BigBlueBall 2.0 - What does the future hold?

[Spike]

No, no. It's quite alright. It's actually better for you to reiterate things, because then the need and support for them grows. Don't apologize, in fact, thank you for posting that. It was very useful for us.

[Tea Granny]

There is no need to apologize Tigerblade, you didn't come off badly in any way. I'm feeling bad now that I made you some how feel you needed to apologize!

Your leadership skills are showing Jeff! You understood my points exactly (and then some). I don't have good communication skills; and often points I try to make, end up confusing the issue instead of sorting it all out.

Sending a private message (PM) to someone explaining a "moved topic," or to "explain posting rules" is perfect! There is nothing more demoralizing than being publicly chastised, even if it is only mild slap on the hand. No public embarrassment that way! I'm glad I didn't have to pull out my military experiences to explain that one!

I'm not sure I am explaining my "image instruction" thing very well. For instance some people here know how to do what I can do in "Outlook Express" to make a "hyperlink" to a website. You know, where you replace the website address with text? The text then shows up as a different color and underlined (Jeff you did that with your "forum policies FAQ" link in post 201413). Well, what I need is images to show that process here at BBB to make those "hyperlinks" to posts/threads/other websites. I'd like to see an image of where to find thread numbers (there appears to be several locations); same with post numbers etc. (I think I am still making a mess of this explanation) If I google for instructions on how to do something with Outlook Express, I often get sites that show step by step instructions showing an image of where to click, insert text, etc. I think those images are nothing more than screen shots of the actual product.

Oh, and if you're going to make an MTV flash video; could you use "Faithless" as the background music! (They are not together any more, but I like their music!) Or maybe something retro 60's like Pulp Fiction!

As for the color issue, I just wanted to point out that it seems odd for a "forum all about IM" to chastise someone for behaving "IM" when they post. Isn't that some kind of paradox? I don't mind the black text only (it is certainly easier to read), but when you are new here it just seems odd that a predominant IM feature is not allowed!

I love the idea of the optional fill in the blanks form for the "introductions" section. It might help stop the confussion of posting an IM related question in that section when you introduce yourself.

Yes! Get rid of that "bad rep" feature. There is nothing more hurtful than a bad rep that insults you and not your post. I got hit with one like that; and if it wasn't for EvilSeph, I would not still be here! So, I can only wonder how many newcomers have been hit with a personal insult like that and didn't stay? Getting a negative point doesn't hurt; getting a personal insult does!

Personally, I love this site and I applaud you for wanted to change (change is a scary thing). I am sure that between all the staff members, and you Jeff, that you will make the right choices and end up improving everything in the long run.

The most impressive thing is that you actually asked your members for their opinions. Thank you for that.

[Spike]

Thanks for the reply, Tea Granny. I'm going to see if I can respond to some of your ideas.

About the hyperlinks... We do have this built-in page that explains exactly how to do everything vBCdoe related, but I agree, we should have some tutorials. We are in the process currently of thinking up new tutorial ideas and writing them (yes, with images ). So fear not, tutorials are on their way to a BBB near you.

About the color issue, we have resolved it for the most part, but what you said wasn't entirely true. Yes, we are a forum all about IM, but that doesn't mean we are an IM. But nevertheless, the issue was resolved, we should not have that problem again.

I think the bad rep needs to stay (again, I don't think it can be shut off or on), but if you do recieve a personal attack with a negative rep, or for that matter a personal attack from another member at all, contact Jeff here on the forums via PM or E-mail and he'd be glad to look into it. The last thing we need is something like that occuring between our members, we want this to be a friendly environment.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Tea Granny

Your leadership skills are showing Jeff! You understood my points exactly (and then some). I don't have good communication skills; and often points I try to make, end up confusing the issue instead of sorting it all out.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Tea Granny

I love the idea of the optional fill in the blanks form for the "introductions" section. It might help stop the confussion of posting an IM related question in that section when you introduce yourself.

I'd like to get some more feedback on this before I add more to my to-do list. Anyone else like this idea?

Originally Posted by Tea Granny

Yes! Get rid of that "bad rep" feature. There is nothing more hurtful than a bad rep that insults you and not your post. I got hit with one like that; and if it wasn't for EvilSeph, I would not still be here! So, I can only wonder how many newcomers have been hit with a personal insult like that and didn't stay? Getting a negative point doesn't hurt; getting a personal insult does!

Good news... I've removed the negative reputation option entirely. You can still report a bad post, but the reputation system is reserved for positive reputation.

Originally Posted by Tea Granny

Personally, I love this site and I applaud you for wanted to change (change is a scary thing). I am sure that between all the staff members, and you Jeff, that you will make the right choices and end up improving everything in the long run.

The most impressive thing is that you actually asked your members for their opinions. Thank you for that.

Thank you for sharing your views!

[.Clint]

Forgive me if I repeat something, I haven't had the time to read the whole topic yet.
I think that tutorials would be a great addition, as well as an updated staff list with some explanations about the different staff groups.

About the introductions, I do not think that fill-in-the-blank boxes would be such a great idea, because then you would lose the personal feeling of an introduction. Perhaps a sticky topic with some guidelines and a few friendly reminders of not using too much colors, bolds, and other related things. I think that the fill-in-the-blanks would make the forums seem less exciting, and more of a professional feeling, but almost too professional that people would not want to visit that often.

Since this is an IM forum, you most likely get a lot of users that use instant messaging a lot, and have never been on a forum before. I think that tutorials would help, and at least a sticky topic explaining a few things. I know that when I first joined a forum, I had a hard time getting around. In most cases, you can tell if the user has ever been on a forum before by the way they type, the font, colors, and text styles they use. If that is the case, perhaps you should be a little more lenient on topics in the wrong area, because they may be unfamiliar with the whole "forum" theme. I am not saying that they should get to do whatever they want, but if you do notice that they do not follow suit and keep on using colors, bolds, etetera, a private message might help, give them a reminder of the rules, and an overview of forum etiquette.

I am unfamiliar with the reputation system, as I am primarily a user of invision based forums, but I think I can figure it out. As Tea Granny said, change is a scary thing, at least to some people. Personally, I welcome change, as I think of it as a challenge, and an opportunity to learn something new.

One more not-so-great idea would be to make a topic (perhaps in the staff forums) with some staff reminders for when you are welcoming new users. I know that as a moderator your view of other users changes a lot, and sometimes you can forget that when you say things to a new user, like if they bring up an old thread, or make a topic that has been brought up a few times already, that they can become uncomfortable. The worst thing that you want to happen is for a new member to feel uncomfortable, as they may not contribute to topics as much as they would like to, in fear of getting told that they had done something wrong. Although the staff member may not mean for it to come out in a rough way, it happens to the best of us.

Keep on staffing, you do a great job!


Clint

[Fancy]

I have a delicate topic to bring up but I think its important. Those of you that know me a little, know I thoroughly enjoy BBB, and because of that I want to see it be a successful site. There is no quicker way for a site to lose its good reputation than for anyone that carries the label of 'staff' to act rudely or inappropriately. The staff represents BBB and when a staff member makes a comment its naturally going to carry more weight than when a newbie makes a comment. A few weeks ago, I removed all my messenger contact information from my profile because a few members here made me feel uncomfortable by contacting me on yahoo, AIM, and MSN for personal chat totally unrelated to messenger topics or forum matters. This includes a staff member here who made me feel uncomfortable by revealing that he could 'see' which profiles I was reviewing because as staff, he had that ability. Because he could 'see' I was looking at his profile, he took that as an invitation to message me. Although this is harmless, it also seemed somewhat inappropriate for staff to do that. (especially repeatedly) I didn't come to BBB looking for someone to flirt with, I came to learn more about messaging and solve problems. I remain because I've discovered a community of people with common interests and I love how people can rally around someone who has a problem and work to solve it. Its unfortunate, but this is one of those cases where one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. My suggestion is that staff be reminded of their position as representatives of BBB in everything they do here and how it reflects on the way newbies will feel about the site. You guys ARE the site...without you its just a bunch of menus. (very nicely done menus, Jeff) By-the-way, I openly told the staff member that he made me feel uncomfortable by pointing out he could see I was reviewing his profile and using that as a reason to start sending me messages, he laughed it off with no attempt at all to make me feel less uneasy. I'll remain at BBB, but I'm there in 'invisible' mode now and without the contact info that I enjoyed using at the site in the past. You don't want this to happen to other newcomers.

[Jeff]

Fancy, I was appalled when I heard this. Somebody apparently thought it was no big deal, but it was offensive to you. Based on your experience, I've restricted access to the detailed "who's online" info to myself (as admin) and the Team Leaders.

Everyone still can see where people are in the site, and who is viewing a given topic, but if someone is viewing a user profile, all they will see is "Viewing user profile" with no specific information of whose profile.

It's necessary to allow the Team Leaders and the administrator (myself) access to this information in the rare occassion where someone is maliciously trying to harm the site. If there is ever a problem with a Team Leader misusing this information, please let me know.

On behalf of the entire staff of BigBlueBall, I apologize for making you feel uncomfortable, and I hope that this change resolves your concern.

[PolarBearNPR]

I originally joined BBB, not because I IM, but because I wanted to see what my students (and kids) were up to, and to help them navigate the systems. I found here a great community of folks, very friendly, and a little clique-ish, but that's okay. Staff should be together and have a good working relationship, and that sometimes appears clique-ish. Here is the type of forum I'm very familiar with, having been a communtiy leader (CL) at iVillage for four years. http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-sbfreebies is not my board, but one similar to it.

As you can see, there are only a few "folders" with individual threads in them. But the main thing we really tried to do was to develop that sense of community that kept folks coming back. Most of our clientel was moms searching for information on things to do with their kids, seeking advice on kid issues, and general venting of kid/family-related issues. Once they got some answers, we kept them around by get-to-know-you type activities and having the CL post questions to them to keep them coming back. The support system there is incredible, and after nine years I have some really good friends there.

My general comment (I'm not as thorough as some others) is that the main thing that causes confusion is terminology. That may be because I'm a newb at this forum and subject, although I do now have yahoo account .
I've had trouble commenting on news, and searching confuses me with the seemingly double search (one on the blue bar and one at the top). But everyone has been very helpful in helping me find what I need. And slowly I am learning the ropes. Everyone has been most kind, and provided just the assistance I needed when I needed it.

Thanks for a great forum! I look forward to continued improvement. But, please . . . stay the way you all are . . . friendly, helpful, silly.