Getting started in Support is a comfort level thing. You help where you’re most comfortable and because of that, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ reply to the simple question of “How do I get started?”
We can, however, give you some general pointers.
- Follow this blog! We talk about stuff here, and try to post the important bits regularly.
- If you want to help in the forums, join the WP-Forums email list. Even if you’re not a moderator, we discuss problems and solutions there. It’s NOT a support list, it’s for moderators helping moderators.
- Like IRC? We have a channel on Freenode called
#wordpressand we’re always welcoming more. - If you’re really into documentation, rather than helping people one-on-one, go to Make Docs and jump in. There’s a lot of crossover between the two groups since many of us get tired of answering the same question and jump in.
Do I need to have a lot of time to do this?
Not at all! An hour a day or even five minutes is better than zero. We don’t have any time limits, we just ask you do your best.
That’s cool, but I want to be a forum moderator
Sure. Maybe.
Look, it’s not that we don’t trust people, it’s that we actually are always looking for active, helpful, people who can keep a cool head when facing down the crazy. People who responsibly and reliably use modlook, and people who don’t feed the trolls. It’s a tall order. We don’t expect anyone to be perfect, but we expect you to try and to know when to ask for help. If we look at your past posts and you insult people, or lose your cool a lot, we may think it’s not a great fit yet, and we’ll tell you. Keep in mind, if being told you’re too abrasive is too much criticism to take, you may not want to be a forum mod. People are crazy and insult us every day in new and interesting ways.
That means you should join the WP-Forums email list first. It’s low traffic, and we’re really pretty chill there. Raise red flags there, and keep on doing what you’re doing. It’s okay to mention ‘I’m interested in being a moderator’ and include your forum ID. We’ll check you out, see your history, and if we think that’s a good fit, we’ll tap you. Sometimes we spot you first and ask you instead. It’s not an exact science.
First you’ll be a moderator, where you can delete posts and such, but if you keep up the great work, one day you’ll wake up with Admin access and the power to bozo/delete spam/control the world. Or the forums.
Where do I go for help or if I have questions?
The WP-Forums email list. No really. We’re here for you.
Andrew Nevins 8:47 pm on December 17, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Isn’t there a Codex titled page named “Getting started”? It sounds familiar. When I see people asking, “How Do I Get Started” I always think they’re referring to how to make a WordPress website.
John Saddington 11:14 pm on December 18, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
perhaps titling it “Getting Started with Support” would provide that clarification.
Ipstenu (Mika Epstein) 2:26 pm on December 19, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Done
Good idea!
Andrew Nevins 1:53 pm on December 20, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I don’t know whether this is a step too far, but how about making those bold headings stand out a bit more?
http://awesomescreenshot.com/058qg7r47
Andrew Nevins 1:54 pm on December 20, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
It may help break-up the page too
Ipstenu (Mika Epstein) 2:15 pm on December 20, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Not as easily done, but its a good idea. I could change them to be actual headings instead of just bold, though.