I thought it might be a good idea to have a permanent thread for newbies.  Instead of people like me knocking good threads to another page for a simple question, there could be a specific newbie question thread.  We post our questions all in the same place, and the vets can pop in from time to time to help us out.

Good?  Bad?

 Steve

Or, how about a permanent banner/box containing a reminder for people to use the SEARCH function? The answers to most questions already exist on the Forum, so it would benefit everyone to learn to use SEARCH. That way, we can avoid the redundancy of the same questions asked again and again.

For example, wondering about how to fill out a Customs Form? Enter "Customs Form" or "Custom" in the SEARCH box. Wondering if you can send gummy bears during the summer? Enter "Gummy Bears" or "Gummies" or "Gummy" in the SEARCH box.

I think anyone who's been using AnySoldier and/or the Forum for awhile is happy to help new people with questions, but it is a bit frustrating to answer the same questions over and over again. Plus, the Forum is getting so huge and there is so much duplicate information, it just gets harder and harder to find the information you need.

That's my 2¢ on the matter.

Or maybe a reminder in the "read this first" or the "Introduce Yourself" threads, just to let newbies know the seach function actually works on this site.  Most of the sites I've been to have search functions that don't work very well or at all, so it's a default to avoid using it initially and just post the question, thus redundancy becomes a fact of life on a message board.

I like the newbie thread :) Good idea! And yup, the AS folks work hard to make a well functioning site! Shelly

I think the Newbie Thread is great idea also.  By the time you finish reading everything, you could have had your question answered.  If the older "junkies" don't want to read the "Newbie Thread" or answer it, they don't have too.  Whatever floats your boat.

Besides if a newcomer sees that thread, all the little questions they have will have been answered in one thread.  Also, some people aren't as familiar with computers.  And we all know how frustrating "Technology" has become.

I know that when I first started in January of '08, I was asking Marilyn (Wonder Woman) tons of questions and she has always been so professional, knowledgeable, patient and kind to me.  She never made me feel as if I my questions were dumb.  I would think that is why Marty started the Forum to help one another out. 

Mimi

 I've had excellent results using the search function on this site. Searching first often allowed me to ask more focused, detailed questions, and in some cases the search raised questions I wouldn't have thought of (after all, we don't know what we don't know).

Pam 

Pamela:

I've had excellent results using the search function on this site. Searching first often allowed me to ask more focused, detailed questions, and in some cases the search raised questions I wouldn't have thought of (after all, we don't know what we don't know).

Yes, the SEARCH function here on the Forum works great!    And the FAQ section of AnySoldier is a great resource, too. It does take a little bit of work and initiative on the part of the Forum users, which isn't a lot to ask of us, and is one of the basics of Forum etiquette: not repeating information again and again, and familiarizing yourself with a Forum before posting duplicate information/questions.

I also wonder if it might be confusing for a "newbie" to go to one thread which would be about many different topics, containing both questions and answers to those various topics. Would this "newbie" thread contain all "newbie" questions, from how to mail, to what to mail, what to write in letters, which forms to use, the list goes on... ?

I'm always happy to answer questions, and do so on a regular basis, often by doing a SEARCH and pointing people to links here on the Forum where the information they seek already exists. Re-posting information again and again doesn't seem like a great solution to making the Forum easier to navigate, it seems like it would have the opposite effect.

Of course, this Forum is set up so that anyone can start new threads on almost any topic, so people have the freedom to do as they choose. I'm just of the opinion that we should all work towards making the Forum better for everyone to use.
 

Hey Steve!

Thanks for the suggestion.  The sheer quantity of information available on the Forum can be overwhelming.  I was really new myself a few months ago and asking the same questions.  Heck!  I still ask a lot of questions (and sometimes inadvertently ruffle some feathers, but we both get over it...lol) and there is still a lot I don't know.  It all takes time.  Sometimes people who grew up in the military or have been supporting the military for a long time or have been on this site for a while may forget what it is like not to know and to feel overwhelmed in a whole new "military world".  Anyway, I received some really kind, patient answers from Gran and Marilyn and some of the others.  It was really wonderful that someone would take the time, so I do understand.  Newbies are newbies.  We shouldn't berate children for not knowing how to serve tea for the Queen when they have just learned to walk, and tell them, "Well, go read Emily Post."  We are and should be patient and helpful.  LOL After I had graduated college and had gone back for a visit with one of my professors to see how the new incoming class was doing, he said, "Well, it just always surprises me that every year, the "new kids" think they are re-inventing the wheel."  Anyway, for many, this is the first time on any sort of Forum and we don't know procedures.  This was my incoming state.  If we waited to ask a question until we knew everything there would be no reason to be on here!  LOL Most people are really helpful, and, in time you will learn what the search function is all about and how it works.  Particularly, in the beginning it is easy to be overwhelmed when we may just be looking for a quick answer.  Some of us simply don't have a lot of time to spare doing research and just wanting enough information to proceed.  Also, one other point, we always have "new blood" coming on who may have different backgrounds and perhaps different and valuable knowledge.  I'd be hesitant to shoot anyone down.  After all, we are here for one purpose only, and that is to support our military in their missions.   

So, welcome aboard again, Steve.   Now...What do you want to know?

Debbie

Thanks for the replies.  And Debbie I did get your pm, but was unable to reply.  I might need to take a look at my profile.

Honestly, I don't remember what I was looking for. Ha.

I do see the cons of the newbie thread (500 pages etc.) I was just trying to think of a way to limit repetative threads or simple answer threads.  It could be similar to the general discussion thread, but a place for newbies to wander aimlessly together with a vet checking in every now and then.

NOW I remember: Is it smart to assume that the guys, would most likely have the ability to view DVDs?  I bought a bunch of movies I wanted to send and then thought, maybe they don't all have the ability to watch them.

Steve:

Many of the soldiers watch DVDs on their laptops and some have portable dvd players. Also, some have access to a television and they have DVD players hooked up to them. I send DVD movies and TV series on a regular basis and I've sent a few portable DVD players to some units who had no other way of watching movies.

If you do decide to send a portable DVD player, you may want to consider getting a couple sets of headphones or earbuds and a splitter. Some portable DVD players only have one audio outlet and if you send a splitter ( I bought a few Belkins on Amazon for $3.95 a while back) then two people can hook up earphones to the player and watch the movie and not disturb others. The splitter also works on mp3 players too. Just a thought. Hope this helps.

Jen

Helps indeed.  Thank you Jen.

One last thought on DVD's:  You might go by what your unit asks as some already have what they want (Only wanting newest ones as they have older ones.) or, as has been mentioned previously, can pick up bootlegged copies of whatever they want for $2.  Guess the bottom line is, it is an individual thing.  That being said, you can still send them and they could give them to another unit if unneeded.  Just don't forget to Write on the case and DVD itself with Sharpie AnySoldier.com...keeps them from being stolen and sold back to our people.

Good luck and ask whatever you need.

Deb

One of the best search tools to learn early on is on the "Where To Send" page.  At the top of the left hand column, is a drop down arrow that says "View contacts sorted by:"  Click the drop down arrow,  click # times requested, and this will give you  a list to locate those with few address requests which can be generally translated into less support.  If you check out the date added here, you can tell if the low count is because they just signed up today, or if they have been on the site for a while and just overlooked for some reason.

Still on # times requested, when you click "last" it will have the most address requests, and while they may need less support, the post columns are usually great reading.