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Vaniver comments on Open Thread, May 18 - May 24, 2015 - Less Wrong Discussion

4 Post author: Gondolinian 18 May 2015 12:01AM

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Comment author: Vaniver 18 May 2015 07:23:07PM 3 points [-]

Does anyone read the FAQ? Specifically, do the newbies look at the FAQ while being in the state of newbiedom?

At least some do. In general, we could improve the onboarding experience of LW.

Comment author: Lumifer 18 May 2015 07:35:43PM *  5 points [-]

In general, we could improve the onboarding experience of LW.

"Hello, I see you found LW. Here is your welcome package which consists of a first-aid trauma kit, a consent form for amputations, and a coupon for a PTSD therapy session..."

X-)

Comment author: Error 18 May 2015 07:55:29PM 4 points [-]

...and a box of paperclips.

Comment author: Lumifer 18 May 2015 08:36:14PM 3 points [-]

...and a box of paperclips

...please don't use it to tease resident AIs, it's likely to end very very badly...

Comment author: John_Maxwell_IV 19 May 2015 03:22:41AM 0 points [-]

What concrete actions could we take to improve the onboarding experience?

Comment author: Vaniver 19 May 2015 02:23:32PM 0 points [-]

I imagine there are UI design best practices, like watching new users try out the site, that could be followed. A similarly serious approach I've seen is having a designated "help out the newbie" role, either as someone people are encouraged to approach or specifically pairing mentees with mentors.

Both of those probably cost more than they deliver. A more reasonable approach would be having two home pages: one for logged-in users that probably links to /r/all/new (or the list version), and one for new users that explains more about LW, and maybe has a flowchart about where to start reading based on interests.

Comment author: John_Maxwell_IV 19 May 2015 02:40:01PM 0 points [-]

So the homepage already explains some stuff about LW. What do you think is missing?

I'd guess we can get 80% of the value of a flowchart with some kind of bulleted question/recommendation list like the one at http://lesswrong.com/about/ Maybe each bullet should link to more posts though? Or recommend an entire sequence/tag/wiki page/something else? And the bullets could be better chosen?