The misleading First Thoughts...

[Moreno R.]

Hi!

I am posting this to suggest changing the name of the "first thoughts" sub-forum.

Why? Because most of the web forums have a "welcome, present yourself" area for new people, called something as "first posts", "first thoughts", "first paces" or something like this. The Forge doesn't have this, but when people arrive in the forum they just assume that the "first thoughts" area is just this. And as a result, the sub-forum is full of presentation messages from new users that doesn't qualify for the "new idea for a rpg" section.

I think that calling that sub-forum "your first idea for a new rpg", or "your new rpg - first thoughts" or something like this (I know that these two example suck, they are only examples), that more explicitily present the sub-forum use, would avoid a lot of misunderstanding, cut the time lost in explaining this thing every time (and freeing more time for useful advices), and would help avoiding some bad reaction that sometimes happened.

[David Artman]

How about one of these:
"Initial Design" - Emphasizes the nascent, seminal aspects of incomplete designs.
"Rough Drafts" - As above, but even more explicit: a design that's ready for Playtest should no longer be "rough."
"Design Questions" - Emphasizes to new users that they should be asking questions, not just posting for "general comments."

David

[Limejello]

I kinda like "first idea for a new rpg" actually

When I first posted here I wasn't really confused by it because after reading the post I gathered that it was first thought on an rpg.  HOWEVER it was the closest thing to an introduction forum I could find, so I thought it was the place for it.

I think we should have a introduction forum.

[lumpley]

I'm answering as a long-timer, not with any binding authority:

If you want to introduce yourself, do it with some actual play. That's the kind of introduction we like.

-Vincent

[M. J. Young]

I'm also answering as a long-timer: I'm not going to remember the content of a "this is who I am" post; there are too many people here for that to matter. I will eventually match you to game ideas and discussions, if you make intelligent posts where I'm participating, and that's what will identify you to me.

So I don't see any use, let alone need, for Hello My Name Is announcements. Put it in your profile, and anyone who cares can look.

--M. J. Young

[Limejello]

yeah but where do you go to make idle chat?  There should be a place to say hi and introduce your self making freinds could help make publishing an rpg easier.

[Ron Edwards]

Hi there,

The internet is full of places for idle chat. Andy Kitkowski foundedStory Games, which is dedicated to a relaxed atmosphere and is a kind of sister site to the Forge. You can also post at , which preceded the Forge and is far more social.

The Forge, however, is exactly what its name is: a working place. One doesn't have to be a game designer or publisher; the real work is found in Actual Play, posted by anyone, using any game. Everything else comes out of that.

You don't have to earn a welcome here. No one has to like you before they read what you post, and you don't have to prove anything. You already have cred, if that's what concerns you. The question is whether you're engaged in the site's purpose. If not so much, then the two sites I linked to above are probably better places to spend your time.

Best, Ron

[Limejello]

hmm well I must admit that you do make me feel welcome Ron, so I just wanna say you're awsome.  I don't know that there shouldn't be a general or off topic forum but I do feel like this board is more welcoming than others I've been to.

[Ron Edwards]

That is nice of you to say! Thank you.

Best, Ron

[Filip Luszczyk]

Actually, looking at the amount of introduction posts that appear in the First Thoughts forum, I'd suggest sticking a thread with the introductions policy there.

[Ron Edwards]

It's been happening a lot recently, but I'm not sure whether it's a blip or an oncoming wave. New arrivals at the Forge often come in bunches, and sometimes a given bunch exhibits a common feature. Most of the time, it just means moderating a bit more and there's no actual problem to solve.

You can see from the existing sticky that once, a common feature turned out to be a necessary repair. But I want to be sure, because I don't want stickies full of detailed instructions to fill up the first half of each forum.

I'm keeping my eye on the forum. I agree that the strange wave of "hello" posts merits attention. I think it's telling that most of these posts claim to have been lurking at the Forge for a while, and then the post itself demonstrates nearly complete ignorance of the site's purpose. So the phrases are clearly stock, try-to-fit-in rituals.

When I get a fuller understanding of what the posts are trying to do, and if I think it's a problem rather than a blip, I'll post a sticky or add to the existing one.

Best, Ron

[David C]

It's been happening a lot recently, but I'm not sure whether it's a blip or an oncoming wave. New arrivals at the Forge often come in bunches, and sometimes a given bunch exhibits a common feature. Most of the time, it just means moderating a bit more and there's no actual problem to solve.

You can see from the existing sticky that once, a common feature turned out to be a necessary repair. But I want to be sure, because I don't want stickies full of detailed instructions to fill up the first half of each forum.

I'm keeping my eye on the forum. I agree that the strange wave of "hello" posts merits attention. I think it's telling that most of these posts claim to have been lurking at the Forge for a while, and then the post itself demonstrates nearly complete ignorance of the site's purpose. So the phrases are clearly stock, try-to-fit-in rituals.

When I get a fuller understanding of what the posts are trying to do, and if I think it's a problem rather than a blip, I'll post a sticky or add to the existing one.

Best, Ron

Probably a blip. My guess is it is because Gencon just happened, and Gencon is major advertising for this place, that's how I found out.