Online Community - Comments, Improvements and Feedback

To help me (and, hopefully, others) decide whether to subscribe (or continue to subscribe) to a thread I would like to see two new features.

The first is an indicator, set by the thread's creator, to show whether off-topic posts are welcome. The default should be that postings are to be on topic.

Secondly, a list of a thread's contributors.

These features would also have the benefit of reducing the number of unnecessary e-mails in an inbox and allow people more time to actually participate in the community.

NAS8954 said:

The first is an indicator, set by the thread's creator, to show whether off-topic posts are welcome.

What are you saying sorry for Ellie? 

Caretwo. It seems to me that there is more than one reason people join this forum and although we do have things in common our characters will be varied. You have spoken about the threads keeping on topic several times. So I realise this is something which is important to you. I also accept that on some topics there is a need for seriousness and to keep on topic especially if looking for information or counsel and in those instances it would be a good idea to select keep on topic. However in most conversations it is unnatural to stay on topic. And how do you decide what is relevant to that topic or not? I am not in favour of the default to being stay on topic but yes to being able to select to stay on topic if the person starting the thread wishes it. Conversations ebb and flow from a topic. It is the free flowing relaxed nature of this forum which attracts me and makes me feel at ease ( which I do not have anywhere else).  I do not feel comfortable being confined to a topic or thread because it just feels like another way someone else is imposing what they think my behaviour should be. I understand your desire to have less emails popping up but you could be in control of that by choosing not to receive them but looking at your convenience if you wished to. 

I am not disagreeing with you to be awkward or to upset you but I did want to point out that I have trouble staying focused on a set subject and doesn't feel like the natural flow of a conversation and this makes me uncomfortable.  I don't like being boxed in. I'm sure there must be a way to give you the structure you need and the informality that I need but as to how that would be achieved is a conundrum. 

I suspect this stems from my other ND ( random, blurting, impulsive side) but I don't know so. I am trying hard to answer carefully so I do hope you won't be offended by my alternative view. 

I do think a list of the threads contributors is a good idea. 

Maybe we need a dedicated free for all general chitchat area where we can meet and greet and say goodnight for the day with those we connect with and those not private messaging. 

Find a way to find the ones we gel with .. gravitate or magnetic force field doesn't really matter where. I'm not good at being tidy. 

The anti social, social hemispherium... .

Sounds ok to me.. not sure if we'd manage not going off topic on other threads but if we did we could be nudged over to 101. 

Hey everyone!

Does 'The Day-In and Day-Out Off-Topic 101 Thread' seem like a viable heading for those experiencing and wishing to communicate about more divergent and less focused states of mind, perhaps?

Hey ...always here and stressing.....waiting for someone to turn the light off in my room! You ok?

Hope my response was on topic as I needed to explain why I would appreciate a "whose online" list.

Hi spotty sorry if my suggestion caused you some upset? As missy said you can uncheck tracking! So if anyone wished not to be seen as online then I am sure this could be still an option. So an who's online and default not to show it, it would suit most but also last nite I had been very busy all day and when I came on here to catch up it just seemed like I was on my own,

I then went through all the new threads and still no one about,suddenly names I knew replied to various posts, I know it sounds silly but if I knew someone I knew was online I might comment on a non specific post to have a natter and catch up. It did make me feel lonely but that's just my crazy way of thinking which I can't change,it feels nice knowing familiar names are about.

Just say I'm sat here late at night(quite often as cannot sleep) I have no useful knowledge for serious posts,so I just sit here waiting for a new posting. Maybe elephant in the room was also awake stressing over something? We could miss each other.or we could go to a non specific post and have a chat.

Spotty Tortoise said:

Thank you and Caretwo, I don't think I am paranoid, just very uncomfortable being in any kind of spotlight at the moment and doubt that I'm alone there.

You are so not alone in this respect at all, and as far as paranoia goes ~ always keep it in reserve and when you do need it ~ use it sparingly as it appears you do quite reasonably already.

Thank you and Caretwo, I don't think I am paranoid, just very uncomfortable being in any kind of spotlight at the moment and doubt that I'm alone there.

Deepthought said:

your concern on this subject matter is without doubt very appropriate and befitting.

Agreed.

I agree Spotty I have the tracking unchecked as prefer to be under the radar not the spotlight. 

Spotty Tortoise said:

I want to be invisible, am I just paranoid?

On the other websites I know of there is an option for the 'invisibility' you want, and even if you are paranoid ~ your concern on this subject matter is without doubt very appropriate and befitting.

Am I alone in being completely horrified at the idea of it being visible whether I am here or not, I actually felt panic when I read this although I do understand why Lone might want it.

I want to be invisible, am I just paranoid?  If I was visible I would feel pressure to join in and sometimes I just don't feel able to, or only with a couple of things, creating a perceived pressure to perform would be very counter productive for me, anyone else feel this way?  Am I really a tortoise rather than a metaphorical one?

I'm off to explore Caretwo's presence tracking comment!

But this should NOT override the 'Enable Presence Tracking' setting if it is unticked (i.e. do not track).

If the setting is disabled no community user should be able to see if you are online.

Lonewarrior said:

Would it be possible to have a box somewhere showing who is online? I feel like I am the only one here! No recent threads.

Maybe the old 'Leader Board' panel could be re-programmed to display the avatar images of those who are on line.

Perhaps our avatar names could be shown as initials underneath or in the avatar images themselves ~ or maybe just stick with the images as they are?

You are not aloooonnne! :) we are all hiding behind the sofa ready to jump out at you!!!

On a serious note, I agree it can feel quiet isolating thinking that you're the only one on this planet.

Would it be possible to have a box somewhere showing who is online? I feel like I am the only one here! No recent threads.

Thank you Caretwo I appreciate your reply. 

Misfit61 said:

It seems to me that there is more than one reason people join this forum

Agreed, which is why I suggested a choice (on/off) and an 'on' default seemed natural to me. Some people want to have on-topic threads, others do not and others do not mind a mix (and people will move between those groups).

I like to keep on top of any threads etc. that I am interested in and turning off notifications and replacing them with looking at the site would not work for me.

I accept you do not like being boxed in; I do not like having to wade through e-mails/posts which I do not consider relevant. Neither is wrong.

I tried to suggest something which I thought would help us all.

Although I would rarely, if ever, visit a dedicated free-for-all general chit-chat area, I like the idea. Perhaps that is the best way.

Hi Missfit

I think that a general social thread might be a good idea and I know these threads all get very busy and can be hard to follow at the best of times. 

Hi Missfit

I think that a general social thread might be a good idea and I know these threads all get very busy and can be hard to follow at the best of times.