How Can We Improve The "Finding Anime" Sticky?

[KT Samurai]

The sticky in question can be found here:

Anime-Forums.com > Anime General > Anime Chit-Chat > Finding Anime Names & General Anime Q&A (http://anime-forums.com/showthread.php?t=72185)

Many users seem to overlook this sticky and create new threads in other sub-forums, which produces more clutter than we need frankly. Can you think of a way to help users find this sticky more successfully? Should we use a different approach altogether?

Note that this sticky was made back in 2004.

[Mr. X & Mr. Y]

IMO sticky is not sufficient. People overlook that, can't read, are lazy, stupid etc.

The best way to do it is Separate forum for this with a lot of fancy effects, glowing, twinkling, name at least Size 7(local settings, can't find any bigger number in this forum) and preferably red or changing colours. And put it on top of site!!!

And still, there will be an special group of users, who overlook that, can't read, are lazy, stupid etc.

[Kewkehtsu]

Could sticky it on the main board, or maybe combine the Anime Reviews subforum with the "finding Anime" sticky to form a broader "Finding Anime/Reviews" subforum.

I'd say post something in the Welcome section, but there is a General sticky that covers a wide range of the usual topics in "Anime-Forums/Welcome/Are you new? Please read this!" sticky, so it's obviously not being read...

If only there was some way to make new users look at that sticky before being able to post... A convoluted way would be to set up some type of system so that a new user has to make an introduction thread, and post once in the "Are you new? Read this!" thread before being able to post anywhere else.

You could also just have every staff member put a link to that thread and the general rules in their sig.
coupled with that idea, If the mods occasionally posted more in the welcome threads section there could be a greater potential for a new user seeing it.
Dunno, just a bunch of random ideas.

Nothing is going to just outright solve the problem as it involves a user's choice in whether or not they read the stickies...

[Mr. X & Mr. Y]

If only there was some way to make new users look at that sticky before being able to post... A convoluted way would be to set up some type of system so that a new user has to make an introduction thread, and post once in the "Are you new? Read this!" thread before being able to post anywhere else.
This could be easily avoided. Altough good idea. How about developing it to something like: New users could only read FAQ and Rules. And after 24 hours, they can post something else than in intro section?

You could also just have every staff member put a link to that thread and the general rules in their sig.
coupled with that idea, If the mods occasionally posted more in the welcome threads section there could be a greater potential for a new user seeing it.

Or this... When wlecome PM arrives, there could be links to FAQ and Rules. To attract their attention, make it red, glowing and size 4 at least.

[Mai Hateshiganai Almateria]

This sticky is a great idea.. Much like the one for Anime and Manga recommendations.
:)

[AnimeJunkie]

The biggest problem I see with the current stickies are they blend too much with regular created threads. The fact that you have several of them doesn't help the problem either because they look like a jumbled mess at the top. Making them more visible would probably increase the chances of people seeing and reading them.

What I've noticed some forums do is make a header section that segregates the stickies from the regular threads. For example if you used the thick dark bluish green bar that have the words thread, thread starter, rating, last post, etc embedded in it and use it as a divider/separator on the bottom of the stickies group then it will help separate it more.

You can then use different text colors and alternate them between each sticky thread. For example red text, then green text, then red again, and so on. You can pick colors that look nicer for the forum but I think you get the idea that they should look different from the regular post threads. When they look like other regular posts people tend to ignore them. The reason why I suggest the alternating colors is because you have so many stickies that even separating them in a header section they will still look like a jumbled chaotic group. When things are organized and neat to look at people tend to do so. Also anything important should grab your attention without looking obnoxious.

[Mr. X & Mr. Y]

The biggest problem I see with the current stickies are they blend too much with regular created threads. The fact that you have several of them doesn't help the problem either because they look like a jumbled mess at the top. Making them more visible would probably increase the chances of people seeing and reading them.

What I've noticed some forums do is make a header section that segregates the stickies from the regular threads. For example if you used the thick dark bluish green bar that have the words thread, thread starter, rating, last post, etc embedded in it and use it as a divider/separator on the bottom of the stickies group then it will help separate it more.

You can then use different text colors and alternate them between each sticky thread. For example red text, then green text, then red again, and so on. You can pick colors that look nicer for the forum but I think you get the idea that they should look different from the regular post threads. When they look like other regular posts people tend to ignore them. The reason why I suggest the alternating colors is because you have so many stickies that even separating them in a header section they will still look like a jumbled chaotic group. When things are organized and neat to look at people tend to do so. Also anything important should grab your attention without looking obnoxious.
Thanks for your support. http://www.datorrents.com/forums/images/smilies/dancing/k-gomen.gif
That's what I meant in my previous posts, but probably didn't make it as clear as yours...

[KT Samurai]

What I've noticed some forums do is make a header section that segregates the stickies from the regular threads. For example if you used the thick dark bluish green bar that have the words thread, thread starter, rating, last post, etc embedded in it and use it as a divider/separator on the bottom of the stickies group then it will help separate it more.

I've seen this before as well and I like the sound of it.

[J.CoolKid1412]

The biggest problem I see with the current stickies are they blend too much with regular created threads.

I agree with this one. The only thing that separates them with the regular threads is the STICKY caption...



What I've noticed some forums do is make a header section that segregates the stickies from the regular threads.

The other way I saw from other sites is that the STICKY thread is highlighted by a different background color... It's more noticeable that way cause the different background color made an emphasis that it's actually a STICKY...

[ChatterboxZombie]

At the top of the New posts page you could put a big, red shiny button saying "looking for an anime title? Click here!"

people like big shiny red buttons.
I know I do

[The King of Horror]

Maybe puting more than just Finding Anime ect. Something like. . I know this sounds cheesy but,
Need Help Finding an Anime Title or Have a Question Anime Related? Click Here!
I like the sig idea but, why not have anyone willing to put it in there sig do so not just Mods. Make it more extensive.
Also who doesn't enjoy shiny red buttons?