Mentor Q&A Discussion
Please add your thoughts on the Mentor Q&A test group down below!
). To write a direct response to one of the comments, move below that particular comment and start your entry with a colon. It will be displayed as an intended line then. Thank you :-) --Zai Lynch 02:10, 18 January 2008 (PST)
From ASCIIrider Hailey: Only thing I can point out is the 1:1 question/answer ratio. That only should apply with a complete or correct answer as some may give wrong info, thinking it's correct. —The preceding unsigned comment was added on 02:13, 17. Jan. 2008 by ASCIIrider Hailey
*Comment From Kitty Tandino*
I think this is a good step foward..
A Q&A channel would be alot better then people spaming main channel
"Mentors can join if they wish to help and those who don't want to don't have to"
:D i will love to see where this all leads :D! Heres to one more Step foward!!!!!
WooT!
-Kitty —The preceding unsigned comment was added on 02:28, 17. Jan. 2008 by Kitty Tandino
I am invited to the group at 01/16/2008, and I hope that this group will be kept to the elite of the Mentors, so that Group Channel Spamming is kept to a minimum, and no-nonsense.
I am pleased to be one of this group.
Neovo —The preceding unsigned comment was added on 07:55, 17. Jan. 2008 by Neovo Geesink
I am slightly sceptic as to the impact of this on the general mentor population. Right now, I tend toward the position that anything less than a mandatory membership by mentors (or just turning the mentor channel into a q&a channel) will not be widespread enough to be effective; however, I'm keeping an open mind and the testing shall give more info.
Also, a 1:1 ratio will not be effective; some answers will be wrong, others may require elaboration or explanation as to the why; without the reason *why* something is behaving the way it is, the q&a channel will miss its target of educating newer mentors.
Will Webb 15:54, 21 January 2008 (PST)
The Q&A Group I am hoping will provide me with serious answers/solutions to serious questions I pose. To be honest only die hard mentors are going to join the Q&A group, and contribute. I dont understand why the official channel cant be used for serious questions and concerns. I understand there are upwards of 2k of members in the Official mentors group BUT arent we all suppose to be working, and contributing? AND as such the official mentor channel should be utilised ligitimately, as an Q&A assistance channel.
A discussion was started recently where a mentals member stated that in the mentors group approx 1/3 were there and wanted to be active, 1/3 were there for the kudos and didnt plan on doing any work and 1/3 were inactive accounts. I would concur with the sub-categories but not necessarily the 1/3 break down. Having said that what should have occured before creating another group for mentors was to CULL the current crop and remove any accounts not been logged into for 2 mths, or move into a inactive mentors group and when and if they return to SL they can choose to move back into the main group, after 6 mths all accounts in the inactive mentors group be removed completely. The 3k amount of mentors currently give an inaccurate count of mentors working and providing support for new accounts and residents.
What concerns me about creating ANOTHER mentor group is the same old group of people are going to join and be active contributors, and the "for the kudos" members will once again slip through the cracks and still remain inactive.
With the Q&A group I hope it doesnt turn into another mental mentors full of larking about and nonsense. I enjoy being in the mentals BUT most of my questions go unanswered or mocked, I am not against the mentals at all it provides me with some entertainment BUT when I ask a serious question or voice concerns I expect frivolity to be left at the IM door. I hope that the Q&A group will be professional and respectful in its approach.
I also believe LIVE help should be bought back and instead of lindens being utilised in this support role, more experienced mentors should be given this duty (BUT that might be for another forum).
Sierra Larsen 18:16, 1 February 2008 (PST)
I like the idea, and have answered a few questions already. However, I'm skeptical that it will eliminate the larger issue of questions in the main mentor channel. I believe we will see mostly "answerers" join the Q&A channel. Fewer "Questioners" will join because they may not have many answers, and may not plan for the ability to ask questions by joining the Q&A group. So, a mentor will have a question, yet no way to get into the Q&A group quickly enough to ask it. And if I'm wrong, and everyone joins the Q&A group, then we'll have what we have now, with a different group name. DoteDote Edison 18:42, 1 February 2008 (PST)
The Q & A is serving the purpose of learning from each other when a question is raised. The more we tell each other about the group the more all of us will use it. The Mentals get a little rowdy and some people are not interested in listening through that. The Q & A serves a valid purpose by providing a less chattering channel where everyone can feel comfortable posing questions. If the discussion in the Q & A gets too lengthy (some consider this spam, some consider it learning) then those who don't want to continue listening merely have to click the X on the window. I'm not sure what the relevance of inactive group members has to do with any of it. --Jon Ree 19:03, 1 February 2008 (PST)
At this point the new Q and A group, is in my humble opinion, nothing more that the SLM group, but with a different name. Of late there has been some really horrendous comments made in it, that dont do any mentor any justice, and to my mind reflects badly on all of us. It badly needs some form of monitoring to stop the horrendous comments from some. Rails 23:46, 1 February 2008 (PST)
I like what I've seen so far, but it is early days yet and I believe it needs a little time to "bed in" properly. But certainly, the opportunity to be able to ask a question and choose from a variety of responses, or to learn from the answers to someone else's question, is a very helpful asset. I have an idea about how this and the main channel could co-exist side by side? If this channel was used to learn or advise via Q&A, then the main channel could be reserved only for requests for Mentors to come and help in a particular situation (e.g. a language speaker for Orientation Islands). Both types of request COULD live in the same channel, but splitting them would avoid the complaints so often seen. Tid Kidd 05:53, 2 February 2008 (PST)
What I like most about the new group is the fact you get the SLVolunteer Digests in your mail. I'm learning all the time this way...--Yock Yifu 08:19, 2 February 2008 (PST)
I'm glad to see this group and think it is working well. Nice to have a place where folks with non-emergency needs who are reluctant to use the forums or mailing list can ask questions without clogging up the main Mentor's channel. I do notice that folks still seem to have as much difficulty following channel guidelines as they do in the main channel, but since this is not a mandatory or immediate needs channel one can close it and leave it closed without having to worry about missing a call from someone in need. Also amusing to see how many folks feel that disregarding the guidelines in the main channel is not rude, but that reminding folks that there are guidelines and requesting they follow them is rude. :/ Kevyn Hienke 18:24, 2 February 2008 (PST)
Suggestion about FAQs
Might be a good idea to collect common questions and store them in an FAQ for new Mentors. Just started with a first draft. Feel free to add / change. --Zai Lynch 18:58, 16 January 2008 (PST)
Jane2 McMahon 16:52, 1 February 2008 (PST)I like this channel better than the "official" one as a) there is room for discussion about issues that more than one person might find of value; and b) the unofficial SL mentor police don't clog up the channel complaining about people posting questions. I've found the discussions quite good, and am pleased it does not descend into chattiness. -- Jane2
I love the New Q&A group I am sure it will build and be better than now With new and old mentors we all have questions that need to be answered. This can be a way to reach out to not only learn but help others if we ourselves dont know the answer. The more we know the more we can help.Doctordaffy Cure 17:02, 1 February 2008 (PST)
--Del Harrop 02:28, 2 February 2008 (PST)Hello I don`t know how much it is being used at the moment but Q & A needs time to grow and develop. It is exactly what new.....and not so new, mentors need. I felt srongly about the fact that when a question was posted in the main channel EVERYONE should have had the opportunity to see the answers.....what an absolute waste of an opportunity to learn by only being able to reply in IM`s. I think Q&A is the solution....it will also (tongue in cheek LOL) prevent the `SL Mentor police` from spamming with unhelpful comments and complaints..I like, very much, the idea of the FAQ being built up too. I know there is a Knowledge base etc but they are not the easiest to access when you have an impatient Newbie snapping at your ankles and raring to go. Del Harrop
Sumar Morgan 17:36, 2 February 2008 (PST) I enjoy the Q&A area and think it is a super place for people to discuss how to do things.
There was an incident the other night that should not be allowed. One mentor was inconsiderent and demeaning to the legimate question of another mentore. If we as a mentor cannot be kind and helpful to each other, I do question how they treat new and confused newbies. This kind of behaviour is obnoxious and something needs to be done to stop it.
I think this is a place that where questions can let others who are interested help discuss and solve. This should open up the Mentor IM for emergiencies.