talkmagic.co.uk

Why not limit the areas for newcomers? Let them only read posts after joining for say the first month...and maybe an automated e-mail with links to various topics already on here covering the "how do i get started..." questions..

that way, if anyone is just here for exposure - i doubt if they'd have the patience to wait a month to ask...

Well, yes, but if I knew I would have to wait a month to post I wouldn't have joined either.

It's a fine line we walk here, too hostile to newcomers and we don't get any new blood but too lenient and we get trolls.

I like the idea of entry restrictions in principle but I don't think that anything so severe as that would work.

Maybe an obvious warning stating that if you make a post that is an obvious clone of one of the posts listed in the beginners' thread you will be suspended for 1 week?

Kati

yeah - it was more of a "good behaviour" kinda thing, if you post normally and dont seek exposure and so on, you then get proper access after a month/week or whatever...

Speaking personally, I relise that I may have put posts in the wrong place or made multiple postings and may have asked a question that perhaps I shouldn't have done, I like many others have done so through ignorance and not through wanting to break the rules. Its a learning experience that we all have to go through to pass on to the next stage of development.

railman - you've misunderstood what i mean, it was purely so that the ones who just join to try and gain methods and secrets would hopefully not have the patience to hang around for a month or so...

my comments werent aimed at people who simply make mistakes...

No worries, I fully accept that the rules are there for a reason and that if someone purely wants to find out how tricks are done that there are plenty of other sites that will accomodate. Perhaps I am just seeing the world through rose glasses but would like to think that any other newcomer like myself would have committed themselves as I have to complete an "apprenticeship" and think that to this end the advice and encouragement I have received from all on this site to be invaluable.

I think that registration should be harder thats all.

Now lets say someone wants to join TM. A simple questionnaire should do it. First thing the page should say is '' Please note that the following questions are asked to ensure you have a genuine interest in magic and that whilst a member you respect and follow the rules set within. Magic is a sacred art and we need to respect it, please respect this'' then ask general questions to establish the members interest in magic. Then a few simple questions regarding the rules of the forum.

If the newcomer answers a certain percentage correct, say 90% then he is granted access. Otherwise too low, he will be denied and have to re-register to make sure he actually read the rules properly.

Any member who then disrespects the rules he clearly must have read to gain access can not argue if he is then given a warning regarding breaking these. 3 strikes and he is banned, simple as. Gross misconduct and he can be banned at IP level at the MODS discretion.

We really have to respect the art we are learning, how easy is it at the moment to post the workings of a trick, just for many to see this in the 15 minutes it might take for a MOD to delete or edit such a post as MODS have lives to lead and are not guaranteed to be logged on 24/7. They do a fantastic job and are volunteering their time to help out here.

I know the setup might take some work, but how much more pleasant would TM be if we only had genuine members who show respect for our art and offer insightful advice to one another. It would be like a magic forum paradise

Maybe the confirmation email sent when someone registers just needs to have something in block capitals at the start explaining that if you don't obey the rules, you'll be banned, along with a link to the rules.