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

Marie-Claire said:

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?

Here is a link to a thread discussing that very topic:

Correcting English mistakes

• thak you, nicole, always on the ball, as ray says;) jeje - Heidita Jul 21, 2010

Answer 2

Once again Heidi I applaud you for your foresight and the compassion you show to

newbies and indeed to all of us who enjoy participating on Spanishdict.

I shall endeavor to curb my serious nature and put in an all out effort to be

more humorous and light hearted in my future posts , if at any time I fall down

or otherwise fail in this noble challenge please feel free to chide me and gently

guide me back onto the path. But seriously I think most S D members are extremely kind and considerate to each other and are always welcoming newbies into the fold.

Helping with corrections has also been done with respect and humor, I for one enjoy the gentle comedy routines that we add to our comments ,which go a long way in taking away the embarrassment of having to suggest a better word or sentence., And for someone like me who finds it a struggle to keep up I am never made to feel inadequate or stupid , so the rules and conditions that Heidi points out are more than adequate and in my humble opinion are very well executed .

• omg..serious nature, jejeje, thanks ray:) - Heidita Jul 21, 2010

Answer 3

HI sarah, the rules are listed on the welcome message when you open the answer page:

welcome to answers

The answers section is a great way to become part of the SpanishDict learning community. Ask and answer questions, vote on good questions and answers, and earn Reputation! Your vote helps the best content rise to the top. (View Rules and Guidelines)

• Ok, thanks. I'll make sure to point others to it when they first arrive. - sarahjs Nov 6, 2009

Answer 4

Hi everyone, I've only just found this thread, maybe there are others who missed it first (and second) time around??

I like it!

Besos.