How can we improve?

[MarMar]

Which is what we've asked them to do.

[Si-Co]

Well, that's what we'd prefer - and we've stated that on several of the threads where a 'helpful' memebr has actually made things worse. I have to confess I don't venture into the Creativity and Multimedia Forum very often, so I'm not sure how big a problem it is in there.

[Ryan]

The Removal of the majority of games in the games room, taking away some of the piffle that fills it at the moment.

I agree there, Ryan.. but what do we replace them with?

I've asked members what type of games they would like to see already, in this thread. So far, there hasn't been any replies.

I know recently there was the reduction in the number of games, such as the Rate the Avatar threads, but I've always liked the games to have some skill involved.

For example we've got A-Z threads that just involve people going

Apple

Banana

Cabbage

Dill

Egg

And they'll spend hours doing this.

Well, there's a difference between members trying to help each other and members trying to moderate.. where do we draw the line?

I think it depends on how they come across. For instance, recently somone had a query in the clip only thread in Multimedia. Now because I knew their post was going to be deleted, I tried to give them an answer before it did, rather than bitch about it being posted in the wrong place.

I don't know whether members are scared off doing wrong because they feel that warnings are coming or if they are actually wannabee moderators.

[Ryan]

Yet no-one was bothered when episodes were actually uploaded, including the people that were asking about them, who instead just asked when the next ones were going up, so I figured that we could have been doing more constructive things with our time - hence why they've taken a backburner until May, when they will begin to be uploaded again, along with many others.

Thank you, finally, for the answer, though I don't that doesn't explain why Merc and I didn't get an answer when we were asking something slightly different for the past four months, but if we want to argue about that we've got the staff forum.

If that's the case, then that could be an argument towards getting rid of the post counts. Newbie members won't feel so intimidated compared to members with thousands upon thousands of posts, and hopefully won't be ignored. Just a thought.

I would point out that that may require a rethink of the Multimedia section which relies on post counts deciding how many episodes you can request, though now the silliness has been cut out, it the current way also causes probleme (ie: Swamp Donkey)

I agree...I think the post count is divisive....and if it does not say posts 1...then no one will know its your first post...last year there were a number of people who openly stated they were posting to up thier post count.....so yeah...scrap the post count...although you have todo a speial tribute to Mar and Ryan before you did.

Liz has also reached five figures.

I think we need to have more people updating the main site....things like coming soon etc ...as when the people who do it at the moment are busy or are away it does not get done...we need a back up task force....

I think that's directly a Chris point and could perhaps be discussed more thoroughly in the staff section, though I've always said that I would like if it appeared that the moderators helped a little bit with the providing of things for the site.

[~Charlotte~]

I see what you mean Ryan, i think that the games that involve going through the alphabet are pointless. I mean once they have been through it once, they go through it again... i must admit though i have posted in there before, but only once in each thread.

[MarMar]

Quick question: would it be possible to have a chat connected to the board?

[c120701]

Oh, and credit those who write the articles/features on the things they write, as you do with the news.

I believe that is something is done by me, Dan or Chris it goes uncredited, anyone such as Martin Cah (Tom Fletcher), the episode summaries currently being uploaded etc that is "donated they are credited.

Fair enough. I just like to know who has written things so I can thank them.

[c120701]

I agree. I like the blue, it's sort of become the BTTB colour, just like the reds and yellows that Ryan mentioned are The Neighbours Message Board's colours. If you really want different colours, offer a choice in the Skin Selector, as Cal F said.

I think the header should match BTTB.net, however, just so that the sites are unified.

The header matching BTTB.net is something that will definitely happen as part of the improvements.

You should definitely stick to one style for longer though, personally I think it's better to find a niche and stay with it, such as the 1996 credits style you had a few years ago, I know I'd much prefer more content on BTTB.net than a spate of new looks, it can get quite frustrating when things keep being moved around.

I'm the cause of all the new designs, but I agree too. The current design should stay as it is for quite some time. However, apart from the homepage, the most recent changes have only been slight, and to the colour scheme and header. The structure of the site has stayed pretty much the same since our major redesign in August.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I like how you've widened the homepage, I agree everything had become a bit messy. The only thing I will say is that it might be a bit better if the content was all above the fold and instead of focusing too much on the news and the main feature, such as the best couple results, have just the three most recent headlines and a link to the news page and then links to various features around the site that a lot of people, particularly newcomers don't even know exist. You have some really good content on BTTB, make people aware to it.

The widening of the homepage was so that we can showcase more of BTTB's features. I agree that there are a lot of things that many people don't know exist, and now that the Best Couple feature has ended, we'll have plenty more room to do that.

It's hard to showcase all of the content without the homepage getting cluttered all over again, but I'll try my best to get in as much as possible. Our contributors have put too much work into the site over the years for it to go un-noticed.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. RE: Showcasing the content - you could just have three or four boxes maybe which could change weekly, fortnightly or monthly or something. Or one box showcasing a 'Feature of the Week', taking you to existing content. It's just a good way of making a regular update to the site without too much work as it only involves a link to an existing feature.

[Chris J]

Quick question: would it be possible to have a chat connected to the board?

That could end up resulting in fewer posts on the forum, as people may discuss the show on the Chat Room instead. I don't think it'd be a good idea, sadly.

[c120701]

Maybe instead of removing the post counts, you could remove the date the member joined from the side bar. I've been on many sites that don't have that, but have post counts and they don't seem to have the 'newbie bashing' or whatever you call it, as people could've just been a member for years and not posted or not posted as often as others, whereas if you see...

Posts: 1

Joined: 17-Feb 07

... it just makes it extremely obvious. Although I have seen a couple of times, not necessarily here, new members trying to start trouble with members who have higher post counts when the latter hasn't even done anything such as ignoring them because of their post count, they've just made a more structured post because they've been on the site longer and seen how much it improves the conversation compared to, and I use Home and Away as an example, "Jack & Martha are da best eva couple cos Jack is hot." Although not all new members are like that and indeed not all longstanding members make structured posts.