The Atmosphere of The Welcome Lounge

[Dragon]

Well guys, this thread is just a little something for you to give feedback on the Welcome Lounge board; for those of you who post there regularly, what do you think of the board so far, and why do you post there? For those of you who don't, what do you think of the general atmosphere? Why don't you post there?

Those are some questions just to bounce around your thoughts! You can say whatever you'd like! I'd love to hear any sort of opinions. :3

 

[Circuit]

I don't hang around there often, but I used to just drop a welcome every now and again. The main reason for this is that after a couple of posts I felt my welcomes became rather generic, and could be copy and pasted into another person's welcome. I like all my posts to be different, but finding something new to say to people, to say welcome time and again for me is a little difficult.

I think it's a very friendly board, and perfect for newcomers to feel eager to stick around on PC and add to the diversity of opinions and chats flying around. I think it's especially nice that so many mods, super mods etc. come and say hi, because it really lets those new that the mods here care, and are actual people. I think that is important for PC, and is definitely something that sets it out above many other forums I've seen.

 

[esperance]

It's a rather friendly place for newcomers, from what I've seen.

I guess the only reason I don't post there is that by the time I see a thread, it's pretty much already gotten the generic welcomes that I'd probably write myself, so I don't bother.

The only thing I'd like to see is more posts by regular members, because the majority of posts in welcome threads are from moderators or supporters.

 

[El Héroe Oscuro]

Just on an outsiders perspective, I just wanted to give a little bit of feedback for you, Hikamaru, considering you are a regular there...

I think you do an excellent job there. Seriously, like the other moderators, you do a great job staying on top of the ball and greeting everyone in a warm and opening way; a way which, if I was just joining PC now, would be very happy to be on the receiving end on. However, if I were you, I would drop the " - Hikamaru" you put at the end of all of your posts. In my opinion, I find that a tad too formal and might rub people the wrong way. I think it would also be perceived as more friendly and welcoming dropping it, as the post in itself would seem more relaxed and not like it was scripted (if that makes sense.)

Take it as you will, as this just my opinion. I still think you do a charming job welcoming new users as it's quite a tedious job and you stay on top of it pretty well, but that's just a small thing that's urked me about those kinds of posts. And that's not just targeted at you - I'm sure other users do it as well - but yours I just see on a more frequent basis. Again, just my opinionated observation.

 

[Hikamaru]

@El Heroe Oscuro - I was originally including that to add a unique touch to my posts, but I was considering changing things up so interesting to see you bring it up when I was almost planning to drop it from my posts, and I think I'll be doing that when I get around to the next thread I respond to.

But now for how I think about the section in general, I think it's a really friendly atmosphere and from what I've seen the newcomers are really enjoying the section so it's a good sign they're having fun around PC in general as well. Also, I think Dragon is doing an excellent job on his own so may not even need a mod partner but who knows, higher staff may think otherwise.

As for me, my activity goes way back to 2012 but I think it was around mid-late 2014 that I really took off, and now I find myself responding to at least every thread. I initially struggled with welcoming those who were mainly into ROM hacks due to my little-to-no knowledge on hacks in general but I think I've learned from such great mods who post there (looking at you, Dragon and Sheep) and now I feel more calm and collected compared to previously.

I think bringing the Adoption Center back after almost 2 years was a good move on Dragon's part as well, despite the flaws I knew of in the previous incarnation but I'm sure that with a helpful mind like his he should be able to make it be successful this time, but it just has to wait for a new member to respond before it goes off. Dragon's hard work is why he's been an influence to my activity and he's been one of those mods I look up to.

So, on a final note, I think it's really friendly, and I think it's because it evolved well with each new mod it had.

 

[Auticorn]

The reason I don't really post is because of my lack of social skills. I have a hard time being able to come up with anything good to say. Most of what I could say has already been said by others too. It'd be kind of useless for me to just repeat what someone else has said.

However, that doesn't mean I don't honor the welcome lounge. I think it's a really good way for new members to meet friends or to feel like they belong here. :3

 

[Saki]

I think the section is adorable in general. Hikamaru's posts always make me smile and I truly feel like they make new members feel very welcomed. In general I think TWL is a "welcoming" atmosphere. Occasionally I see new members making threads that don't tell us much about them, so when they take that route it's easy to ask a few questions, get their attention, etc. When they tell us a bit about themselves it's easy to steer them in the right direction or even find a new person to chat with based on their interests.

The section overall is fantastic and I think it's on a good track. <3

 

[Nihilego]

Question. Is this considered an acceptable post? I often struggle to decipher what's okay and what's not in terms of "quality" of welcomes there, and also how to keep up with all the people who write literally paragraphs in response to a couple of introductory sentences.

 

[Dragon]

Question. Is this considered an acceptable post? I often struggle to decipher what's okay and what's not in terms of "quality" of welcomes there, and also how to keep up with all the people who write literally paragraphs in response to a couple of introductory sentences.

I'd say almost anything goes, really~!

Even I, myself, do posts like this~ XD

The only sort of posts I would say is 'iffy' is if you'd post the generic "welcome to PC, enjoy your stay!" and copy and paste that, which seems... robotic and generic, y'know?

Hmmm, but that's a good point: do you think paragraphs of posts don't seem.. too friendly?

 

[El Héroe Oscuro]

Question. Is this considered an acceptable post? I often struggle to decipher what's okay and what's not in terms of "quality" of welcomes there, and also how to keep up with all the people who write literally paragraphs in response to a couple of introductory sentences.

People can chime in if they want, but that's an acceptable post in my book! It's always good to have a mix of the types of posts you'll see in the Welcome Lounge, as a new user just seeing paragraph after paragraph in their welcome thread might intimidate them or convince them that they need to write in long paragraphs on this site. Your post shows the user that longevity of posts isn't fixed, as well as just the fact that as an Admin, you're showing that you're not a "robot" and have a good sense of humor with members.

It should, hopefully, show the user that even Admins have fun and interact with users; so yeah, that's a good welcoming post, as even just putting in the effort to respond to a new user - which a lot of people just ignore because they see new users as "noobs" - should be applauded!

 

[Nihilego]

The only sort of posts I would say is 'iffy' is if you'd post the generic "welcome to PC, enjoy your stay!" and copy and paste that, which seems... robotic and generic, y'know?

Cool, I understand that. So as long as it's interacting with at least something to do with the user it's fair game?

Hmmm, but that's a good point: do you think paragraphs of posts don't seem.. too friendly?

Not sure I'd say that they're unfriendly, but I imagine they could be a bit jarring. The forum is massive as we all know and a really common issue is people struggling to find their feet and I wonder if big paragraphs of text in their welcome threads is really the best way to deal with that?

Also from the other perspective, a big reason why I don't often post is because I don't like feeling like my posts pale in comparison to those with several paragraphs of welcoming stuff in them. This'll sound terrible but I simply don't want to put multiple paragraphs' worth of effort into essentially saying hi to a user, haha. I prefer a much more concise approach to things. But that could just be me and I'm not about to say that the quality of posts in your section is too high or anything like that, haha. I just feel like being concise could be a better way forward.

People can chime in if they want, but that's an acceptable post in my book! It's always good to have a mix of the types of posts you'll see in the Welcome Lounge, as a new user just seeing paragraph after paragraph in their welcome thread might intimidate them or convince them that they need to write in long paragraphs on this site. Your post shows the user that longevity of posts isn't fixed, as well as just the fact that as an Admin, you're showing that you're not a "robot" and have a good sense of humor with members.

It should, hopefully, show the user that even Admins have fun and interact with users; so yeah, that's a good welcoming post, as even just putting in the effort to respond to a new user - which a lot of people just ignore because they see new users as "noobs" - should be applauded!

I'm really glad you said this since as I described above I am actually often put off by the longer posts, haha. I'm happy also that you think it's a good thing for me to be replying to these threads - I often forget about my position and don't realise how nice it could make a member feel if I just drop them a sentence or two god, i sound up myself there. I'll keep at it then.

 

[antemortem]

"Robotic" and "generic" are words that people have thrown around for the past couple of years as welcomes from members have transitioned, because at one time they really were this way and the consensus was that they were harmful to the TWL community. However, I don't think this is the case and I don't believe it's fair to persecute users who reply with cookie-cutter responses. At least they're taking their time in the first place to even post. There's tons of places on the forum in which members don't post because they don't want to put any effort forward. Viewing a thread and responding, even if the response is copy/paste with a couple of words changed to reflect the OP's username/welcome content, is effort and should be recognized that way.

By saying "you should not respond in this way to welcome threads" you're alienating those that want to say hi (even impersonally) but don't want to type tl;drs or more than a couple sentences. Some people irl don't go on long spiels when introducing oneself or welcoming someone else somewhere, so why restrict eager welcomers to such boundaries? It's really odd to me. Other than that, I think TWL is a neat little community within itself that has open arms to new members that eventually blossom and grow, sanctioning themselves off to other sections and allowing for new people to come forward, the occasional good egg sticking around to welcome people as a hobby, just because they like to make people smile. It's a cute section that is integral to PokeCommunity's welcoming image.

 

[Dragon]

"Robotic" and "generic" are words that people have thrown around for the past couple of years as welcomes from members have transitioned, because at one time they really were this way and the consensus was that they were harmful to the TWL community. However, I don't think this is the case and I don't believe it's fair to persecute users who reply with cookie-cutter responses. At least they're taking their time in the first place to even post. There's tons of places on the forum in which members don't post because they don't want to put any effort forward. Viewing a thread and responding, even if the response is copy/paste with a couple of words changed to reflect the OP's username/welcome content, is effort and should be recognized that way.

I should of been more clear:

I don't mind if someone said "Hi, welcome to PC!" once in a while, but if they copy that exact same phrase and pasted that over and over, thaaat's when I start to think that they're spamming just to get a higher post count. xD

 

[antemortem]

I should of been more clear:

I don't mind if someone said "Hi, welcome to PC!" once in a while, but if they copy that exact same phrase and pasted that over and over, thaaat's when I start to think that they're spamming just to get a higher post count. xD

well what's inherently wrong with that? They're not doing it with malicious intent and are intend on greeting members while boosting postcount. Sounds like a positive contribution to me. it's just like someone going through and responding to every forum games thread (which a lot of people already do)

 

[Dragon]

well what's inherently wrong with that? They're not doing it with malicious intent and are intend on greeting members while boosting postcount. Sounds like a positive contribution to me. it's just like someone going through and responding to every forum games thread (which a lot of people already do)

Honestly... If you want my personal opinion, if I was a new member, no matter, whether or not that they meant to have any sort of intent or not, there's nothing 'warm', 'positive' or 'inviting' on having someone copy and paste an exact phrase of "Welcome to PC!" over and over again, and plainly it just shows me that the person is not approachable, nor would I even want to on verse with them because it seems as though that they have no regard of individuality.

That's whole point of The Welcome Lounge, or at least, that's what I want it shaped to be: a place to welcome new members as individuals, in which once again, I don't mind if people said something like,"Hi there, welcome to PC!" and just edit their posts to correspond with each new member's thread because they are acknowledging on who they are and at least it tells me that they're making some effort of making me welcome as a new member?

 

[Mana1]

Not to mention posting the exact same thing in multiple thread would come under the definition of spam. Not just an issue of the quality of the welcome.


IMO the Welcome Lounge is on the up, there are way less wall-of-text posts around and people seem more open to having a little chitchat with new members. I've had my grievances in the past, but TWL is in a really good place right now - thanks to all the regular welcomers (as well as those who drop in whenever) being so friendly.

 

[gimmepie]

I don't have any complaints about the atmosphere at all, from the little I have seen of it The Welcome Lounge seems to be a very friendly and inviting place and all the contributors there do a fantastic job.

I will say however, that the text on the banner is kind of hard to read which I find off-putting when joining sites and that the "adoption" thread could use some more publicity to maximise effectiveness.

 

[El Héroe Oscuro]

I don't have any complaints about the atmosphere at all, from the little I have seen of it The Welcome Lounge seems to be a very friendly and inviting place and all the contributors there do a fantastic job.

I will say however, that the text on the banner is kind of hard to read which I find off-putting when joining sites and that the "adoption" thread could use some more publicity to maximise effectiveness.

I don't know how effective this might be, but when I starts blog up again on Feb. 2, I'll dedicate a blog entry towards the new mentor program. I know that people like to read my blog so maybe that will garnish some more publicity.

 

[Dragon]

I don't have any complaints about the atmosphere at all, from the little I have seen of it The Welcome Lounge seems to be a very friendly and inviting place and all the contributors there do a fantastic job.

I will say however, that the text on the banner is kind of hard to read which I find off-putting when joining sites and that the "adoption" thread could use some more publicity to maximise effectiveness.

Managed to squeeze it in TWL's new splash here: https://www.pokecommunity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=35

Sooo, maybe that will help. :3

 

[Hikamaru]

I don't know how effective this might be, but when I starts blog up again on Feb. 2, I'll dedicate a blog entry towards the new mentor program. I know that people like to read my blog so maybe that will garnish some more publicity.

I recall the original Adoption Center was very active within days of its opening but so far this one's starting off a bit slower, and considering how popular your blog is, that would be a great way to spread the word and hopefully get more people signing up, in both mentor (for older members who fit the criteria) and mentee (for the new members) positions.

Managed to squeeze it in TWL's new splash here: https://www.pokecommunity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=35

Sooo, maybe that will help. :3

Speaking of the new splash, that's a great job there. It reminds me a lot of Community Feedback & Support's splash, but it's still effective and covers the basics.