Hi everyone who has contributed to this thread. It is a very useful one for me, and I di appreciate all the feedback everyone gives.
I am aware of a number of problems that are coming up with this forum, which is being brought about mainly by the increased numbers, which in turn is causing different things to happen. I'll try and cover each point and question as I come to it in the repkies above (I have a feeling this is going to be a long message - sorry!)
Introductions...
This can be a good area because it gives everyone the chance to introduce themselves to the rest of the members, explain a bit about themselves, and tell everyone what they do. It does get a lot of spam and we generally do delete that stuff. Any that are borderline tend to get left, and you'll notice those are the ones that no-one replies to.
As Matrixx says, I like to see a well thought out and worded, and genuine, introduction. It instantly makes me warm to that person want to get to know that person better. As someone who does do networking "in the real world" its how I work naturally, and I deal with people I know and like (more on that later).
It is also encouraging, as DreamGenius states, that as a new coming if you post a genuine introduction you get warmly welcomed. Afterall,
most people here are pleasant and welcoming folk who want to help each other.
Post Counts & Titles...
I agree with epiphany, they mean nothing and as soon as I work out how I'll remove the post count element from the left bar alongside everyones posts. The title may also be a negative thing, but I do have a hair brained idea that purhaps we should have a number of "titles" that reflect that persons area of expertise ? One for the future maybe.
Self Promotion & Press Releases...
There will always be an elment of this and we do try and keep on top of it, but at the same time aswell as trying to provide a free resource of help and advice I would like everyone who contributes to these forums to also get paying business from them. Afterall, we are all in business to earn money. The idea of the Press Release section was to move self promotion from everywhere else, however there are one member in particular who uses and is abusing the forums a little in this regard. I again agree with epiphany that posting a message in any forum, and then posting in the others saying look at my post in X about Y just to try and draw attention to it is not appropriate. It basic terms I would like to see people posting in the relevant section for what they have to post, and then if people are interested or generally look in that section then they will see it there. To be honest stats show that all users will scan through all forums, but the accountants spend more time in Intro, General and Finance and only skim the rest and so on for other users.
So back to the Press Release section, its the blag area for the forums. The rules are relaxed a little bit about self promotion in that area. For some people it may be referred to as the "dumping ground" and for others its where you go to find out what is happening with other members. There is an argument that perhaps there is an overlap between UKBF Offers and the Press Releases area, but the PR area is a trial currently following feedback from forum users (just enphasise this point, its added because I listened to what other forum users wanted to see). However you all agree there is too much self promotion and for that I am currently unsure what the best way to deal with this would be?
For example...many (and I mean most) people on these forums give up time for free to help others by answering many questions which in normal circumstances they would charge to do. What the users hope for is to occasionally pick up some business by helping others, to cover the time they spend "working" for nothing. They only way to do this is to answer questions and then recommend "call me on X if you need any more". I see now problem with this.
However, I agree that posts along the lines of "We do X and think our way is very good, what do you think" or posts asking for feedback on their website but then afterwards it was clear they didn't want feedback they just wanted get people to view their products. These types of posts I am happy to remove.
I agree entirely with vshosting's comments re this subject and signatures.
Belittling...
I hate this myself, and something I have been trying to work out the best way to deal with it. There are two users who stick in my mind who do this on a regular basis, and the sad thing is one of them thinks they are helping!
Firstly, when someone first joins and introduces themselves in the Intro area, they are not asking for a website critique...they are saying "Hello". So, if people dont ask for feedback on their website then don't give it. If they do then by all means give it, but be contructive and nice at the same time. Ala, Twokids comment on the subject.
Size doesn't matter, my wife assures me of this all the time. Most people on this forum as SME's and Sole Traders. So?? If someone promotes themself as a sole trader and/or small company I think that is a good thing. I run a small company, and I give the "big boys" of my industry a damn good run for their money and am proud of it. So what right does anyone else have to publicily demean others about the way they present their company if they have not asked for advice on that respect. If you want to drop a
friendly PM about something relating to that then that person can either act on your advice or ignore you, but I think that it is often a good thing to promote your business as it is, and not pretend to be something you're not - as I actually believe this person in question does.
Banter...
I encourage it, take the mickey and have a laugh. There is a defnitive difference between belittling and banter. With banter the receiver smiles as they read it, belittling they don't come back or retaliate.
Alpha's reply above is a very good one which shares my views, for example I'm not sure on the effectiveness of the PR section but people asked
.
There is a difficult balance between free speech and over moderation. I as the forum owner want to encourage more and more people to join and take part, so I want the forums to be the friendliest and most helpful forums online. So I dont want to see any negative posts.
However, I also want to people to get true constructive advice from each other, and be able to discuss any topic without censorship. Some people will have strong views on certain subjects which will be reflected in their posts. Duane is right in that you can tell a lot about a person by the quality of their posts, and belittling says more about the person doing the belittling. I for one have decided not to place an order for quite a large project with a member of these forums purely based on the comments he has posted, I decided I just didn't want to deal with someone like that. Otherwise he'd be a few grand better off by now.
As always I am open to suggestions as I also try to think of the best way myself to deal with everyones concerns and comments.
One person has mentioned to me the option of a UKBF Business Directory. That way each member can have a page about their own business services and contact details, and that leaves the forum free for contructive discussion. I could then have a link on each persons post to their directory listing, and reduce tge signature sizes to just allow the basics. Just ideas for feedback really...
Anyway, yes I know its becoming an issue, no I'm not decided on the best way to deal with some of it yet, but yes I do think we need to bring in a few ground rules to formalise things a bit, no I don't like the sound of that, but I gues sit is to be expected as the forum gets bigger.
