The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Announcements => Topic started by: Dan on May 09, 2011, 08:38:21 am
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We've introduced a karma system to allow forum members to thank other members for useful posts and contributions to the forums.
It also allows members to assign negative karma to other members, for inappropriate, inflammatory or other behaviour that isn't in the spirit of the forums.
Beneath the member's name you'll see the karma that has been assigned to them (+ and -) and below that a link to thank or boo them. You cannot assign karma to the same member more than once an hour.
Please use it wisely; any feedback on how useful or otherwise this might be is very welcome. :farmer:
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You've got your first point, Dan. 'cos I think you're lovely! ;D ;D ;D Oh, and really just to test the system, of course ;)
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You've got your first point, Dan. 'cos I think you're lovely! ;D ;D ;D
Ah shucks, I think you're lovely too. :D :D :D
I should have also mentioned that karma is anonymous, although we admins can see who is assigning karma to whom.
So please no personal vendettas or bigging up your pals, because we'll know about it. ;)
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So that's what it is .... thought my computer was on the blink again ::)
:D :wave:
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I wondered what that was - I've got a + point :D :D :D
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We've change the system to only show the balance of your karma.
Everyone deserves a shot at redemption. :D
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Nobubudy wuvs me boo hoo :'( :'( :'(
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yes they do.
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I was all upset yesterday cos someone had boo'd me Annie ::) Who would boo me ? I think I'm lovely :o ;) :D lol! I love ya mrs ! ;) :-*
Much prefer the new improved 'overall' rating Dan ;)
Karen x
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I can't believe somebody booed you either!!!
??? ???
Problem is - somebody could just be booing people for the hell of it.
Not sure I really want to see my Karma points
What purpose does it serve??
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It's just a bit of fun, Suzie, well at least I think so. Who on earth would boo you Karen? I think you're lovely too - and anyone who has a sweet daughter like Kaitlin must be nice. And as for you Andrew S - you are obviously a 'lurker' I think I will boo you for that ;D ;D ;D
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You got booed Karen?? No way! Shocking folk we all love you yah boo to them :-)
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Not sure I really want to see my Karma points
What purpose does it serve??
It lets members thank other members, and lets members express discontent with other members. It's a way of encouraging good behaviour, and discouraging poor behaviour - not everyone is comfortable posting publicly when they feel strongly about something that's been posted...
It's anonymous, but we admins can see who is dishing out the karma. :o
We may move to a more sophisticated system where individual posts can be marked as particularly helpful. This would let us showcase the most helpful posts from across the forums, which is especially handy for new members. With over 140,000 posts it's sometimes hard to sort the wheat from the chaff. :D
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Just looking back over old posts.............I reckon Wizard would have been on a Karma of about 1100 by now. :)
Still thinking of you Wizard :farmer:
Ian
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Slightly off topic, Dan but since you've drawn my attention to the left hand side of the board...
Why do some people have 'SSS' under their user name?
And what do the stars relate to? Doganjo has SSS and is a hero member with loads of posts but only has one star?
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Now this may sound silly BUT, I hope to be fair and a socialist (not the political kind but the all are equal kind), see others points of view, appreciate, laugh or be angry with some but thats just me, my point is, I am not keen on the karma being known as then it all becomes a bit competative, a bit like the amount of posts etc, however, if I read something that I really like or that helps or touches me, then I do agree with the Karma thing but would prefer it to be somehow only viewed the administator, otherwise I feel people will be thinking up nice things to post or say, just to get points!!! Hope you are following me. Basicaly, it may stop people saying what they really feel and so become a bit fluffy and I like real, if it upsets then again, a bad karma point but maybe as above, just logged to Dan the admin man!! Mind you, that would still be competative so maybe no karma.
Basicaly, I like to say thanks to people who post stuff in the reply rather than another brownie point but if people put things others object to then, a mark to the admin may be worth totting up......Not sure how I can talk rubbish by just drinking tea all day but there you are....Not happy with Karma :(
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Why do some people have 'SSS' under their user name?
Because they are in the Scottish Smallholder Show group. See this thread (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=14947.0) for more info.
It's not a special badge, just a symptom of the way the forum system works. If I could stop it I would. :D
And what do the stars relate to? Doganjo has SSS and is a hero member with loads of posts but only has one star?
Stars are broken just now, don't know why and won't have time to investigate until tomorrow. :-\
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Basicaly, I like to say thanks to people who post stuff in the reply rather than another brownie point but if people put things others object to then, a mark to the admin may be worth totting up......Not sure how I can talk rubbish by just drinking tea all day but there you are....Not happy with Karma :(
I understand, and karma isn't necessarily here to stay, see it as a (humane) experiment.
It's supposed to be based on helpfulness, not fluffiness; we're trying to encourage people to be helpful rather than just nice.
How about if we changed the labelling? 'Helpful' / 'Not helpful' , and 'Helpfulness index' for the score? A bit of a mouthful, so open to any suggestions! :)
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how about a simple 'yay' or 'nay' for that Dan?
The Karma thing scares me a bit, being a sensitive type. I think I'll probably cry if I get a negative score ;D
Still shocked that Karen got negged, she's lovely! THis is why I can't sell my soap on ebay, would rather hear any criticism/constructive or otherwise via email or phone but I can see your reasoning Dan and if used well it could be productive, even if to encourage people to keep posting helpful views.
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I agree, even though I am logical I still would stew for days about negative remarks, but being so worried I think it stops me posting stuff that disagrees and thats silly, we could all end up saying "thats nice" all the time. The E Bay ref is funny as one of my daughters bought a cheap blouse and gave in her eyes, realistic comments, eg, packaging was disapointing, no communication and as there was no makers name the size was not too good, and the seller went mad and bought a £1 thing my daughter was selling, did not pay and said horrid things, how silly is that????? That daughter did not realise what she was getting into so the negative comments should only be seen by the admin otherwise we could all gang up!!!!!!
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I'm not keen on it either - didn't like Happy Hippy getting a boo. Now we're all wondering 'who did that?'. I don't think it will make people post more helpful comments, just not to be as free and easy as before - nothing wrong with free and easy, in fact that has always been the good thing about this place. Before, if people liked what someone had said, they just said 'thanks' :) or :bouquet: or :-* and that was lovely.
Will we get a chance to vote once it's run for a bit Dan?
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Yeah, I'd rather it was positive or nothing - we expect folk to be helpful and supportive as the norm, so + for service above and beyond.
Any misdeamenours get the SSS on them ;D
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I know when I'm fighting a losing battle. :D
It's all carrot and no stick now, you can only thank someone, not boo them, and the karma label has been changed.
Happy now? >:( ;D
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Thank you Dan :-*
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I know when I'm fighting a losing battle. :D
It's all carrot and no stick now, you can only thank someone, not boo them, and the karma label has been changed.
Happy now? >:( ;D
Awww poor Dan- I think the wummin folk have ganged up on you!
:P
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hes been henpecked :chook: :chook: :chook: :D
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My feedback for what it's worth:
SSS by login name : (I'm guessing this is run by you and Rosemary?) - besides implying 'be in our club or you are an outsider,' it gives the impression this forum is mainly for those based in Scotland - so that's me (and others) already feeling alienated. Although, in fairness, it comes across a wee bit as that anyhow. What's the point of having the SSS there?
KARMA Exactly what has the karma - an individual post or the person? It appears to be the person. So, as many of you guys in Scotland are mates and visit each other, that's your karma on the increase. So therefore it is of no value.
I get the impression you hope to sell this website in due course?
I dunno - just my twopenneth.
:-\
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SSS by login name : (I'm guessing this is run by you and Rosemary?) - besides implying 'be in our club or you are an outsider,' it gives the impression this forum is mainly for those based in Scotland - so that's me (and others) already feeling alienated. Although, in fairness, it comes across a wee bit as that anyhow. What's the point of having the SSS there?
I can't get rid of it, it's part of the forum software. We have an area on this forum for people who are interested in the idea of a Scottish Smallholder Show (anyone can get access, just ask), and they belong to a forum member group that's labelled SSS. If I could take it off, I would.
This site is run by Rosemary and I, the SSS is embryonic and owned by no-one. A society will be formed in due course, and will not be hosted here. This just happens to be a convenient way for dicussions to take place in the meantime. It's been made private simply to keep our ramblings out of the public domain while we sort out some details, but as I said anyone is free to join in or have access. Read this thread for more info: http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=14947.0 (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=14947.0)
KARMA Exactly what has the karma - an individual post or the person? It appears to be the person. So, as many of you guys in Scotland are mates and visit each other, that's your karma on the increase. So therefore it is of no value.
A person accumulates thanks from other members for being helpful. It's a public 'thank you' from someone who has been helped, to someone who has helped them.
It's got absolutely nothing to do with being pals or with geography. Almost everyone I've thanked I've never met. Not sure what you thought it was? ???
I get the impression you hope to sell this website in due course?
What gives you that impression? You couldn't be further from the truth btw, but I am genuinely interested in why it appears that way to you?
Many forum visitors don't realise there's a bit of a website to TAS too, here: http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/ (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/)
We're working hard on a new version of that site, integrating these forums.
Dan
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With regard to the Scottish links, I'll be honest and when I joined (about 2 years ago?) I did think "ooh, perhaps I can't join because I'm in England?" but as time passed I realised that smallholding meant we all had lots in common and geography had little bearing on anything. I've made some gorgeous friends through TAS - some who I know I'll never meet in 'real life' but without whom my facebook page and TAS coffee mornings would never be the same (you know who you all are ;) )
not to mention that you've probably saved the life of a fair few animals of mine with your advice and supported me through some awful times when nothing could be done.
Having said all of that I've also met some people who only live within a couple of miles of my house through the very same site that I thought was only for Scottish people!
PS Dan - I am SO glad that you are not selling the website, I actually think I'd do a sit in/out protest outside your house if you ever tried to lol.
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I can't get rid of it, it's part of the forum software.... If I could take it off, I would.
Turns out I can get rid of it, and have! :D
Still can't fix Annie's stars though. >:(
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With regard to the Scottish links, I'll be honest and when I joined (about 2 years ago?) I did think "ooh, perhaps I can't join because I'm in England?" but as time passed I realised that smallholding meant we all had lots in common and geography had little bearing on anything. I've made some gorgeous friends through TAS - some who I know I'll never meet in 'real life' but without whom my facebook page and TAS coffee mornings would never be the same (you know who you all are ;) )
Thank you for this, it means a lot. We started the TAS site in 2003, and only opened the forum some years later in 2007 after some people who were commenting on the blog asked if we could set one up.
Looking at the first 30 members to register (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?action=mlist;sort=registered;start=0) only one (Claire) was personally known to Rosemary or I at the time, and most of the others are from outside Scotland.
There's an inevitable gravity towards Scottish participation given that's where live and socialise, and sometimes that might come across as a clique, especially on the social boards, but there's never been a deliberate bias and I hate the thought that anyone has been put off because of it (being English myself!).
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Well, I think it's maybe helpful to newbies if they can see that certain people get lots of thanks - it probably (though not definitely) means they know their stuff. Although one very soon picks up who makes useful contributions.
I do like the idea of a usefulness rating on individual posts to help bring the cream to the top. Somehow I think it won't quite work out like that but it may still be a good experiment to do. Sometimes the best ideas come out of thinking around less good ones. (Oh, I'm getting an Edward de Bono flashback.)
I am glad that [boo] is gone. I would hate ever to think any of us would want to boo a person. (And I am sure that no-one has ever or could ever want to boo Karen!)
Maybe sometimes, for instance at those times when tempers get a bit heated and/or postings a bit personal, one might want to indicate that a particular post is less than helpful. But it's so subjective I guess that is itself unhelpful. I do agree with Sandy's point that we don't want a forum in which some people are too scared to make - or be thought to have made - any critical or provocative comment. So on balance yes, my vote is for all carrot no stick - let's try it anyway!
And Dan - thanks for being the kind of Forum Administrator who does listen and is prepared to make changes even when you don't really agree with them. Karma to you! ;) :-*
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Err... and now it's not called Karma, does this topic need renaming? :D
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I do like the idea of a usefulness rating on individual posts to help bring the cream to the top. Somehow I think it won't quite work out like that but it may still be a good experiment to do. Sometimes the best ideas come out of thinking around less good ones. (Oh, I'm getting an Edward de Bono flashback.)
We'll definitely look at that later in the year. There is a new version of the forum software coming this month that has been in development for 3 years and has lots of extra features. Once it's out I'll be working on joining it up to the new website, then we'll have a sound platform to build lots more community stuff. Can't say much more yet, but we'll be looking for testers this summer.
Maybe sometimes, for instance at those times when tempers get a bit heated and/or postings a bit personal, one might want to indicate that a particular post is less than helpful. But it's so subjective I guess that is itself unhelpful.
It is helpful for moderation purposes to see if a complaint is someone possibly being over-sensitive, or if there is a general feeling that someone has stepped out of line, and the negative karma thing was supposed to provide that. But this is not a democracy, so I can always exercise absolute power if necessary. :D
And Dan - thanks for being the kind of Forum Administrator who does listen and is prepared to make changes even when you don't really agree with them. Karma to you! ;) :-*
You're welcome! I'm only here to keep the spammers at bay and play with tech, so everyone's happy. ;)
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Err... and now it's not called Karma, does this topic need renaming? :D
Good point, done.
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Hiya Dan :wave:
Can you please explain this star thing - I think I'm being a bit of a :dunce:
Just noticed that I am a"Senior" with a star :D - only, Happyhippy's been around for ages & only has one (star) too & there are "newbies" with 2 stars - I'm confused ???
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OK, here's my take on all of that. I don't give a hoot who boos, hisses, thanks, or kisses me on here! ;) :love: If I want to give my opinion I will, if i believe I can add something useful to the thread, otherwise I won't post.
And as for stars, I have loads of dog show rosettes with stars on them already so not really bothered whetehr I ahve them on here or not.
Dan, you do a superb job, I know how difficult it can be as I am a mod on our Club forum that my son admins. And I also know there's a lot more to it than keeping spammers controlled! ;) So Thank you!
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Sorry Annie - was just asking :'(
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Thanks for the info.
I visit this site as it's good to be able to ask a question and get a few answers which have been learnt from experience. I like to help others if I can, with what info I have gleaned over the years, so am pleased to pass on my bit of knowledge too.
I appreciate posts can come across not quite as intended, but think the site is run fairly well - no mean task when dealing with the general public and t'internet.
::)
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I agree that Dan's a fantastic forum mod (and I don't know him personally - yet !) I wouldn't want to be in your position Dan ;)
And thank you everyone who's been nice to me ;D :love: But stop now, cos my head is growing ::) ;D
Karen :bouquet: :wave:
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Sorry Annie - was just asking :'(
Oops - wasn't aimed at you! :-[ Didn't read your post first as it came in at the same time as I was typing. I don't know what the stars are for either! ::)
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Sorry Annie - was just asking :'(
Oops - wasn't aimed at you! :-[ Didn't read your post first as it came in at the same time as I was typing. I don't know what the stars are for either! ::)
That's ok then Annie :-*
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Well, if everyone else is chipping in then I may as well join in too and give a relative newcomers point of view.
Stars: I haven't a clue what they are for and am not much bothered either. Ignorance is bliss...
Thanking: Nice idea but again I feel that you learn pretty quickly where the comprehensive advice comes from. Not only that, and call me old-fashioned, but I quite like that people WRITE a response of thanks, it feels so much more personal than just clicking on a link. I think the intention is great, but I also didn't think it was broken in the first place.
Geography/Scotland: Hey ho, so it's based in Scotland, good for them I say! It has to be based somewhere! I also don't believe that the locality of the 'hub' does alienate anyone. This is possibly the most friendly and accepting forum I have ever seen. And the fact that there are regular posts coming on from France and even australia is testament to an effective set up.
'Clique-ness': The fact that there are some obvious friendships on some of the threads only makes me hopeful that they might want to take me under their wing one day too. Having conversations with like-minded folk really is so reassuring, wonderful and is even sometimes the difference between life and death for some of our animals.
I for one am so very chuffed that we have this form. Long may it continue!
Even if it does get a face lift later this month :D
Right, rant over. Time for bed.
Sweet dreams smallholders, accidental or intentional.
McR X
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I for one am so very chuffed that we have this form. Long may it continue!
Right, rant over. Time for bed.
Sweet dreams smallholders, accidental or intentional.
McR X
Well said, McR - me off to beddy byes too. See ye's aw the morra! ;) ;D :-* :wave: :love:
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I'm really shocked to think that people might be put off from joining or posting because they think the "hub" is in Scotland. Yes a lot of members are Scottish- but not everyone! I have been using forums since 2002, and I have to say this is one of the best and friendliest forum's I have ever come across. I have seen the Karma/Thanks thing before, and to be honest on that forum it didn't work because people abused it and thought it was funny to do that- but I know that wouldn't happen here.
Beth
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McR - you have hit the nail on the head and put that beautifully. :)
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I'm really shocked to think that people might be put off from joining or posting because they think the "hub" is in Scotland. Yes a lot of members are Scottish- but not everyone! I have been using forums since 2002, and I have to say this is one of the best and friendliest forum's I have ever come across. I have seen the Karma/Thanks thing before, and to be honest on that forum it didn't work because people abused it and thought it was funny to do that- but I know that wouldn't happen here.
Beth
So am I, Beth. I think this is a great forum and I've made lots of friends through it - including you, Ally and your Mum, and also others outwith Scotland. I've seen the Karma thing on other forums too and it didn't work there either. But I've given you a thank you for this posting as it's exactly how I feel.
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There is a new version of the forum software coming this month that has been in development for 3 years and has lots of extra features. Once it's out I'll be working on joining it up to the new website, then we'll have a sound platform to build lots more community stuff. Can't say much more yet, but we'll be looking for testers this summer
Volunteer tester here!
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There is a new version of the forum software coming this month that has been in development for 3 years and has lots of extra features. Once it's out I'll be working on joining it up to the new website, then we'll have a sound platform to build lots more community stuff. Can't say much more yet, but we'll be looking for testers this summer
Volunteer tester here!
Great, thanks, have added you to the list.
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There is a new version of the forum software coming this month that has been in development for 3 years and has lots of extra features. Once it's out I'll be working on joining it up to the new website, then we'll have a sound platform to build lots more community stuff. Can't say much more yet, but we'll be looking for testers this summer
Volunteer tester here!
Great, thanks, have added you to the list.
Me too ;D
Also it never even occurred to me to think that the forum might be geared towards the scottish contingent - as far as I was concerned there was a wonderful set of individuals who had decided to administrate a HUGELY helpful forum from which I have gleaned so much help and advice that I felt much more able to put my toes into the water regarding smallholding/livestock/rural living
And I'm LOVING it ;D ;D ;D
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Me too ;D
Thank you!
Anyone else interested please don't post here, but see this thread: http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=15196.0 (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=15196.0)
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I use/visit several sites intermittently this is the only one I am loyal to, due to all of the people who make up the site and to Rosemary and Dan for making it such a great one.
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At the risk of sounding a complete simpleton, I only recently noticed there were quite a few Scottish forumers! I honestly hadn't considered where the site was run from, and certainly never thought of it as being biased towards one end of the UK or another.
Maybe I'm naive, but when I discovered this website a few years back (I think via www.acountrylife.co.uk (http://www.acountrylife.co.uk)) I decided to visit on a regular basis because I found it friendly, welcoming, and a good place to ask questions and get a quick response - or, in some cases, simply to share some dreadful experiences and receive some advice and sympathy when no-one else was around to give it.
Dan, I think you're doing a cracking job, and if the River Cottage website had moderators like you it would be a thousand times better than it is at present. Keep up the good work.
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Dan, Just a thought. I used to use another forum where you could assign stars to threads (i.e. not individual posts). This was a much busier forum than TAS, so it really helped the really good threads to rise to the top of a search etc.
Don't know if the TAS forum software will allow it, but if so, it could be worth a try.
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Good idea womble.
Instead of 'thanks' against a user name - which doesn't really mean anything - an option to add a 'helpful' mark (e.g. 'thumbs up' icon) against a reply would be better. I like the idea of a good helpful post going to the top of a search rather than something, say, by date, or which may wander off topic......
:wave:
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This forum is certainly great! So helpful and friendly ;D
Not sure about the 'helpfulness' rating on posts. I'm guessing people always reply intending to be helpful and what's incredibly useful to a beginner in a particular area might be less so to the more experienced?
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Not sure about the 'helpfulness' rating on posts. I'm guessing people always reply intending to be helpful and what's incredibly useful to a beginner in a particular area might be less so to the more experienced?
Yes if the reply is on topic, but, sometimes replies wander off topic - if someone needs help fast finding an answer to a problem it's better they find a post with good replies to the question, rather than one that wandered off topic (for example, with 'hello's' or replies not related to subject etc).
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So have we now decided not to have the 'thanks' option? I was just getting the hang of it ::) :D
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So have we now decided not to have the 'thanks' option? I was just getting the hang of it ::) :D
You certainly were - none of us could catch you! ;D ;D
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:-[ :-[ :-[ It was a bit of an embarrassment.......... Back to my little gold star :D
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So have we now decided not to have the 'thanks' option? I was just getting the hang of it ::) :D
It was quietly retired, and judging by the delay before anyone commented it was the right decision!
When we finally get the forum upgrade we hope to have a post rating system in place, like the one Womble described.
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And you must get a new photie - one that makes you look normal ;D
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And you must get a new photie - one that makes you look normal ;D
Aw - I quite like the piccie of Dan in his Norman battle dress, shame we can't see the sword and chainmail tho..... :D
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And you must get a new photie - one that makes you look normal ;D
Such sweet pillow talk :love: ;D
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Are we allowed to say, "Rosemary - you must get a photo?" ! :D
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And you must get a new photie - one that makes you look normal ;D
Aw - I quite like the piccie of Dan in his Norman battle dress, shame we can't see the sword and chainmail tho..... :D
Believe me he's a bit scary when he comes up behind you on a bike wearing that headgear ;D ;D ;D ;D
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OK, I've missed a chapter here - what are the stars all about? ???