Help the n00bs?

[Cube]

As mark suggested on BCU, we should help the new people to the community.



Without some limitations that a certain "owner" of a particular forum getting in the way, how do you suggest we do (or don't) do this?





Heres some possible ways:



- Let them learn on their own, tell them where to get the (sometimes expensive) programs from, and leave them

Pros: Easy to do

Cons: Same problem as people asking questions again and again



- Tutorial forum on this very forum

Pros: Anyone can write someone helpful if they have spare time that they want to spend, easy for anyone to write them too

Cons: Will probably end up getting clogged up with questions



- A web magazine, perhaps monthly, available to download in .pdf, with information

Pros: Easily accessible to anyone

Cons: Someone new may have to download quite a few to find what they want



- A website, with all the information anyone will need

Pros: Easy for anyone to find what they want, when they want, gives people more of a reason to come here than just a forum

Cons: May take time for me (or whoever creates it) to prepare...not too long tho.





Any thoughts on this?

[Sean]

a tutorial forum sounds good... but would need to be moderated by people who know what they are talking about

[Linea]

I was thinking a Tutorial forum might be best as well, just what occurred to me first when I thought about it. Probably will get clogged up with questions, but then, I guess that's what it's for.

[Nebula]

arg here is where I wish I saved my mod thread in a doc file.....

[Legacy]

Sean has a hand on writing good tutorials

And some of us have a lot of patience with n00bs.. like me, errr.. mostly.

[Sean]

Sean has a hand on writing good tutorials

And some of us have a lot of patience with n00bs.. like me, errr.. mostly.

Hey i only did that do decrease my work load... seemed like a good idea at the time... but still only got a few people on it... and they have to have basic skills...





im no good at real noobish tutorials... but i can try

[Meteorafallen]

I agree I think that there should be a thread in this forum and if we need people to moderate I have no problem lending my hand at it, I have great expertise in Photoshop, and if anyone has questions about textures and retexturing, editing textures, registries etc.. as I said I have no problem and I do not mind giving a hand to those people that wish to start moding for BC, I just wished I knew more about MAX grrrr LOL

[Starforce2]

What exactly are these "limitations"?

[MLeo]

A tutorial forum, that's not for asking questions, seems to be a good idea.

Of course questions about the tutorial should be allowed, but patrons shouldn't be allowed to post new threads that aren't, sensible, tutorials.


A draft mod would work wonders for this btw.
Patrons would change their topic title to "Finnished: <Insert>" and the mod(s) would then judge the tutorial, and when it's accepted, the draft flag will be removed.

[blaXXer]

sounds god, Mleo.

[Lynxifer]

WIKI!

:argh:

[blaXXer]

a wiki for the more sphisticated documentation and stuff like that plus a basic rundown on the basics of mod installing.

[Raven Night]

As mark suggested on BCU, we should help the new people to the community.



Without some limitations that a certain "owner" of a particular forum getting in the way, how do you suggest we do (or don't) do this?





Heres some possible ways:



- Let them learn on their own, tell them where to get the (sometimes expensive) programs from, and leave them

Pros: Easy to do

Cons: Same problem as people asking questions again and again



- Tutorial forum on this very forum

Pros: Anyone can write someone helpful if they have spare time that they want to spend, easy for anyone to write them too

Cons: Will probably end up getting clogged up with questions



- A web magazine, perhaps monthly, available to download in .pdf, with information

Pros: Easily accessible to anyone

Cons: Someone new may have to download quite a few to find what they want



- A website, with all the information anyone will need

Pros: Easy for anyone to find what they want, when they want, gives people more of a reason to come here than just a forum

Cons: May take time for me (or whoever creates it) to prepare...not too long tho.





Any thoughts on this?

And what limitations would that be?

[BCDS]

A tutorial forum sounds like a great idea.
But i too would prefer a wiki.

One of the many problems associated with trying to introduce new modders into BC are the assets required to create things, like models and textures.
So perhaps we could do a run down of freeware/shareware that people could use.

Wasnt there a similiar thread on BCU?

[El]

I'm sure someone did a great series of articles on creating systems on BCU. They should still be around. Can't remember if they ever finished it though.

[MLeo]

I'm sure someone did a great series of articles on creating systems on BCU. They should still be around. Can't remember if they ever finished it though.

Yes, BanzaiZAP made thpse! Great system scripter.
Though, I thought it was just the 1 thread on it.

[El]

Ah, found it. Mission scripting for beginners, Sim Rex did about 6 articles on it;
Lesson1
http://bridgecommander.3dactionplanet.gamespy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=16469
Lesson2
http://bridgecommander.3dactionplanet.gamespy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=16532
Lesson3
http://bridgecommander.3dactionplanet.gamespy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=16589
Lesson4
http://bridgecommander.3dactionplanet.gamespy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=16650
Lesson5
http://bridgecommander.3dactionplanet.gamespy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=16744
Lesson6
http://bridgecommander.3dactionplanet.gamespy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=16903

THe all seem to have attachments in pdf and word format that includes the whole lesson, which should make life easier.
Unfortunatly the forum won't let me attach pdf or doc files....

Lessons 3-5 even cover basic AI.

[Senator]

Wiki sounds good.

Of cource mind you that wiki's don't write themselves mind you. Modders will have to go there in the first place and depose their knowledge, much like SimRex did.

Note: Awww... apparently even without the "limitations of an owner" we still can't post "sea mercenary software" , ignore the copyrights, and start the socialist revolution. Suks.

[Tomrade]

A tutorial forum would be good. Could you make it so new topics had to be confirmed that would keep the questions out so they could be posted in the actual posts (if they apply) or the support forum.