101 tips for new members

[Annpan]

Hey everyone

Please help me right some tips for newbies.... sometimes I think we loose people quickly, maybe some helpful guidance would help them stay.... we might condense it and put it as a sticky in the 'new members section' what d'ya think?

OK... I'll start....

1. Register - I think we must have hundreds of lurkers, come on in..... we don't bite

2. Say Hello - we are friendly people and it is nice to have a wee introduction to let us know you are here.

3. Include your location in your profile - it makes it easier for us all to get an idea of growing conditions or local regulations.... plus we are nosey

4. To see what we are all chatting about right now use the 'View new posts' link up there ^.... it saves trawling through all the categories.

5. Read the rules, they are there for a reason, but the jist is just to be nice

[TheGoodEarth]

BTW what is the difference between 'View new posts' and 'View active topics'? I normally just select 'View active topics', does this mean I might miss some new posts?

[Annpan]

Well... 'view new posts' will only show you posts since your last visit, so you know you haven't read any of it before...... For those of us who are here every day, or several times a day it saves time to just press the 'view new posts' button....

But hey it's a free world, it doesn't make a big difference.

[Green Aura]

6) Some of the discussions get quite heated (we're passionate people) - but never personal. Moderators keep an eye out for the offensive.

7) If you have a business you think we might be interested in, introduce yourself first. We'll get to your business after we've met you!

[Clara]

8. There's no such thing as a dumb question - you certainly won't get patronised for asking newbie advice, so just ask, we've all been there!

9. We come in all shapes and sizes - there's no such thing as not ISH enough, so long as you come with an open mind you'll be welcomed with open arms!

[red]

10 share your successes, we all want to brag about the first carrot etc, and we all like hearing about it too!

[Shirley]

11. Share your failures too - you might stop someone else making the same mistakes and might learn how to make the failure into a success.

12. There is more to Ish than the forum - don't forget to check out the main site and the blogs etc.

[mrsflibble]

13. dont be worried about how eco you are or arn't.
I came here out of cheapness, not out of saving the planet. it just so happens that to reduce our costs we have also reduced our carbon to a major extent..... I used disposable nappies! I use loo roll! I am not ashamed!!!

[theabsinthefairy]

(already lost track of the numbers - sorry)

trawl around through all the topics - just because the heading says one thing does not mean that there is not something in there that will interest you, so sample everything.

[MuddyWitch]

15) (I think!) Although we all chat to each other like old friends we really NOT cliquey

MW