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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2016 16:34:49 GMT -5
I'm fine with whatever is decided, but it seems to me to add more levels of complexity. I suspect that the individual areas are going to see less traffic. Heh, it's all partof Shax's secret plot to sell the site for millions of dollars and retire like Jonah Weiland  -M (with tongue firmly panted in cheek)  |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Nov 18, 2016 16:35:32 GMT -5
Reading mrp's post it sounds like the forum is moving in the direction of site with articles, etc... That's not the impression I was trying to make, I think the impetus is to reorganize to best showcase the kind of stuff we already have here, not to shift the focus of the site/forums. It just seems to me that with the set up Shax proposed it feels like a lot of work-setting schedules (which means someone then has to be in charge as a traffic manager to make sure people are keeping schedules), quality control (which means someone then has to be in charge of that like an editor), etc. and for me that may be a step too far, but trying to better showcase what we already have, I can get behind. -M I actually got that impression as well. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2016 16:41:10 GMT -5
Reading mrp's post it sounds like the forum is moving in the direction of site with articles, etc... That's not the impression I was trying to make, I think the impetus is to reorganize to best showcase the kind of stuff we already have here, not to shift the focus of the site/forums. It just seems to me that with the set up Shax proposed it feels like a lot of work-setting schedules (which means someone then has to be in charge as a traffic manager to make sure people are keeping schedules), quality control (which means someone then has to be in charge of that like an editor), etc. and for me that may be a step too far, but trying to better showcase what we already have, I can get behind. -M Sorry. It "sounded" better in my head. I meant your post almost describes that type of site. That would change the whole idea of why this site started. Maybe that would be good...maybe it wouldn't. Me? I do think it would be complicated but I get what Shax is thinking. Some of the threads here would be a regular column on an article based site. Honestly they are some of the best threads. |
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Post by wildfire2099 on Nov 18, 2016 19:47:48 GMT -5
I think that I perhaps said this a LONG time ago, but it occurs to me that a set up I used for a wrestling e-fed I used to run might work...what if we had a single sub-section for reviews, then ALL of the active ones were stickied, allowing them to always be in the same place. Assuming there isn't so many that it would fill the 1st page(10-15 I'm picturing), that might work really nicely.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Nov 19, 2016 10:32:10 GMT -5
WOW! Talk about feedback. Okay, I tried to respond to each of you. Would love some more feedback on this. I can hear you all breathing out there, ya know. A suggestion. Maybe rotate (all or some) staff writers monthly (or quarterly or every other month) in order to give more people exposure. It would add variety. It would take the pressure off of having to do it "full time". I find even regular contributors do better with an ebb & flow to their posts instead of having to post on a "deadline". The genesis of the idea was really twofold: 1. Showcase our best and strongest stuff in order to inspire more like it. Use our real exemplar content, so to speak, which would entice others to create such content as well. Essentially raise the bar further for the kind of content we provide here. Only a few short years ago, our classic comics discussion was a bottom-of-the-page subboard in someone else's community that had a handful of threads a day see updates. We've come a long way from there, and I want to keep the party going. 2. Draw more attention to these threads and get more regular readers by having a predictable schedule for updates. Looking at other sites on the web that offer original content, many of them have a specific day when new content is uploaded in order to build anticipation and consistent expectations from those who enjoy it. It's like what Wednesdays are for new comics. Imagine being able to look forward to and count on a new Star Wars review every Monday, a new Conan review every Thursday, and a new early Marvel Universe review every Sunday. I'll all for trying new things, but I don't like it. That is ALOT of different sections to have to click through... I think it might actually result in less views for alot of things. That's certainly a risk, but each time we've said that before, it's gone the opposite way. I DO worry about over-cluttering the forum and know that, eventually, that will backfire on us. To date though, each new section we've added has either increased traffic or had no effect either way. I whole-heartedly disagree here. I think we're branding our best contributors, so to speak -- labeling them as writers you WANT to get to know. Not to in any way suggest that I want us to be like CBR in most respects, but I essentially want to make Brian Cronins out of our best and brightest. I'll all for trying new things, but I don't like it. That is ALOT of different sections to have to click through... I think it might actually result in less views for alot of things. It's also not very friendly to new/occasional members.. they're aren't going to know who the heck those people are, and would be unlikely to click on things at all. I changed my mind after reading wildfire2099 post here because he's right on the nose in his understanding of new/occasional members that find this site too intimating for them to navigate things. I would leave it as it is. Sorry Shax, I have to go on his thinking here. Fair point. In my mind, a new member would focus their attention on what's at the top and then, as they grow more familiar with the site, navigate their way down. If, in the beginning, they're only familiar with Classic Comics General Discussion and the Staff Writers, I'd be okay with that. While we have content here for modern comics readers, TV/movie fans, and general off-topic discussion, that isn't really what we need new members expressly coming here to get. That being said, it might also be time to discuss whether some sections have grown unnecessary and could be combined once again. Maybe, for example The Convention Scene and Featured Event Archive don't need prominent real-estate anymore. That would free up a little space. I do think the whole thing sounds like an awful lot of effort and a lot like work for everyone involved. It's probably a little more complicated than it needs to be, though I get the impetus of it, to want to showcase reviews and other dedicated threads. Maybe a simpler compromise solution might be to just create a sub-forum within the classics section simply entitled reviews, blogs and columns, or one new section altogether called the same that could include classic review threads, personal threads like a Comics Lovers Memories or a History of Earth 2, and then add the Off the Racks review threads from the modern comics section. If you want to manage who can post there, you can limit permissions to who can create threads (though not who can post within the threads) and if someone wants to start something new they have to get the permissions reset by the mod/admin of that forum, which would prevent the forum form getting too cluttered or have too many things started but never followed through on. It wouldn't give the added advantage of turning our best contributors into local celebrities, which is really what I want out of this -- what Stan Lee did for the Marvel Bullpen. Also, we had a major pushback from this community over sub-forums before. Yeah, i get you, which is part of why I put this out here for discussion. But, like I said to Juggernaut, maybe the solution is to trim down some of the other sections if that's all that's preventing us from feeling comfortable with this new approach. Reading mrp's post it sounds like the forum is moving in the direction of site with articles, etc... Maybe. If that's what people want to generate. We wouldn't be a CBR, Bleeding Cool, or Newsrama, as there would be no editors nor a motivation to earn advertising profits -- it's still writing for the love of the game, but I would like to encourage the quality and breadth of our content to continue to expand. That excites me. Do you see it as a potential problem? Reading mrp's post it sounds like the forum is moving in the direction of site with articles, etc... That's not the impression I was trying to make, I think the impetus is to reorganize to best showcase the kind of stuff we already have here, not to shift the focus of the site/forums. It just seems to me that with the set up Shax proposed it feels like a lot of work-setting schedules (which means someone then has to be in charge as a traffic manager to make sure people are keeping schedules), quality control (which means someone then has to be in charge of that like an editor), etc. and for me that may be a step too far, but trying to better showcase what we already have, I can get behind. -M Oh no, definitely not -- the day of the week a writer updates would be a promise, nothing more. There'd be no enforcement, no editor who calls or pms when an update is overdue. If you're slacking repeatedly, it might be time to remove you from the Staff Writing section, but that would be all. Personally, I would welcome having deadlines -- I think I'd produce a lot more. And if others don't want that, then they won't choose to be staff writers. Maybe we'll all okay this idea and then find out no one actually wants to produce for it. Who knows? I'm fine with whatever is decided, but it seems to me to add more levels of complexity. I suspect that the individual areas are going to see less traffic. I don't think it will deter anyone from visiting the general classic comics discussion, and I think it will bring more attention to each writer's output. If it makes the rest of the site seem cumbersome and too full of sections, then it may be time to trim some of those down or combine a few. I wouldn't want to hold back an opportunity for positive growth just because we don't have the space. We do have some sections that don't get much use; combining or relocating a few of them might be in order. We can make a separate discussion over that if there is interest. I'm fine with whatever is decided, but it seems to me to add more levels of complexity. I suspect that the individual areas are going to see less traffic. Heh, it's all partof Shax's secret plot to sell the site for millions of dollars and retire like Jonah Weiland -M (with tongue firmly panted in cheek)  That's not the impression I was trying to make, I think the impetus is to reorganize to best showcase the kind of stuff we already have here, not to shift the focus of the site/forums. It just seems to me that with the set up Shax proposed it feels like a lot of work-setting schedules (which means someone then has to be in charge as a traffic manager to make sure people are keeping schedules), quality control (which means someone then has to be in charge of that like an editor), etc. and for me that may be a step too far, but trying to better showcase what we already have, I can get behind. -M Sorry. It "sounded" better in my head. I meant your post almost describes that type of site. That would change the whole idea of why this site started. Maybe that would be good...maybe it wouldn't. Me? I do think it would be complicated but I get what Shax is thinking. Some of the threads here would be a regular column on an article based site. Honestly they are some of the best threads. When this community first began, the idea of a "review thread" was pretty bold and different too. It's become a big part of who we are and what we discuss since. It's really in that kind of spirit that I'm suggesting this -- take us to the next level of creation and sharing. Yes, it's change, and if that change isn't welcome, just help me understand why and, if enough people feel that way, that will be the end of it. I guess I just don't see the issue. Those who aren't interested in that kind of content still have the most prominent and well-trafficked section of the site to discuss in less detail. I think that I perhaps said this a LONG time ago, but it occurs to me that a set up I used for a wrestling e-fed I used to run might work...what if we had a single sub-section for reviews, then ALL of the active ones were stickied, allowing them to always be in the same place. Assuming there isn't so many that it would fill the 1st page(10-15 I'm picturing), that might work really nicely. We seriously toyed with that concept a long while back, but the community spoke loudly and clearly that it did NOT like sub-boards. Also, that would be more of a replacement for the Featured Reviews Section on the main-page. The heart of this idea is to narrow the spotlight beam even tighter and encourage an even higher level of content generation. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2016 10:52:53 GMT -5
shaxperUnderstood all the points that you mentioned here and if I were you I would workout these details with your Moderators, mrp, and other members that you can trust to make this thing happen. I don't know how to work this out and this is beyond my understanding of how a forum works. You certainly have my blessings on this idea.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Nov 19, 2016 10:58:25 GMT -5
shaxperUnderstood all the points that you mentioned here and if I were you I would workout these details with your Moderators, mrp, and other members that you can trust That would be all of you. The Mods work incredibly hard to make this place run smoothly because they love this community, but they have no more stake in it than any other member. We've tried our best not to run this community in a top-down manner, and my coming to all of you with this idea is a demonstration of that. I built this site just to keep the community going and never wanted to be the dude in charge. In fact, I'm usually not. But I seem to have a knack for growing this place, and so I keep working at that. Thanks for your support  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2016 11:00:02 GMT -5
Understood, Loud and Clear ... |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2016 12:06:44 GMT -5
shaxper - I think if you do move forward with this you will need to tweak & refine it as you see how it works.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Nov 19, 2016 12:28:21 GMT -5
shaxper - I think if you do move forward with this you will need to tweak & refine it as you see how it works. Inevitably. The entire site remains, and always will be, a work in progress. Any specific ideas as to where you think those areas of need will be, though? |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2016 12:39:31 GMT -5
shaxper - I think if you do move forward with this you will need to tweak & refine it as you see how it works. Inevitably. The entire site remains, and always will be, a work in progress. Any specific ideas as to where you think those areas of need will be, though? IMO your initial idea looks too "busy". Somehow it needs to be simplified. Look at CBR. It has become too cluttered & driven people away. How to do this? I have no idea. There are better minds on here that could help you with that.
More thoughts as they come to me....
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2016 13:22:01 GMT -5
shaxper - I think if you do move forward with this you will need to tweak & refine it as you see how it works. Inevitably. The entire site remains, and always will be, a work in progress. Any specific ideas as to where you think those areas of need will be, though? Honestly the only things I miss from other comic book sites are the regular columns (like Brian Cronin) & reviews on new stuff (which thwhtguardian is doing great here keeping that going!) |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Nov 19, 2016 14:16:59 GMT -5
Inevitably. The entire site remains, and always will be, a work in progress. Any specific ideas as to where you think those areas of need will be, though? Honestly the only things I miss from other comic book sites are the regular columns (like Brian Cronin) Exactly the benefit of doing this Exactly why he is doing that What if the CCF could be a one-stop comic culture site that, unlike the others out there, isn't driven by profits and hype, and remains true to its ideals and the desires of its members? |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2016 14:59:32 GMT -5
What if the CCF could be a one-stop comic culture site that, unlike the others out there, isn't driven by profits and hype, and remains true to its ideals and the desires of its members? Cue the theme music to "Rocky"....  |
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Post by Prince Hal on Nov 19, 2016 22:13:34 GMT -5
First of all, Shax, I'm flattered to be included with the heavyweights like Confessor and RR!
One advantage: since these kinds of threads are not updated as frequently as threads like "Meanwhile, the various games, and "On Sale This Week," they can slide down the front page quickly. So-o-o, if you want to spotlight them in this way, I think the dedicated location makes sense.
I do worry that the notion that some are worthy of inclusion and some are not might hurt some feelings. OTOH, I trust the mods' judgment. In the past, when they think a thread should be merged or moved elsewhere, It's alwys been for the best. I would trust them to make decisions in this situation as well.
I don't mind deadlines in the abstract, but in my own case, I was less able to post for a while because I was teaching a class and directing a play that went up in the first week of November. Now I have a bit more time, and it's easier, but that's no guarantee that I won't get smacked again with a job or commitment. And others no doubt have it worse than I, because I'm retired... Again, I'd rely on the mods' judgment if it seemed like a thread seemed dormant. And of course, would expect any of the "staff" to give a heads-up to the mods if they knew they would be falling behind.
In sum, I think it's a good idea, just worry about a caste system developing, and posters facing occasional issues with deadlines feeling as if they're letting down the CCF, but I trust the mods.
Hope this makes sense.
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