Subscriptions and Introductions

NorioDS

I'm keen to make 2 changes to the forum that will affect everyone...

1. Subscriptions - Change everyone's account so you get emailed when someone replies on any thread you've posted on. This will leave us with less abandoned threads and more interaction from our existing members which, of course, is important in order for this forum to reach it's true potential. (Only a small subset of members are active on the forum. Some have never logged in since signing up or since their first post)
2. Introductions - I'd like the forum to automatically create a "welcome so-and-so" thread each time someone joins. This will also serve to get members active on the forum. This linked with the subscriptions should mean that new members feel less scared about posting and can join in the fun with confidence.

How does it affect you?

You'll get emailed every time someone replies on a thread you posted - that might be too much for some of you. However, once the subscriptions are enabled, I'll provide you a link to show you where to disable them so it's not too bad ?

Also, all the welcome threads will make the forum a lot busier than it is now. I'm all for that but you might be concerned about too much to read. I can respect that but ask that you consider the improved resources (brains) we'll have if we have more members getting involved from the get-go.

I haven't discussed this with any mods at all. So please, one and all, let me know what you think. Keep it clean and friendly, please!

LMinnie

Norrie I think its a brilliant idea...kinda like a tune in or tune out vibe....

GFSA is your baby man...If you wanna try something go ahead...If it doesnt work you can always change it back...!!!! ?

FatBoy

I think it will work well man.

With regards to subscriptions, I'd like it to be a tick box next to the "Submit Post" button, not just for the Original Poster, but for any user posting replies or anything. That way you can subscribe to a heated debate and be kept up to date, even though you weren't the original poster. I'd probably have the tick box ticked by default for new threads, and not ticked by default for replies.

I'm happy with an auto welcome thread thing, as long as they all sorta have the same title with the username being the only difference, so we can scan past them if we so wish, I probably wont as I try to welcome everyone, but I do miss some folks, this would be cool to avoid that ?

Manfred-Klose

Great idea.

I basically live on the forum, so need for me to get emails.
But will come in handy for the members that dont log in everyday.

Heath

i agree with manfred i am on every day ...........

Ray

Pretty much agree with fritz here. The autowelcome is good. the indication that you want to be notified of thread mods is a good idea.

Wizard

I support the changes

Squonk

I agree with the changes.

Sometimes I miss previous threads when not signing on for a couple of days

Good stuff Norio

Spyke

Ok, I'm one of those that do subscribe to topics that I've posted in, but would like the option of 'watching' a topic.

In the same breath, I do feel that it should be a selectable option - an opt out of receiving e-mail notifications. Mainly just due to the fact that a lot of us use work mail address' and some companies frown upon personal mail. Just think about coming to work on monday only to be called into a hearing due to the excessive GFSA Topic reminders piled up in their inbox from the weekend.

CDee

Hi Norio,

The ideas are great.

Just another suggestion to add to it...

Can you create a topic or category for beginners to get to know the forum? This will help them to get up to speed quicker.
For example: We had questions about what Karma is? There are numerous questions on how to uploade a pic etc...
Maybe in the introduction e-mail and thread tell the newbies where they can find some tutorials on how to post etc... (I think there will be alot more interaction from technologically impaired people if they can help themselves and not have to ask, because most of them probably feel that they ask stupid questions...

?

Werner-Carstens

Hi Norio, as a junior member I am still new around here but by all intentions I am going to be here a while. I do spend a lot of time on user forums for my job (I'm an SAP analyst) and on most of them you have a tick box option per thread for notifications of posts like Fritz suggested. It is a very handy tool and you can control your own destiny ha, ha.
Just as a side comment: The guys that made the effort to welcome me to the forum was the clincher to stay. It is a great way of welcoming people and showing them that we all share one thing - a passion for guitars and its players. To start a welcoming thread automatically is a great idea. It creates immediate visibility of new members and everyone can then hopefully be welcomed as well as I have been.
+1 to all!!

Wizard

Werner Carstens wrote: The guys that made the effort to welcome me to the forum was the clincher to stay

Strongly support this.
The warm welcome makes the difference between a fly-by and a permanent residence.

AlanRatcliffe

Norio wrote: Subscriptions - Change everyone's account so you get emailed when someone replies on any thread you've posted on.

I thought this was already implemented? I have it on my account. I've set mine so it automatically subscribes me to a thread when I post in it. Or are you saying that it will be enabled by default?

2. Introductions - I'd like the forum to automatically create a "welcome so-and-so" thread each time someone joins. This will also serve to get members active on the forum.

The danger there is that new members will not respond, which will make it less likely that the regulars will bother greeting the next new member.

NorioDS

Yep, I mean that thread notifications will be enabled by default.

Regarding the danger of new members not responding, let's run with it for 2 weeks and see how it goes? We won't know until we know and, thankfully, there's an undo button ?

Neps

Norio wrote: thankfully, there's an undo button ?

you have to love that button!!

NorioDS

Neps wrote:
Norio wrote: thankfully, there's an undo button ?
you have to love that button!!

Yes! I wish real life had one. I'd undo all my debt and be RICH! ?

CDee

Yes! I wish real life had one. I'd undo all my debt and be RICH! Tongue

Just run into the bank screaming: "CTRL + Z !! CTRL + Z !! CTRL + Z !! " ???

LMinnie

Love that little blue return arrow!.....Its saved my bacon plenty times...Just gotta love it..I know I do!!!

Spyke

CDee wrote:
Just run into the bank screaming: "CTRL + Z !! CTRL + Z !! CTRL + Z !! " ???

Bwahahahahaha!

Heath

some how think the cops might put you in tara for a few weeks , or shoot you ......

but it's ok you can ctrl-z yourself out ....