Teaching New Users Old Tricks

Education is important, everyone knows that. So if you want the next generation of Waze editors to live up to current standards, you need to put some work into it.

This week we've got some examples of cool education and guidance initiatives, courtesy of our users' beautiful brains. Our Polish coordinator tells about an interesting bet with a friend, and top_gun_de shares the story of his wife's effect on Waze.

Mentors and Video Lessons

The community always looks for new editors. One of the challenges, of course, is to help those new users learn the ropes - understand the guidelines, get to know the specific country's rules etc.

One way to do that is the mentoring system. The US community, following Orbitc's idea, decided to create a dedicated forum for mentors and mentees. The idea is simple: The forum is open to all users, and includes a list of champs who are willing to act as mentors. New editors can ask for their guidance, and after going through the process, will gain new levels and roles in an expedited manner.

This is a win-win situation: The mentors get to know the new editors, and prevent them from making mistakes that those exact same champs will have to fix. The new editors get to know their community leaders and learn from the best.

Another original idea comes from Japan: a series of editing lessons via YouTube. The local champs upload videos discussing editing practices and presenting them in clip form. Very cool.

Wazer Spotlight:

mousepl, Polish Coordinator

mousepl, deals with cash

What do you do when not editing maps?

I'm an IT Engineer and i'm servicing cash machines (ATM's).

Which car do you drive?

I drive a Hyundai ix35.

How long have you been a Wazer?

Since November 2010

How did you get hooked on Waze?

I was looking for a free GPS Navigation System and accidentally found the Waze site.

What's your favorite part about the community?

I like how users cooperate with each other to achieve a common target - a good quality map with DAILY updates! ;)

..And the worst part.

Sometimes I feel lonely when i'm using the Waze client :)

What's the funniest Waze story that happened to you?

A while ago I made a bet with my friend: which one of us will reach a certain destination earlier.
I was using the Waze Navigation System, while he was travelling a shorter distance without using the app.

I arrived at my destination earlier, because someone reported an accident on my way, which I avoided by choosing an alternate route. My friend was not so lucky and got stuck in traffic for an hour.

What's your best Waze tip for newcomers?

Just install the Waze client and enjoy! Browse the forum, don't be afraid to ask questions.

What do you listen to when driving your car (aside from the Waze app messages, of course)

Mostly I listen to a local radio station called "Antyradio". My favorite band is "Rise Against" and my favorite songs by them are "Prayer of the Refugee" and "Dancing for rain".

Quote of the week

This one is from top_gun_de, one of our German champs, telling about how his wife's first car drive influenced Waze:

"When my wife got her driver's permit and we retrieved her own car, she drove so slow that Waze painted the full Westschnellweg in yellow - not due to a traffic jam, just her first ride without her driving teacher"

That's it for now!