 Posted 7/25/2007 7:21:47 PM
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| If everyone who had an opinion, attempted to voice it on the forum, we would have chaos. That's why I think there must be a better way to discover the thinking of more people in the community. I like the idea of a news letter, which might include a poll. Good thinking. It also seems doable, Eric.
Go when you can, go where you can, shoot what you can
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Posted 7/25/2007 8:52:47 PM
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Stormhaven (7/25/2007)
IMO, one of the greatest threats to the ongoing health of DA is the power of the forum participants. In all actuality, we are the policy makers. We are the complaint makers. We are the ego breakers. In other words, we run DA.
I'm not a technical person. What I DO wonder is if there is any method whereby Eric could get input from the whole of the community, and not just us who take the time to surf the forum? In fact, WE (notWemor)may be the "unwashed minority."
By way of influence, I think the forum participants, including myself, have too much influence. Eric is continually having to "dance the dance" just to keep the vocal minority satisfied. I fear that he might become schizophrenic, just trying to keep us happy. He must feel a little bit like he's in the middle of a taffy-pulling contest (look it up).
Eric, I challenge you to find out how many (per centage)of the "Top 360" actually participate (make comments)in the forum more than once a week. If that figure is what I'm guessing it will be, it should be obvious that even some of the most active (skilled?) photographers are not having their opinions polled about site issues that could potentially affect their participation and satisfaction.
I'm in favor of a broader Rule of the Roost. In fact, and this is a novel idea, I'm in favor of Eric turning a deaf ear to the forum for awhile. After all, it IS his site.
I totally agree with you, Stormy. (except for the fear of Eric
becoming schizo!  )
Very good points, in my estimation.
~ Nick
(Click on Homer to see My Profile!)
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"The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike." ~Delos McKown
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Posted 7/26/2007 3:50:42 AM
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hahn23 (7/25/2007)
wemor (7/25/2007)
[quote][b]...
I have often wondered about that listing. I am not sure, but I believe that this ranking tracks visits to the site - not necessarily into the forum...
Probably correct in your assessment. Just like the Alexa Global Internet data listing Iran as being a top country visiting the website, the data on forum visits seems suspect, too! Thanks, WE, for the course correction. I might have been tacking against the wind.
It's quite possible that Alexa global is correct.I've found that spammers are typically originating in Iran, China, Germany...and a few others.At times they absolutely flood my sites.
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Posted 7/26/2007 4:50:26 AM
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Just an idea but I reckon what's needed is a Members Survey page.
How about helping Eric with generating a list of key questions that could appear on a Members Survey page?
Multiple Choice Questions wherever possible though obviously space for people to elaborate when required.
Such a survey could be an ongoing process containing a core of ever-present questions and several that could be changed from time to time. Or indeed there could be a Primary Survey containing all the main sections and several Sub-Surveys that would address more-specific areas.
To ensure that results are more accurate and submitted by members that have a better understanding of the issues I'd suggest that newer members were only invited to participate in the survey when they:
a) Have been a member for X amount of time; and/or
b) Have voted on X amount of images. (E.G. They are active members)
In respect of Sub Surveys then I'd recommend that the above qualification criteria be increased appropriately.
No doubt Eric could arrange for an automated E-mail to be sent to newly qualified members and/or arrange for a Pop-up to remind them each time they log-in. Members would have the choice of taking part or not at that stage.
Eric could then publish the survey results and inform the membership of the key decisions taken and of timescales in which any changes may happen.
With such a survey:
1) Every member would have the option to provide their opinions;
2) Maybe a lot of the every day debating would be removed from the forum thus making it more welcoming to all members;
3) The forum may hopefully reinforce itself as a key place to learn (and have fun) for all members.
As I said, it's just an idea and may provide a solution. Can anyone else think of any more positives or negatives of having an on-going members survey? What do think Eric? A viable option?
(To help select the questions that appear on such a Members Survey then I'd suggest a new thread: Members Survey - Question Poll.
Anyone could post a question that can be voted on whether it should be included in the survey or not though obviously the final decision would rest with Eric.
When posting a question for the poll all that would be required is:
i) The Question;
ii) What useful information would be provided by the results;
iii) A short justification for the inclusion of the question;
Posted questions should not be allowed to be debated on the Question Poll thread!)
Anyway, hope this has given you something to think about and that you find it helpful.
All the best
Sandy
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If you want the rainbow - you gotta put up with the rain.
A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel sooooo good! 
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Posted 7/26/2007 9:32:56 AM
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I think we're headed in the right direction. Thank you, Sandy. I would like to see a little imput from Eric, at this point, and then perhaps we could go forward from there.
Go when you can, go where you can, shoot what you can
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Posted 7/26/2007 10:08:15 AM
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| Why reinvent the wheel? The forum is already in place - every site user has equal access to it - would it not be better for energy go into encouraging broader forum participation than a whole separate function. Actually, once when a major question was floated, an email went out to the entire site population and response to that poll was very heavy. Still, every user has their own way of getting enjoyment from the site. Some like to vote a lot - some almost none at all. Some like to comment & critique, others don't. A few are active forum participants, the majority are not. Some even enter photos into the contest! In the end, people will do what they enjoy and it takes everyone to make up the community. Eric is very open minded and responsive to suggestion from all users. Still, I am sure he makes his decisions based on what he feels is best for his website. To suggest that he ignore the forum is to suggest a shopkeeper ignore their customers. WE
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Profile - Top 24 - All Images
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Posted 7/26/2007 11:19:48 AM
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Am I wrong to have thought that the
"Lifting Voting Constraints topic is important or
did I just miss the email?
Only 10 people have voted, so far...and I'm pretty sure they are the regular forum gang (me included).
~ Nick
(Click on Homer to see My Profile!)
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"The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike." ~Delos McKown
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Posted 7/27/2007 4:52:27 AM
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Exactly Nick!
Hi We
It's not reinventing the wheel - it's just adding an engine to the wheel and moving forward faster and with more purpose. It certainly shouldn't be left to "only" the dozen or so regulars on the forum to shape the future of DA.
Forums aren't everyone's cup of tea for many reasons from being a poor typist to feeling intimidated by the headstrong, opinionated people that tend to dominate most forums. Then there's the fear of retaliation should they not express a view that pleases others.
Members should be able to confidently provide their opinions in an unintimidating environment away from the forum. Only then will members true feelings come to the fore and DA will gain most benefit.
I didn't suggest that Eric ignored the forum or his customers - on the contrary! I suggested that the forum could be used to come up with the questions and that one of the benefits would be that a lot of the everyday debating would be removed from the forumand that it may become a more attractive place for members.
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If you want the rainbow - you gotta put up with the rain.
A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel sooooo good!
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Posted 7/30/2007 9:39:14 PM
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