Welcome PM for all Newbies

[Moo]

Long has it been suggested (by Raccoon and others) that ADISC send some sort of automated message to new members, giving them helpful information about ADISC, and a gentle introduction to our culture.

Well, here's a first draft of that PM.

This is live now, but I'm looking for feedback as to how to improve it.

My specific goals for it are:

1. It should have a friendly, welcoming tone.
2. It should come from a recognized community member, such as myself or Peachy, and preferably be customized with elements that reflect that person's character.
3. It should include links that newbies would benefit from reading, either ADISC related (an intro to ADISC) or AB/DL related (answering basic questions).
4. It should include links to various parts of the site that newbies might be very interested in.
5. It should, without breaking the flow of the message, explain some key terms that newbies might not be familiar with (e.g: "thread").
6. Above all else, it should make newbies feel welcome at ADISC, and encourage them by removing obstacles to their participation.

Without further ado, here's the first draft:

Hi, and welcome to the ADISC Community!

I'm Moo, your friendly neighborhood robo-cow from outer space.
I'm here to show you awesome stuff we've put together to help new people, like you, better enjoy ADISC.

The Greetings Forum
The greetings forum is where most new people go first. It is the best place to say hi for the first time, and learn a bit about your fellow ADISCers.
Each line in the list is a conversation, called a 'thread', which you can participate in.
Notice the special green threads at the top of the forum. These are called 'stickies', and they are there to provide you with useful information.
In the greetings forum, the stickies help explain things about ADISC, and help with questions many new people have, such as how to write a good introduction.
You can create an introduction for yourself simply by using the "New Thread" button in the forum, writing your introduction, and submitting it.
Introducing yourself is a great idea, because it gives us a chance to personally welcome you into the commuity.
Don't know what to say? No problem! Just check the stickies - there's one specifically about how to create the best first impression with your introduction.
More generally, you need not worry, as us ADISCers don't bite.

The Wiki
The Wiki is rather like ADISC's community library. Unlike a normal library, it is not filled with huge volumes on obscure topics that nobody cares about.
Rather, our wiki is filled with helpful guides and howtos about topics which ADISCers are interested in.
This means it covers things like diapers, computer privacy, how to tell other people about that special side of yourself, etc.
Take a look, and see what you can find!
You can even edit it yourself, and contribute your knowledge, so check it out

The Live Chat?
This awesome feature lets you talk to other ADISCers, in real time, and you don't need to install any special software or anything to use it.
You can access it any time, from the menu at the top of every ADISC page.
This menu also includes a tutorial for using the chat, and a link to the stats page which tells you how active the chat is, right now.

More Questions??
Any further questions? Just send me a PM, and I'll help you out

Again, welcome to ADISC.
-Moo, the resident Space Cow

[Asher]

It looks great, Moo; good job!

Just a possible thought: after you say "robo-cow from outer space," you could add "and I help run the site" or something on those lines to identify you as having an important role with the site. That way, the newbies would know who you are right off the bat, etc..

I'm not sure how beneficial that would be, but it's just an idea. It looks great regardless

[Mesmerale]

Just one thing I've noticed so far..

Unless you plan on making PMing open to newbies (Or if you did awhile ago and I didn't notice... Or if they can PM you but not others or something...), you may want to take that last bit out, 'cause newbies won't be able to PM until they're Regulars.

Originally Posted by Asher

It looks great, Moo; good job!

Just a possible thought: after you say "robo-cow from outer space," you could add "and I help run the site" or something on those lines to identify you as having an important role with the site. That way, the newbies would know who you are right off the bat, etc..

I'm not sure how beneficial that would be, but it's just an idea. It looks great regardless

... Moo owns the site. :P "help run the site" is an understatement. ^_^

[Takashi]

Nice job Moo.

[Asher]

Originally Posted by Mesmerale

... Moo owns the site. :P "help run the site" is an understatement. ^_^

Haha! Yes, I know Mes. I think putting "and I own the site" might seem a bit daunting to some newbies; that's the only reason why I didn't say that.

[Martin]

Originally Posted by Moo

More Questions??
Any further questions? Just send me a PM, and I'll help you out

Weren't we trying to get all those types of things in the Requests forum?

[Moo]

Originally Posted by Mesmerale

Unless you plan on making PMing open to newbies (Or if you did awhile ago and I didn't notice... Or if they can PM you but not others or something...), you may want to take that last bit out, 'cause newbies won't be able to PM until they're Regulars.

They can PM staff members even if they're not regulars

Originally Posted by Martin

Weren't we trying to get all those types of things in the Requests forum?

I was thinking about that. I think for the first few weeks, I'll just invite them to PM me. See how many PMs I get Plus, it'll give me a better insight into the questions that newbies tend to ask, which will help me revise the PM to include that info.

[Mesmerale]

Originally Posted by Moo

They can PM staff members even if they're not regulars



[. . .]

:O Nu fair!

[Diapered Rabbit]

I like this. Go for it.

[Charlie F]

Perhaps throw a link to the rules in there?

Otherwise, I think it's really good.