Are we Guests or Members?
Moderators are starting to use the expression "(Dear) Guest" in reply to queries posted here. Is this now the "official" FamilySearch term for those of us labelled as (just) "Members" on our Activity page? Seems a trivial point, but - similarly - I never know whether to say "engineer", "developer", or "programmer"!
Answers
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Paul
Just my thoughts ...
Regardless, of the term/expression of "Guest", used by the "Moderators" [ ie. 'FamilySearch' "Support" (Personnel) ] ...
The 'lowly' Users/Patrons, like ourselves, in this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, are ALL ... Participants.
The "Community.FamilySearch" Forum was originally established on the basis of ...
Users/Patrons, HELPING / ASSITING, Users/Patrons
And, the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, has been quite successfully operating, that way for, a number of Years.
Due, to the unfortunate 'Demise', of the 'FamilySearch' "Support" Case Management System, earlier this Year; and, with not immediate alternative (ie. "System"), the 'FamilySearch' "Support" (Personnel), were basically "Moved" 'holus-bolus', WITHOUT any, "Knowledge" of; and/or, "Training" in, the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
Many of the "Moderators" [ ie. 'FamilySearch' "Support" (Personnel) ] had never even participated in the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, before the "Move".
It has been a STEEP 'learning curve' ...
We are NOT "Guests" in this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum ...
We are Participants (or, members of the Forum) this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum ...
Always have been, always will be ...
Now ...
As to the other matter ...
The participation, in this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, by the, "Product Managers"; "Programmers"/"Engineers"; "Designers"/"Developers"; and, the like, is even LESS, than that, in the OLD 'FamilySearch' ("GetSatisfaction") 'Feedback' Forum.
But, the one thing that I have noticed, is that the, "Product Managers"; "Programmers"/"Engineers"; "Designers"/"Developers"; and, the like, GENERALLY, announce their "Position", in 'FamilySearch', within their particular posts. in this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
[ But, sometimes, they do not ... ]
That Said ...
'Yes', it would certainly be, nice; and, helpful, if the "Product Managers"; "Programmers"/"Engineers"; "Designers"/"Developers"; and, the like, ALL had those "Badges" [ie. indicating their ACTUAL "Position" in 'FamilySearch'] alongside their "Contact Name", the SAME; as, that of the "Moderators"; and, "Administration" of the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
As usual ...
Just my thoughts.
Brett
ps: Take a look in the "Beta" (ie. "Test") Environment, for the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
pps: 'FamilySearch' "Support", is being "Quarantined Off', somewhat - a definite 'Divide'/'Demarcation'.
.
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I agree with Brett's comments. "Guest" definitely has the connotation that we have first to be "invited in", and that we have no right to be there unless we have been invited in. But perhaps that is how FamilySearch views people with queries or people responding to the people's queries, not as participants?
@Brett what is the URL for the Beta "Community FamilySearch" Forum, as the pages I see do not have any mention of a Beta site, unless I am missing something.
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Maureen
I would humbly suggest, perhaps that is how, 'FamilySearch' is "Training", the 'FamilySearch' "Support" (Personnel) ].
Remember, the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, has been operating quite successfully, for, a number of Years; BEFORE, the unfortunate 'Demise', of the 'FamilySearch' "Support" Case Management System, earlier this Year; and, INCLUSION of the 'FamilySearch' "Support", into the Forum; as, "Moderators".
And ...
Ultimately, technically, EVERYONE (ie. ALL Users/Patrons), is a "Guest", of 'FamilySearch'; and, that includes, Employees and Missionary/Volunteers, who use 'FamilySearch' for themselves, in their own right; as, WE are ALL Users/Patrons, "Guests".
But ...
That Said ...
That is too "High Level" ...
Lets crank it down, a notch or two ...
How about, in this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum; WE, the 'lowly' Users/Patrons, ARE all Participants.
Now ...
On the other matter ...
Easy, in plain sight, available for all ...
In the "Beta" (ie. "Test") Environment; as, normal ...
▬ Select "Question Mark" in 'Circle ( ie. "Help" ) ...
▬ On the "Pop-Up" (ie. "Modal'') 'Window' of "Help"
▬ 'Down' the 'Bottom' ... "Community"
▬ Select "Community" ... then, "Sign In".
Voilà ...
Good Luck.
Brett
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The use of this term continues - and in most cases continues to be totally inappropriate!
Since it is mostly used by moderators, perhaps one could address this point, by advising if there has been instruction to refer to users / participants / members as "guests". The only situation where I would feel it to be a suitable expression is when applied to a visitor to a Family History Centre or the FHL.
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Its 'Brett'.
FYI
At a "Family History Centre" of the Church, those who visit, for research/learning purposes, are "Patrons".
And, when we, were visiting, the "Family History Library" (FHL), in 'Temple Square", Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, for research purposes, on the whole, the inference was that we were "Patrons", not that anyone really referred to us as such, they (all the Staff; and Volunteers) simply/kindly helped/assisted us, if we needed such.
Brett
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Funnily enough, I decided to omit "patron" from my ("more appropriate") alternative expressions, as I was once castigated (on the GetSat forum) for using it! My critic insisted "patron" should only be used to apply to people who provided financial support to charities and the like. True, that does seem to be a prime definition, but (like you) I would find it quite correct to use in this context.
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Here is a link to the beta site: Welcome to the FamilySearch Community! — FamilySearch Community
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