h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In terms of Ask, I do myself have the impression that there are at least two types of questions in there. One is the "Does anyone know about this?" type, and the other is "I think this, what do you think?" Looking at the Forums page, I see why I think that: "Askh2g2 - the place to ask questions, voice opinions and request help with research".

To "clear up" Ask, I think there are also at least two ways to do it - one is to move out everything that doesn't have a question mark in the title, or suchlike, and the other is for threads to be brought back on topic by someone asking a related question, or stating the "what do you think?" question.

Having another visible area on the homepage for different types of threads will help a lot, I think, as the other forums are relatively hidden at the moment, but until then it's possibly not worth worrying about voiced opinions and missing question marks in Ask...

In relation to smartphones, etc, is there anything that the h2g2 Tweets could do to help, do you think? There's a good response to new Edited Entries and Post articles, and sometimes popular threads are advertised there, too. Is there anything else you'd like to see?

I enjoy the archaeology of the site, too - it may be that new layers are being created by writers at a slower rate than they once were, but there is still plenty for a reader to engage with...

Latest activity lists are handy

I like this

10 most recently read entrys, and perhaps a top 10 list of the 'most read entrys

This is a nice idea 10 most recently read entrys would mean that the writer will miss the entry on the list
(I hope the traffic is of a higher volume than 10 read entries an hour)
So perhaps most recently read entrys in the last 30 days would be better if possable.

Actually, the 'most read this month', for entrys, would make a lot of sense (OK, last 30 days ) Could even build up a list of them, going back, to see what was being read, each month going back...

I had a good idea - perhaps

Read and clicked on are two different things.

You can infer when something has actually been read by how long a visitor stays on the page. It's too bad that the statistic most commonly used by traffic trackers is the much less informative clicked on metric.

I don't have a problem with threads being moved to a more appropriate forum. It happens on nearly every well-moderated site.

You can infer when something has actually been read by how long a visitor stays on the page. However a short stay could indicate a bookmark or saved page.

Lil I think there is a page with a list of who has newly registered. As Amy said while people are registering but only a very few are participating.

While I think lists of popular entries, or entries that been read that day/week/month whatever, would give us an idea of what people are coming for to read and would also give a writer a boost. I think that would not do much for participation.

I hope while my posts have not offered anything new, they have been valid as a point of view.

Having glanced through this journal again and through the Deathlist and Ask thread I would like to pick up on a sensitive point of communication that strikes me again and again.

The response still seems to be to anyone who doesn't quite agree with something, or who raises an issue is a 'moaner' and will always be so.

In my 20 odd years of experience of community dev, I have found that you need to listen to them as people, not just label them as 'moaners', they do raise issues that are important and not necessarily just affecting them as individuals. They are the ones that will care enough to 'moan', that caring is good. Some will care enough to become activitly involved in some way or another.

So my role, is too listen, take onboard what they are saying, work constructively with them, like Icy said, I might have to change what I or others are doing or what is being done. What I really can not do is take it personally or respond negatively and while it can be a little draining and frustrating I have to approach it constructively.

This works, often, or more times that not I would say, a starting point for positive action comes from a situation which could be labeled as negative, or negativity. While there will always be the odd one, I have found that the biggest 'moaners' are also biggest movers.

If you are going to look to expand this community, people who are managing or working in development do need to have that edge of professionalism in their work as volunteers, they need people skills and lots of them.

I think it is a mistake labelling people as moaners, dismissing them or suggesting that they exercise the option of leaving if they don't like the site of the back of some pretty constructive issue raising

Firstly it will create the situation of 'them and us'. Secondly it will not incline people to join in 'a community discussion'. Thirdly, it is just negative and reduces enthusiasm for participating in wider h2g2 activities and they may well exercise that option that is open to them and leave.

So I think that is something to be considered before posting.

Thanks peanut, I feel better that you posted that.

As for a list of "10 most popular entries" - i.e. the ones that have been clicked on most during the past month or so - I don't think if it matters whether those who clicked on it read it right through, used the contents for their dissertation, saved it for later on, skimmed through it, or closed it again immediately. The point is, the title attracted their attention enough for them to want to see what it was about.

The BBC have "most read/most shared" lists all the time - I'm sure the links they include in those lists are just as likely to have had the same amount of attention, or inattention as any link followed here.

does that make sense?

Until - Heaven forbid! - the camera on your laptop actually follows your eyes and monitors what you are reading, we shall never know - did the person have this text on their screen for 15 minutes, but go off during that time to answer the phone or make a cuppa - or did they read it attentively and nod approvingly?

Thanks TC, I'm glad it made you feel better. You reply has made me feel better, if it reads ok to you, then I think I have done ok in how I have come across at least, even if people might not feel the same way or agree with what I have said.

Thank you

Listening to people is great.

Listening to them saying the same, non-constructive thing over and over, not so great.

Pointing out perceived flaws, once, is helpful.

Pointing them out with proposed, constructive solutions, much more helpful.



As a slight aside, rather randomly I was chatting to someone last night who signed up for h2g2 recently, but hasn't got engaged with it. So I took the opportunity to ask him his thoughts and why he hasn't got engaged. The main two things were that he was still waiting to find his feet about *where* to get engaged, and that while he was glad an ACE welcomed him and said hi, he was very put off by what he saw as a random stranger rushing over to start chatting with him. I pointed out that it's just that sort of friendly site, but he returned that if he wanted that sort of site, he'd hang out on Facebook with all the people there desperate for Friends and Likes.

It takes many people a while to find their feet, still even taking that into consideration numbers of people registering and then taking part at some point is still very low

As for the random stranger thing, damned if you and damned if you don't.

That's why we have the ACES, who are properly trained in greeting people and making them feel welcome, less damnation.

Also I would like to say if the same thing is being said over and over again that indicates to me that there is an long standing issue that has yet to resolved

As you saying then no-one who is not a properly trained ace should drop by and say hi to a newbie?

Strangely enough it's only being said over and over by a vocal minority.

Do you *really* think that we don't listen? That when we plan things or make decisions, that we don't talk to a wide range of people involved with the site at all levels?

Do you *really* think that we just sit down and think, "hey, how can we annoy people today?"

We consult on site, on email, and even, shock horror, face to face with many users of the site to get their input on things.

We stopped generally using threads for input because the same *few* voices would shout and shout until it was just their voice being heard, and the rest of the community were drowned out or driven away.

Threads like this one are good, because they raise new ideas. But when they turn into the same one or two voices saying "You don't listen to me!", then they've lost their purpose.

We listen to the vast majority of users of the site, we actively consult them about everything we do. And sorry Peanut, but if you don't like the decisions that are made based on input from the majority of the users, then that's your problem, not ours.

And as what could have been a good thread to raise ideas has become you saying how we don't listen to you, then it's run its course and I personally won't be reading it any more. I'm too busy rebuilding a site for the silent majority.

Ok Pastey, you have made your point clear as to what you think about me and anything I have to say.

I think though you should continue with the thread and just ignore me otherwise you may miss out on what you think are good points or suggestions from other researchers.

Hi all, just popping in with me Ace hat on for a moment.
Peanut, if folk greet/posts to a newbie before said newbie is greeted by an Ace it takes them off the new user list for Aces. The result is they then don't get Aced with a message that actually points them to the various parts of h2g2 which usually includes relevant links to most areas of h2g2.
We would much rather you bring a newbie to our attention via the Ace homepage asking us to greet a newbie BEFORE you post to them.

BMT Ace

Hi BMT

Thanks, I know , very rarely have I had contact with a newbie before an ace and that has only been because feathers have been flying somewhere

In this case, I run off to an ace to say that they are needed, the newbie is not on list and let the newbie know that someone more qualified than me will be along shortly.