What do you think should be in a Help Center? UPDATED 6/26

[The Valkyrie Ryu]

Perhaps it could have separate sections, like one section is all "How to ___" and another section about "Why ____ is like ____", a "What/When/Where" section, and another section about the history of Gaia. That way it's easier for people to read through it and find the answer of the question they are looking for.
Alternatively, the sections can be about different parts of the site (Games, zOMG!, Marketplace/Trades, Inventory, Shops, Forums, etc.).

A sneak preview would be amazing. Also, please keep a thread for people to suggest more questions for the FAQ.

Some of these 'questions' probably already have been included but I'll mention them anyways.

Also, Gaia's official stances on certain situations should be mentioned. (see examples below)

Why:
✖ Don't forget to explain why we 'bump'. :3 (<- huge Gaian culture thing there!)

✖ Explain why we have the 2% tax in the MP.

✖ Why we can't exploit mules. (As in, an explanation of why "creating multiple secondary accounts strictly to accumulate Gold by using site features and then funneling it to a singular account" is not allowed.)

✖ Why Gaia is PG-13.

What/When/Where:
✖ An explanation of all the games on Gaia.

✖ An explanation of what topic belongs in which thread.

✖ What kinds of things you can and can't report and how. (Like, begging PMs, begging comments, etc.)

✖ Explain the different types of mods & other Gaian officials. (and explain what the colours mean!)

✖ What kinds of images we CAN'T post on Gaia.

How to:
✖ How to use the Marketplace. I know a lot of newcomers buy all their clothing from the stores, and so lose out on the opportunity to save some gold by buying from the Marketplace.

✖ How to Trade.

✖ Hack/scamming prevention.

✖ Basics of zOMG!

✖ How to make gold. (bumping, posting in journals, buying CS items, etc.)

✖ An explanation of some of the features in Account Preferences. (As in, 'How to set your PMs to Friends Only', etc.)

✖ How to join guilds and a zOMG clan.

✖ How to create a guild.

History:
✖ Explain why the Cash Shop was created.

✖ Why towns was started.

✖ Why we have MCs.

✖ Why/when zOMG! was created.

✖ About Lanzer and the others who started Gaia. (maybe a link to the Lanzer interview also?)

✖ Explain what important 'storyline' changes occurred in the past Gaian events.

Official Stances:
✖ Why accounts will never be deleted.

✖ That MC's will never be re-released. (Also, it'd be amazing if you could fully clarify what this entails. As in, clearly define what is meant by 're-release'.)

[mell42]

I would couple it with an into Quest-thing. 4laugh

I remember when I joined there was Moira and she was a little help - but not nearly enough. Gaia was still very overwhelming.

Upon seeing friends open newer accounts, I discovered there is no longer anything like this.
It's pretty silly to spend all this time revamping if new members aren't immediately directed there. If one doesn't learn at the start, one never will <sigh>

It would also be cool to make the ToS and Help, ect. into a beginner/mini event because then the Gaian can learn how to be an active member - participate and play games - instead of just sitting around and buying gold. It's be a lot more fun for them and the rest of us. whee Heck, I think a lot of older members would want to do it as well!


EDIT: Yeah, totally did not understand 'the storyline'. It should def. be more integrated into the world of the newcomer.

[xAnother_Fallen_Angelx]

This sounds like a really good idea.

I think a preview would be nice.

[franchezca_cutie]

exclaim exclaim question question ninja ninja

well...
for the new in gaia they must have a tour at gaia...:

exclaim exclaim question question ninja ninja

[babyita]

Actually I would like to see ahep center about gaia cash since after using a credit card a few times it doesn't allow you to use it anymore I don't know why I think something needs to be done about that and a help section si we know how to go about it Thanks a Bunch wink

[Ikoian]

Id like to see previews =3
I think its great that you guys are putting in the help system. Now there should be alot less "Wrong fourm, go to Q&A" in the Gaia Community Disscusion and Site Feedback.

[PWNTSAUR]

The help center should explain what Gaia is.

It's hard describing Gaia to my friends; once they visit the site, all of them ask the same question: What am I suppose to do? I'm not even sure of the right answer; Gaia has a hubbub of activities, but what's the cohesive factor?

Also, the help center should reinforce the importance of stickies. I think we all know by now that newbs pretty much ignore them and don't read the forum rules at all. I've come across gaians that don't even know what a sticky is.

I have one question though: would a preview change anything? Giving us a preview would be great if our input would impact any type of last minute changes.

[Musically Joyous]

Wow, this Help Center idea sounds great. It would be really convenient for people who just started Gaia or even for the veterans. I can't think up of a lot of things, but maybe a Gaia-Lingo dictionary/explanation, an etiquette guide for the forums and game chats (too many new people beg for gold or complain about unnecessary things) and maybe clarifying more on the Marketplace and the Gaia Cash Guide shop. ^_^ Those two places are where most new users are interested in.

[Vampire Red Rose]

A help center would be great. Every one has said almost every thing i would like to see. I don't know if there is one, but a suggestion box to the Admins would be good to see. Get feed back from us on the site and improvements.

[Leiky]

okay...well id like to see a preview of the new page.

and secondly ill see if i can make a beginners tutorial if i get my cam working..i like to help..heck..there should be a video of each page on gaia then one to help to use profiles, change information and even post and maintain a thread..{for those people who cant keep a thread going past the first feew pages....like me...lol}

tht is all

Leiky

[Erebus Haze]

Of course there should be a preview! Tease us with all you got!

[The King Crusader]

honestly fiancial advise[]] with people that help get on your feet and then after that let you continue by yourself but you can always come back

[scullylam]

i agree with the suggestions that have been made, especially about the lingo/dictionary and helpful guides for new users. also you could have a list of all the guilds which are aimed towards new users so at least they can join their first guild and also can make new friends and get more out of the gaian experience.

also, you might need to have a section about zomg. some people who may join might be only here for the game so if possible, have a faq and any information which may be helpful to playing linked (or even have the zomg forum linked from the help center). and with some zomg guides, have those mentioned so at least it can help as well. this idea can also be with other games, like how to play cards.

[iamthenextbest]

I agree with game guides. Though zOMG was confusing at first, you get used to it because it explains in the game.
And also for the newbie quests, make them go to moria (still), then this Help guide, and then to the Manga. I didn't read it tell the begining of this month. So I didn't understand much at all or the point of zOMG. But I read it and went "Hey! This looks fimilar! ;] " It helped me out a bunch to understanding Gaia a lot. When I first joined gaia I went to towns first. And I didn't know how to talk because the chat thing wasnt in the window plus this was around the time there were Shadows so I was so fascinated in that xD Oh the good 'ol days!. Maybe a "how to work VJ" I had to ask around to make and fix my VJs.

[Cerebral Chaos]

Preview Please!! ^v^-

Be sure to include why there are zOMG! rings on the market, but you can't sell your rings. Newbs keep asking me that! >_<+ It's so annoying!
I could really use the terms/dictionary function, because I don't really speak txt, so people have to explain abbreviations to me all the time.
Well, I don't understand RL Economy, so I really like the idea of the explanation of it for the Gaia Economy.
Definitely include all the twists and turns of Gaia's plot, because one can spend a good amount of time just reading over the old manga. Oh, and the mini comics...does anyone read those anymore? I finally did read them all and I finally understood some of the puzzles. I don't know if that's really necessary to include, but no matter. ^_^
Um...I would really like to understand the connecting element of Gaia. For all I know it's to communicate with people you usually don't talk to...*sigh* I really don't know. sweatdrop
I really like the idea of the suggestion box. First suggestion: can we get a Birthday Ninja? ...or like, a Present Ninja that brings your presents.... XD That'd be cool

Woot? I'm not the only one who signs their posts?! Yay!! ^v^

-Chaos