So, we're here... what do we do now?

[Donmai]

also, I think I've heard people say that the community wiki is out of date?

Let's get off topic for a moment only to comment on this. The outdated wiki refers to older versions, as it is explained there

It used to be the main place for Ren'Py documentation, but the latest documentation has moved. There's still a lot of older documentation here that hasn't been migrated yet.

So, Ren'Py has its shining new documentation also available:
http://www.renpy.org/doc/html/

Ok, back on topic.

[Lesleigh63]

- Sticky post for newbies
Written in a friendly and cheerful tone, it'll have the basic forum rules (with a link to the proper rules), basic explaining which subform is for what, links to starting-up tutorials and the list of mods/admins in case they have any problems.

- Newbie subforum
A place for newcomers to post their newbie questions they may feel are too dumb or are too scared to ask on the regular subforums.
Replies should be answered assuming people don't know what they're doing and have no previous experience in game-making, programming, writing, drawing, etc. replies with links to other threads in the forum/outside links/tutorials are encouraged.

I like these ideas. The first could work as a "How to get started" topic (which could incorporate many other suggestions posters have made) under the 'Welcome' section.

[Katta]

I don't see a reason why people will start reading the rules in the welcoming message if they don't read them now, and considering all the information people in this thread think should be in it the message will be very lengthy.
So wouldn't it be cool to have a VN about all those aspects of starting as a dev - f.ex. expand VN tycoon with events like posting something wrong/breaking some forum rules (I personally liked the game very much and I think with a bit more text it'll cover all the aspects needed in a fun and entertaining way)

[breadslam]

I would be interested to hear what you think the community should be doing for new members?

I think that LSF is actually doing pretty well in regards to new members and user base growth, helped in no small part by the recent influx of paid VNs on mainstream game distributors (Steam, Desura, etc.) and the rise of tumblr as a fertile ground for smaller/fandom projects.

Maybe an offsite group on, say, Steam or the like would bring in new members. I don't really see a problem with how we are now, but it's a thought.

I don't see a reason why people will start reading the rules in the welcoming message if they don't read them now, and considering all the information people in this thread think should be in it the message will be very lengthy.
So wouldn't it be cool to have a VN about all those aspects of starting as a dev - f.ex. expand VN tycoon with events like posting something wrong/breaking some forum rules (I personally liked the game very much and I think with a bit more text it'll cover all the aspects needed in a fun and entertaining way)

There's been a few projects like this that I've seen, but none of them have really taken off. It would be a really fun way to introduce people to LSF and Ren'py though!

The Image Button tutorial game covered its subject matter well and even had comments in the code to help out anyone who wanted to replicate it. Maybe something like that would be ideal?

[TrickWithAKnife]

Would you want to be in a project with people who are not even a little proactive?
Teams like that never complete anything and are often so disheartened by the experience that they may give up on creating VNs.

I'm a new face.
And that in essence is the problem I am raising here.

We were all new members. Then we posted and we became part of the community.

Yes, there is an introduction forum, there is a tutorial forum, there is a recruitment forum and there are project forums

every evidence points to the absence of an organized effort to incorporate new members into the forum.

You listed organized efforts already being made to incorporate new members. If they aren't going to put fingers to keys, then there's little else anyone can do.

I don't expect people to drop their big important projects to go and babysit a little nobody who just came onto the scene

I've been here for two and a half years and this is the first time I've heard anyone refer to new members in a negative way. My experience is that the community as a whole is very welcoming to anyone who joins in.

If you want to be part of a project, either start one or showcase what you can offer to existing groups.
If you can't draw or make music, then write. It's not hard to create drama from nothing.

I'm going to say it again just to be absolutely clear:
Anyone who won't communicate without having their hand held will be a nightmare to work with.

[lacelazier]

Hey! I'm new to the forums myself <: So I'm just going around and reading interesting stuff...

But I'm a little sad to see that you feel lost and outcasted from your experience here in the site. Hope things will be better! > . < )

[LinovaA]

Now.. I kind of see what you mean. At the same time though, this is more of a forum about game creation then social interaction. Collaborating with others is one of that ways that you can get "in". Doesn't take too much effort.

Then again, its funny coming from me considering I was one of those new users who just kinda "disappeared"... although my disappearance was not me just losing touch with the forum or feeling excluded, but rather an issue of outside circumstances that I needed to deal with first.


(btw... I am back!)

[trooper6]

Welcome back!