Did you notice at the Newbie Center that there's a picture of the Y-mail Helper of the Month? I think many of you have, and right now that is Sweeetie2. I decided to interview her to see what she had to say about it.
girlmusic: What's it like to be Y-mail Helper of the Month?
Sweeetie2: When I first became Y-mail Helper of the Month, it was very exciting. I thought it was so cool to get a WhyPass, and especially to get my face up on the wall at the Newbie Center. After a while though, it started to get weird. I had other Y-mail Helpers coming in and getting mad that I was the one picked, and it got so I couldn't just go and chat with friends anymore. All the new people recognized me, so they would all run over and ask for help even when I was just trying to hang out with my friends. I like helping out, but sometimes it's just nice NOT being recognized. :D
girlmusic: What prizes do you get for being Y-mail Helper of the onth?
Sweeetie2: Each month if you are chosen, you would get a letter from City Hall saying that you are the official Y-mail Helper of the Month, and you would get a WhyPass and your face put up on the wall.
girlmusic: Okay, thanks for clearing that up. What exactly did you do to get become Y-mail Helper of the Month?
Sweeetie2: I worked an hour a day at the Newbie Center, 1/2 hour on the morning, and 1/2 hour at night. You can't just sit at the desk, with no one coming in, or with your friends all chatting and you not helping. That doesn't count. You actually have to HELP people, and answer them correctly. Then Whyville reviews how much time you put in compared to other people, and how well you did your job . . . and then presto! Y-mail Helper of the Month.
girlmusic: What are some good and bad things about being chosen?
Sweeetie2: Some good things are that you get a WhyPass and you get to help more people. The bad things are not having any privacy when you want to just hang out, and because your face is on the wall and it changes depending on which outfit you are wearing, no matter what disguise you put on, everyone will know it's you. LoL.
girlmusic: So how long exactly have you been Y-mail Helper of the Month?
Sweeetie2: Since June.
girlmusic: So, that's going on nine months! Was getting Y-mail Helper of the Month a big accomplishment to you?
Sweeetie2: It was the first two times, in June and July. Is it okay if I tell you my ideas on how to improve the Newbie Center?
girlmusic: Hey, I ask the questions here, but go for it.
Sweeetie2: Maybe Whyville will consider making these changes: 1) When a Newbie rings the bell for a helper to come, it should say on the paging notice which room the bell is being rung in, so we don't have to run from room to room trying to find the bell-ringer. 2) If the Newbie is being rude, the Y-mail Helper should be able to report the person without leaving the desk. 3) When someone is being really rude, the Y-mail Helper should be able to boot them from the room and then the person can't come back in for 5 minutes. 4) The Y-mail Helper should be able to whisper something to someone down on the floor because sometimes a Newbie down in the floor will ask something, and it's a quick short answer, but if the Helper answers then the Newbie in the chair gets all confused and thinks they are being answered, which makes them type even longer. 5) Make sure that ALL Newbies can hear you when they get in the chair, not just the ones who have passed the chat test. A lot of Newbies haven't taken the test, come in all confused, and then they can't hear the Helper telling them they need to go pass the chat test! LoL, these are some of my suggestions to help make the job easier. :)
girlmusic: Those are some good ideas. What advice would you give to Y-mail Helpers trying to get this award?
Sweeetie2: I would say first BE NICE, don't make fun of the people coming for help, and be patient. They are there because they are NEW and don't know how to play . . . try to remember what it was like when YOU were new. :)
girlmusic: Thanks for your time and all of your information.
Sweeetie2: Okay, No problem. :)
I hope this article helped everyone out there who wants to become the Y-mail Helper of the Month. It's a lot of hard work, but I'm sure you can accomplish anything if you work at it long enough.
This is girlmusic signing out.
(Help and you will receive . . .)
