members and members

[adrian_hoble]

Hi.
Even if I`m on the forum from only several months ago, I noticed there are many kinds of visiting the forum.
First there are the ones who log in daily and spend very much time on line.
Then , there are the ones who log in few times/week.
................a.s.o.........................
BUT, the fact is that the ones who are "regular daily clients" of the pho forum are very few; let`s say 30 people - maybe a little more. They have time to search for topics and links, for anything coming from internet - and for most of that work the others should thank them .
But everytime some ideas go to the admins for making the search easier in order to have much faster access to informations, the answer comes like" if you would `ve searched before, you would`ve found this..."  .....or "it`s been discussed before".......or ......a.s.o.
And here come the paradoxal situation: for the existance of the site, the more time the visitors spent on the site, the more money are earned; so, they are glad members waist time searching for topics with unfit names. And yet, there are 100 times more members who seem not to have time to navigate through the topics or links, so, I wonder; for which part of the members pho exist?....okokokok., most of you will say it`s for everybody; yes; but only a very small number of the members can take advantage of it`s informations as long as it takes so long to find a topic............
The bigger the forum grows, the harder will be to find informations in it.......
I decided to post this topic to see if some practical alternatives might come from the ones who rarely log in and maybe from the moderators...........

       Adrian ( the one who accustomed everyone with annoying topics from time to time )

[elaineG]

I know what your saying Adrian.  Off the top of my head, cos im going out, Ive noticed that people start threads with titles like "Ive found a new cream" but dont name the cream - whereas if they started the thread with the name of the cream - it would make it a lot easier.  Having said that, if someone comes on the board and asks a question about, say, Apple Cider Vinegar, nobody minds searching for the link for them.

A lot of it I think is down to "self discipline" by the members, to make the threads easier to find in future.

We also have to remember that the moderators are volunteers and everything they do is unpaid in their own time.

[adrian_hoble]

I know what your saying Adrian.  Off the top of my head, cos im going out, Ive noticed that people start threads with titles like "Ive found a new cream" but dont name the cream - whereas if they started the thread with the name of the cream - it would make it a lot easier.  Having said that, if someone comes on the board and asks a question about, say, Apple Cider Vinegar, nobody minds searching for the link for them.

A lot of it I think is down to "self discipline" by the members, to make the threads easier to find in future.

We also have to remember that the moderators are volunteers and everything they do is unpaid in their own time.

..............ok, hats off for the moderators - I didn`t know they`re volunteers , anyway, since they also have p, it`s a great thing; as I said it before - but then, why they often refuse to rearrange the informations in a way in which to be much easier to be found ?
Is it the lack of money,the lack of time, the lack of moderators, ......or what?

[Guy]

..............ok, hats off for the moderators - I didn`t know they`re volunteers , anyway, since they also have p, it`s a great thing; as I said it before - but then, why they often refuse to rearrange the informations in a way in which to be much easier to be found ?
Is it the lack of money,the lack of time, the lack of moderators, ......or what?

Well essentially we do what we can.  As Elaine says the mods are all volunteers and the forum is run and paid for by Michael.  We do what we can to make the site as easy to navigate as possible and work on things like the new "rating of treatments " database but yes I suppose it is money and time that restricts some of the things that might be tackled if we had more of those resources.

[AussieGuy]

..............ok, hats off for the moderators - I didn`t know they`re volunteers , anyway, since they also have p, it`s a great thing; as I said it before - but then, why they often refuse to rearrange the informations in a way in which to be much easier to be found ?
Is it the lack of money,the lack of time, the lack of moderators, ......or what?

The way I undersatand it Adrian - This site is owned & funded by Michael himself & as you know the site doesn't generate any income from advertisers or the like - Therefore, Michael operates this site at considerable cost to himself.

Yes, the moderators are volunteers - So too are each & every one of us who contribute articles.

Personally, I have no problem with a site such as this generating an income from advertising to insure that it remains operational - Obviously, at this stage Michael doesn't feel that it is neccessary - Or perhaps he feels it would be immoral or a 'conflict of interest' to allow advertising - Perhaps not wanting to be seen that PHO endorses any particular Psoriasis products, or any other products or services for that matter.

However, I do feel that a more simplified site search feature would be more practicle - The current one is a little complicated & tempremental - Just a simple type in word or phrase & hit 'search' would make things a little easier - Unless of course there are reasons that it cannot be simply implemented.

Then again - Beggars can't be choosers & this free site is a haven for P sufferers in it's current format.





AussieGuy (Thankful for PHO)

[Tim_]

Hi Adrian, In truth the site is what the members make it, We ( Mods) try to keep it tidy and will move threads to appropiate boards as necessary. Our main tasks are to keep the advertisers out and ensure the rules are adhered to.

Money??
Let me make something clear, This is a Not for profit site and is provided by Michael. There is no financial interest or reward for anyone involved in the running of the site. This keeps us independent.

I dont think we refuse to rearrange info, but as you can imagine sorting all the boards topics would be a huge job. We do try and come up with better ways of presenting info, and respond to ideas put forward by members, The new rating system is a good example.
I think Elaine has a point, more accurate and descriptive titles would help.
Tim

[adrian_hoble]

I hope i didn`t spoil your day.
The most important thing I didn`t know - ..."This is a Not for profit site and is provided by Michael. There is no financial interest or reward for anyone involved in the running of the site. ".
Now that you told me, I`ll know and I find it amazing.........no kidding. I had a guess but it was very hard for me to believe that... it seems that money is not quite everything after all..........
Sorry if I offended anyone; that was not my intention.
Thanx for everything.

[elaineG]

I hope i didn`t spoil your day.
The most important thing I didn`t know - ..."This is a Not for profit site and is provided by Michael. There is no financial interest or reward for anyone involved in the running of the site. ".
Now that you told me, I`ll know and I find it amazing.........no kidding. I had a guess but it was very hard for me to believe that... it seems that money is not quite everything after all..........
Sorry if I offended anyone; that was not my intention.
Thanx for everything.

You didnt offend me Adrian.

I think the fact that the forum is non profit making, and run by volunteers, makes its achievements even greater!

[adrian_hoble]

Absolutely !!

[Tim_]

I hope i didn`t spoil your day.
The most important thing I didn`t know - ..."This is a Not for profit site and is provided by Michael. There is no financial interest or reward for anyone involved in the running of the site. ".
Now that you told me, I`ll know and I find it amazing.........no kidding. I had a guess but it was very hard for me to believe that... it seems that money is not quite everything after all..........
Sorry if I offended anyone; that was not my intention.
Thanx for everything.

Day not spoilt. No offence taken ((:y
The more ideas for improving the forum the better.