Post by Fifi on Dec 13, 2007 23:25:00 GMT 1
I thought I'd move this into a separate thread as Maree's post was specifically addressing the future of the Youth Section and Bonna raised the very valid point about the general lack of posts from the 126 members we now have on the forum.
The youth section is faring particularly badly, but the whole thing seems to be getting very moribund these days. Not a lot of postings considering the large number of members. If it wasn't for our friends in "the deep (very deep!) south" of Nortmavine, and a very few others, there wouldn't be much said on many days.
Why bother joining if you have nothing to say? You can always read other folk's comments (if that's all you want to do) as a guest.
Could we spur folk into action do you think? I could easily turn up the controversy levels on many subjects if that's what it takes.......
Are folk wary of having comments set in "type"?
Are folk shy?
Are the topics uninspiring?
Do we need Bonna to "S-e-x" (wonder if this word will get round the censor fellow in da 'puter) up the forum? ;D
Or is there another reason entirely?
Ingrid, you're probably fairly right about da young eens, but I don't think da aald eens can use those excuses! At least not eens as aald as me.
Bonna's right - not a lot of posts for the 126 members and if it wasn't for Benji and her family.. Thing is, you can't force people to post - they have to want to. Most folk find it easier to respond to something that's been posted <they're reacting to it> rather than to start a thread. What we want is both - people not only to read <which is fine too> but also to respond and start new threads too. People bounce off each other and that's when interaction can become interesting. If you read, have a thought to yourself but say nothing, then it doesn't progress much.
Why do people join if they have nothing to say <or aren't willing to join in>? Not sure. Unless they are happy reading and think that by bumping up the member number it will have more chance of continuing? We've said before that a forum needs people to interact. If we all read - no forum. But that said, it would be awful to think of anyone posting grudginly, as though they were feeling forced into it! It can be tremendous fun as well as educating and very sociable. I'm probably like a lot of people, in that I've made some extremely interesting friends and acquaintances over the years on the internet - - barristers, cleaners, doctors, train drivers, poets, elderly former Spitfire pilots , etc etc - some of whom I've met in 'real life'. We may live in a remote place physically but we've the world at our fingertips..
Controversy and getting Bonna to s-e-x up the forum? While many here will enjoy reading controversy, few will join in, or so it seems at the moment. <certainly regarding this forum or area> Perhaps Maree's point is correct about "wary of having comments set in type"?
Are folk shy? Well, yes, that could be a factor. Although, compared to some forums/newsgroups, this is full of absolute pussycats. And very friendly and welcoming pussycats, come to that. The mods bend over backwards to try to welcome and involve new posters, as do other members too. Not sure what more you could do, other than saying that we'd all love more members to post, and for new people to join. <give all the ever-increasing jolly band of mods something to actually do >
Seriously, regarding the 'shy' factor - we've all been newbies <new people/posters> at some time. We've all been there and know what it's like. I can remember the thrill of logging on and seeing the first replies to my first feeble attempts at posts. ;D People were actually responding to me! If you just take that peerie step and say something, even it's just a 'hi, this is my first post' or a reply to something someone's said, you'll hopefully get a buzz from getting some feedback. It's also a fantastic resource - if you have a problem or a query, then there's a good chance that someone else will have had the same problem or be able to give a suggestion.
Are the topics uninspiring? Well, probably yes, they have been/are to some extent. But it's what you make it. Contrary to belief in some quarters, I don't think the forum and/or mods are here primarily to entertain folks - members and readers. In terms of input <posts> - we're all equal members and it's up to us <all> to make it what it is. If you think it's boring, or could be more interesting - then start a thread on a topic. Find the section most suited to your topic, click 'new thread' and off you go.
Other reasons? Perhaps some people have joined and forgotten about it. <Although Malcolm has sent emails to all members so that should have awoken any folks slumbering.>
Raising awareness of the forum to remind members and to encourage new members? Yes, as with the community website itself, it's time we did more to promote it. Re the website - it's something I'll be looking at shortly as part of a project to take the website forward - marketing the website and how the website could be used to market the area and its produce more effectively. The website and forum are frequently mentioned in the NDC newsletter which goes out to all households in Northmavine and in the latest edition Malcolm, as admin of the forum, introduces himself and encourages people to join in. I'll welcome Mal's input <plus mods and members> on the forum side when I get going on the project and of course anyone's suggestions regarding boosting awareness of the community website itself.
Generally, in terms of the community website <which of course has a link to the forum on the homepage> we've exchanged links with various websites, are listed on most major search engines and have been mentioned in various articles, but definitely more can be done to raise awareness. Malcolm and I both put www.northmavine.com in our signature on internet posts which does result in people following the link and coming to the website to have a look. I'm not sure if other people are doing that also - they may well be, and if so, well done and thanks! Maree, Pam and those on NDC business put links to the website in their email signature as well.
Getting back to the main point - why do you think more people don't post?
bonna said:
Maree, I could hardly be designated a youth (although have ony o wis gotten much past sixteen i wir heads? - better no answer dat een!), but I would like to comment on da forum in general. The youth section is faring particularly badly, but the whole thing seems to be getting very moribund these days. Not a lot of postings considering the large number of members. If it wasn't for our friends in "the deep (very deep!) south" of Nortmavine, and a very few others, there wouldn't be much said on many days.
Why bother joining if you have nothing to say? You can always read other folk's comments (if that's all you want to do) as a guest.
Could we spur folk into action do you think? I could easily turn up the controversy levels on many subjects if that's what it takes.......
mhay said:
Yes Bonna, it would be interesting to find oot why we have so many members who don't contribute to the forum.Are folk wary of having comments set in "type"?
Are folk shy?
Are the topics uninspiring?
Do we need Bonna to "S-e-x" (wonder if this word will get round the censor fellow in da 'puter) up the forum? ;D
Or is there another reason entirely?
bonna said:
Maree, I dunna keen aboot yun s-word, I doot a'm gittin kinda aald. I hae ta save me energies noo fur special occasions, laek me birthday an mebbe Christmas.....Ingrid, you're probably fairly right about da young eens, but I don't think da aald eens can use those excuses! At least not eens as aald as me.
Bonna's right - not a lot of posts for the 126 members and if it wasn't for Benji and her family.. Thing is, you can't force people to post - they have to want to. Most folk find it easier to respond to something that's been posted <they're reacting to it> rather than to start a thread. What we want is both - people not only to read <which is fine too> but also to respond and start new threads too. People bounce off each other and that's when interaction can become interesting. If you read, have a thought to yourself but say nothing, then it doesn't progress much.
Why do people join if they have nothing to say <or aren't willing to join in>? Not sure. Unless they are happy reading and think that by bumping up the member number it will have more chance of continuing? We've said before that a forum needs people to interact. If we all read - no forum. But that said, it would be awful to think of anyone posting grudginly, as though they were feeling forced into it! It can be tremendous fun as well as educating and very sociable. I'm probably like a lot of people, in that I've made some extremely interesting friends and acquaintances over the years on the internet - - barristers, cleaners, doctors, train drivers, poets, elderly former Spitfire pilots , etc etc - some of whom I've met in 'real life'. We may live in a remote place physically but we've the world at our fingertips..
Controversy and getting Bonna to s-e-x up the forum? While many here will enjoy reading controversy, few will join in, or so it seems at the moment. <certainly regarding this forum or area> Perhaps Maree's point is correct about "wary of having comments set in type"?
Are folk shy? Well, yes, that could be a factor. Although, compared to some forums/newsgroups, this is full of absolute pussycats. And very friendly and welcoming pussycats, come to that. The mods bend over backwards to try to welcome and involve new posters, as do other members too. Not sure what more you could do, other than saying that we'd all love more members to post, and for new people to join. <give all the ever-increasing jolly band of mods something to actually do >
Seriously, regarding the 'shy' factor - we've all been newbies <new people/posters> at some time. We've all been there and know what it's like. I can remember the thrill of logging on and seeing the first replies to my first feeble attempts at posts. ;D People were actually responding to me! If you just take that peerie step and say something, even it's just a 'hi, this is my first post' or a reply to something someone's said, you'll hopefully get a buzz from getting some feedback. It's also a fantastic resource - if you have a problem or a query, then there's a good chance that someone else will have had the same problem or be able to give a suggestion.
Are the topics uninspiring? Well, probably yes, they have been/are to some extent. But it's what you make it. Contrary to belief in some quarters, I don't think the forum and/or mods are here primarily to entertain folks - members and readers. In terms of input <posts> - we're all equal members and it's up to us <all> to make it what it is. If you think it's boring, or could be more interesting - then start a thread on a topic. Find the section most suited to your topic, click 'new thread' and off you go.
Other reasons? Perhaps some people have joined and forgotten about it. <Although Malcolm has sent emails to all members so that should have awoken any folks slumbering.>
Raising awareness of the forum to remind members and to encourage new members? Yes, as with the community website itself, it's time we did more to promote it. Re the website - it's something I'll be looking at shortly as part of a project to take the website forward - marketing the website and how the website could be used to market the area and its produce more effectively. The website and forum are frequently mentioned in the NDC newsletter which goes out to all households in Northmavine and in the latest edition Malcolm, as admin of the forum, introduces himself and encourages people to join in. I'll welcome Mal's input <plus mods and members> on the forum side when I get going on the project and of course anyone's suggestions regarding boosting awareness of the community website itself.
Generally, in terms of the community website <which of course has a link to the forum on the homepage> we've exchanged links with various websites, are listed on most major search engines and have been mentioned in various articles, but definitely more can be done to raise awareness. Malcolm and I both put www.northmavine.com in our signature on internet posts which does result in people following the link and coming to the website to have a look. I'm not sure if other people are doing that also - they may well be, and if so, well done and thanks! Maree, Pam and those on NDC business put links to the website in their email signature as well.
Getting back to the main point - why do you think more people don't post?