https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...580044305#2580044305

You've got some guy who knew that he'd better say something before getting on with the ONLY reason he even showed up- to sell his shit, and then, once he's done that, he's gone and won't be coming back, and we have members- MONTHS later- "greeting" this bandwidth thief.

Its ridiculous, gentlemen. I don't understand why some of you do this. It looks completely random. You're talking to people who are not here. G-o-n-e

I'll admit, it's rare I post there, but when I do, it's in reply to someone who lived near me or in some way had another connection. But honestly, I can't remember the last time I was in that section.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
I'll admit, it's rare I post there, but when I do, it's in reply to someone who lived near me or in some way had another connection. But honestly, I can't remember the last time I was in that section.

Same here
Saw a member join from the town I grew up in, near Beaumont. Never saw them post again after the intro & maybe 1 or 2 posts afterward.

I don't think I posted in there when I originally joined, just straight to the point in the pistols section.

para, can the forum software auto-lock threads with over X amount of time of inactivity?

Thing about killing the New Members Intro section is you'll find one in just about every web forum on the 'net. Yes, I know SF isn't "every other forum," but, I imagine new members would be inclined to look for it.

And, yeah: Greeting "new" members in threads that are weeks, much less months, old is a bit... silly.

Perhaps I’m unusually inconsiderate or unwelcoming, but I honestly don’t recall the last time I opened that particular section of the board. I don’t think it would hurt new members all that much if it went away, but that could well be because I don’t participate there myself.

If it still serves a purpose, maybe auto-lock threads there after 30 days or something?

- Bret

Maybe leave a new person's intro up for a certain amount of time (3 months?), then delete?

One thing to consider, is that the New Members Intro section is great no pressure way for new member to test drive their posting skills, potentially kick starting their activity on SIGforum. They get to start a new thread, post a couple of replies, and maybe even edit an existing post. It may be more valuable than would seem obvious, especially for those that might be initially intimidated to venture out into the rest of the sub-forums, where the discussion is more serious at times.

Here's an idea...As MANY seem to have questions on this anyway, what if we encouraged new members to post a pic (gun related preferably) in their intro thread. We could 'sticky' a 'How to post picture on SIGforum' thread in that section. It could kinda' be like a basic training exercise for upping your posting skills and learning the 'ins & outs' of how things are done here...Or not! Just a thought

Anyway, as others have indicated, auto-pruning or auto-locking threads in that section might be a good idea too.

It seems that when a new members posts in any other section for the first time or two it serves as an introduction. Members will acknowledge their post and welcome them in. It is a more natural action.

However, does anyone remember the member who lived in the New Members section and greeted each and everyone of them? It was awhile ago but I found it amusing and kind of endearing.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
para, can the forum software auto-lock threads with over X amount of time of inactivity?

Not a bad idea. Allow new threads in that section & auto-lock after x months [1?] & auto-prune after 3? If the forum software is that granular.

I agree that it's a good place for a new poster to learn how to start a thread & post, if they don't just jump in with both feet.

I’m not sure I have ever opened that sub forum. If I did it wasn’t memorable. Never saw the point. Introduce yourself the old fashioned way, start talking to people about something.

I would support the autolock feature but only for the introductions thread. I see members here from 20 years ago with only a few posts who wade in on a topic now and again.

Is there a "last activity" field that could be included in the "Posts, Location, Registered" area?

Forums have been around several decades and it's a pretty common perception that years of membership plus numbers of posts give appearance of belonging. Might even make it easier to sell something in the Classifieds. Unfortunately, based on information in past threads the forum software doesn't have the ability to have posts count in primary subforums but not count in secondary subforums. People can rack up post count in secondary subforums (e.g. New Members Introduction) and have the appearance of being a Sigforumite.

I checked and I haven't posted in New Members Introduction since the last pruning, and before today can't remember the last time I dropped in that subforum. I might've posted single digit times in my nearly 18 years here. Didn't find it useful as TX is huge and most people just list location as TX. Responding like someone was my neighbor is potentially about as genuine as someone in Maine acting like they're a neighbor to someone in Delaware. Also, I had the same observation as Para about some strange, disingenuous posting habits.

I originally came to Sigforum because I had went to the gun store to buy a G22 like I had rented at the range several times, but I let the know it all at the gun store talk me into a pistol with a safety. The pistol turned out to rarely ever lock the slide on an empty mag and there were barely any accessories (e.g holsters) available on the market. I remembered reading that the Secret Service carried Sig at the time (i.e. assumed it's a quality pistol that had undergone extensive testing) and I joined Sigforum to get a specific model recommendation. Even received some bonus knowledge from a Houston member about a pawn shop that sold new Sigs at darn near Internet prices and was pretty fair on trade-ins. Shortly afterward, my P229 collection began at that pawn shop.

How will we get our post count up?

quote:

Originally posted by Keystoner:
How will we get our post count up?

Yep the other reason it should go away. The post whore welcoming committee that has to welcome any and everyone.

I did not know there was a New Members section?

Hasn't this action been contemplated in the past?

I never did get my 229 posse hat, so yeah it should go away.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
I'll admit, it's rare I post there, but when I do, it's in reply to someone who lived near me or in some way had another connection. But honestly, I can't remember the last time I was in that section.

Same, I think I have posted maybe 3 times there, and read a few more based on location. But this one was the last one I posted in, and it was a fun one https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...935/m/6380084174/p/1

Dang, I'd forgotten about that one. "Should I disinfect my pistol in case it has coronavirus?"

Hell, as a bonus, we even had an appearance from that "Welcome from Derby City" asshole.