The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Announcements => Topic started by: Dan on December 25, 2010, 09:36:00 pm
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Hello TAS'ers, and Merry Xmas! :xmas:
We've made a change to the way member group qualification works and wanted to tell you about it.
For those who don't know what I'm on about there are 6 member groups, from Newbie up to Super Hero. These are designed to be a small badge of honour for members who are active on the forum.
Before today qualification for these groups has been based solely on the number of posts a member makes. We've changed this today to be the number of different threads a member has posted in.
The upshot is that for now we have no Super Hero Members, and only one Hero Member (well done Beth!).
We hope this will encourage everyone to contribute more widely on the forums, and perhaps look beyond their usual haunts.
In the new year we'll also be re-organising the structure of the forums, and placing a bit more weight on smallholding topics.
Feel free to let us know what you think about these changes in this thread, we're working hard on the new site and want to make sure it does the best possible job of helping people interested in smallholding find the help they need, while being friendly and welcoming, and providing a place to socialise and have fun.
Best wishes,
Dan & Rosemary
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Can I repeat my plea for a wildlife thread when you make the changes please? Many of us include wildlife in our smallholding plans - and of course it's even official policy now.
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how about a rabbit thread? i cant be the only that breeds them?
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Hello am new to the site but have been made to feel very welcome. What is the best way to search form members in the same county as me??
Wish you well for 2011.
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Hello am new to the site but have been made to feel very welcome. What is the best way to search form members in the same county as me??
Wish you well for 2011.
Now that's a good idea ;D I've just discovered there are two members within spitting distance of me :D ;)
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Hello am new to the site but have been made to feel very welcome. What is the best way to search form members in the same county as me??
Wish you well for 2011.
Now that's a good idea ;D I've just discovered there are two members within spitting distance of me :D ;)
There is a members map but not everyone uses it. Seems they think it might be a security risk. i don't worry about that with 5 dogs about the place.
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How about a post code search with just the first 3 charater - pretty wide area. People can alway opt out if they want...
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Hello am new to the site but have been made to feel very welcome. What is the best way to search form members in the same county as me??
Wish you well for 2011.
Now that's a good idea ;D I've just discovered there are two members within spitting distance of me :D ;)
There is a members map but not everyone uses it. Seems they think it might be a security risk. i don't worry about that with 5 dogs about the place.
I can understand that. Many people have valuable livestock/kit and many people post about trips they are taking. I know you can put a pin in a general area but it's a faff deciding where to put it.
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So does this count as a post in the announcement thread??
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Feel free to let us know what you think about these changes in this thread, Best wishes,
Dan & Rosemary
D&S,
think most members worked out how the old scheme worked, but if you are to encourage us to post more widely, would be good to know how you progress between the levels, as otherwise there is no incentive if you don't know what makes the change ! so it is one post in each, 10 posts in each etc. or posts in x topics?
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There are people on this forum who add real value to a particular thread usually because they have colossal experience and/or have already made all the blunders. But you don't really want the ace sheep person to start making random comments on the cow thread when they've never been within 20ft of one.
Like most people I'm a total novice at some things, very knowledgeable at others and rusty on the rest. So I'm not sure that the quality of a member is that easy to measure using stats. There's also a lot of value in the chit-chat threads which glue together some of the other content.
Not sure about the word association game though
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I agree with Waterhouse. I've gone from hero (I think) to Junior, because I don't post in threads about which I know nothing. But I will not be changing now.
The scariest stat is under 'hello fleecewife' where it says I have spent 7 days, 16 hours and 31 minutes logged on here - I do have a life, honest, I just don't sleep very well ;D
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I agree with Waterhouse. I've gone from hero (I think) to Junior, because I don't post in threads about which I know nothing. But I will not be changing now.
The scariest stat is under 'hello fleecewife' where it says I have spent 7 days, 16 hours and 31 minutes logged on here - I do have a life, honest, I just don't sleep very well ;D
You should worry - mine says 34days 7 hours and 3 minutes right now. I think it counts the time when I'm not at the computer because my PC is on all the time,a dn i don't log off. ;D
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Good idea Dan, does not really matter what status you have anyway. Just enjoy yourself, it is not a competition. I would not dream of joining in on a post I know nothing about but it does not stop you reading them and learning.
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I usually just check to see if someone is new before I answer them, mainly to say hello I guess...
But I've just noticed that with more posts than me Hermit is a Newbie and I'm a Junior ?
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How about a post code search with just the first 3 charater - pretty wide area. People can alway opt out if they want...
There will be postcode-based features on the new site. Starting with finding events near you, and over time we'll extend this to finding other stuff in your area (including other members).
It will be opt-in - you'll need to add your postcode to your profile and tick a box to say you want to be findable by other members.
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has that to be full postcode or first part only
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has that to be full postcode or first part only
We'll be starting with a method of postcode distance calculation that only uses the postcode district, ie the first part, so either full postcode or the first part will give the same results.
Your full postcode will never be revealed.
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Good idea Dan, does not really matter what status you have anyway. Just enjoy yourself, it is not a competition. I would not dream of joining in on a post I know nothing about but it does not stop you reading them and learning.
That's the idea, it's not a competition and we are definitely not encouraging people to offer advise when they aren't qualified to do so, or post just for the sake of a badge!
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But I've just noticed that with more posts than me Hermit is a Newbie and I'm a Junior ?
There's definitely something amiss with Hermit's group, I'll look into it.
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A rabbit section would definitely be a good asset to this site (and a bunny icon please Dan?).
And I'm guessing the reason for folks with more posts being a newbie rather than a jnr is down to the fewer topic ranges they have posted in.
I agree we shouldn't know how many posts to put, or where, in order to 'up' our profile. It will result in nonsense posts (and lets hope it doesn't end up that way regardless).
Also, I think some threads should be 'closed' by Dan after they have had their run (or upon request by original poster of thread). Posts like the word association game have run far too long and scrolling down 'recent posts' is tedious when so many posts are replies to a game.
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So does this count as a post in the announcement thread??
Yes.
We had a few options for this, given that the current way it was working wasn't ideal:
1. Remove the member groups completely.
2. Use the number of topics contributed to, rather than the number of posts.
3. Exclude some of the forums from the calculation, such as the Coffee Lounge.
We went for option 2. It clearly needs some tweaking, and I'd like to get the number visible on everyone's profile.
For the time-being we'll stick with it. The other thing we're looking at adding in the future is a 'thank you' option, like this:
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A rabbit section would definitely be a good asset to this site (and a bunny icon please Dan?).
Rabbits as livestock, or as pets? If it's the former, no problem!
Also, I think some threads should be 'closed' by Dan after they have had their run (or upon request by original poster of thread). Posts like the word association game have run far too long and scrolling down 'recent posts' is tedious when so many posts are replies to a game.
It should usually be by request of the original poster, it's a really tough call to close a thread like the word association game, since it looks like a lot of members are still finding something they want to contribute to.
When we upgrade to the next version of the forum platform it will have the option to ignore a topic - it won't then show in any of your recent posts or other views.
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Ha ha I am usually amiss, dont worry about it ::)
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A rabbit section would definitely be a good asset to this site (and a bunny icon please Dan?).
Rabbits as livestock, or as pets? If it's the former, no problem!
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Livestock.
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Just remembered ::) : Under Livestock, could you pop a Beekeeping section in as well as Rabbit section? It's an important topic and as a beekeeper I might be able to help others if they need to know anything.
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Just remembered ::) : Under Livestock, could you pop a Beekeeping section in as well as Rabbit section? It's an important topic and as a beekeeper I might be able to help others if they need to know anything.
Done now: Two new boards (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=12017.0)
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So does this count as a post in the announcement thread??
Yes.
We had a few options for this, given that the current way it was working wasn't ideal:
1. Remove the member groups completely.
2. Use the number of topics contributed to, rather than the number of posts.
3. Exclude some of the forums from the calculation, such as the Coffee Lounge.
We went for option 2. It clearly needs some tweaking, and I'd like to get the number visible on everyone's profile.
For the time-being we'll stick with it. The other thing we're looking at adding in the future is a 'thank you' option, like this:
That’s fine Dan, but PLEASE tell us how it works – you can’t incentivise people to look broader (as you hope to) if they don’t know the scheme – it would be a bit like Tesco saying “collect Clubcard points” but we’ll not tell you how many you get for buying anything.
So how many “posts” in how many “topics” do you need to move from Newbie to Jr. Member?
And I thought a topic was something like this one “changes to member group qualification” as it sits in a whatever called “annoucements” which tells us it has two topics. On this basis I have contributed to probably hundreds of pig topics, but am still a newbie?? Perhaps you just need to explain how the whole thing works to those of us who don’t live and breathe forum speak, and really don’t know a thread from a topic from a post from a whatever.
Also any chance we could lose the “Newbie” – it was a patronising phrase at the best of times, but now most of your newbies have been here some time, so what are we newbie in? Since you already have Jr. Member (which also always sounded to me like an under 18!), maybe “limited member” – if that doesn’t make us sound like we are mentally challenged ?
:)
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The thing is, if folks know how many posts to put up, and where, they will do so poss without any benefit to that particular forum or the poster. It's not a game, it doesn't matter if some people don't know a 'thread' from a 'post', what matters is that someone needs a bit of help and someone else tries to help them. For the good of all our animals and way of life, lets keep this in mind.
Best wishes for 2011 to you all!
:-*
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That’s fine Dan, but PLEASE tell us how it works – you can’t incentivise people to look broader (as you hope to) if they don’t know the scheme – it would be a bit like Tesco saying “collect Clubcard points” but we’ll not tell you how many you get for buying anything.
So how many “posts” in how many “topics” do you need to move from Newbie to Jr. Member?
Newbie: <10
Jr. Member: <50
Full Member: <100
Sr. Member: <250
Hero Member: <500
Super Hero: > 499
But (and it's a big but) it's not working at the moment. There's something awry with the code that I'm looking into.
And I thought a topic was something like this one “changes to member group qualification” as it sits in a whatever called “annoucements” which tells us it has two topics.
Sorry! This topic is 'Changed to member group qualification'. It sits in the 'Announcements' board. If you post in this topic it will count as one on your topic count.
Also any chance we could lose the “Newbie” – it was a patronising phrase at the best of times, but now most of your newbies have been here some time, so what are we newbie in? Since you already have Jr. Member (which also always sounded to me like an under 18!), maybe “limited member” – if that doesn’t make us sound like we are mentally challenged ?
They are the default labels that came pre-configured and we've never changed them, but you're right they could be better!
We'll have a think about it and try to come up with something a bit more appropriate and imaginative. Suggestions welcome...
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Personally, I don't give a straw what kind of member I am. I will read what posts I like from the list given that I haven't yet read, and if I feel like it I will post - if I have anything worthwhile to say. However, I reserve the right to post a smiley rather than any actual words if words fail me ;) ;D ;D ;D
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well said. :D
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:wave: :wave: :)
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Isn't Dan wonderful? I'd have lost the will to live if I'd been in charge of this ;D
Mind you, I have made it my life's mission to develop his patience, so you shoudl all be thanking me ;D
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Lol! Thank you Rosemary!
I agree with Annie- I post in what thread I want when I want. I do think it is possible for one person to be knowledgeable in many areas, and anyone can have an interest in lots of different things.
Beth
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Generally I ignore what Board a post is in as I select unread posts and participate from there. I only go to the Boards if I'm looking for something specific or starting a new post.
I'm not really bothered what kind of member I am unless it bars me from doing something.
Someone mentioned scrolling through posts - you can set your options so the last post is at the top.
I think a Thanks button is a great idea.
I also think Dan is wonderful ;D
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I think Juicy is spamming us...
I too don't give a rats about my status I'll post if I have something to add or if I need help... Usually the later!
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Hey Dan seems I've lost hundreds of posts did you reorganise? just curious.
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i noticed that as well, alot of us have gone down in the posts amounts we have done :wave:
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Maybe we were bad girls and we've had marks deducted ;D
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Maybe we were bad girls and we've had marks deducted ;D
You may well have been bad girls but the shonky post counts aren't related. ;D
I don't know what's going on (nothing new there) and I haven't been able to sort it with the obvious fixes. :dunce:
Please bear with it for now - once you get used to the new lower numbers it'll be a pleasant surprise when they go back up again!
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oohh eeeerrrrrr, better to have points knocked off than smacked bottoms eh ;D ; :wave:
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Now I'm curious, been away for a few days and look what happens - the whole forum falls apart. ;) Only joking, I'm just posting this to see what my own count will be ;D ;D ;D
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Lol I don't know faith depends who is smacking your bottom... Phinar phinar ;D
Don't worry about it Dan it's no problem.
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Maybe we were bad girls and we've had marks deducted ;D
You may well have been bad girls but the shonky post counts aren't related. ;D
I don't know what's going on (nothing new there) and I haven't been able to sort it with the obvious fixes. :dunce:
Please bear with it for now - once you get used to the new lower numbers it'll be a pleasant surprise when they go back up again!
HI Dan, seeing you are changing the forum you might enlighten us newbies to how you down load photos on this forum. I have tried and feel like a dummy .....dont have this problem any where else I post.... just this forum..... please help us to participate in the photos as well as the post. thanks blonde
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When you make a post, click on Additional Options bottom left and upload from there.
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would it be possible to put our country of origin(flag) at the left hand side especially with the site being world wide with posters this may be of benefit to some of the practises that differ country to country
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would it be possible to put our country of origin(flag) at the left hand side especially with the site being world wide with posters this may be of benefit to some of the practises that differ country to country
That's a brilliant idea, LW It's a bit of a chav to go into the members' profile to see where they are located and that facility is not always used anyway.