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. 

[Janehjt]

I love your analogy to a rambling house with a "foyer" and then rooms we can explore.  It is also neat to have our "own" room too. I think you have done a swell job!!!

[TAHON THERESE]

l’explication me parait beaucoup plus clair

TT

[Deborah-Anne Odendaal]

Really great analogy and easy to understand. Thanks for including us in the 'draft' decision.

[Kathryn Cooke]

Very inviting. I think this warm and friendly greeting is a true reflection of the Stitchin Finger community.

[Viv Estill]

Looks good to me Sharon!

[Elizabeth Braun]

Looks fine to me.  Just one idea (if it's correct, that is):  You mentioned PM-ing people, but doesn't that only work when you've already friended the member concerned?  I'm not sure, but I thought that was the case.

[Teresa Glenn]

Sharon, I really like the way you've made a story of the Stitchin' Fingers site and community. I think you've done an excellent job both with this description and with the site in general and I'm very grateful for it. I've made some wonderful stitching friends because of this site, even though it's through the "screen"........

[Pippa Price]

Hi Sharon I am new to the site and I like this explanation. The more I use the site the better it is. I would encourage people just to dip in and out to begin with as there is so much information it is overwhelming. As for just taking a cup of coffee to look at things more like a pot of coffee. Thank you for a wonderful site I really enjoy myself. Looking at all of the photo,s that is my first port of call then I branch out into different "rooms" I love the comments so encouraging. I still have not managed to get the badge onto my blog I am very new to that as well not sure where I am going wrong. I can get photo's to say I am following but the links bit eludes me I have tried to follow instructions but not managed it yet. Computers are not very familiar to me yet but that will come.  

[marie christine]

Après un moment d'adaptation, et après m'être promener dans la maison des " stitching fingers", tout est finalement assez clair et avec le traducteurs, même si la traduction est parfois un peu farfelue, je comprends beaucoup mieux. Mais cela fait aussi faire des progrès en anglais car je lis une première fois avant de traduire...

[Hélène Rouèche]

good for me. I really like the image of the house with many rooms

[Claudia Weinwurm]

"Rambling house" is a very goog metaphor for "Stitching Fingers" and I think your explanation can be very well understood!

[Jules Woolford]

 I really like it, and I think you have expressed the 'feeling'  of fun  nd friendliness of Stitchin Fingers eloquently in your analogy!