Would A Sticky Post With Coops Educational Pics Help Newbie?

I almost brought this up once. I thought a sticky would help... Then Daves comment hit me. People simply don't pay any attention to anything. Even with the threads about MD vs DDO being posted by the same users over and over, I think "flat shelf like" and pictures explaining the difference just go in one ear and out the other. Some people just don't want to learn when they can depend on other people to do it for them I guess...

Rookie here behind the eight ball that has seen this topic brought up more than once. The suggestion went into one ear and somehow got stuck before exiting the other ear. Maybe I'm an exception?

I think an informational sticky if done right could help, but realize the problem is, it would only help if a newly valued member actually sees it or maybe even forced to look at its existence prior to first post. If advertised properly so to first catch a newly valued members attention, then second it included the information they're seeking, then maybe it would help educate the user or other interested party prior to an initial post.

To put together a list in a way a newly valued member would want to look at and gain from it would be an undertaking to say the least. I've had some experience with documentation, but instead of coins it involved IT procedures. Though the knowledge or material may be different the concept remains the same. The documentation has to be precisely a b c and preferably with user friendly illustrations or a follow-up call will surely follow.

A quick comparison chart labelled as such for quickie comparison of known varieties, errors and more importantly common MD and PSD examples may help a newly valued member relate what they think they have, because they will still most likely post it for confirmation anyway. This could also help the valued member, rookie or novice from time to time as a refresher as well.

I see the question over and over and over "What do I have and what is it worth?" and see a high percentage of newbie enquiries stop there showing no further interest in the hobby or other coins at that time, but some can surprise you and like myself are trying to gain and learn here from the experts through not only their current post(s), but previous posts as well, concerning all subject matter.

Though I've collected coins for 30+ years and have been brought to the CCF forum off and on many times, during my coin research on the (www) Internet for reference material the past several years if not decades. I found out very quickly after signing up as a member in April, how much I still didn't know about the hobby. The phrase buy the book sound familiar?

Well I found a good book here. I started by not just looking at, but reading every post of the day. Then moved on to the past 1300+ posts going back 120 days, then 3500+ posts for the past year. Now working on the 12200+ posts for the past 4 years before they get archived out of my reach.

I have to admit I'm now thumbing through, as 12200+ post seems to be (please lord forgive me for using this reference) longer than the bible and I'm now skipping some repeat subject matter. I'm doing this to better educate myself and know my hobby and coins better. Most will not do this, but some really good reference material with examples is here already.

I have learned more about my coins in the past few months and I've yet to post one. That time is coming soon, so be prepared.

I found a thread yesterday that I think anyone who is thinking of becoming a serious collector or already is one must read. But not many people will search back 3 years and read through 5+ pages to find it.

I almost pulled the trigger and commented, which would resurrect and bring it to forefront once again, but thought its not my place and the experts involved in it or the site moderators may prefer it stay dormant.

As anyone here can, I copied the link and info for future reference for myself. Would be happy to share but not without permission.

Coop has said we can use his material as needed so others may benefit too. Well I don't have the DVD yet, but did run across these words I wanted to share.

Posted 02/08/2014  10:59 am Coop - "Many times we think when we get an answer on a forum, we are the only ones who benefit? That that is not so. Those who read the threads also may find an answer about what they have wondered as well."

To summarize I think I'll suggest a future "Top 10 or 20 Posts" category with links to the most informative posts picked by a panel of Experts. Ya'll know who you are and sorry, I know you got enough on your plates as is. You can't make some one click on it, but it would be there if they wanted to learn from material that's already been presented.

Some of us out here really do commend everyone's efforts here. From novice to expert knowledge and opinions I've enjoyed my stay thus far.

Since I'm a man of few words, I'll wrap it now!

I just realize I have not complemented some other key members of the site, the CCF web designers and administrators. I like the way the site is laid out, easy to navigate, search and find information here. To the man, woman or person(s) watching the server(s) spin and maintaining the backups. Job well done!

Thanks, Doug.

1970-S Small Date...

I'll be honest with you guys - endlessly answering the same questions over and over kinda gets under my skin sometimes, too. The point is, though, you and I and the people participating in the thread are only a small percentage of those actually reading it. Check out the number of reads vs. posts in a given thread - it's usually almost 10:1. And the majority of those reading are just passing through, by chance having the same question in mind.

We're not going to capture them as new members with a sticky. We're going to catch them by having thriving, interesting discussions on relevant numismatic topics. For them, this isn't the umpteenth time they've seen the same words, it's the first time and the answer to a pressing question for them.

That's what keeps me answering questions, and why we don't do many stickies.

These answer to new members is get the DVD. Make a donation to the site, I'll send a copy to you and you have a reference that you can check back on anytime. Many have loved it in the past and more will enjoy it as it goes forward. I just complete today the version 11. I'm burning disks right now. This is a labor of love. The site can use the donation for its expenses.

How is version 11 different?
I edited all image to change the back grounds a little bit. More focus on the center image, less distractions on the outer edges. (Controling the negative space)
I added new images from members and new ones I've created. I always add new items to the newest version. New illustrations to identify terms/conditions to make things easier to grasp.

As far as asking the same questions over and over, I feel it was necessary for me in the beginning. I was a dumb as a bag of hammers. My teacher on gave me yes or no answers. I always had questions and didn't want to be belittled asking. But asking is the best way to learn. It was mentioned about the 10:1 ratio of posts. I try to make each posts answers come out differently. Maybe my thinking is hard to grasp, so explaining it from a different view point might help more. The readers of the posts are the ones that learn from others questions. I'm content with that ratio. Maybe they already knew the answer or were unsure. But it might be the point they need and just didn't comment.
I notice the same thing on my polls. Sometimes they answer the poll and move on. Sometimes they come back to check it again. That is why I put in my polls the choice; "I don't know." To get the results of my polls I still have to vote to see what the results are. So I put in the wrongest answer so as not to give the answer away. It is a learning experience. We make mistakes at time, but what counts is what we take away from the threads. Often they are just another brick in the building we are now using.

Education is indeed the key to most everything; we should all endeavor to be lifelong learners.

Self-directed learning comes with its own hazards, but for the most part, I think sticky notes would facilitate a steeper learning curve for hobbyists new and old.

I agree with many points noted here by members. I think sticky notes that are maintained by an established subject matter expert can be useful. Other forums use these successfully so we should be able to do the same. I think that members familiar with these sticky notes can help moderators and subject matter experts by referring newbies/novices to them (attach a link). This will provide them a consistent explanation/data/information and should help ramp up the learning (and the SME can maintain the currency of information in the locked sticky thread). Referring folks to the Search tool will also be helpful in reducing repeat threads and discussions. But that said, it will not eliminate the repeat questions as there will be numbers of folks who will come and go, never read a sticky note, and never post again (one/some-and-done). Some folks are the victims of our current system of education; critical thinking skills are buried or lost so the only means to an end is repeating a question. It can be frustrating.

The Search tool here is ‘OK', so it does invite folks to be lazy about finding threads to explore for some self-directed learning. Moderators here do a great job of bumping threads where questions need answers and members here show great patience with the newbies/novices. Coop's DVD is a great way for folks to do some self-directed learning and the information that they are getting comes from a subject matter expert. Not all folks can or will make a donation so in these cases sticky notes might be a decent adjunct. I'm sure that there are a few other SMEs in the mix (Mike Diamond, some folks who know currency, Canadian, Australian, Acients.....) so signing a few up to create sticky/self-directed learning presentations will likely be necessary too. Coop sees this as a labor of love as will others, but not all. Still, some additional sticky notes maybe be better than fewer.

In my opinion, to harmonize the thinking, sticky notes combined with moderators and active members plugging them where appropriate, along with the Search tool, will help advance the hobby and the individuals who visit here (members too). This can be done now, without any new sticky notes being posted â€" it just needs consistency of membership practice (and perhaps policy). Hopefully we are all here to help so sometimes helping isn't answering directly (especially if you aren't a recognized master) but answering indirectly by pointing folks to the right sources and people.