I know AW prides itself on its freedom of information and openness of the community (jokes aside), but with the regular sinusoidal influx of newbies joining and the subsequent posts of completely trite subject matter which has been discussed ad nauseum on AW (smilies in effect) I had an idea to better solve this problem than filling up bandwidth with flamings and countless posts telling them to use the search function.
I've seen forums which have a restriction on newbies which does not allow the newbie to post either in certain forums, or anywhere for a certain amount of time (a couple days, couple weeks whatever) and has certain threads shown upon login which are "required reading" for the newbie. I think that with some of the better stickies about basic subjects that the newbie would be searching for (commissioning paths and the associated application processes, ASTB gouge, MEPS, physical quals for aviation, whatever/etc etc) being posted on the newbie's front page would allow them to have to search these threads and find the information they seek first and after the allotted time (whatever it may be: couple days) the newbie would be in a much better position to ask a question with a more informed background on the subject. Instead of the trite old questions, it would likely be more specific and unanswered as of yet.
This may be too restricting and maybe for old-timers who are retired could bypass this restriction when they request their wings.
Perhaps upon joining, the application could inform the applicant if they are an aviator current or retired to request the wings etc and they could bypass this.
Dumb idea or not, I thought I'd add this idea (if it hasn't already been discussed) and perhaps this could save some time, bandwidth and frustration from sifting through countless repeat-threads.
My 0.02
Josh
P.S. Just to clarify, I include myself in this group of pesky newbies. Whatever thought came into my head, when I first joined up, became a thread....NOT GOOD.
I've seen forums which have a restriction on newbies which does not allow the newbie to post either in certain forums, or anywhere for a certain amount of time (a couple days, couple weeks whatever) and has certain threads shown upon login which are "required reading" for the newbie. I think that with some of the better stickies about basic subjects that the newbie would be searching for (commissioning paths and the associated application processes, ASTB gouge, MEPS, physical quals for aviation, whatever/etc etc) being posted on the newbie's front page would allow them to have to search these threads and find the information they seek first and after the allotted time (whatever it may be: couple days) the newbie would be in a much better position to ask a question with a more informed background on the subject. Instead of the trite old questions, it would likely be more specific and unanswered as of yet.
This may be too restricting and maybe for old-timers who are retired could bypass this restriction when they request their wings.
Perhaps upon joining, the application could inform the applicant if they are an aviator current or retired to request the wings etc and they could bypass this.
Dumb idea or not, I thought I'd add this idea (if it hasn't already been discussed) and perhaps this could save some time, bandwidth and frustration from sifting through countless repeat-threads.
My 0.02
Josh
P.S. Just to clarify, I include myself in this group of pesky newbies. Whatever thought came into my head, when I first joined up, became a thread....NOT GOOD.
