How can we make the 405th great?

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Art Andrews

Community Owner
Community Staff
As mentioned elsewhere, we are very excited to be managing this community! We think it has a tremendous amount of potential and want to see it grow and flourish, but we need YOUR help to do that! This thread is for posting your thoughts and ideas about 1) existing changes as they are made and 2) changes you would like to see made.

Please bear in mind that there is only a handful of us and 10s of thousands of you, so we may not respond to every post or comment on every idea but we WILL read and consider every idea, comment and even criticism. Some things we should be able to implement quickly and easily while others may take time or not be feasible at all. Be patient with us as we already have a tremendous backlog of things that need to be done, but one-by-one, we will get to them.
 
How about expanding the inbox?

I don't really get a lot of messages or keep any of them after I've read them but maybe there's a guy out there who needs a bigger messaging box.

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Well one thing I've noticed missing that would be useful to have again: the "mark all threads as read" button.
 
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I know a lot of issues with New Recruits is the fact that they are always asking where to find the Pepakura files. MS7 went to great lengths to create the 4shared database. I think it would be a good idea to host these files directly within your servers and make them directly available from the forums. Some people have issues with 4shared or just simply don't have the slightest on how to use it, or don't want to make an account to download the files. We also have many of the community members creating unfolds and uploading them to their own file-hosting service. This makes the files harder to find and scattered throughout the internet. Having the files hosted on your dedicated servers and creating a section specifically for the files (which the 405th had wayyyy back circa 2009/2010, I remember the christmas theme they had on the website.....sorry, reminiscing haha) will make finding files MUCH easier.
 
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I know a lot of issues with New Recruits is the fact that they are always asking where to find the Pepakura files. MS7 went to great lengths to create the 4shared database. I think it would be a good idea to host these files directly within your servers and make them directly available from the forums. Some people have issues with 4shared or just simply don't have the slightest on how to use it, or don't want to make an account to download the files. We also have many of the community members creating unfolds and uploading them to their own file-hosting service. This makes the files harder to find and scattered throughout the internet. Having the files hosted on your dedicated servers and creating a section specifically for the files (which the 405th had wayyyy back circa 2009/2010, I remember the christmas theme they had on the website.....sorry, reminiscing haha) will make finding files MUCH easier.

I second this! I have just spent weeks trying to source pep files for my build. The database is good, but is pretty behind the times for the Halo 4 variants. Even if this doesn't get hosted directly it really needs a good solid update, and maybe some form of directive on the forums about how to upload to the database when you've completed a file.
 
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Well I have a few suggestions/ideas to throw in. :)

1) I remember when I FIRST joined this site nearly 5 years ago, members were allowed a picture gallery on their profile where we could upload pictures. I guess it was sort of similar to facebook, but I don't believe we could create albums; just upload pictures of whatever. :p

2) This would probably be one of mine (and possibly others) big concern, is to make it so that when you register there is something implemented to keep spam accounts from being created.

3) I don't know how easy this would be to implement, but when new people register, they would not be able to start a new thread until after so long of being a registered user, thus MAYBE, in a way, forcing them to have to read through some of the "new member" threads. I know there is one on this site.......http://www.405th.com/showthread.php/15735-New-Recruit-Orientation-Video TOO many people sign up and almost every time, create a new thread and the new people seem to always be askig the same question......."how do I make Halo armor; what do I need; can someone help me" etc., etc. It seems that our forums are so cluttered up with stuff like this. We have threads that are stickied to make them stand out more, but it seems that SOME (I'm not saying all), but there are those that have obviously not bothered to read anything.

4) Every now and then a new member might be searching the forums and come across a thread that hasn't been active for a year or 2 and post in it, asking questions. Maybe threads like these should be locked if they are obviously dead and if the OP wants to reopen the thread, they can contact a moderator to have it unlocked OR maybe give the OP the ability to "lock" and "reopen" their OWN threads.

5) We used to have a "member spotlight" once a month and a random member (who is active of course) would be showcased on the homepage or something other and there would be a brief explanation of their WIP and a link to their thread. This might be a nice thing to have brought back. :) It may sort of help people feel special. hehe I know I was showcased once before, years ago. XD

Okay, that is about all I can think of for now. :p
 
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Would there be any way to make new recruits have to go through the introductory threads? The FAQs, the guidelines, the threads that explain how to navigate and use the forum tools, like forum search and search within thread, etc.? As Demogorgon alluded to, a lot of new members seem completely lost and don't know where, or even how, to find anything short of making a new thread and asking "where is it" constantly. And it's not just specific files, but references, tutorial videos, examples of other methods other people have used in their builds, pretty much everything. I understand how annoying it might be to be forced to go through an orientation/tutorial mode before being able to do anything, but would it be any less annoying than making everyone else have to babysit the new bloods because they don't even know where to find the tutorials to tell them how to find everything?
 
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Would there be any way to make new recruits have to go through the introductory threads? The FAQs, the guidelines, the threads that explain how to navigate and use the forum tools, like forum search and search within thread, etc.? As Demogorgon alluded to, a lot of new members seem completely lost and don't know where, or even how, to find anything short of making a new thread and asking "where is it" constantly. And it's not just specific files, but references, tutorial videos, examples of other methods other people have used in their builds, pretty much everything. I understand how annoying it might be to be forced to go through an orientation/tutorial mode before being able to do anything, but would it be any less annoying than making everyone else have to babysit the new bloods because they don't even know where to find the tutorials to tell them how to find everything?

Well possibly make it so that when someone registers, there is something implemented that makes it so they can ONLY see the tutorials? OR they would be allowed to see all threads, but just not be allowed to start a new thread until after about 7 days or so. What they do during that time is on them.......they can either wait out the 7 days until they can post OR they can be smart about it and read some of the stuff in the tutorials.

WAIT A MINUTE! I jsut thought of something! :D

Since the tutorials can be found all over the place, what if we put ALL the tutorials under ONE section, sort of like how we have "noob forum" and "creation discussion", create a section for "tutorials" so that they will all be in ONE place. Then iff possibly have them grouped into sub-forums.......like tutorials that deal with using pepakura, all those tutorials would be in that section and tutorials for foam working would be in it's own sub-forum. Get what I'm saying? XD lol At the same time that sounds like a lot of work to move the threads around, but maybe find someone who would be willing to do it that has the time and nothing better to do. :rolleyes

Just a thought. :p
 
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There are some new member vs full member differences right now... but honestly, I am not completely sure what they are. I am trying to decipher what has been done before. It appears that you have three stages of members; Members, Verified Members and Infantrymen (Full Members). Honestly, you should ONLY have two levels: New Members and Full Members. Before we can get into the details of what limits should be placed on new members, we need to suss out the existing differences (a technical issue on my side) and get things down to just two groups.
 
Upvote 0
Would there be any way to make new recruits have to go through the introductory threads? The FAQs, the guidelines, the threads that explain how to navigate and use the forum tools, like forum search and search within thread, etc.? As Demogorgon alluded to, a lot of new members seem completely lost and don't know where, or even how, to find anything short of making a new thread and asking "where is it" constantly. And it's not just specific files, but references, tutorial videos, examples of other methods other people have used in their builds, pretty much everything. I understand how annoying it might be to be forced to go through an orientation/tutorial mode before being able to do anything, but would it be any less annoying than making everyone else have to babysit the new bloods because they don't even know where to find the tutorials to tell them how to find everything?

Maybe we could try the approach that is used for email marketing campaigns. Where they send you an article a day and if you click through each link you will unlock the ability to become a registered member. Trying to think of a way to illustrate an example, lets see...

User registers on forum, account is now pending.
User receives, via email, acknowledgement of registration and instructions that they will receive a number of 'exclusive articles' to help prepare them for the 405th experience; they must acknowledge receipt of these articles for final account approval.
User receives download link, via email, to first article, let's say the All-in-one guide. The email language really sells the article promising 'state-of-the-art' armoring techniques or some other BS like that.
Articles for each major stumbling block are released as above on a regular time cycle - once per hour or two hours, enough time to read through the article AND have to wait a bit before the next arrives (anticipation is key). Each download link fires back a confirmation of download to the account registration database. Each email emphasizes 'exclusivity' and includes endorsements like 'This article gave me all the tools I needed to build the best looking armor at the con, and I used the techniques to begin selling my props for commissions! - GeekGuardianDee'.
Once all articles are downloaded enough time has passed to register the user account and allow access.

While this method won't guarantee that the information will actually 'sink-in' (I mean it really is a lot to absorb in a rather short time) the forced waiting and marketing language should provide enough incentive to lure even the least curious of folks to take a look. AND it will provide a nice repository of articles on the user's hard disk, for future reference.

It would take a fair bit of implementation, but might reduce the clutter by a small amount (probably like a 25% reduction).
 
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There are some new member vs full member differences right now... but honestly, I am not completely sure what they are. I am trying to decipher what has been done before. It appears that you have three stages of members; Members, Verified Members and Infantrymen (Full Members). Honestly, you should ONLY have two levels: New Members and Full Members. Before we can get into the details of what limits should be placed on new members, we need to suss out the existing differences (a technical issue on my side) and get things down to just two groups.

we should also have sub section for members that deal with modeling, CGI, art based, intel grading (I'm one of those.) and a few other section that would making looking for something or someone a lot easier, plus I miss the what's new tab.
 
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If we are going to start locking and unlocking threads, which I'm not the biggest fan of, I think that Topic Creators should have the ability to lock and unlock their threads. Not just moderators.

At least allow the individual to delete their thread if it becomes locked by a moderator.


I don't want to see locked threads honestly.

My Solution:
I would put limits on posting where new members cannot post without first reading 5 stickies (make it so the system locks them out until they are marked as read), after which they are limited to only posting in the Noob Forums until they reach 30 posts, at which they are then allowed to only create new topics in the Noob Forums. Once they reach 75 posts, they can post outside of the Noob Forums. At 150 posts you can post in topics that have been dead for over a year and you can start new threads in forums outside of the Noob Forums. At 150, the Classifieds subforum also appears.

Oh, and @Art, I'm not a noob but I'm also not an ancient. I've been here a while, just not as long as some others. I've been heavily active within 4 communities/forums and in each I've always done my best to contribute and write guides as much as I can.
I thought I'd mention this just in case you were curious.


EDIT:
Well possibly make it so that when someone registers, there is something implemented that makes it so they can ONLY see the tutorials? OR they would be allowed to see all threads, but just not be allowed to start a new thread until after about 7 days or so. What they do during that time is on them.......they can either wait out the 7 days until they can post OR they can be smart about it and read some of the stuff in the tutorials.
I like this, I hadn't thought about that approach when I was writing up my solution.

I suggest combining both.

I g2g though, boss is running me off cuz he wants to gtfo from the office.


EDIT2:
Since the tutorials can be found all over the place, what if we put ALL the tutorials under ONE section, sort of like how we have "noob forum" and "creation discussion", create a section for "tutorials" so that they will all be in ONE place. Then iff possibly have them grouped into sub-forums.......like tutorials that deal with using pepakura, all those tutorials would be in that section and tutorials for foam working would be in it's own sub-forum. Get what I'm saying? XD lol At the same time that sounds like a lot of work to move the threads around, but maybe find someone who would be willing to do it that has the time and nothing better to do. :rolleyes

Just a thought. :p

It's a good idea, but I think it is better that the Tutorials stay in their specific subcategories.
BUT
I do think you could create a master list somewhere or have mirrored instances of the threads listed somewhere else (I have no idea if the latter is possible)
 
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There are some new member vs full member differences right now... but honestly, I am not completely sure what they are. I am trying to decipher what has been done before. It appears that you have three stages of members; Members, Verified Members and Infantrymen (Full Members). Honestly, you should ONLY have two levels: New Members and Full Members. Before we can get into the details of what limits should be placed on new members, we need to suss out the existing differences (a technical issue on my side) and get things down to just two groups.

As far as existing differences goes, here's what I understand of things:

Members can only access pre-verification areas (one area)
Verified Members have VIEWING access to the full forum (save Classifieds/Marketplace), POSTING access to the full forum, and NEW TOPIC access to the NEW RECRUITS (formerly Noob Forum) forum only
Infantrymen have full viewing, posting and new topic access to all areas of the forum (including Classifieds/Marketplace)

Members remain members until verified.
Verified Members remain Verified Members until a certain post count and service time has been accrued...
...at which point they are auto-promoted to Infantrymen.

Personally, I'd suggest affecting a more military-focused naming convention (Recruits/Infantrymen/Veterans).

As a suggestion, and for something to consider post-Charter:

For those with full costumes, would it be possible for members to apply to be promoted to groups dependant upon the costume they complete? For example, ODSTs are grouped into the 'Helljumper' group, SPARTANs are grouped under the 'SPARTAN' group, Marines are grouped under the 'Marine Corps' group, so on and so forth.

It bears repeating that this naming convention would only be entered into upon application, verification and agreement, but I believe that allowing members to choose their grouping might allow for people to bond within their chosen 'specialisation'.
 
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Overall, I am with you, but honestly, members do not need to be verified. I am going to guess that the main reason this was being done was due to all the spam (which again, is some of the worst I have EVER seen in my life), but we are getting a handle on the spam. One of the REALLY important things is lowering barriers to entry. We WANT people here. We WANT people posting. We WANT people building. So, we need to make it easy for them to do so. With that being said, we DON'T want a flood of newbs endlessly annoying the veterans (see what I did there? ;), so we have to be careful how we handle it.

The truth is, until I clear out all of these spam accounts, we can't make any significant changes. :(
 
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You're absolutely right - I agree with you completely. My main focus was on explaining the previous structure rather than condemning or condoning it.

I'm sure you have anti-spam procedures going into place to prevent another flood of bots and such. The previous system seemed to be a fairly logical one - full posting rights are restricted to un-verified members, and verification in and of itself is a fairly small, simple, automatic step. That said, I have had, in the past, PMs from un-verified members asking me why their verification hadn't been completed, so perhaps the system wasn't so foolproof.

If you don't mind me asking, however: what do you have in mind for anti-spam/anti-bot procedures going forwards? What systems will be in place to ensure that new members are welcomed into the forums, while keeping away the unwanted attentions of others?
 
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