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Most new joiners do not know about the tools for mathematical and chemical formatting provided by Chemistry.SE.

The Tour page details out the core concept of asking questions very well, but I feel the need to this link on the tools used here is needed as new-comers usually bump out here with questions.

Usually, the higher rep users have to edit their questions and give them the link in the comments for proper presentation.

Hence a mention on the Tour page would be helpful. Wouldn't it?

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    $\begingroup$ "Visit this page to ‎find out how to make your future posts better.‎" Yes, that's what I tell them to do. The problem is, some don't even bother to do so! $\endgroup$
    – M.A.R.
    Feb 16, 2015 at 13:22
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    $\begingroup$ There is another problem. We have to have a special kind of tour page, and that isn't happening until site graduation. Some users are familiar with LaTex, but don't know about mhchem, or don't know that they can make use of it. $\endgroup$
    – M.A.R.
    Feb 16, 2015 at 13:24
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    $\begingroup$ @MARamezani No need for a new kind of tour page , they just need to add a statement containing the link under "Improve posts by editing or commenting" section. Or right under the "Ask Questions " heading. $\endgroup$
    – Del Pate
    Feb 17, 2015 at 4:21
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    $\begingroup$ They're too lazy for that. :) $\endgroup$
    – M.A.R.
    Feb 17, 2015 at 5:31

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Certainly, it would do no harm if the introduction for new users links to the available tools. However, I am afraid that the proposal does not help either.

Users usually do not read the guidelines given in the Tour and Help Center; they read existing questions and answers. Therefore, new posts tend to adapt to the quality of existing posts.

Even if (new as well as well-established) users know the tools, they mostly do not really know what to do with them since they do not know how to properly write quantities, units, and equations. That is why many posts look terrible or are simply wrong. (I suppose, many comprehension problems when using quantity equations are related to this.)

Hence, in order to be useful and effective, any introduction to the available tools would also have to include the relevant contents of the SI Brochure, the ISO 80000 series, and the applicable IUPAC color books. For example, this answer could be a good start.

Therefore, any introduction should not only present the available tools, but also explain what to do with them. Or, better still, the other way round: The introduction should first state the requirements for quantities, units, and equations and then show how these requirements can be fulfilled with the available tools.

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