[Pamela Galli]

This is going to sound really presumptuous from a newbie poster here, but:

On the flog, in one of the many threads about what a PITA it is (okay, I started it), ppl have been encouraged to try non LL forums including this one (okay, in violation of guidelines, but it had to be done).

One poster, who has a recent intro here, said that the SLU forums are too confusing for her -- too hard to find things. (And I notice other former Xstreeters who have posted an intro do not join in the discussions.)

It is not that hard for me to navigate here, but I can see her point. We former Xstreeters are a basically lazy bunch -- we checked three forums for new posts. Sometimes classifieds or technical if we saw something interesting on the new post feed, but basically General, Business, and Merchant.

Here, there is a General and a Misc and an OT forum, several subforums in these forums, plus several different content creation subforums, and the classifieds. I don't know how to explain why there are all these forums or how to find new threads quickly. Do most ppl just mute threads they are not interested in, to reduce the number?

[Cristiano]

Most users use either the New Posts option at the top, which shows new posts across all forums, or the iSpy option on the Quick Links menu to keep a live watch on things. As SLU continues to grow, I am considering some restructuring of forums, but the easiest way to keep track is to use those options (especially New Posts).

Also, if you are interested in the reaction to your own posts, you can use the My Posts link in the welcome box to quickly access threads you have posted in.

[Willow Matthews]

I'm a new posts gal myself. Others are total iSpy tarts. I admit to being a tart when there is a hot post to try and keep up with.

So in a way this is easier. You are either a New Poster, or an iSpy tart. Choose your poison.

[Cristiano]

Also, I don't find feedback presumptuous - I definitely want to ensure that new users do not feel lost or overwhelmed, and getting that perspective certainly helps.

[Ann Launay]

*clicks New Posts*

[Aisuru Rieko]

agrees on the "new posts" thing, thats my second stop right after "my posts" but it does seem like new posts only goes 8 pages back or so, keep that in mind.

[Pamela Galli]

Oh, yes, those are good tips, thank you all. I am going to play around more with configuration then maybe write a little info for Xstreeters.

What is the difference between iSpy and new posts?

[Carter-Madhu]

Originally Posted by Pamela Galli

What is the difference between iSpy and new posts?

iSpy updates in real time; New Posts updates only when you click on it. Also iSpy gives you the first couple of lines of text in each posting, so you can really just watch it read the postings as they come up.

It's forum crack.

[Pamela Galli]

Originally Posted by Carter-Madhu

iSpy updates in real time; New Posts updates only when you click on it. Also iSpy gives you the first couple of lines of text in each posting, so you can really just watch it read the postings as they come up.

It's forum crack.

Oh, so it is similar to the scrolling new posts thing we had on display on Xstreet. Yes, it is crack-like, esp. when it is always there whether you open it or not, luring you away to threads with irresistable titles.

[Aodhan McDunnough]

@Pamela

There's only so much Cris will be able to do. You guys are after all coming from a highly focused forum and are moving to forums with wider spread of topics.

It's going to be like jumping from a forum just about L4D and into a forum that covers all manner of computer gaming.

Cris will do what he can, as he always does. What I can recommend to them is just adopting a mindset that the forum isn't anywhere near as focused. Given some time they'll find their way around things.

[Rooke Ayres]

I was going to say...

Wait, huh, what?

Oh, I thought this was the Pie forum. Sorry, I got lost.

[Pamela Galli]

Originally Posted by Aodhan McDunnough

@Pamela

There's only so much Cris will be able to do. You guys are after all coming from a highly focused forum and are moving to forums with wider spread of topics.

It's going to be like jumping from a forum just about L4D and into a forum that covers all manner of computer gaming.

Cris will do what he can, as he always does. What I can recommend to them is just adopting a mindset that the forum isn't anywhere near as focused. Given some time they'll find their way around things.

As I said, I know it sounds presumptuous to come into a group and offer what sounds like criticism/whining.

However, on behalf of some bitterly discouraged ppl, I relayed the info about their perceptions, asked for clarification/help (and received it), and did not ask Chris to do anything in particular -- and he said he found the feedback helpful.

Xstreet really was not more focused as far as topics -- there was tons of OT stuff. There was probably more interest in merchant-talk, but not a lot more. But we did get slapped for not putting things in the right forum so we got in the habit of trying to figure out which forum to post in, tho there were not so many forums and sub forums to choose from.

Finally, this is just not the right time to encourage someone to join a forum and then tell them to "adopt a mindset" about things they find confusing -- not after they have tried to penetrate the mysteries of the Flog and been told to go through a #@$% TUTORIAL.

[Aodhan McDunnough]

Originally Posted by Pamela Galli

[1]As I said, I know it sounds presumptuous to come into a group and offer what sounds like criticism/whining.

[2] However, on behalf of some bitterly discouraged ppl, I relayed the info about their perceptions, asked for clarification/help (and received it), and did not ask Chris to do anything in particular -- and he said he found the feedback helpful.

Xstreet really was not more focused as far as topics -- there was tons of OT stuff. There was probably more interest in merchant-talk, but not a lot more. But we did get slapped for not putting things in the right forum so we got in the habit of trying to figure out which forum to post in, [3] tho there were not so many forums and sub forums to choose from.

[4] Finally, this is just not the right time to encourage someone to join a forum and then tell them to "adopt a mindset" about things they find confusing -- not after they have tried to penetrate the mysteries of the Flog and been told to go through a #@$% TUTORIAL.

[1] It isn't criticism or whining. You have a valid observation.

[2] The perceptions are valid. What I'm saying is based on how someone would feel coming from a place with a different feel.

[3] This is where my point comes from

[4] I am encouraging joining and I am also encouraging an adoption of a different navigation mindset. But you have to understand I didn't say this because I'm from SLU, that's never my way of speaking. I say it because adopting a different mindset is exactly what I had to do in every new forum I joined (all kinds of forums, not just SL).

[Chantal]

Hey it's like any Internet community: some people will find things confusing (and sometimes because they roll up with the 'mindset' that it's 'never going to be as good as the old place).

I used to use Yahoogroups, and then a whole lot of people drifted to LiveJournal.

The wars were spectacular. Each side insisted that their choice was better. People like to have their choices validated and it can easily slide into 'us and them'.

SLU seemed like a labyrinth to me at first, but I'm the 'not going to ask help I'll find my way around' type, whereas other people like lots of tips. I think both approaches are just up to the user. I suppose there is a 'mindset' to using SLU but it's hardly rocket science. Much as feedback is great and useful and can shake off a few cobwebs, it helps if it's done politely (which you did, Pamela).

The only things that irritate me when there's a whole new influx of people (because I'm a little of the 'don't like my environment to change too much too fast' type) are

a) people join, bitch about everything, and really want to be noticed by trying to shock somehow (not you, Pamela!)

b) people join and some established members play rather heavily on the 'we were here first'. But there, a lot - not all but a lot - depends on your first posts.

So welcome. I have to say that the recent wave of refugees seems to have added some great people (and a few others).

[Beezle Warburton]

Originally Posted by Cristiano

Most users use either the New Posts option at the top, which shows new posts across all forums, or the iSpy option on the Quick Links menu to keep a live watch on things. As SLU continues to grow, I am considering some restructuring of forums, but the easiest way to keep track is to use those options (especially New Posts).

Also, if you are interested in the reaction to your own posts, you can use the My Posts link in the welcome box to quickly access threads you have posted in.

Or set up auto-subscription to things you reply to:

User CP --> Edit Options --> Default Thread Subscription Mode

Set this to any of the options except "do not subscribe"

Personally, I set it to "no email notifications" then track threads I've responded to in UserCP.

(I skim New Posts once or twice a day, then track conversations in UserCP)

[Beezle Warburton]

Originally Posted by Chantal

Hey it's like any Internet community: some people will find things confusing (and sometimes because they roll up with the 'mindset' that it's 'never going to be as good as the old place).

I used to use Yahoogroups, and then a whole lot of people drifted to LiveJournal.

The wars were spectacular. Each side insisted that their choice was better. People like to have their choices validated and it can easily slide into 'us and them'.

SLU seemed like a labyrinth to me at first, but I'm the 'not going to ask help I'll find my way around' type, whereas other people like lots of tips. I think both approaches are just up to the user. I suppose there is a 'mindset' to using SLU but it's hardly rocket science. Much as feedback is great and useful and can shake off a few cobwebs, it helps if it's done politely (which you did, Pamela).

The only things that irritate me when there's a whole new influx of people (because I'm a little of the 'don't like my environment to change too much too fast' type) are

a) people join, bitch about everything, and really want to be noticed by trying to shock somehow (not you, Pamela!)

b) people join and some established members play rather heavily on the 'we were here first'. But there, a lot - not all but a lot - depends on your first posts.

So welcome. I have to say that the recent wave of refugees seems to have added some great people (and a few others).

You're all so mean, I hate you all!

[Chantal]

Originally Posted by Beezle Warburton

You're all so mean, I hate you all!

Hehehe.

If I thought your tongue wasn't firmly in your cheek on that, it would deserve a reply in the vein of those given to some of the door-slamming prima donnas you see rushing to some forums.

Y'know, on the lines of heat, and kitchens, and getting out.

[Pamela Galli]

Originally Posted by Aodhan McDunnough

[1] It isn't criticism or whining. You have a valid observation.

[2] The perceptions are valid. What I'm saying is based on how someone would feel coming from a place with a different feel.

[3] This is where my point comes from

[4] I am encouraging joining and I am also encouraging an adoption of a different navigation mindset. But you have to understand I didn't say this because I'm from SLU, that's never my way of speaking. I say it because adopting a different mindset is exactly what I had to do in every new forum I joined (all kinds of forums, not just SL).

The ones I am thinking of -- really terrific ppl -- will adjust to the difference in mindset here (some others, well, I think will deservedly be chewed up and spit out, and will not be around long :-)

Mindset is not the problem. It is simply the fact that dealing with 51 forums and sub-forums might remind them a bit too much of the Flog. I will explain to them how to minimize that, though, in a post here, and hope they find it.

[Aodhan McDunnough]

Originally Posted by Pamela Galli

It is simply the fact that dealing with 51 forums and sub-forums might remind them a bit too much of the Flog.

SLU has 51 forums and subforums? Been here two years and I never knew.

[Wildefire Walcott]

Originally Posted by Beezle Warburton

Or set up auto-subscription to things you reply to:

User CP --> Edit Options --> Default Thread Subscription Mode

Set this to any of the options except "do not subscribe"

Personally, I set it to "no email notifications" then track threads I've responded to in UserCP.

(I skim New Posts once or twice a day, then track conversations in UserCP)

I can't even bring myself to use non-vBulletin boards anymore. I live and die by UserCP for subscribed posts and New Posts for everything else.

[Rooke Ayres]

Originally Posted by Aodhan McDunnough

SLU has 51 forums and subforums? Been here two years and I never knew.

[Pamela Galli]

Originally Posted by Rooke Ayres

Might be off a subforum or two -- I am not a very good counter.

I can suck it up and find stuff, but -- some ppl are even more ADD than I am (don't tell them I said that), and for them, it's KISS.

[Cristiano]

Originally Posted by Pamela Galli

Might be off a subforum or two -- I am not a very good counter.

I can suck it up and find stuff, but -- some ppl are even more ADD than I am (don't tell them I said that), and for them, it's KISS.

It's a balancing act - I am of the forum school of thought that common specialized topics should have their own subforum. I could have one giant off topic forum, but then topics of interest become harder to find I think. I will continue to evaluate consolidation - but not at the expense of organization.

[Pamela Galli]

Originally Posted by Cristiano

It's a balancing act - I am of the forum school of thought that common specialized topics should have their own subforum. I could have one giant off topic forum, but then topics of interest become harder to find I think. I will continue to evaluate consolidation - but not at the expense of organization.

I am a great believer in majority rule -- and I imagine most ppl prefer it the way it is.

Is there a way to just see forums of interest? I looked at the options and did not see anything.

[Cristiano]

Originally Posted by Pamela Galli

I am a great believer in majority rule -- and I imagine most ppl prefer it the way it is.

Is there a way to just see forums of interest? I looked at the options and did not see anything.

There was the ability to ignore forums you are not interested in, but the plugin has stopped working - I am looking for an alternative. The most obvious answer to that would be to bookmark individual forums in your browser - I have New Posts as a bookmark on my toolbar in Firefox so I can access it quickly. I will see what else I can come up with.