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Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in General Chat
Well I’m rather new to posting on the boards, so I doubt many of you will know me. However, I am one of TheSite.org Leaders. Essentially, we’re a bunch of volunteers working to ensure that TheSite.org meets your needs.
We had a great live chat with some of you in May (quite a way back now!) and one of the areas it became clear you had plenty of thoughts about were TheSite.org’s discussion boards. So, we’d like to hear more on this theme.
Here’s your chance to tell us:
Our focus is on establishing what you love and what makes you tick, so at this point we’re not looking for you to suggest detailed improvements…but that will come later.
Thanks and we look forward to your comments!
We had a great live chat with some of you in May (quite a way back now!) and one of the areas it became clear you had plenty of thoughts about were TheSite.org’s discussion boards. So, we’d like to hear more on this theme.
Here’s your chance to tell us:
- What you like about the boards and why
- What you’d change about the boards and why
Our focus is on establishing what you love and what makes you tick, so at this point we’re not looking for you to suggest detailed improvements…but that will come later.
Thanks and we look forward to your comments!
0
Comments
I like that this board is popular enough for members to stick around. I also like that the boards are moderated. I think that's a big part of it's success and appeal.
What you?d change about the boards and why
It's hard but I've noticed that when a new person posts, especially when they are feeling vulnerable that sometimes the lack of replies or a response can easily be taken negatively/they think they arent liked and then they don't return. That's a shame. Just an idea but perhaps a team of volunteers, even the site leaders can play a part in making new posters, particularly those feeling vulnerable, feel welcome. I realise this is something all the members can do. I do read most posts but sometimes find it difficult to reply when someone is feeling so low
:yes:
- the vast majority of the users, it's really an amazing bunch and they rally around people when they need support
- moderators posting in threads with useful links and some really useful advice. It validates people's feelings; even if it's something they already knew
Things I'm not too hot on:
- The (relatively rare, nowadays) occasions when users pick at other users, forgetting that this is a forum for advice and support not their personal hangout. Always makes my blood boil.
- Boards being quieter in general.
I agree with this. Sometimes I skip the posts that are hard reading if I'm having difficulties. But, a mod almost always replies within 48 hours with one of their super-signposting-replies :thumb:
(Hello, Mavis
But that's where the good thing about thesite comes in the Mods always get on it.
Dislikes: molly-coddling; reticence to advocate introspection and personal responsibility.
At first I was a bit nervous because I saw how established the community was, and how lots of people were friends and I felt intimidated, like I would say the wrong thing and be laughed at. Also, feel a bit stupid if no one responds to a post. That's just me though, I can be over sensitive to things.
The Site is great, so glad I found it.
I'm all for championing rights but tolerance goes both ways. This means tolerating and respecting someone's right to an opinion even if you disagree with it. There have been times I've been put off replying to a post or thread because of the hassle I know I'll get, which simply is not worth it and I won't come back to this site for a few weeks until it all dies down.
The search function still hasn't been fixed. The board redesign has wiped out about 6 years of threads and posts.
There's no password reminder option, at least I can't see one, when you log in. For an old person like me who is starting to feel the effects of ageing, it can mean five or six goes at guessing the password before I get it right.
Post of the week had a brief resurgence then died off again. I would say that if it's too much work to do, just abandon it completely. Also, I haven't been nominated for awhile, which is an appalling oversight.
:eek2:
Excuse my ignorance, but what is/was post of the week? I assume where someone gets a gold star for their helpful advice, or something along those lines?
On the positive side it seems there’s a lot of consensus around:
• The generally excellent moderation
• The sense of community here on the boards
• The continuity of users
• The breadth of discussion subjects
• The space to get your thoughts straight
On the more negative side:
• It seems that the strong sense of community can mean it’s hard to deal with new members, especially if their first post is when they’re in a vulnerable place, or for new members to feel confident posting
• Tone of posts sometimes irks people (molly coddling, limited tolerance, judgemental)
• Limited traffic: sometimes the boards are a bit quiet
• Layout/design (such as too many sub forums, poor search function, no password reminders)
Any more stand out points for anyone? Or any more support for the points made above?
And…
The point made by Infinite Part Deux about older posts being lost after a redesign, made me wonder: for how long should older posts stay accessible? Any thoughts on that as it potentially links with wider layout issues?
I was wondering a while ago when exactly POTW died.
I think that's how I got my Octi.
I think that's how I got all four of my Octi's
Dirty rotten show off
Welll....Post of the week kind of relies on you lot nominating. We added a nominate button and we do get the odd nomination, but no-where near as many as are deserving... Granted we could run the poll more frequently, but we need your help.
Nice summary Mavis. :thumb:
Just make sure I win it, and everything will be fine.
It's not a case of "jumping on" people who are "not PC", it's a case of directly criticising people who are being pricks. I don't, really genuinely don't, see the issue with that. If someone's being a misogynistic prat or a racist turd then I'll call them up on it, I always have done and always will do. If that puts them off then they need to grow a pair, don't say something so nasty or prejudiced if you're not able or willing to defend your view. It's not a case of being "trendy", heaven knows I'm a long way from that, it's a case of being sensible and reasonable. Call it learning a life skill.
I love the sense of community here, even if I come back less than I used to. I love that the moderators are now available to answer questions where there are no replies (or even where there are loads of replies), I think that's important. The only thing I would say is that there needs to be more robust moderation where someone is clearly being inappropriate, such as posting in detail about their self harm or disordered eating tactics and devices, or the (admittedly rarer) passive aggressive posts bringing external arguments on to the boards.
But it's not for you or anyone else to decide who or what is a "prick". In the past I've been guilty of posting things which could be taken in more than one way. I never post with the intention of offending or annoying yet there are those who will automatically assume the worst and accuse me of some form of 'ism'. Rather than wait for clarification or further explanation, the brick wall of "You're just being racist/sexist/ageist/fatist/gayist/animalist/whatever" comes up and as far as they're concerned the debate past that is over. This puts me off the forum and keeps me away for weeks at a time.
I get that this is a support and help forum and any attacks on the weak, vulnerable or minorities will be confronted. I'd never expect anything different. But the self-appointed 'moral police' rarely wait for confirmation before steaming in.
As an extension of that, and not something I share, is if someone is confirmed as having some sort of 'ism' then they are ostracised. OK I see the reasoning behind it but it flies in the face of people claiming to be 'tolerant'. If they are intolerant of people they see as intolerant, then they themselves cannot call themselves 'tolerant'. This is what I mean when I say 'trendy'. It's seen as being 'trendy' to be intolerant of those with intolerant views.
Done - starts 1st August, get nominating
If it looks and smells like a foul opinion, chances are it is a foul opinion. If you feel that strongly, defend it. If you didn't mean to come across that way, say so. Don't go crying because someone calls you up on a sexist joke.
Thank you for backing up my point. That is the very reason people tend to stay away from this site.
If someone wants to spout racist jokes then they're free to go somewhere else. I hear Facebook is full of it.
Quality over quantity, innit.
I'm sure the Vodafone Foundation, BAA and Barclays- who do pay the monthly server costs- would simply adore that...
To be fair, it does for a charity.