New Policy for New Users?

[Ultima]

It's really annoying that these newbies just pop into the forum and ask questions that have been answered or request features that have already been requested. Can it be made so that new users can't post new topics unless they have x number of posts? That way, they are forced to search before posting a new topic that's *usually* been adressed already. I was going to propose this a few weeks ago, but held back. Now it's just ridiculous...

[tumu]

Or make new users read the faq before allowing post. No idea if it's doable.

[jroc]

Thats a very excellent idea, Ultima. Even putting it in the registration page that they must read faq or have x amount of posts b4 makin new topics because of so many repeated topics.

@tumu:

One site I belong to, they make other sections of the forum hidden until ur first post. Maybe that could be done here, like making the post new topic button hidden until x amounts of posts, until they click on the faq thread or click the use search function thread.

[ScubaSteve]

yup make them read the faq and perhaps answer two random questions , that way the lazy noobs have to read it

[ColdArmor]

Having an x amount of posts WILL NOT work. Then you will get users just posting for the hell of it just so they can ask a legitimate question or report a legitimate bug.

[chaosblade]

Exactly.

[slayers]

I've seen something similar in another forum. Except it was a 4-5 day preliminary period before posting was allowed. Upon registration it was made clear that searching the forums could get answers faster then posting it again.

[linx05]

That's how it is at the doom9 forums. Very good actually. It was a 5 day wait if I remember correctly. It might curb it a bit. But will not stop it completely.

[MusicBringer]

Exactly.

hear! hear!

[boo]

or if you could add this text to the post when someone makes a new topic =

1. Read the µTorrent FAQ before you make a thread

2. Make a forum search before you make a thread

[Ultima]

If people (especially those hit-and-run posters) bothered to read such things, they'd probably look around the forums first, read the rules, or read the FAQs. That's just the impression I get.

Heh I guess I overlooked ColdArmor's point -- good one too.

[Firon]

if it was X amount of posts, they'd just hijack other threads to ask their questions.

[hofshi]

The suggestion made by boo seems the most feasible one.

[ignorantcow]

I have implemented Boo's suggestion + a warning of sorts. heh

[Animorc]

Nice little text =)

I still doubt that we will be able to reduce the unnecessary threads by restrictions though. Any kind of protection will be easily worked around. A warning is the best.

[splintax]

Can we have that warning removed for people with over 50 posts or something?

Having an x amount of posts WILL NOT work

Yes, agreed.

But yeah, EliteTorrents used to have this thing where five random questions from the FAQ were asked before you could sign up to the site. And you couldn't really CTRL-F, you had to read the whole thing before you could get in..