I realize there is info on the home page for new letterboxers & inquisitive people who stumble upon letterboxing. I was wondering if we could formulate a standard official introductory message response to a newbie's first contact. We can begin with a hearty "Welcome" and move on to the very basics, including navigation of the site.

Any thoughts?

It's been a while but I got an email from Ryan as soon as I created an account.

It's been a while...

I think that's an understatement!

an understatement

Or maybe he just knew I'd be trouble?? 8D

It's been a while but I got an email from Ryan as soon as I created an account.

Yeah, that still happens. Also, immediately after you first register, you're also sent to the Account Created page.

I'm up for making tweaks and changes to either it or the welcome email.

-- Ryan

Perhaps you could emphasize reading the Code of Conduct, and make a point to newbies of being stealthy and re-hiding well? Those areas seem to cause the most consternation because some newbies aren't aware, and this affects all of us.

Don't know if this is feasible - but maybe add names of active boxers close to them... if you had a master list to draw from of boxers who'd be willing to field questions locally - it might ease the troubles in each area.

Did I get that message when I joined? Its very overwhelming. And very busy. Maybe something simpler - and maybe a couple different messages as they log in a maneuver the site...

1. Rules and Code of Conduct and setting up their profile
2. Then more about the icons, etc
3. Contacts in their area

People forget 80% of what they first read... I've trained folks for years and you have to repeat basics often.

JMO

A newbie's first contact may be the intro note in the box. It took me years to realize that long-winded explanations don't get it, it needs to be short and sweet. So this is what mine looks like now:

YOU HAVE FOUND A LETTERBOX!

Please:

- Make your mark in the log book
- Return all contents to container
- Close container securely
- Rehide it in its original location
- Conceal well
- Log your find at

http://www.AtlasQuest.com

That was very carefully worded to get across the point that the box must go back to the same hiding spot yet still be hidden well.

I know I'll sound like a jerk saying this, but I don't want my contact info sent to newbies for 2 reasons. 1) I, like everyone else, have time constraints. I'm happy to answer questions on the boards when I can / when I happen to catch them, but I don't want to be obligated to do so. 2) Honestly, I don't want strangers knowing where I live! Once I've made friends with you, THEN you can know where I'm from... approximately.

don't want my contact info sent to newbies [...]

Perhaps, add an option to preferences to have contact information sent to new boxers in the area. It defaults to off.

Yeah, that still happens. Also, immediately after you first register, you're also sent to the Account Created page.

That is perfect! Can't believe you were able to travel back in time, create a nice intro message chock full of easy to digest info for newbies based on my suggestion today!

You amaze daily and I promise to pay more attention in the future (but with your powers you probably already know that)

I was thinking more on the lines of by state, not town or address... And it wouldn't be obligatory...

I know this won't be a popular point of view but I'd like to see a 'find' restriction on boxers before they can list a 'plant'. It takes time in this hobby to know what a good plant is and reduce your chances of the box being found by muggles. So many newbies are so excited at first, run out and plant only to have the box be gone. Maybe a 30-40 box find restriction would be reasonable.

I know this won't be a popular point of view but I'd like to see a 'find' restriction on boxers before they can list a 'plant'. It takes time in this hobby to know what a good plant is and reduce your chances of the box being found by muggles. So many newbies are so excited at first, run out and plant only to have the box be gone. Maybe a 30-40 box find restriction would be reasonable.

The problem with that is a lot of letterboxers don't live where there is a plethora of boxes to find. So you are saying these newbies can only half participate in the hobby due to the fact that OTHER people have not planted enough boxes near them.

Yeah, when I started in 2004 there were exactly zero boxes within 100 miles.

Not sure how that would work; planters might still plant and just not list them. I can imagine more problems than a solution.

I know this won't be a popular point of view but I'd like to see a 'find' restriction on boxers before they can list a 'plant'.

But vhat abvout zhe peoples who vant to plvant under undt alias?

But vhat abvout zhe peoples who vant to plvant under undt alias?

Well, Mr. Boris Badenov—if that is your real name—you don't have any plants OR finds, so why would you care? ;o)

So many newbies are so excited at first, run out and plant only to have the box be gone.

But in all seriousness.... I'm not sure why anyone would consider this a problem. Some people learn from experience, and some people learn from other people's mistakes, and some people learn from their own mistakes. It's all good! As long as they learn something.... =)

-- Ryan, who sometimes prefers to screw up for that first-hand experience

Well if they plant and don't list on AQ or LB or somewhere where folks can get clues what does it matter. People won't know to look so if they go missing who would know.

Well if they plant and don't list on AQ or LB or somewhere where folks can get clues what does it matter.

It doesn't, and we've learned this the hard way.

But, you were right about one thing -- your suggestion is not a popular point of view (which, fortunately, at least IMHO, is a Good Thing).

Restrictions, of course, in all forms are a Bad Thing, but who am I to argue against discrimination?

Restrictions, of course, in all forms are a Bad Thing, but who am I to argue against discrimination?

Svome pveople insteed dee-cide tvo make zhe dee-fee-cult boxes to decode.