Post your suggestions here

[Bluetongue]

If you have any suggestions on how we can improve the forum to make it more user-friendly or welcoming to newcomers, please post them here.

Alternatively, please feel free to pm me and I'll post them myself, to keep your identity private.

Keep in mind that this forum's run by volunteers and we won't be able to accommodate all requests, but our aim is to make this place as inclusive, welcoming and enjoyable as possible. So we want to hear from you if you have any problems. Thanks

(I think I started a post similar to this last year and can't find it, which should tell me something in itself!)

[Nessie]

Personally I think it works perfectly fine

Everyone is really friendly and helpful. The only problem I can see is a general lack of interest in native foods. But hey, there aint nothing you can do about that one!!!!!

[Bluetongue]

Thanks Nessie, that's good to hear

I've had the feedback that it would be easier to find specific information if we stayed on-topic rather than wandering from one subject to another within a thread. We've been told this before and I understand how frustrating it is when you're on a mission and can't find what you're after. The search function (third down in the menu at left) helps but is it enough?

It's also a bit overwhelming to new members to have a lot of info supplied in response to a small query. Especially when you're not even acquainted with Latin names (as opposed to common names) and everything is new. I remember that situation from when I first encountered the Field Naturalists - they were serious and detailed and intimidating from my perspective as an amateur naturalist. (Now I lap that stuff up like cream)

Let us know if there's anything else we can do to help.

[Mycke]

I think it would be worth having a chat thread in The Pub. Just one for idle chat. The threads that people start in there are too numerous and it becomes a vast disorganised array.

A chat thread would be a place for people who are online to say hello to each other. It could be deleted when it gets too big, and started again.

[roughbarked]

every forum needs an informal place.


I see that this forum is informal almost everywhere.

it could indeed use a differentiation between formal science on foodstuffs, medicine and chitchat..
yeah

Probably more of an archive of the worthy stuff..

[eataust]

The problem with a single chat thread is that the topics will roam all over the place and could just get lost. The whole Pub section is designed to be the "general chat" section, while more focussed conversations happen in the other named forums.

Maybe a single "Welcome" thread but even then, it could easily get taken over as new people start detailing what they're aiming to do, and then the next new person could get lost in the noise.

[Mycke]

The problem with a single chat thread is that the topics will roam all over the place and could just get lost

Thats not a problem. Have a look at the ABC forums such as Scribblygum. You will see that chat is 'here and now' and can be quite trivial, but it helps build a community. There is no need to keep a permanent record of it, nor to look back beyond the last handful of posts. As an example, I noticed you here this morning and would have said hello, but where? There are a hundred loose thread ends to tack onto in The Pub.

As for the next new person getting lost in the noise, I am not suggesting that the option of starting a hello thread be done away with. But those threads just fizzle away once the person has been welcomed and a few exchanges are made.

[flo]

I agree a chat thread would be a good place to exchange information with other posters in real time. Keep the welcome thread. This would work as a separate place perhaps within the Pub. Sounds like an appropriate place for a chat?

[roughbarked]

The index page shows new thread postings.. and by whom

There is no reason why you cannot open a thread in the pub called chitchat or whatever name you give it

admin will decide about whether the thread needs trimming.

[Mycke]

Tell you what flo, why don't you come over to Scribbly for a chat? Its a good crowd over there and they would be very appreciative of your expertise I am sure.

Roughy and I hang out there all the time and we even manage to be civil to each other most of the time

[flo]

Thanks Mycke, just might do that.

[Mycke]

Good stuff!

It will take a little time for your registration to go through so that you can post in real time.

[roughbarked]

All the more better

[Mycke]

and so it came to pass

[Bluetongue]

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone.