On welcoming new players...

[Zedwick]

Can we not 'welcome' them with 'don't steal!' or similar such messages. It's not really very welcoming, and is actually quite hostile. I've seen people log on, get told not to steal by 1 or 3 people and then state "I'm not a griefer" and leave immediately.

Welcome them to the server, offer any help you're willing to give, but please don't expect them to be thieves. I think everyone should be given the chance to prove themselves unpleasant folk

[Sokonit]

... is this aimed at me....?

[Zedwick]

... is this aimed at me....?

If you think you do the above, then yes it certainly is. Quit it

[Hylindar]

On that note, I don't think it is clear enough for players to not steal. In the books and on the signs there is nothing that states stealing is not permitted. It is hinted at saying no griefing or causing distress to other players(forget exact wording). Then again I think that most people who steal from Honicia's things haven't read the rules anyway.

Agree though, be warm and welcoming. yelling at new people is just bad. I say welcome with a random happy emote, and mention them by name. Others give a few lines about reading the books or other warm feelings. Positive, happy hugs to everyone! Especially our new folks ^_^

/hug

[Zedwick]

[Hylindar]

Derp nevermind. You updated the books! Well...thank you sir. I know typing books is awful.

[Zedwick]

It is. See how that last line is so terribly written, as I ran out of space? Also see how there are two blank lines above '4) Do not steal'? Yep, I apparently could not be bothered to redo the rest of that page

One day...

[Hylindar]

I Barely noticed!

[Kayzee21]

I think new players also shouldn't be called "noobs". It doesn't give a very welcoming feeling if you see:

Player 1: Hey welcome to zedwork .....
Player 2: wee tons of noobs!
Player 3: welcome noobies!

This is just my take though. I know that it might not be meant as an insult, but the gaming community and history have put a bad connotation on the phrase noobs. It'll be a nicer experience for new players joining the server if they aren't given the noobish title by the community is all I'm saying.

[LadyBountiful]

I totally agree with Kayzee, we want to project ourselves as "welcoming".

Let new players know that you will answer their questions, and just welcome them to the server. Tell them how terrific Zedwork is, but please don't denigrate them, by suggesting that they might be thieves and griefers, or that they are "nubs"," noobs", "newbies", or whatever else is likely to cause offence.

We have a great community, built up over the past 18 months. Our server has many, brilliant aspects. We never wipe the map, we use region posts to get around, we have great plug-ins to prevent theft and grief, so we do not need to warn everyone who comes on to the server not to steal or grief. If they visit Zedwork for that, they will try it anyway. If they are visiting Zedwork cos they have heard how awesome it is, then the last thing they expect is for us to be unwelcoming. Most players are just new to us, they have been playing Minecraft for a while and to a certain extent "know the ropes".

If you have time then help them, by suggesting regions when they want to find somewhere to build, go mining, build a farm. See how Zed welcomes new players, he asks them how they found our little server, asks what they are interested in, what kind of biome they would like, explain how the spawn regenerates and moves on, so new players always spawn in a resource rich environment and ask them if they have any questions.