Regular Helpers group

by Darren1 March 16th 2009, 4:51 am

Id like to suggest that we have a ''Regular Helper" group.

Yes, it would be similar to the topic called Support Specialist Group Here
However, it would have a slightly different meaning.

It would be a group of people whom come here regularly and assist people, with different variation's of problems, and it would also show whom are the regular helpers, or the long term helpers are, in comparison to staff & other members whom have recently joined, OR pay a visit every so often.
And would also recognize the members of the support forum who come here and help (Voluntarily) who do NOT want to be staff, or do not have the primary goal of being staff.
(Such as myself)

This group is NOT designed as a compromise, or a threat to staff members!

I unlike Base, am not going to put any rules, walls or specification's for group entrance, as that would be a real waste of time.

But would like to point out, that, members of this group do NOT have to have a coloured (colored) username.

Also, the group Should Not have any special permissions such as locking topics, signatures & contact with Typlo (other than PM) that staff do, as this would would Not be Staff.

from base' suggestion wrote:
MrMario wrote: My Question is:
Would this start more problems? Flame Wars? People that think they are all that for helping people?

darren1 wrote:
Yes and no.

If
rules were set out as point blank, obvious and staff decision to become
a member of the group, as well as user permission then no, nothing bad
can really happen.

Concerning flame wars, well idiots will forever be idiots ( Sadly we cant train them to be better )
However careful deliberation of such a group would be done to prevent such from happening.

I am aware of the possibility that this will get bombarded with "no's" from staff, and potentially other members, and maybe even shot down by Caihlem, but I would appreciate this to have some thought put in by the staff.

Suggestion's for improvement, opinion's, feedback, constructive criticism, and so on, are all always welcome.

Sincerly,
Darren.

EDIT:17/3/09

I could of most likely named this more appropriately, with something such as "regular supporter's group" or such, however, this name catches people's attention tongue

A Thank you, in advance to Everyone who votes yes in this.

I also, would like it if people who vote in this (whether a yes or no) to explain to why they have decided this decision, because it may very well be the difference to this idea being accepted, or not.

Thanks,
Darren.

by Guest March 16th 2009, 8:40 am

It's a yes from me Smile

by magicm00n March 16th 2009, 10:47 am

Voted YES!

by Base March 16th 2009, 6:32 pm

Lol, you've got my vote.

by Guest March 16th 2009, 6:44 pm

On second thoughts, I'm almost tempted to say No although my poll vote is yes. I think if it has no staffing abilities then this is just a rank for members to boast about and gloat that they have a special rank that other people don't. There's actually not much point in it..
I don't know, still thinking.

by Blofeld March 16th 2009, 11:25 pm

I say Yes!!! Smile

by Darren1 March 17th 2009, 7:19 am

Thank you for your vote's Pogosheep, magicm00m, Base and Mr.Stamper.

I think if it has no staffing abilities then this is just a rank for
members to boast about and gloat that they have a special rank that
other people don't.

Why would someone on the support forum, (whom has been carefully selected) boast about a rank?

The reason I have said that it does not have to have any staffing abilities is to prevent any ludicrous & staff rivelary.
This group WOULD NOT be staff (Obviously) however it would be more of a reward, for the frequent supporters, whom may of said no to a staff position, or do not have the intention of being staff, or just simply recognition for long term, commitment of helping people.

by Skittles March 17th 2009, 9:04 am

I vote yes and actually it is something we are currently discussing but have not made a complete decision on as of yet. I have brought this suggestion up to the other staff members awhile back, so of course this suggestion has my support.

I do not believe that this would be a rank that anyone would boast about, as to me it is no different than having a rank such as VIP, altho it is not a VIP rank, I am just using that as an example, showing that it just shows like a status if that's the right word I am looking for. Another staff member had a more appropriate example name, I just can't remember it right now. lol

But as Darren stated, this would NOT be a staff position, it would not have any permissions whatsoever. And it is not stating that anyone is any better than anyone else in giving quality support for our members.

The goal of this is to give some peace of mind to our newest members when they come here looking for help, when no staff member is here, to know that the information they are getting is accurate when they see that there are plenty of staff approved members here who have proven themselves to give clear, polite, regular and accurate support to our members.

This is NOT to say that the members who would not be in this rank do not give the same type of support, you all do great! This would be an earned and privileged role. Another example this makes me think about is being certified. When in a person takes a test so to speak and becomes certified which states that they have been qualified or have the accurate knowledge for a particular skill. I am probably not explaining myself too well! hehehe I have been up all night long. lol

Again, this is not written in stone as it is still under discussion but I certainly think it is a good idea.

by Darren1 March 17th 2009, 9:30 am

Thank you for your vote Skittles

Skittles wrote:I vote yes and actually it is something we are currently discussing but
have not made a complete decision on as of yet. I have brought this
suggestion up to the other staff members awhile back, so of course this
suggestion has my support.

(Does another search in Base's suggestion)

Hasn't this been in discussion for a while now, just between you staff?

I do not believe that this would be a rank that anyone would boast
about, as to me it is no different than having a rank such as VIP,
altho it is not a VIP rank, I am just using that as an example

Good example skittles Smile

The goal of this is to give some peace of mind to our newest members
when they come here looking for help, when no staff member is here, to
know that the information they are getting is accurate when they see
that there are plenty of staff approved members here who have proven
themselves to give clear, polite, regular and accurate support to our
members.

Good perspective, I hadn't seen this side.

So, it would be recognition for the member reassurance to the member seeking help, if there were to be no staff presence.

Well, I sure like this way, because
A) There is a gap of time, in which MrMario & Sanket is online (It is approx. 4 hours I think) and there are very few members providing support, and when a question does pop up, (Which happens frequently) im sure a member would like the reassurance, of a quality member, providing quality support.

B) I am also aware of a time period that Sanket is absent, and there are question's, that the members would like staff reassurance, later in the afternoon.
And I don't like useless PM's (asking if i am 100% sure about my answer, they expected a (Gasp) staff member to answer Shocked

) very much, which have a tendency to 'pop up' from time to time.

This would be an earned and privileged role.

Would this also be carefully selected?

by MrMario March 18th 2009, 11:31 pm

This is a good suggestion Darren1. This will show new members or members that come in and out that you have been giving right answers to problems, that members can trust them on their answers and give the user something to feel good about. It will also give some hype on different ranks. No power just giving support to new or members that need help.

Vote Yes!

by Darren1 March 19th 2009, 6:14 am

Thank you for your vote MrMario Smile

that members can trust them on their answers and give the user something to feel good about.

I completely agree on this point, which is somehow the basis of this concept blackeye

by Base March 19th 2009, 5:40 pm

I've actually got the concept of the "Support Specialists Group" here:

Regular Helpers group Supportspecialist

This group is free to join and if you thought you were good enough, then you had the option to. Smile

by Darren1 March 20th 2009, 6:21 am

Base wrote:I've actually got the concept of the "Support Specialists Group" here:

This group is free to join and if you thought you were good enough, then you had the option to.

The problem here, is that im not putting any restriction's on the "regular helpers" group Wink

I'm also, making the suggestion that it is a closed group, however is staff chosen, and carefully picked Rolling Eyes

Where as you are adding a few restriction's, and that wouldn't be a good thing Neutral

But I do appreciate your support base I love you

by Base March 20th 2009, 5:11 pm

I agree with you, there shouldn't be any restrictions nor any "benefits" from the group. Wink

by Nazar March 20th 2009, 5:44 pm

voted yes

by Darren1 March 21st 2009, 12:18 am

Thank you for your vote Nazar

by Christos March 21st 2009, 12:27 am

My vote - yes.

Pluses :
I believe that this will help only for 2 reasons, people will trust the ones who are helping them, seeing they are aproved from the support team as regular , in other words , good helpers.
And people who do not wish to join the staff but help will get their positive feedback... unlike now that only if staff completes, a graphics request or answer a question , gets a reply "thanks" .

Dislikes:
What will happen to Mods? they will have less stuff? But if we are too many to be regular helping there will be more (i am quite extreme here...but.) helpers than people who seek support.
Although even if regular member help it would be even more difficult for Moderators to seek solved problems, review them and see if the person question is answered correctly and properly and lock or mark solved.. It would be difficult to organise that, and wherever the more people taking part.. Well more people getting confused.

I hope you do understand what I am saying here,

Regards,

Christos

by Darren1 March 21st 2009, 1:54 am

Thank you for your vote Christos Smile

Christos wrote:My vote - yes.

Pluses :
I believe that this will help only for 2 reasons, people will trust the ones who are helping them, seeing they are aproved from the support team as regular , in other words , good helpers.
And people who do not wish to join the staff but help will get their positive feedback... unlike now that only if staff completes, a graphics request or answer a question , gets a reply "thanks" .

Sadly, quite true

Dislikes:
What will happen to Mods? they will have less stuff? But if we are too many to be regular helping there will be more (i am quite extreme here...but.) helpers than people who seek support.
Although even if regular member help it would be even more difficult for Moderators to seek solved problems, review them and see if the person question is answered correctly and properly and lock or mark solved.. It would be difficult to organise that, and wherever the more people taking part.. Well more people getting confused.

I hope you do understand what I am saying here,

Regards,

Christos

That's is the reason why this group of people do not get any special colours, or special permission's.
Maybe a special room, IF they are lucky, but I wouldn't ask for one personally.

This group would also be especually picked, for the job, and the staff would know that this handful of members are worth being in the group.

by Rok March 21st 2009, 11:35 pm

Didn't I request this before?

I vote Yes.

by Darren1 March 22nd 2009, 3:43 am

Thank you for your vote Rok Smile

on time bump Very Happy

by orangegreendaysuite March 22nd 2009, 4:10 am

I voted yes
There are all a lot of people who aren't mods that help around here but I don't really know know them. It would be nice to recognize them. Makes it a bit easier to find them too.