1

As everyone has probably had a chance now to see the new welcoming tool in action, I’d like to bring the option of an opting-outfeature up again. Some people have already been asking after it , but how many people would actually use it? What will the implications be for the welcoming tool? Will so many people actually prefer to permanently sign out of it that the tool will have no names left over to sign? Personally, I would like to have an opting-out feature. Sometimes I am trying to coach a new user, just hopping on quickly (like now), or trying to do some other task that requires a lot of concentration. Then I don’t want to be interrupted by new users’ thank you’s and questions. Especially people who have the Editor’s Toolbar or Extension would know that you get interrupted by talk page messages even when you are doing other stuff on the internet, not on wikiHow at all. The new tool apparently also gets far more replies than the welcoming templates ever did. I experienced this, and I saw others say the same. But this brings up the issue of being interrupted at inconvenient times by it again, because you simply get more messages now. I would not use this to permanently opt-out. I would rather use it like admins’ auto-patrol, which I switch it on and off as needed, because I do prefer to be patrolled. Like I would prefer to welcome. Just not always - inconvenient moments do crop up. What are the community’s thoughts on this?

2

This was my answer from the other thread… just re-posting it here for specific relevance.

I’d feel more comfortable if I could use Special:RC as a “time killer”, like in the past, and not have to worry about my Droid becoming a pager while I’m out somewhere.

3

I think there are enough people who genuinely enjoy welcoming and helping people that an option to opt out wouldn’t be a problem. Even as it is there is a risk that the person whose name is signed won’t still be online when someone responds to it, and there are enough people editing at any one time that I don’t see it being an issue if people opt out. Once someone has responded to a welcome, they have engaged with the site, and the chances of them sticking around are much higher. I don’t think it’s as important that they get a prompt response as it is that the person responding genuinely wishes to help and isn’t viewing the need to respond to a question as an interruption. If the people responding are only those who genuinely wish to, the responses are likely to be friendlier, more helpful, and will therefore be more likely to encourage someone to stick around. wikiHow is a volunteer site, we are allowed to do as little or as much as we please, this tool seems to be making people feel that they are obliged to do something they don’t want to do, and I don’t think that’s a great way for people to feel about things.

4

+1

5

Bump! This is getting drowned under the admin elections. @Krystle actually asked me if I would post this to see if the community still wanted an opt-out, after some people suggested it right after the tool came out. It seems to me as though there is still interest in it.

6

I would quite like an opt-out. I’d leave the welcoming tool on for most of the time, however if I come in for a short while and then have to go again, it’s not such a great time for people to get a speedy reply from me. Likewise if I’m in the middle of something like moving categories, etc. I’m not going to give such a speedy response and it would be better for the new user if they got someone else’s name on their message. But yeah, I really like the new tool, but if possible an opt-out would be a great addition =)

7

I support a toggle for being able to opt-in/out of having your username attached to the automated welcoming messages.

8

I like Maniac’s idea of a toggle for the in/out… but I"m fine with the current situation of tagging my name on if I’ve been editing recently too.

9

I’d also like such a feature, though it’s something /I/ can do without. But how about instead of holding each person on for 1 hour, actually apply it only to the most recent nabber/admin ? What’s the purpose of the time period?

10

Thanks for the feedback everyone:slight_smile:

Having it any less than an hour threatens to overwhelm the servers.

11

overwhelm the servers!! this thread haz been tagged!!

12

I have gotten a grand total of zero messages, either because NABers aren’t included or I just plain haven’t been editing as much as usual (I think the latter), but I still think an opt-out makes sense for this tool.