classic car forum header
Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 
Register     Posting Photographs     Privacy     F/book OCC Facebook     OCC on Patreon

Posting frequency
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration. Forum Index -> General Motoring & Collectables (inc Classic Caravans)
Author Message
Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22820
Location: UK

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:16 am    Post subject: Posting frequency Reply with quote

I moved this into its own thread.

Uncle Joe wrote:
Rick, I have a tendency to agree with J-R on the posting point. Maybe this is not the place to discuss it, but what I would like to suggest is that people are informed that they should present themselves in the Intro section first.

Also, I would suggest that the ''zero'' and ''one time'' posters are removed from the membership list after say, 90 days.

Why not reinstate the moderators to take care of this ?


While I agree its a shame that more of the registered users don't take an active part in proceedings, the last thing I'd want to do is impose an edict that commands them to post a specific number of times within 90 days, or else. Its the nature of forums that people sign up, then possibly forget about the place. It happens on most forums from what I can see, and I'm guilty too of joining a few forums, only to re-visit infrequently from thereon in.

To impose a minimum posting bar, below which you are removed, would not encourage the fairly laid back approach I've taken with this forum IMHO. Having a large number of inactive members doesn't inconvenience a single member of this forum (other than perhaps myself, who takes time out to set these new registrations up, and I accept this as par for the course). If anything this may deter new members from joining in the first place. Not everyone spends hours a day sat at their keyboard, so I'm perfectly happy with setting up new members, even if they post here once every blue moon, or maybe not at all - it happens. The changes I made to the forum registration process a while back has meant that virtually no spammers make it on here.

My preferred approach is to try and encourage the less active members to take part, perhaps by the occasional e-mailshot to remind them of the place's existence, and the value of what they have to contribute in the eyes of everyone else. I don't think forcing them to take part within a given timeframe would encourage anyone to wade in with their own contributions any more than they do already, especially if this was brought in after they'd already joined up.

Perhaps I'm a bit reactionary, but if someone told me to post or else I risk being removed from the forum, I'd probably give them a mental two-fingers and never grace the place again, and certainly not recommend it to others.

The Intros area is there if people want to take part in it - no-one is compelled to do it, and thats how I see it remaining. There are enough rules and regulations in life as it is, without bringing in more here I feel. I'd welcome other people's opinion on this.

Regarding userids being cleaned up by one or more moderators, I'm not sure that mods would have that level of access anyway, even if they were re-instated.

Thanks for putting forward the suggestion though UJ, everyone's suggestions do go into that bubbling melting pot between my ears, and do contribute to how I steer things in future Smile

Opinions on this welcome Wink

Rick
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Job-Rated



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 1010
Location: Sugarbeet County

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I too, have been guilty of joining message boards & very rarely visiting them, so I try & keep a check on them now - I think I'm currently an active member of about a dozen - but it gets more & more difficult to find the time to read through all the posts, let alone write any replies.
Luckily, I do have the ability to determine which boards are worth contributing to, usually by the sincerity, politeness & community spirit found there &, naturally, the common interest.

As for low post counts - this is a very tricky subject that needs to be batted around a bit to come up with a solution.
UJ has a point. However, I'm only speaking for myself when I say that I've never had a forum cancel my membership, for low post count or any other reason.
_________________
Don't run your fingers over my truck & I won't run my truck over your fingers!


http://www.loosechange-band.co.uk/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22820
Location: UK

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for chiming in J-R with your thoughts

Job-Rated wrote:
As for low post counts - this is a very tricky subject that needs to be batted around a bit to come up with a solution.


you mention a solution, but I'm still not sure there is actually a 'problem' as such, I see it more a fact of (forum) life that not everyone who signs up will necessarily take part.

As mentioned I do wonder sometimes about sending out an occasional email prompt to all current members, but with the volume of spammy emails already flying around the ether, might this not just antagonise members, especially as there was no option to opt-out of emailed correspondence/mailshots when they joined up?

R
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
47p2



Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Does it really matter if they join and don't post.

Yes it would be nice to look at the members list and see exactly who's who but it isn't really that important and does not affect the forums everyday running.

If you wish to see who the members are who are using the forum click Memberlist-Total Posts-Descending and scroll down.
_________________
ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Uncle Joe
Guest





PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can understand the points that everyone has made, so I would like to add one other.

I think that member list / profile access should be restricted. Shall we say, not available until a certain number of posts are made. The way it is now, if some shall we say ''spurious person'' joined the forum, then that person could easily use it for things that arent intended, ie sending spam, and other messages/emails. I realise that this doesnt happen on any other forum either, but someone has to be first.

This is the first thing that I thought of when I first saw how many members have never posted. I didnt think that there could be other reasons...Dont think I'm being paranoid either, I did actually get one suspicious pm just before the forum went down a while ago.
Back to top
Job-Rated



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 1010
Location: Sugarbeet County

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It seems this whole matter was raised due to another issue - that of new members posting without introducing themselves first.

Maybe if we can address that, we'll sort it all out in one go.
_________________
Don't run your fingers over my truck & I won't run my truck over your fingers!


http://www.loosechange-band.co.uk/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22820
Location: UK

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I hear what you're saying UJ. I've not received any spam PMs yet, so if you think you've received spam (ie unwanted sales offers, v1agra deals and so on) from a forum member, just let me know who it is, and what the PM said, and I'll look into it. I have a feeling that a while back I removed the email entry from the memberlist anyway, to lessen the risks of this occurring.

I'll keep my eyes open, and if I hear of routine problems materialising with members being spammed via the Memberlist, I'll look into it.

thanks, R
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
old gto



Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 172
Location: Orlando, Florida

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 11:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have searched MANY forums, but I only linger on those with a great lack of vulgarity, arrogance, and insults. So that means I pretty much stay with about 3....this one and 2 others....on a regular basis. But as Rick said, I fall into that catagory of those who do not spend hours at the computer. What with young kids at home, work, household maintainence, work on the toys, and just life in general, time for cruising the internet is limited. Then divide that time by 3 forums to chat on, and it becomes easy to see why some members are not frequent posters.
Many that know me say I`m very picky, almost to the level of "perfectionist", so I would think for me to say that THIS board is one of the top three of the hundreds I`ve visited, would be a big compliment.
Keep it as it is, and remember the old saying,
"If it ain`t broke, don`t fix it!"
Thanks for having me!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Uncle Joe
Guest





PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Personally, I think that this is the best forum that I have visited! So congratulations are in order to all of the regular posters, as wellas some of the not so regular. I find it,as I have said before, a light and happy place, and as such I think that we all should try to keep it that way, be a bit protective in other words.

But theres another saying or two....''nothing is so good that it cant be improved'', and one that may apply in the future ''its no good closing the barn door after the horse has bolted''

No offence to anyone, by the way!
Back to top
Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22820
Location: UK

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thankyou, good to know the forum has a few keen supporters on board. I think this highlights the fact that *any* changes, whatever area of the forum they relate to, have to be made with the utmost care, and only after a great deal of thought, so as to improve things, rather than disrupt things that are working just fine as they are (as ably summed up by old gto Wink).

ta, RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Giggles



Joined: 25 Nov 2007
Posts: 302
Location: Tucked up under a patchwork quilt somwhere in Suffolk

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Job-Rated wrote:
It seems this whole matter was raised due to another issue - that of new members posting without introducing themselves first.

Maybe if we can address that, we'll sort it all out in one go.


The National Street Rod Association. has introduced the rule of no introduction-no posting when they changed over to the forum set up in November 2007. Works well, but you have to fill in your full name ie. Joe Bloggs and where you are from. Makes interesting reading and means that you know a little bit about who is posting on the forum (unless they tell porky pies! Rolling Eyes )

As for deleting no-posters, another chatroom I use did that a couple of years ago. People moaned, but most poeple re-joined when they wanted to post something or veiw a members-only section. The Humber forum is one which suffered from spamming big time and now to view the forum you have to registered, so you get people that just register so they can have a nose and will never post for whatever reason. At the end of the day, in that situation it is up to them.
_________________
1953 Humber Hawk
1955 Ford Fairlane
1960 & 1963 Humber Super Snipe's
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
dpr59



Joined: 25 Nov 2007
Posts: 30
Location: Hartlepool

PostPosted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I try to keep my posts relevant and to things that might be of interest or helpfull.

A posting rule might just increase the off topic stuff potentially diluting an excellent forum.

Just my thoughts

Dave
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Uncle Joe
Guest





PostPosted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think that postings have a tendency to drift off topic here, but its just part of the friendly nature of the forum.
Back to top
47p2



Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow

PostPosted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Uncle Joe wrote:
I think that postings have a tendency to drift off topic here, but its just part of the friendly nature of the forum.


Not just here UJ, it happens on every forum that I have ever been on........Maybe it's me to blame Embarassed Wink
_________________
ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Giggles



Joined: 25 Nov 2007
Posts: 302
Location: Tucked up under a patchwork quilt somwhere in Suffolk

PostPosted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

One thing we don't seem to get on here apppears to be the trolls, where they come onto a forum just to stir up trouble. Thank goodness for that.

Drifting off topic: yes I am guilty of that, but if it's a friendly forum does it really matter? Over moderation kills forums.
_________________
1953 Humber Hawk
1955 Ford Fairlane
1960 & 1963 Humber Super Snipe's
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration. Forum Index -> General Motoring & Collectables (inc Classic Caravans) All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
OCC Merch link
Forum T&C


php BB powered © php BB Grp.