Groups - A discussion

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Kirk
life's a bitch and she's back in heat
Kirk's picture
From: Elgin IL
Joined: 01/02/2003
User offline. Last seen 6 hours 43 min ago.

I've been trying to think about how to make groups better, more useful and more active during the last few days. It has always been a difficulty for us here, even in the old days when we had many more groups, after a certain period of time they all dropped to a point of inactivity.

I don't know if this is just an inherent flaw in combining groups with a forum. In many instances, it just makes more sense to make a post be in the forum, since more people can access it.

So as a minor step, I added a section to the "New Posts" page that shows you the most recent topics in groups which you are subscribed to. You can find it under the list of forum topics. This functionality has been around since we have had groups, we just never had it somewhere that was easy to get to.

I'm hoping that if group discussions are more easily tracked, there will be more activity.

Ultimately, though, the point of this post is to get ideas from you guys. What do you dislike about groups? Do you think they are even necessary? Do you have any ideas that could make them better? Those are just the questions that come to mind, but please, let me know your thoughts and ideas.

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monkeywright
Since 1862.
monkeywright's picture
From: Los Angeles
Joined: 12/05/2004
User offline. Last seen 7 hours 35 min ago.

I always thought it was a case of out of sight, out of mind. I like the idea that they show up on the new posts page. I'm wondering if there's an easier way to let people know where/what the groups are? They're kind of a forum within a forum, which would be great for more focused discussions on sports, movies, whatever.

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Imke
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From: Squaremountains
Joined: 06/22/2008
User offline. Last seen 29 min ago.

I don't really know anything about groups.

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Kirk
life's a bitch and she's back in heat
Kirk's picture
From: Elgin IL
Joined: 01/02/2003
User offline. Last seen 6 hours 43 min ago.

Well that was helpful! Tongue

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S you in your A's. Don't wear a C and J all over your B's

monkeywright
Since 1862.
monkeywright's picture
From: Los Angeles
Joined: 12/05/2004
User offline. Last seen 7 hours 35 min ago.

I almost think the new group posts should go ABOVE the new forum posts. You're only gonna see them if you're subscribed, right? And that way, you're constantly reminded what new activity there is, etc etc...

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"To fail to embrace my dreams now would be a disgrace so great that sin itself would not be able to find a name for it." - Werner Herzog

Six On The Dot
You can't imagine how much fun we're having.
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From: Bed
Joined: 12/05/2003
User offline. Last seen 3 hours 35 min ago.

I agree, I love the idea but forget about them constantly.

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The Basement.

LeHaHi
Delusions of Grandure
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From: Wyoming/Seattle
Joined: 05/28/2006
User offline. Last seen 6 hours 29 min ago.

My group, the postmaster one, always gets over looked. it was made for a reason, so that people join it who are really serious about sending shit and doing it on time, and what not. No one ever makes threads about sending things in there. I tried to make one about that damn camera, but no one read it. not. one. reply.

So, it better be different when I start secret santas around here soon. I feel like it'd be better if I started it just the normal general discussion, but if I do it in groups, i can say 'no' to the newb who has literally just started posting and who wants to join in....I'm not saying i'm saying no to those people, but if it's in a group, at least there's some say, you know?

Help me out here.

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Kirk
life's a bitch and she's back in heat
Kirk's picture
From: Elgin IL
Joined: 01/02/2003
User offline. Last seen 6 hours 43 min ago.

I almost think the new group posts should go ABOVE the new forum posts. You're only gonna see them if you're subscribed, right? And that way, you're constantly reminded what new activity there is, etc etc...

I thought a lot of people would get mad if I moved them up there... If you guys think it is worth trying, I can certainly do it.

but if I do it in groups, i can say 'no' to the newb who has literally just started posting and who wants to join in

This is what I like about groups. It gives someone some oversight. For instance, my Xbox group... I only let in people who proved me with a gamertag and have more than 25 posts. I do this so there is at least a little assurance that they won't abuse the list of gamertags.

Anyhow, I'm still really interested in any ideas you all might have.

__________________________

S you in your A's. Don't wear a C and J all over your B's