I think the automated email is a good idea. Right now the system is, let a lady register and hope she brought an umbrella big enough for when the shit storm hits her. Anything is better than that. But should the site just automate that with some minor programming or should they be looking at being a little more involved?
There are lots of dangers online and most of the younger ladies represent a group that has some of the highest risks. Why not put forth a little effort, where the site requires that any new female handle must take some quizzes on basic online safety before they have posting privileges? I’m not suggesting only the ladies should be subjected to that, but they are the group I think should be protected a little more.
Side note: Regarding “registered female handles” let’s keep in mind, we truly never know the gender of the person registering/ login on as a woman.
Warning! The link below is to a video clip with sound!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9PKyfkHZgU
I think the VP should handle this area 100%. They could establish a board, say 5-7 members, that could decide based on experience and history, what foundational knowledge is necessary for the newbies to know before posting.
To honor Dannie, we could name them, The Guardians of The Clam ( j/k
).
This board prepares and determines the materials to be taught, and puts it together in very short modules. A handful of questions are prepared and put into a questions bank. The system could then generate random, short quizzes out of the questions on the data bank. 5-7 questions per quiz and then the lady advances to the next module. The key to all of this would be to make it as concise as possible. It would be ideal if the modules along with the quizzes could be completed in about 20 minutes, and definitely under 30 minutes. Quizzes should be multiple choices and maybe just one answer that they have to type in.
Again, the board would determine the content to cover, with a focus on protection against online predators. Knowing the rules for participating in coed forums, applying and attaining VP status,
posting in the Welcome Wagon once, and what to include in that post. Wish list: a few tips on navigating and searching the site would be helpful. AlSo DiScOuRaGiNg ThIs TyPe Of PoStInG WoUlD Be GrEaTlY ApPrEcIaTeD.
Thus when everything is ready, the newly registered lady, would be greeted by a page that might be similar to this, when logging on for the first time.Note: New Lady X = Newly Registered Female Handle:
From that point forward, she could choose to complete the modules later, and navigate the site, but her posting privileges would be disabled until she completes the foundations modules. There isn’t such thing as a perfect solution and I am certain there are many flaws with what I propose. I think doing this, or some similar solution, would have a much greater impact than an automated email alone. The main reason is because it wouldn’t be an option anymore to read the basics of the site.
I know it seems like a lot of work, but from my perspective, I’m not willing to put a price tag on a young lady’s safety, by determining what constitutes too much labor. Again, this is not a solution to all the things that are wrong with the hobby, its aim is to protect a vulnerable segment that is unprepared when they arrive to this site. It would take some time to put it together. In the mean time, the WW Douche Bags or Pussy Pirates, as Jules puts it, continue their work: