As we have seen the buzz, new members will be coming in the future. Sprinkled in a few MeTa threads have been ideas, such as a FAQs and mentoring, to help new members learn the ropes and Mefi history. I have an idea to primarily help new members, but it could eventually benefit everyone.
[idea inside]
posted by sailormouth to feature requests at 9:29 AM (39 comments total)
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Rough idea: On the same page as a, Matt approved, FAQs is a question submission box. When a member is logged in the box is above the FAQs with an explanation/guideline blurb about its purpose/function/use. The question submission process could be loosely based on how Google Answers works.
Finer points: If this makes sense, the box is restricted to new members based on their userID. Matt could decide members with a number above xxxxx have been around for a relatively short amount of time, and therefore may need extra assistance with the ropes. Members below the chosen number have been around long enough that they should have a handle on things, and if they have a question they can probably find it on their own in the FAQs or bring it to MeTa. As time passes Matt can increase the number to induce self-reliance.
Similar to Google Answers there could be a group of members, decided upon by Matt, who field the questions. Matt could ask for volunteers and contact members who he feels are knowledgeable about Mefi guidelines and history, and who would be good representatives of Mefi. That is the mentor angle, experienced members helping the new members. For volunteer members Matt could make up some test questions to check knowledge and ability to locate answers/examples.
The questions would be posted to a place that only the Answer Givers would have access to. They decide how to divide the workload, and assist one another if needed. As with Google Answers any unclear answers could be resubmitted to be answered by another Answer Giver.
Answers would not be yes/no nor overly long. Answers would be brief and succinct answers, and whenever possible they would be supported by linked examples in MeFi and/or MeTa Archives. A simple static FAQs could possibly morph into a searchable/browsable categorized FAQs/learn by example section, accessible by anyone. Any repeat questions asked by another member would be pointed to the original answer.
Unlike Google Answers no other comments would be allowed for the answers to questions. Plus no names would be associated with the questions or answers. Matt wants to work e-mail verification into new memberships, so utilize that for e-mail notification when there is an answer to their question and link to the answer.
MeTa is great for collaborative answer searching, but it seems answers are not definitive until Matt answers or someone links to the answer, mentioned at some prior time.
Matt's answers are golden. The Answer Giver answers would carry Matt's approval. Answer Givers would only be accountable to Matt. The e-mail notification would come from the Answer Giver entity. On the backend Matt could keep track of who had answered which questions. Anonymity of the Answer Giver entity would shield those members from possibly being viewed as Matt's favorites or buddy crew.
If this idea is feasible and executed well, it would supply useful, helpful, and "correct" answers without weighing down Matt with more work. I know Matt said “I've considered this several times, but know very few people that could 1) do the job well, and more importantly 2) care enough to spend time on it.” , in regard to members assisting him with Mefi work. But with sign ups having been stalled for a while and new sign ups being metered perhaps this all could be done beta to see how much backend setup, coordination, and resources might be used.
Is this idea just pandering to new members and making more work than is necessary, or is culling through, locating, and pointing to the answers that are mostly already out there in the 3 years of archives beneficial enough, in the long run, to the Mefi Community to justify such a section and system?
posted by sailormouth at 9:30 AM on July 26, 2002