Problem with newbie posters

[Reverend Jim]

I've noticed an appalling number of first time posters who post threads with titles like "Help! Urgent!!!!". The posts can be almost as useless as "I'm trying to program something and I'm getting an error. What am I doing wrong?". It would seem that few people are reading and following the posting guidelines. Even simple guidelines like
Make a meaningful title
Give sufficient information so the question makes sense
Supply all relevant information so the problem can be solved

My suggestion is to implement a system in which new posters (perhaps for the first 2-3 new threads) woul be shown the guidelines for a set time (15-20 seconds perhaps) before the editing fields are displayed or edited. I am not a web programmer so I do not know what is easy to implement.

I realize that anyone contributing to a thread gets credited when the thread is marked as solved and I feel like a cheat when I post "show us what you have done" or "can you please clarify the question", then not contribute further when I realize the question is not in an area where I feel I can contribute.

[cscgal]

Hold your suggestions for just a bit longer :)

I'm currently working on recoding all of DaniWeb from scratch, and there's a complete freeze on the existing system right now.

[jonsca]

I'm currently working on recoding all of DaniWeb from scratch

Editing for high rep users? ;) Just kidding, I know when to quit.

[zeroliken]

Hold your suggestions for just a bit longer :)

I'm currently working on recoding all of DaniWeb from scratch, and there's a complete freeze on the existing system right now.

Good luck on that then

[Reverend Jim]

From scratch? You must be familiar with this then.

[mikulucky]

From scratch? You must be familiar with this then.

That's great :D

[Dcurvez]

wonder if there is a way to just not allow certain words in the subject line? (help, urgent, ect..) im also not versed on websites (barely understanding vb) but, just an idea is all (and not really sure if its a good one LOL)

[WaltP]

wonder if there is a way to just not allow certain words in the subject line? (help, urgent, ect..) im also not versed on websites (barely understanding vb) but, just an idea is all (and not really sure if its a good one LOL)

What part ofHold your suggestions for just a bit longer :)
did you not understand? :icon_rolleyes:

[Dcurvez]

was just thinking out loud..sorrrrrrrrry!

[jonsca]

sorrrrrrrrry!

It's my bad, I was a poor role model when I was trying to be a smartazz.

Don't worry about WaltP, as long as you don't walk on his lawn he won't press charges.

[Dcurvez]

*treads softly* ;)

[diafol]

You reckon WaltP's real name is Oscar and that he lives in a bin? :)

I realize that anyone contributing to a thread gets credited when the thread is marked as solved and I feel like a cheat when I post "show us what you have done" or "can you please clarify the question", then not contribute further when I realize the question is not in an area where I feel I can contribute.

Don't complain man! About three quarters of my solved threads are for that. The fact that you asked them to share their code meant that somebody else was able to help them further. You played your part. :)

Anyway Walt, are we still banned from posting or is the big freeze off now?