In the restructure and promotion of Lumos that is going on recently we plan on making Lumos much more user friendly for complete RPing novices. However to do this we need input from you, the members.

So - first of all, what do you think is complicated on Lumos? Do you have any ideas on how to solve this?

Just bounce a few ideas around.

Cheers, Adam

I think that most new members don't know what they're doing when they join... I think making it mandatory for newbies to demonstrate knowledge of the basics... Like maybe a test, or a sample post?

The only thing that gets me confused sometimes is the order of the places within the Hogwarts School Forum... it's all scattered. Maybe it's just me. But you could order it so that everything goes by level within the building, not necessarily make a whole new forum for it though.... if that makes any sense :blink:

I don't agree with the idea of a test or sample post. It might discourage people who don't know how to RP from joining. We want people to feel welcomed. Maybe if we had a help forum in which newbies could learn about RPing. Or have a group of people who would post with new members. Because like telling someone that don't know enough of how to RP so they can't join is a little harsh. If we could teach all the members who might never have even RPed once before we could increase our numbers.

I like the idea of a sample post, not to show that they know what they're doing, neccesarily, but so they clearly know what they're doing with they're character.

I personally think that putting it in levels is even more confusing. I liked it better when the Houses were seperate from the Classrooms. Maybe we could put the classrooms with the other places inside Hogwarts, put the Common Rooms in their own place, the outdoor places in their own place, and the everywhere else forums in their own place. So basically what it is now, but seperate section for Common Rooms and no seperate section for classes. That way all of the inside stuff is inside, the outside stuff is outside, the off-grounds places are with the other off-grounds places, and the common rooms just chilllax in their little space. lol.


I think that the character development stuff should be moved up and put with The Sorting Hat forum. That way all character based things are in one spot.

Once we actually start getting more members, I think it would be a good time to reinstate the idea of the L-Team- a few loyal members who's job is to make members feel welcome.


Sort of like a mod squad but without modding powers.




Any other ideas?




~Mel

I Like Mel's idea of how to organise the Hogwarts places. Only currently it does sometimes get confusing...

As for a sample post, i am personally used to having to write them but perhaps it should be called something else like an 'Introduction Post' where everyone is given the same scenario ; like getting off the train at hogsmeade, in whatever year there in. And they form a post around that. It could also be stated that the post is not a test but is simply to give a flavor of someones role playing style and the character they intend to play?

I suppose the 'L' team Mel mentioned could also use the post to judge how much 'help' and how many nudges in the right direction a new member would need? Tests always seem daunting to people, if its not a test it might not put people off.

One other thing that might make it feel less unorganized is putting the community section at the bottom... If it went

Admin and Sorting
Character and Plot Workshops
Plot Points
Hogwarts
Classes and Other Quarters
Rest of the World
Community

I think this is better organization

There are some cool ideas here. Keep them coming. We will have to discuss each in turn etc...

Cheers guys :)

I think we could have an RP school where beginner Rpers can go and get information on what it is, how to do it, etc. I would be willing to run it, it's just not everyone will know how to RP when they first join. I persoanlly think we should welcome beginners. Maybe we could run a scheme where new members could ask for a mentor who can help them get into topics and get to know others.

I think once the site becomes more active then a mentor system would be a fine idea. (Kind of what the L-Team was but it simply wasn't active enough at the time).

But instead of new members going to mentors, mentors go to new members. So mentors post in a topic saying they have X new member covered then PM them a welcome/hi offering them help. just a hi first really because some new members are experienced RPers.

So yes, consider a mentor system on the planning sheet.