Greetings to all PostHuffPost Group Members! This is MurphtheSurf3. Periodically we will be updating the "Learning the Ropes" Diary in a significant way and moving it to the top of our diary list. "Ropes" is a core document for our group as it is a terrific tool in introducing new members to how things work here AND, for veterans, there are always new tricks to learn and tools to master.
Today, I want to point out the addition of Kos' Community Guidelines Final Draft courtesy of Glen The Plumber. Recently I have stood on the sidelines observing wars of words between posters which got very heated. I watched as some comments got "hidden", others were "downrated", and many attracted lots of negative energy. Some Kossacks were "timed out". I understand that accounts can be suspended and users can be banned for not abiding by the community norms and standards. SO.....as a service to our group members, you will find a link to them near the bottom of the diary. They are very instructive. MTS3
New to the Kossack Kommunity? You Gotta Learn the Ropes!
Learn the Ropes? An idiom of nautical origin- the phrase "he knows the ropes", written on a sailor's discharge paper after training, meant that while he was still inexperienced, he knew the workings of the ship's principal ropes used in rigging the sails, securing the hold and providing for easy and safe movement across and between decks.
Today the phrase refers to learning the basics as to how things work and how to get things done.
The leadership team at PostHuffPost has been collecting links for "learning the ropes" at Daily Kos for our former Huffington Posters, and anyone new to Daily Kos.
Before we get to the links, here's a little side trip specifically for those who have come Daily Kos from HP and miss it.
The HP experience at DK.
Following at DK is the equivalent of Fanning at HP.
Recommending at DK is the equivalent of Faving at HP.
The Mojo Level which at Level 3 generates the Trusted User Badge at DK are the equivalent of the SuperUser and Moderator 1 Badges at HP
Here is what we are loving at Daily Kos:
* Not having to deal with odd moderating/delays in publishing and unexplained deletions.
* Being able to publish an article that looks really professional.
* Having access to a commenting structure that lets us see the entire discussion in an article thread.
* Experiencing a generally high quality of writing, research and interaction.
* Content that is free flowing featuring a wide diversity of subjects.
* Being part of an on-line community that is respectful, appreciated, appreciative, and challenging.
What do we miss?
* A number of us are actually missing some of the push-back from the right wing that reflected HP's diverse audience.
* The HP staff or linked news stories provided a ready made starting point for comments.
* Having those stories arranged by pages was also a plus.
What are you loving? What are you missing? Please let us know in the comments.
Links for Learning the Ropes
The Basics
Our profile page
Our member page
Welcome New Users: What can Daily Kos offer you, New User? by Angie in WA State.
Welcome New Users: You're Welcome here. No, really you are. Stop laughing (& avoid Pie)! by catilinus.
Getting started at Daily Kos 4.0 by Joan McCarter.
The Edit Profile Page is Among the Most Important pages at DK. Its the last link in the “Welcome Back” Box on the top right of the page. That "Welcome Back" Box appears on most Daily Kos pages and is the key to many essential navigating functions.
Using Kosmail: Internal email at Daily Kos
Welcome New Users: Questions from our kosmail* by smileycreek.
Getting Help from the Help Desk and Others
Daily Kos Support (Helpdesk).
Welcome New Users: Where Can a New User Get Some *&#!@ HELP Around Here? by smileycreek.
Writing and Formatting Diaries Plus Some Extras
Tutorial: reading and writing diaries and comments (Helpdesk).
New Diarists: More Resources for All by nomandates.
Diaries with the New User tag (Helpdesk).
Diary Guide to Formatting, Linking, Images, Embedding, and Tables by fiver.
Using Images (Helpdesk).
Some other thoughts on Diaries
When you are creating or editing a diary, ALWAYS save a copy of any text/html changes you make in a text document, because Daily Kos loses diary changes sometimes. If you are in a group and the diary is in the group's queue, another editor could accidentally delete text. If you have a copy, you can recover.
New Diarists is a group that you are welcome to join. They will set you up with a mentor to work with you one-on-one to create an excellent diary. The Admins will set you up with someone who has the skills you need to create a diary.
Getting along with Your Fellow Kossacks
Community interaction on Daily Kos (Helpdesk).
Making friends (and enemies) Steven D
Moderation at Daily Kos
My comment disappeared! (Helpdesk).
How and Why to Rate a Diary: Tipping/Recommending by smileycreek
Remember, it is never too late to Recommend a diary. The Tip jar may be too old to tip, and you may be unable to Rec comments or add a comment, but you can always Recommend a diary.
Getting Together with the Like Minded: Joining Groups
Joining a Daily Kos Group (Helpdesk).
Daily Kos Groups page
Five Ways to Find a Group
1. Use the links here to search for a group. You can also find the DK search button at the top right of every page.
2. Browse the diaries that interest you and see what groups have Published or Republished those diaries.
3. Ask in one or more open threads if there might be a group that matches your needs. Ask Me Anything on Friday afternoon is a good place to ask: "I am new here at Daily Kos. I am looking for a group that. Does anyone know of such a group?"
4. If you find an interesting diary or if you have a favorite author based on a diary or a comment, click on the author's name and see what groups they belong to.
5. Write a diary announcing you are thinking about creating a group for a particular purpose, invite participants, and then check the comments.You need to be a "Trusted User" to create a group. TU's have 3 bars of mojo and have been on the site for 3 months. Mojo is earned by writing diaries, make comments, rating diaries/comments, replying to comments, following and being followed. In other words, be active. It is not hard to get 3 bars. Keeping them requires being active.
LAST AND ABSOLUTELY NOT LEAST: If you do not want to walk the plank (get a time out, be suspended, be banned).....familiarize yourself with Kos' Community Guidelines. Must Reading for All!!!! New community guidelines, final draft.
We hope that this information is of value to you. Suggestions are always welcome. You can provide them in a reply/comment to this diary or in a kosmail to any of us.
If you are a veteran here at DK, we bet you have a link or two that you want to contribute. Great. Put it in a comment in reply to this diary. If you are new to Daily Kos and have a link that has really helped you, please pass it along in the same way. Have you questions or are you looking for some individual coaching? The folks who put this diary together would be happy to help. Leave a comment/question here or Kosmail either murphthesurf3 or 2thanks, and we will do our best to lend a hand ourselves or get help from others.
As Always, Your Friends at PostHuffPost,
murphthesurf3 and 2thanks, who were the principal authors of this diary, with the assistance and support of Mopshell, 47songs, occupystephany, tmservo433, HoundDog, and BarryWolk.