? Answers to questions like these are just a few clicks away!

If you are going to ask about a company, please consult the company list in Signing Central first. If you can't find what you're looking for and still want to post, make sure to reference the company's city and state. If it already exists in Signing Central, please link your post to it. If the company does not already exist in Signing Central, please add it and THEN link your post to it."
It is a disclaimer stating that before you post, did you use the search feature?

"Welcome to the Notary Talk General Discussion Forum. Before posting, please read the "Rules & Guidelines".
It may be faint for the most part, but Rules & Guidelines is bold typeface. It is, it appears to me, largely ignored. In fact, today I read it for the first time, and discovered that there is where the limited set of emoticons is listed and notated. Yet, I asked recently where I could find such a listing; as the question was not answered, it appears to me that many do not bother. "You can lead a horse to water, you cannot make him drink."

If I go to an auction, I am cautioned that I should be aware of the company's conditions, right on the bidding number ticket. Signs are posted everywhere, and general knowledge is that I should watch a while before starting my own bidding process. If I fail to read these disclaimers, who do I then blame for winning the bid for an item I didn't want? How much posting of information is anyone required to do to protect me from myself? How much responsibility do I then have to accept? If I am self-determining in my actions am I better off? Or should someone else determine my abilities to fend for myself? If they are going to make my decisions, then where does that leave me?

Also, just because someone is new to this site, doesn't mean they are new to this business. As a new person to this site, would I then feel insulted somewhat that there are so many "Newbie" posts. And who is to determine whether they even want such a leg up on understanding how this site works?

"you have to agree to the terms before you go any further. "

And how many people read all of the terms of usage? Many feel already that the reading of these things is for the "other person" and doesn't apply to them, or the just scroll to the bottom and press "I accept". Back to that horse again.....

Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/2/10 2:43pm
Msg #320804

Couldn't agree more!

A few new people will make the effort, as we have seen, and come post their gratitude at how much information we've made available to the person just starting out. Others won't bother no matter how much we try to hit them over the head with it. That leaves me with one question: why are we beating ourselves up trying to make things easier for people who are already looking for a handout?

Also, I agree with bossladyMD about learning new tricks. I'm always trying to re-evaluate and look for ways to improve. Besides, if we had a separate forum for newbies, I suspect many of us wouldn't be too inclinded to go there often. Then we could end up with a situation I've seen on other forums with the blind leading the blind. That would be even worse, imo.

Reply by Notarysigner on 2/2/10 2:48pm
Msg #320805

Re: If I hit the New Message button - what comes up?

I think I read this forum post for about a year before I had a question that I didn't see....guess what, it had already been addressed two years earlier... Learn the rules guidelines, learn how to use the search button, Stop, Look, listen....learn who know what they're talking about and who's just talking. Everybody is a newbie at the start. You don't get drivers license when you're born! IMO

Reply by thnotary_NY on 2/2/10 3:35pm
Msg #320810

Re: If I hit the New Message button - what comes up?

And I agree. I had to really look for the "guide lines..." to see what this was all about. I'd not noticed the posting in a long time and certainly didn't recall what it said. I agree the reading and acceptance or not should be a prerequisite of joining NR.

Reply by Cari on 2/2/10 2:37pm
Msg #320803

TOTALLY AGREE! n/m

Reply by Cari on 2/2/10 2:34pm
Msg #320802

Newbie: DO NOT accept low ball fees....................;) n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/2/10 4:09pm
Msg #320816

Don't feel this is necessary..

I haven't read the whole thread...but anyone who does a search and types in the word "newbie" or "new", they'll get all threads with that word in it...No need to clutter up the subject line every time.

MHO

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/2/10 4:16pm
Msg #320819

Should add here (as is my habit)..:)

The problem is getting people to search first - therein lies the problem.