SummitPost.org

Josh Lewis wrote:... However there is a bigger issue, active members who own pages but never fix them. I've seen this a number of times. I would nicely send them a PM, and they would reply "Nah, the page is fine the way it is". ... The additions box was my favorite compromise.

Don't PM them. Just use the additions/corrections box, explain what is wrong, and provide the correct info. At least then anyone using that page has the chance to see and have the correct info; a PM denies them that. No one should use PMs because they consider a comment put into the additions corrections box as derogatory (unless the comment is written that way, which it shouldn't be). Pages get out of date because things change and we shouldn't expect that a page owner will learn of it immediately. But, when someone does learn of it, it's healthy for the community that the correct info is made available quickly. If the information is of a nature that could place someone's life or limb at risk, and the owner doesn't act within a few days or has been inactive a long time, ask the elves for assistance.

mrchad9 wrote:Propose solutions... not problems!

I gotta small problem ..

I agree that suggestions and advice should be public. Sending PM's about these things doesn't do anything except save face. Plus if it's constructive, and I know people get bent out of shape when offered advice or suggestions on how to do something better, folks should take that as a positive thing that other folks are taking the time to read through their submissions and offer tips to make it even better!

If someone doesn't respond to PM's, like Josh, I've had the same retorts and even no response, the Elves should consider just giving ownership to the interested party which, they do anyway? Though, eveyrone's take on 'quality' is for the most part gonna be subjective. Maybe if a page, through the new voting system when it's implemented, receives too many negitive or sub-par votes, a certain score, percentage, whatever; triggers a red flag, an alarm if you will to the owner that if changes aren't forthcoming, the page will be automatically deleted by the system to keep the site's quality integral and current...Maybe a seperate section on the front page specifically for 'revised and updated pages' for folks to look at to revise old votes and comment to strengthen and raise the page's score back over 'that threshold.'

Scott's comment about people printing SP pages out for route beta made me smile. I think, personally, that would be great! You couldn't ask for a better compliment.

What about...
1.) Limiting new accounts to be created ONLY at certain times? I think this would save on bogus accounts being created by wicker-basket engineers, self-promoters, shoe salesmen and 'pretty girls' marginally better than a used Whethers Original.

2.) What about a 'Member of the week'? Showcase or highlight a member on the site.

3.) Enhance the 'Getting Started' section for new members. Easier to see, additional links et al.

4.) Could you 'zing' up the intra e-mail system...PM's? Add buttons for stylizing and links?

Kiefer Thomas wrote: I think this would save on bogus accounts being created by ... 'pretty girls'

Ah .... I thought 'pretty girls' made the world go 'round.

But ... cyberspace is like gravity. It can suck and catch your attention (breath ?) at the very same time.

Great idea's Kiefer. Yeah I probably should have posted publicly.

Regarding your points:

1) While this idea could be good in some ways, it will be bad in others. Had I tried to join SP at the "wrong time of day" I probably would not have came back to rejoin later. Back then I was not as interested in signing up to things. Personally I like the idea of making it more intelligent. What I mean by this for it to ask a question(s):

What is the name of this site? What is the highest mountain in the world? What's 5+2? Stuff that requires real thinking but is easy. Then make it randomly showing to make it not get manipulated. If such system was made, it should not be case sensitive.

2) I like that idea. It would show case members who have put some good work into SP. On my site I call it "Member Spot Light".

3) Agreed! This would be nice to have.

4) You read my mind. I've wanted this for a while now. I've got a few ideas cooking up which I plan on asking Matt about. Today he did a lot of work on the test server of SP. Currently it's invisible to the public. I'm working hard with Matt to have a stable SP template. Today some great additions were made, but there are still a few things that need to be stabilized.

Kiefer Thomas wrote:What about...
1.) Limiting new accounts to be created ONLY at certain times? I think this would save on bogus accounts being created by wicker-basket engineers, self-promoters, shoe salesmen and 'pretty girls' marginally better than a used Whethers Original.

Why ? Isn't the catchpa already sufficient ?

Kiefer Thomas wrote:2.) What about a 'Member of the week'? Showcase or highlight a member on the site.

No. Facbook is for that.

Kiefer Thomas wrote:3.) Enhance the 'Getting Started' section for new members. Easier to see, additional links et al.

Yes

Kiefer Thomas wrote:4.) Could you 'zing' up the intra e-mail system...PM's? Add buttons for stylizing and links?

Why not but is it really needed ?

The thought behind featuring a member of the week is noble, but oh my goodness what a can of worms...

I think what Kiefer was getting at with stylizing was the actual formatting you the poster can do.

Here's a screen shot taken from my site of the PM system:



I'm willing to stylize the PM and email system, but am not skilled at the additions of functions. Not sure how much this could help, but here's the Private Message System that I use. Right now SP's PM system is rather old fashion. Most forums allow more formatting in their PM's than SP's private message system.