Frustration for new user of this forum

[dazpdx]

Got my first Bambu printer a week ago and jumped right in. Of course, I had a few troubles and questions along the way. Bambu does a great job of promoting this forum as a way to learn and get answers.

Unfortunately, what Bambu does not do well is informing new users that their accounts are restricted at first. This info should have been obvious, but even after searching for the solution, it was hard to find. In fact, I had to post on Reddit just to figure it out.

When I did learn that I needed to read five topics for at least ten minutes to gain more permissions, I then found that the forum software doesn’t update in real time. My account was stuck at nine minutes of read time of five topics for 24 hours even though I had spent well over an hour reading through many, many topics.

I think this can be done better. A mandatory-to-read NEW USER topic that explains this information would ease the frustration that I felt. I am sure that I’m not the only one.

Thanks!

[CincinnatiDesigns]

Forum is unfriendly to new users

I couldn’t agree more w @JonRaymond. I’m new to these types of forums and found it a little but challenging at first but it pushed me to research and learn. This allowed me to solve my issue, learn the what, why, how behind the issue, and grow in how these forums work. It pushed me to interact and share what I know as well. Often the answers are there already and the reading helps us understand the root issues. Just finding a quick fix has its place but true learning comes when you study. Ther…

Well discussed already.

Just a reminder. The forum is run by Discourse. This is pretty standard for a lot of forums.

It helps reduce duplicate topics by pushing people to read discussions instead of starting topics to ask common questions.

[JonRaymond]

@dazpdx

A mandatory-to-read NEW USER topic

Like this one?

https://forum.bambulab.com/t/welcome-to-bambu-lab-forum-read-me/

[KarlHeim]

@JonRaymond If I had a for every time you have listed this in the forums I’d be wealthy man. A simple search comes back with MANY mentions of this. Feel for you but appreciate the patience in helping lead us all!

It blows my mind people don’t type - new user - in the search box. When I started using this forum( begginer to Discord and forums in general) after 5 min of poking around I typed that in the search and was off and running. It even took me to the Discord site that further helped me understand.

These forums are so valuable!

[xsynatic]

@KarlHeim

It blows my mind people don’t type - new user - in the search box.

You don’t even need to. It’s right on the front page.

[dazpdx]

I appreciate everyone taking the time to reply, but I’m surprised that nobody agreed that making a friendlier welcome for new users was a good idea.

@CincinnatiDesigns

Well discussed already.

Please think about this from the perspective of someone who is brand new to this community, or even this particular forum software in general. I completely understand and agree with the principles of ramping up permissions to prevent repetitive questions, however if the goal is to get new users up to speed as efficiently as possible then maybe just pointing them straight at the needed info first thing would be the best move.

The answer to my question (how to get the log file from my A1 via Handy on an iPad so I can submit a support ticket) did not exist so I needed to ask it, but there was simply no post button anywhere to be found. Since I wasn’t aware of the escalating permission system, it just compounded my frustration.

@JonRaymond

Like this one

EXACTLY that one! It took me at least fifteen minutes to find it. For some reason this forum doesn’t include breadcrumb links like just about every other forum software I’m used to, so even though I’m looking at the new user topic right now, I have no idea how to navigate to it unless I use precise search terms that I could only know if I’ve already read the topic.

@KarlHeim

It blows my mind people don’t type - new user - in the search box

Well, I wasn’t visiting the forum to learn about the forum, I was here to solve a specific issue that I was having with my machine. I first searched for the answer and when it didn’t exist I simply wanted to ask it. In fact, when I search ‘new user’ right now I see a bunch of confused noobs stumbling around in the dark. It’s just not a very friendly way to greet the newest members of the Bambu family, that’s all.

@xsynatic

You don’t even need to. It’s right on the front page.

That’s really confusing because the topics shows under Latest are actually the latest topics and not one from May 2.

[KarlHeim]

@dazpdx I certainly don’t disagree as I am new this one and forums in general. They could be easier for newbies. I believe so many are used to it they forget and then think they figured it out so can others. Again, a better approach would be nice - I agree.

My comment on typing in “new user” was a general one as I see hundreds of posts from @JonRaymond about levels that it should pop up.

I believe, in part, it does come down to what @user_3074312103 states in that we are unfamiliar. Then there are what people learned on and the styles that work best for them and more.

What I’ve realized, for me anyway, is forums are not a quick fix tool. I use them to learn more detail and to help others. If I need quick resolve I use google, AI, or use other sites first as they provide a quicker answer.