You need to own a reader to join

Ned · 10-03-2008, 10:35 AM

Hi just a small point, but on your joining form, it won't let you leave the "Type of Reader" box empty. Nor will it let you blank it out after joining.

Since I'd expect many new members to be, like me, non-owners but on the lookout for advice, you might benefit from allowing a blank box here.

Yes, I know you can lie about it, as I did, or even put None as I discovered, but not everyone is as bold as I am.

Over · 10-03-2008, 10:57 AM

I think anyone can figure out what to put in that field, so that's not really a problem.

Ned · 10-03-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Over

I think anyone can figure out what to put in that field, so that's not really a problem.

No, but it would be nicer if you didn't have to.

(And Bob on the Welcome forum told me to post it here

)

pilotbob · 10-03-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned

(And Bob on the Welcome forum told me to post it here

)

Suggested.

BOb

(As someone said I guess you could type "none" there. But, I also agree it shouldn't be a required field.)

Ned · 10-03-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Suggested.
BOb

Sorry Bob, nothing intended, just loose wording on my part.

bbusybookworm · 10-03-2008, 12:20 PM

I know that it can be a bit of a pain, but have to say that making it required has the benefit that when someone is replying to a post they can see which device(s) you have, which can often put a question or statement in context.

I've found that It's especially useful, when communicating with new members, as it allows the long time members to quicky zero in and offer encouragement and advice.

I'll actually like the Location to be required as well, as often answers to queries are very much dependent on location.

Perhaps a small note besides the fields suggesting putting none / searching when a new member registers

NatCh · 10-03-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned

You need to own a reader to join

Technically, you need device to join.

Before the advent and rampant popularity of dedicated e-ink readers, MobileRead had a somewhat broader focus. It included phones, PDAs, even laptops and such because those were the devices available for mobile reading. We still pay some attention to other mobile devices, but the focus has mostly shifted.

That being said, I tend to agree that at least a note that the "device" field could be filled in with something like "none yet" would be a good move.

And yeah, this is definitely the place to offer such suggestions. Our Forum Architect, Alex, does make it a point to read posts here, and is pretty good about acting on them. However, he also has quite a back-log in his in-box so it can sometimes take him a while to get to things.

khourianya · 10-03-2008, 02:25 PM

Instead of a blank textbox, perhaps having a list of devides to select from with "Still deciding" as an option and an "other" textbox that could be filled in would be more appropriate....

just a couple of cents from my direction

Patricia · 10-03-2008, 06:08 PM

People have made some ineresting points here.
I think that it's a good idea to ask what devices member have, because we do get posts from new members asking, 'How do I do X?' And the answer may very, depending on their device. Members don't always think to mention which device they possess.
A drop-down menu, including 'just looking' sounds very promising at first. Then you start looking at all the new Hanlin clones, the older pda's etc, and realise that it would be a very long menu indeed.
So, it's not as easy to fix as one might hope. But it's certainly worth thinking whether an improvement is possible.

NatCh · 10-03-2008, 06:12 PM

I think the idea of a help note ("you can enter 'none' or 'still looking,' etc.") is probably the most practical one.

Patricia · 10-03-2008, 06:12 PM

I think that you may be right there, Natch.

Alexander Turcic · 10-03-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

I think the idea of a help note ("you can enter 'none' or 'still looking,' etc.") is probably the most practical one.

I agree, this could be helpful.

The problem with a drop-down is that some people would like to enter more than one device.

Alexander Turcic · 10-03-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Title: E-Book Device
Description: Your (prospective) e-book device (feel free to enter 'none' if you haven't decided yet)

How does this sound?

NatCh · 10-03-2008, 06:52 PM

Sounds just dandy to me, Alex!

JSWolf · 10-11-2008, 01:50 PM

Can we make the location manitory too? Answers can also depend on where the person lives.

10-03-2008, 10:35 AM	#1
Ned Ebook reader Posts: 389 Karma: 5899335 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: York, England Device: Kobo Aura H2O (ed 2, v1), Kobo Forma, Kobo Libra 2	You need to own a reader to join Hi just a small point, but on your joining form, it won't let you leave the "Type of Reader" box empty. Nor will it let you blank it out after joining. Since I'd expect many new members to be, like me, non-owners but on the lookout for advice, you might benefit from allowing a blank box here. Yes, I know you can lie about it, as I did, or even put None as I discovered, but not everyone is as bold as I am.

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10-03-2008, 10:57 AM	#2
Over Wizard Posts: 1,462 Karma: 6061516 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cascais, Portugal Device: Kindle PW, Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2", OnePlus 6	I think anyone can figure out what to put in that field, so that's not really a problem.

10-03-2008, 12:20 PM	#6
bbusybookworm Tech Junkie Posts: 1,027 Karma: 10080 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Earth Device: iPad, MotoXStyle, OnePlusOne	I know that it can be a bit of a pain, but have to say that making it required has the benefit that when someone is replying to a post they can see which device(s) you have, which can often put a question or statement in context. I've found that It's especially useful, when communicating with new members, as it allows the long time members to quicky zero in and offer encouragement and advice. I'll actually like the Location to be required as well, as often answers to queries are very much dependent on location. Perhaps a small note besides the fields suggesting putting none / searching when a new member registers

10-03-2008, 02:25 PM	#8
khourianya TechnoBookworm Posts: 99 Karma: 7844 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Langdon, Alberta Canada Device: Sony PRS-505, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Kobo Glo, Kobo Mini	Instead of a blank textbox, perhaps having a list of devides to select from with "Still deciding" as an option and an "other" textbox that could be filled in would be more appropriate.... just a couple of cents from my direction

10-03-2008, 06:08 PM	#9
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	People have made some ineresting points here. I think that it's a good idea to ask what devices member have, because we do get posts from new members asking, 'How do I do X?' And the answer may very, depending on their device. Members don't always think to mention which device they possess. A drop-down menu, including 'just looking' sounds very promising at first. Then you start looking at all the new Hanlin clones, the older pda's etc, and realise that it would be a very long menu indeed. So, it's not as easy to fix as one might hope. But it's certainly worth thinking whether an improvement is possible.

10-03-2008, 06:12 PM	#10
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	I think the idea of a help note ("you can enter 'none' or 'still looking,' etc.") is probably the most practical one.

10-03-2008, 06:52 PM	#14
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Sounds just dandy to me, Alex!

10-11-2008, 01:50 PM	#15
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,782 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Can we make the location manitory too? Answers can also depend on where the person lives.