What do people think of this?

[sharonb]

I am going to start sending a version of this to all new members but would like feedback about it. Do you think it explains the place well enough or should I add more (I am limited to the number of words/characters I can send) 

Is there anything you think needs to be explained to new folks that I have left out. 

this is it after saying hello it starts ....

I like to describe Stitching fingers as a big old rambling house. Once in the front door (ie when you join stitchin fingers) you are welcome to wander anywhere. 

The lounge area is like the forum where everyone hangs out. General topics are discussed and all sorts of tips advice and fun is shared.

The photos area is a bit like the kitchen where everyone can see photos on the fridge door. Photos are easy to see on the site just click the photos tab. This is where we all share what we have been making. The only thing I ask that we keep photos on the topic of textiles. This is one of the ‘house rules’.

Now with nearly 5000 members if everyone was in the same room chattering no one would be heard. So we have ways to go to another room and chat about particular topics. 

The groups are more like rooms where people can talk. There are groups for crazy quilting or another group for hand embroidery or another group for fabric postcards. All these folks have taken themselves off to other room to chat for a while about that topic. At the moment there are 44 groups on Stitchin fingers, all on different topics relating to textiles.  Groups are easy to join just go the groups tab, choose a group that interests you and visit the group page. There you will find all the information about the group  and if you are happy with what you read click the button join

On the site  each person has their own space it is called "My Page". This is like your space or your room.  People can 'write on your wall'. It is a bit like leaving a  note on someone's door, the note is directed towards you but everyone can see it. 

To be private you can send someone a message - it is like email within the site. Whenever you want to communicate privately use the message service as everything else is public. 

On your page you will find the section for your photos. These photos are public and appear on the main site. Your page is also your admin area as you can change your email settings, change your profile etc from your page. 

It is a good idea to be familiar with the house rules. The community guidelines are in the sidebar of every page. 

Under the tab “site how to notes” you will find tutorials on how to do various things on the site 

Once through the front door of this old rambling house once you have joined stitchin fingers you are free to participate in anything, post photos, write in the forum what ever you wish. For this reason its is a privilege to be invited in not a right.  

Just click on the the tabs along the top of the navigation bar and have fun. You cant make too many mistakes and it’s OK if you do because we have a be kind to new folks policy. 

[sharonb]

Thanks for pointing out the private messages are only available to friends. I will have to remember that (I really need a fake ID to test that sort of stuff!) 

[sharonb]

The gifts are something that NING introduced as a way to get people to participate. They all cost Ning credits which are like virtual money. You can see your Ning Credit balance on your  Settings page. I assume people earn them by being active on the site rather than buy them via paypal but the idea of buying virtual money provoked the question in the forum here - you might want to check i...

Vikki Lemen said:

I have just joined and I am still very unfamiliar with this group.  I have enjoyed "wandering around" the various

groups and the beautiful artwork.  There IS one thing I am not familiar with and that is the "sending a gift" to someone.  I have no clue what that is about and I tried searching for an answer.  Maybe that should be addressed as well or maybe someone can steer me in the right direction for an answer.

Thank you

[Taetia McEwen]

Yes, it is indeed a fabulous analogy. As a newbie myself, I wonder whether a few definitions somewhere might help. For example, I have no idea what a fabric postcard is, or how it works and joining a group that you have no idea about seemed a bit funny...it sounds like you send each other your work...but is that a virtual postcard or snail mail? There were a few other groups I was unsure about also...maybe a description on the door might help?

[Barbara/Hopscotch]

I like the new introduction, Sharon, it is more user-friendly especially for beginers who may feel a little intimidated by all the wonderful works.

Barbara

[Taetia McEwen]

What or who is NING? :)

[Connie]

Sounds good to me

[Kathy Hillyer]

I have only just found this as I have been absent for some time.  It looks a good idea as I am not totally IT active and did have trouble starting when I first signed up

[Lorelei Halley]

Sharon, that is really very good.  Well done!

[stickyfingers]

hi sharon

i got you welcome letter on joining and thought it was lovely - it was so much more personal than the reams of blurb received from other groups in the past - thank you for taking the time to do that

[Monica Fullerton]

Sharon, as a new member, I thought your e-mail was terrific, especially the part of being kind to new folks! It made me feel a lot less intimidated!

[sharonb]

Oh Great Monica that is good to hear as its a difficult site to explain clearly - simply because it is a people place rather than a tech place. If that makes sense!

[Margaret]

very clear Sharon, must admit I am struggling a bit as to how to put something on for the running stitch, think I might just have to put it on as one of my photos and not link it to the page.