Again and again d2jsp members demonstrate a serious lack of knowledge when it comes to the rules.
With the recent release of D3 and the massive wave of new members, I feel that having the rules posted at the top of the site just isn't enough.
With rule #3 being the most overlooked (No spamming or trolling. All topics and replies must be on topic and relevant to the discussion content and sub-forum it is created under.)
There is an overwhelming number of spam posts, trolling, and early bumps.
People imitate and trends set in, new members see others breaking these rules and think that it is okay for them to do the same.
Newer members are not taking d2jsp seriously, scammers are rampant, and rules are being broken all over the board. I think something needs to be done.

I propose a Mentor & Apprentice program.
How this could work is any qualified member could volunteer to be a Mentor, and new members (apprentices) could request a mentor similar to requesting a mediator.
All new members could automatically recieve a PM about it, or could somehow be directed to a page containing more information to let them know this service is available.
Before you say new members should just read the rules & that is all- take a look around some forums (d3 trading/discussion/LoL forum to name a couple) and you will probably not enjoy what you find.

Roles a mentor could take on:
Build a friendship - Not all newcomers have a friend to show them the ropes and ask questions.
Be willing to teach them and be patient - just yesterday I had someone ask me how to send FG.
Encourage new members to use mediators - lots of new members recognize(or think) they are at a disadvantage being new and get scammed by giving first.
Be a role model - again, people imitate and we don't want newcomers to imitate rule breakers.

You might be surprised by how many questions new members have if you just make yourself available. Things that seems simple (taking screenshots of items, forum lingo, even navigating to certain forums/knowing which to post in) may be a total mystery to newcomers.

A mentor would in no way take place of a mediator (not dealing with trades) and this can be made clear.

I know this suggestion is not 100% solid and foolproof, but we need to start somewhere and I am open to suggestions as well Thank you!

Seems like a lot of works and a massive change of d2jsp, I can already see many people who will try to scam their apprentice or just give them wrong information. Unless you need to get approved to be a mentor, and that would be case per case and a nice lot of work for the staff.

I like the idea, but in overall the people who are breaking the rules #3 are well aware of that rule and just take the ''risk'' because they think trolling is fun or want a fast trade and ignore the bump timer. I hardly see these people apply for the mentor program, the only solution to me would be to enforce the rule even more. But would that lead jsp into a better situation? Thats debatable.


Newest members who are only here for the additional market that d2jsp offers for selling diablo 3 items will most likely ignore the rules and simply try to get the better deal the faster they can, people who join and care at least a little about the site are able to get all information in the FAQ, by posting/reading in general help or by asking questions to member++.

Thats my 2 cents.

This post was edited by 70sLover on Jun 23 2012 11:58pm

It would definitely be a lot of work and I hope some change can be brought to d2jsp.
I don't think the system would allow mentors to scam apprentices because it wouldn't have anything to do with actual trading, just the exchange of information when needed.
The mentor would definitely have to meet a certain criteria, although I think non-staff members could be appointed to do the work.

I agree.. a lot of people that break rule 3 are aware of the rule but it is enforced so little they can shrug it off np- that is another issue entirely and needs to be addressed as well.
Breaking the rules definitely needs to be stigmatized though. Nobody wants to be scammed, especially not new members. If rule breakers are seen as sketchy characters/unworthy then they probably won't be making many successful trades.
New members who break the rules/trying to speed things up should only be hindering themselves. Abiding by the rules should be seen as a good thing and it should have its rewards.

I do see what you're saying though, it may just be too big of system to implement for such small/seemingly avoidable problems.

If they require help they should just post within the general help section.

http://forums.d2jsp.org/forum.php?f=34

It should be a good basic for any new user to ask there for anything in general for assistance.