forums [Suggestion] JavaScript Tooltips/Tutorials for Neoseeker Features for New Users

Well, I'm surprised that I haven't seen this yet, but I'm suggesting what the title says. When a newbie joins up to Neoseeker, they typically don't know how to use the member-exclusive features, like PM, friending other members, and editing their profile. So, when a newbie tries out a feature for the first time, there will be a little pop-up that will explain what it does and how to use it efficiently.

I'm requesting this because it would definitely prevent newbies clogging up the Site/Forums Help & QA forum with questions about how to do really simple things like making a new thread.

quote Dragoon

I think a jS based tutorial would be more ideal if you want to introduce them to the member-exclusive features, touring them round the site and such.

I like where you're getting to. However, what's a JS tutorial?

quote Dragoon

A javascript based tutorial in which, perhaps, pop ups appear in screen the first time a member does something or indicates X feature does Y. I don't know how feasible that idea is, but it would work better than a PM, in my opinion.

Great idea Dragoon. I'm going to rename this thread.

I liked the PM idea better.

There's no need for tutorials if the features are designed well.

Personally I don't think people struggle on the whole with using actual features of the site. A lot of it is self explanatory and these days a good percentage of users are au fait with the general concept of online forums or social sites. Justifying the need for this feature by citing the intent to prevent the Site/Forums Help and QA board from being "clogged up" with basic questions is also a flawed one considering the low frequency of questions of that type right now. Having JS pop-ups on everything just sounds like overkill and an annoyance to me. It also only teaches someone how to use something they've discovered and doesn't necessarily inform the user of the existence of those features beforehand. Users simply not knowing that a feature exists is the bigger, more widespread issue in my experience as opposed to struggling to use it when they do find it.

This is where I think giving new members a welcome NeoPM is a decent thought, actually. Something I've frequently heard is that users often took quite awhile when they were new to find out that Neoseeker had additional forums other than the initial one they came across, or in some cases the fact that we even had forums in the first place! A welcome PM maybe pointing folks towards the forum FAQ, the forum index and highlighting high traffic social areas like Loungin' as well as useful new user boards like Site Help would perhaps get people up to speed early on what we offer. The site has expanded a lot in recent times too what with blogs, galleries and all that good stuff which may suffer from the same issue, with people simply unaware they exist for long periods of time and perhaps never discovering them. All of this could be included in a succinct welcome message giving users a heads up on the various features of the site so they know right away. It'd also get people used to the PM system when they discover what the flashing paper icon does. Additionally, people like being greeted.

A PM is a rather simple solution to some of the problems outlined and I feel that's all that's necessary if we do need anything. No need for elaborate tutorials, tooltips, Flash videos, etc. A PM would be simple, to the point and convey what's needed to get people started adequately.