Feedback wanted on the forum structure!

[Ansciess]

Oh I get overlap in structure. Most forums have a similar basic structure , I just don't understand why VB is being put up on some pedestal of being the ultimate goal when, in actual fact, it's completely flopped because the owners didn't give a **** about the community.

It was the most successful veg*n board on the web, so it definitely did something right, and I think being the most successful veg board on the web (in terms of advocacy, support, and information) is something to strive for. It's not the structure that is making it flop, it was the actions of its owner.

 

[Rosie1]

Even if we are a complete clone, as far as the structure of the forum...I don't think it matters in the end. What matters is that we really are a community and want to keep that feeling, as well as feel like we're being heard and considered and respected by the Holy High VegChief of All That is VV. I really appreciate that even as this forum grows, that our ideas and concerns will be heard. And that we all seem open and laid-back enough to try out new things with the forum (moving sections around, adding/deleting sections, ideas on how to make VV grow, etc. etc.) It's all very exciting!

 

[Scorpius]

The Lounge could go into the Community section and the Debate and Current Events subforum could go under High Culture so it's not alone.

 

[mlp]

What I suggested about a shopping resources section in the Lifestyle section - nevermind - that can go in the Help Desk for New Vegetarians section.

 

[Muggle]

It was the most successful veg*n board on the web, so it definitely did something right, and I think being the most successful veg board on the web (in terms of advocacy, support, and information) is something to strive for. It's not the structure that is making it flop, it was the actions of its owner.

I feel like I'm hitting a brick wall here.

This is VeggieViews. This is NOT Veggieboards Mark II. Why on earth do we have to copy them? Can't we have a bit of originality instead of being sheep?!

Anyway, I'm out of here. It's obvious the goal is to turn this place into a VB clone so I cba with giving my opinion any longer. Unsubscribing from this thread.

 

[Ansciess]

I would have thought that one of the goals of this place, in light of recent things that happened at VB, is the community side of it. But what do I know?!

The community was only wrecked because of Michael's actions with selling. It wasn't anything to do with the structure of VB. The entire first section of the board could have been the Veggie Patch and it would be the same thing.

I mean, geez, people should put the social forums wherever they want, but I'm just saying that I think that those aren't what initially draw people to a board like this (and I thought that was a big goal). Did you join VB for the Veggie Patch?

 

[Rosie1]

This might be a bad idea, but the little Wiki link way at the top? Could that be in the Community section instead? I think it might get overlooked and people also might not click on it because they think it just goes to Wikipedia or something. If it were in the Community area, there would be a tiny description under* it, right? And they wouldn't miss out on the good info that is in there.

ETA: *err, not under it. But you'd hover over it to see what it's about.

 

[Freesia]

To be honest, with the lounge down the bottom I have been going to it less. I keep forgetting about it. Besides the obvious goal of having the Veg and Animal Activism boards high up, I think the Debate section should be a little further up. Also I like the idea of the Health board having a good place too as it has the Male/Female sections and Sexuality and Health.

 

[Freesia]

The community was only wrecked because of Michael's actions with selling. It wasn't anything to do with the structure of VB. The entire first section of the board could have been the Veggie Patch and it would be the same thing.

But now we have the option to try new things and get change and freshness instead of just having same old, same old.

 

[Ansciess]

There will inevitably be some overlap in structure, unless we're going to try to structure things differently just for the sake of being different, rather than deciding what kind of structure makes the most sense.

I think that the Lifestyles section and the Animals section need to be prominent, and I like their new placement, because those are the things that new members will be searching for. Other than that, I don't particularly care. If people feel strongly about it, the Lounge stuff could still be in the first section, with the announcements.

Agreed.

I'd probably put health under animals though because I think people are also looking for that when they are interested in veg*nism.

 

[Freesia]

I think it is better to have the animal board as animal activism, and health as its own seperate section so we could all wallow in the sexuality board just after reading about running, or smoothies.

 

[mlp]

I am really not understanding all of the huffiness. If people can't voice opinions about something like the structure of the board without it becoming an emotional free for all, then god help us.

 

[kibbleforlola]

The community was only wrecked because of Michael's actions with selling. It wasn't anything to do with the structure of VB. The entire first section of the board could have been the Veggie Patch and it would be the same thing.

I mean, geez, people should put the social forums wherever they want, but I'm just saying that I think that those aren't what initially draw people to a board like this (and I thought that was a big goal). Did you join VB for the Veggie Patch?

No, the Veggie patch is not why I joined vb, but it is why I stayed on vb for years instead of posting a few times then bouncing. A sense of community is really important, especially when a board is just getting going.

 

[mlp]

I think it is better to have the animal board as animal activism, and health as its own seperate section so we could all wallow in the sexuality board just after reading about running, or smoothies.

I think Ansciess meant "have the health section follow the animals section", to reflect the importance of both animals and health as reasons why people go veg*n.

 

[kibbleforlola]

Another vote for The Lounge being moved back under Community.

 

[Ansciess]

No, the Veggie patch is not why I joined vb, but it is why I stayed on vb for years instead of posting a few times then bouncing. A sense of community is really important, especially when a board is just getting going.

Yes, and in my mind, the placement of the Veggie Patch at VB reflected that (no one is saying not to have the equivalent of a Veggie Patch). It just wasn't the prominent, top thing at VB, because people didn't join because of it, it was a benefit. We already have a sense of community at VV - most everyone here is from an established community.

 

[Rosie1]

What about:

Community
Lifestyle
Animals
Health & Body
Social Club
High Culture
Family, Friends, and Relationships
Academic
Globetrotting

 

[mlp]

No, the Veggie patch is not why I joined vb, but it is why I stayed on vb for years instead of posting a few times then bouncing. A sense of community is really important, especially when a board is just getting going.

Since so many people feel strongly about this, I think The Lounge should go back to the Community section.

We really do need to all make a conscious effort to get a lot of activity going in the *more serious* parts of the board though. People aren't going to be doing google or other searches for light hearted chatter - questions and issues specific to veg*nism is what is going to be drawing new people here.

And once they start looking around the board, if they see that most of the activity is in the Lounge, it will be simialr to a new student trying to break into a high school clique - I think that's something we have to be very conscious of, if this is not to remain merely a VB retirement home, as IS so aptly phrased it.

 

[kibbleforlola]

Who were you on vb, Ansciess? And why is it so important to you to turn this place into the next vb? Can't we be our own thing?

Maybe our motto should be: VB Part Deoux (Dancing Baby Not Included)

 

[Muggle]

I've been alerted back here by people liking my posts. Plus I think I have a clearer way of trying to express my point. So I'm posting this and then I am out of here.

While the community might not be the reason a newbie joins, it's highly likely it will be a reason they will stay instead of just posting a thread or two asking for information and then going. The community is an important part of VV and that needs to be reflected in the forum structure. Not shoved down the bottom like some unimportant pile of crap.


As for why we shouldn't be a VB clone (and I can't quite believe I've got to explain this). If a newbie comes along and we look like a VB clone from the first glance (which is what the structure will give them), then what exactly have we got to offer to them that's different from VB? Because at the moment, if a newbie is look for a vegetarian support, advice, information (and dare I say it?!) community forum, they will have found VB before us. We need to look different because, otherwise, why should we expect a newbie to know that we are different from VB? If we look the same as VB, why should they bothered to join us when they could just go to VB instead?


Anyway, I can't understand what is so difficult to comprehend about the fact the community is important and that we should not be a VB clone. But whatever. Now I'm gone.