Suggestions for changes to keep the forum friendly:)

Question

Hi everybody

For those who have not read the thread which has lead to this change in attitude, please read this.

I asked on that thread if we are still complying with the aim of this forum: a helpful and friendly site, and we got a lot of different answers. Most of you are happy here and we are glad to see that, however, some of the issues discussed were very interesting and to read those points of view has made me think we might want to try to address some posts differently.

I don't want to mention names as I am sure to forget some, but all your help has been essential.

I would like to suggest:

• Welcome newbies to this site, whoever sees them first. We can decide this by seeing that they have no reputation points, as that shows that they might be familiar with the lessons but are new on the forum . NO need to be an "older" member, a welcome makes you feel good, whoever it comes from
• Don't write the please use correct spelling in a comment, which is often not even seen or considered. Tell the newcomer to use correct spelling in a post , and to please do so next time he opens a thread or answers a question. I think this approach, like on this thread, might be the more correct one, this is only an idea, of course, everybody should use their own wording, just a suggestion.
• Let's not send the member directly to the dictionary but point the resources out to them, like Have you seen the dictionary or the translator? but at the same time try and answer the question, giving your point of view.
• Homework questions have been discussed and I think the approach is the correct one. Tell those newbies to give their own attempt and use the conjugator etc and that his own attempt will be proofread. I have only just seen this post by Quentin and I think this is a friendly approach and helpful and at the same time we do not do the homework for the poster. However, nobody should feel he gets in trouble if he answers a certain very-easy-to-find question, any questions can be answered and anybody is free to do so. (As you can see the poster did not follow Quentin's suggestion, but that is another story...)
• Let's be more tolerant with the rules, which should be pointed out to the user, but we might try to implement the rules at the second time of failing to abide by them, not right away. I will hence not delete or close threads with incorrect spelling, unless they can simply not be understood or have improper content, of course, at least not those posted by newbies. I think we can expect frequent members to know the rules on this site, which really are not many

Well, I cannot think anything else at the moment. I hope you all agree with this change in attitude and help us to regain the friendly atmosphere which some say has been more noticeable before.

I personally think this is one of the few forums which on one hand is a learning site and on the other hand allows everybody to express themselves freely in friendly threads which can be personal or general discussions.

We hope you like it here and we hope to be seeing you around

Thanks for all your help on this site, it is very much appreciated. If you can think of any other changes, please post them here

• those are all great rules- I can't think of any new ones! :) - April-Sarah Nov 5, 2009
• (btw, 'correcter' no es una palabra. Se dice 'more correct'. No sé el porque. El inglés está loco. ;-) - chaparrito Nov 5, 2009
• rolling on the floor :) It all sounds great!! And love the smileys - sunshinzmomm Nov 5, 2009
• (because of the "el ingles esta loco ;-)") - sunshinzmomm Nov 5, 2009

Answer 1

Heidita, I am impressed that a real response was made to the suggestions you received. I commend you and your team for sticking to the website's goal:

"We also aim to cultivate a fun and active community where members can ask and answer questions, practice with each other, and experience the joy of using a new language."

It is obvious to me that you are all serious about that goal.

Being fairly new to the forum I have to say that it has been an enjoyable experience and I look forward to more. However I also appreciate the suggestions on how I, a 'newbie', can contribute to the fun atmosphere that exists, while at the same time providing help to people as serious about improving their Spanish as I am.

¡Que sigan su buen trabajo!

• Gracias, chaparrito, en este foro siempre escuchamos a todo el mundo, muchas gracias:) - Heidita Nov 5, 2009
• Chaparrito, you seem to be doing a good job of adding to the fun and you are also helping me learn. Thanks. - Seitheach Nov 5, 2009

Answer 2

Heidi,

I feel so much better about these new rules. Thank you for taking everyone's thoughts into consideration.I like the idea of using a post rather than a comment to correct spelling and grammar. This is a much more gentle approach and the "smiles" help. I know I over use them, but I would rather look sappy and let people know that I am just kidding, etc.

The only other thought I have is that with newer people, even some who have been here for a month or so, I think we should be as gentle as possible correcting. I can't think of an exact example. However, on occasion, especially with "General Discussion" I have seen people who post something either important or emotional to them. It is usually something that is moving to me. But then I look in the comment box and see something like "soy not estoy" Now I know that the person making the comment is absolutely correct and probably has the best of intentions. It is just that at that moment, I think it would be more appropriate to preface their correction with something positive like "Thank you for sharing that. I'm not sure if you are aware but soy should be used in this sentence rather than estoy. Looking forward to your posts." I know that might seem like much, but I would rather do that than run the risk of scaring someone off.

• yes, of course, Nicole, you are right, we will do that, thanks - Heidita Nov 6, 2009
• Oops! I just posted sort of the same suggestion. Sorry! - adai2003 Nov 6, 2009

Answer 3

I love these guidelines.

I love even more that guidelines exist. Lacking these in the past has led to trying to follow the perceived leaders- Hedita and Eddy, obviously, but also Quentin, Moe, and others.

But since everyone has their own style, that led to some confusion over just how to respond in certain situations. I tended to follow the WWHD rule- "What Would Heidita Do?" as my primary pattern, but that wasn't always sufficient.

I think this will help a lot. And I think the direction of these guidelines will make SpanishDict.com a more friendly place.

¡Gracias!

• omg....wwhd...lol - Heidita Nov 6, 2009

Answer 4

Great suggestions, Heidita! The only suggestion I could think of is that when correcting a poster's incorrect phrases or sentences everyone could try to be a little more congenial. I've seen a few post where someone will say something like "That's not how you say it" or "That's wrong"....and that's it.

As you can see that's pretty unhelpful and useless. It will be more helpful to praise the poster for their attempt and then provide the correct translation. I think everyone learns better this way, on this board and in life. I also believe this is much more constructive.

Also, it would be great if more fluent posters start a thread for all of us beginners on how they learned Spanish(their proven methods, tools and such) which can be used as sort of a reference guide...but I think I'm getting off course.

Answer 5

A great example of constructive problem solving. I just gained the priveledge of editing. Now if Goyo can be a head shrinker I will get to post an avatar.The pictures I was trying to post were enormous.

• Nizhoni!!! You did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nice pic:) - Heidita Nov 6, 2009

Answer 6

Hi!!

I think the rules are perfect and do not need any change the way you posted them up there, they're awesome.

I do agree on helping the "newbies" and I like how we are getting just a bit more tolerance. Is there a direct thread somewhere where they could be directly lead to the rules? I forgot where they were....actually when I first got here, I think Eddy personally sent me those rules through a PM.....Jeje...... Because we all know (Heidita) how bad I used my grammar on this site, and through a PM to Eddy with really really bad grammar (in which I am very sorry for, by the way.... ) But anyways....I also like how we're kind of keeping the homework rule the same, because nobody wants to do work for a freeloader, Jeje!!

Sarahjs

Answer 7

I have many reactions to the site; all of them are positive. The only other forum that I participate in is a political forum, and things get very nasty. Frequently I have to take a break of a week or two from that forum because I get so upset.

On Spanishdict.com:

I ENJOY the obvious sense of humor of most of the posters.

I LOVE finding out different ways of saying things in different countries.

I APPRECIATE when people take the time to explain the reason behind a grammatical correction. For example, yesterday Robertico explained why "fue" might be referred over "era" in a sentence.

I USE the dictionary and translation services if I want another option.

I have not yet used the grammatical reference component, but once we get to Mexico I am sure that my computer will be smoking from constant use.

The number of "spam posts" seems low to me. It's inevitable that there will be some, but the quality control is in place and it is used diligently.

I am not familiar enough with the site to specifically comment on much, as you can see. I am still learning how things like badges and rep work, but it's obvious that my slow learning curve on those features has not impeded my enjoyment of Spanishdict.com.

Keep up the good work. Any labor of love is always worth the effort!

Answer 8

Please if its not to much to ask. Add a few lines of html in the top of http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/ask . Something as " Welcome to ask-whateveryoucallit, your question will be posted on the forum. Please read (welcome page) and (About Questions & Replies) if you haven't already done it. "

• Perfecto, pererik! :-) - chaparrito Nov 19, 2009
• I agree that new people need to be directed to a "welcome page" before being directed to the "Answers" forum. - --Mariana-- Nov 19, 2009

Answer 9

However, nobody should feel he gets in trouble if he answers a certain very-easy-to-find question, any questions can be answered and anybody is free to do so.

Just don't do it after someone has made the effort to point out the tools and/or encouraged the newbie to at least attempt to do their own homework. Please!

• Amen!!!! :) - Nicole-B Jul 21, 2010
• Fancy meeting you here! But doesn't that just get your goat? - LateToDinner Jul 21, 2010
• Amen to that from me too , but I guess it is wishful thinking.... - Heidita Jul 21, 2010

Answer 10

Great suggestions and nice that's it's important to everyone here to not just get the grammar right but to be kind and friendly at the same time.

Just a question - let's say someone has posted a question and the English is incorrect - rather than discourage them as they obviously tried their best what are your thoughts - would it be considered rude to edit it and make corrections and just put a little note of commendation on the bottom?

Something like - "great effort your English is so good, hope you don't mind I just made a couple of minor corrections ' - or something to that effect.

I am loathe to leave obvious mistakes as other English learners will obviously be reading the post and I would hate for them to be mislead. But at the same time I'd hate to discourage those who are making an effort to put sentences together in English when it's not their native language.

Any other suggestions would be gratefully accepted

• Yes Marie, I think it is very important to gently correct English mistakes. Just as we want to be corrected for our Spanish mistakes, those learning English desire to be corrected as well. :) - Nicole-B Jul 21, 2010
• Check out the link in my answer to explain more. :) - Nicole-B Jul 21, 2010
• Very helpful actually, marie, there is a thread open on that account to please correct learners of English, thanks:) - Heidita Jul 21, 2010

Answer 11

Great post, Heidita.

We'll all do our best to keep this a friendly, warm, welcoming website to the newbies as well as the oldies.

• gracias, Marianne, y vas a ser la que primero cumpla los 10kilos!!! - Heidita Nov 5, 2009

Answer 12

I will do my best to do all that I can I would especially like to welcome newcomers and show them how great this site really is

Answer 13

Hi

I wish there were an easy way to convey what my dear grandmother used to tell me. "God only helps those who help themselves." How can we impress that right on the front page titles. I totally agree with a policy of research as much as you can and then if you still need help then the forum is here. Maybe we could have a brief headline about all the tools available. The contents of the proposal are very good. Easing newbies and people who have trouble with language and spelling into the routine of using the available resources would be a great attitude.

Answer 14

Hi,

I'm Cassie!! I'll try to use proper spelling and grammar because my friend from school, Sarahjs (the one on here) has registered me and helped me (And told me to use proper spelling and grammar

• Hi, Cassie!! - sarahjs Nov 6, 2009

Answer 15

Bravo Heidita, bravo...y felicidades al mejor sitio para aprendiendo español en la red!