EDITED - Forum Thread Monitoring

Poppadocrock

@Samu said:

@McD said:

@Samu said:

>

Forums serve that purpose and there will always be someone willing to provide the wrong answers... but with the best intentions... honest.

True, but when it's faster to google the answer than post the question I start to wonder the 'sanity' of the poster

Yea I think since people are so helpful on this forum, that our generosity and willingness to help others sometimes gets abused. (Like in life, sad but true) I don’t believe it’s malicious or even necessarily intentional, but it does happen. Instead of simply googling something or searching the forum, some people start a thread, add comments, etc… even when the answer is available and can be found with a search or two.

It’s also hard to really categorize this behavior because it can happen for many reasons. sometimes members are new to the forum, or don’t know how to explain something correctly, or don’t know the correct terminology, etc… There’s just so many possibilities it’s really hard to say. That’s why I think some general guidelines to follow would be appropriate. Not mandated but a friendly request to all members.

1. Search before you post - search forum or search engine
2. Keep it civil - No hate, discrimination, or blatant disrespect
3. New thread only when necessary, think about it first. Title appropriately.
4. No politics.

Spidericemidas

@richardyot said:

@Spidericemidas said:

@Poppadocrock said:

@McD said:
I like a Thread Title that sets up the content. For example, if it's a request for a solution try and indicate that with a question mark or use the words "request for". If it's a statement of fact then the lack of a question mark makes that clear,

I like when someone adds solved to thread title after the issue has been resolved.

Agreed. I’ve been able to do that with a couple of my requests for problem solving in the past, but not if it takes longer than the editable time frame for threads, which I believe is one month. It would be handy in those cases to have a longer editable time limit. I guess there must be a specific reason for the time limit?

The time limit was introduced after one user went through all their old posts and deleted them, going back years.

Admittedly it seemed annoying at the time but people delete their accounts left right and centre these days, although generally their posts still remain, attributed to “deleted user”.

Thanks for the info. I knew there must be a reason for it being in place. 👍

LinearLineman

@Poppadocrock, I guess I feel a bit more liberal about this subject than you and many others. Getting into iOS is mind blowing to say the least. Some people have difficulty sorting out the basics… I know I did. Having someone like @CracklePot help me at the beginning was pure gold. You can’t get that by researching the forum annals… though you might find a plenitude of forum anals.

Asking the basic questions and not being derided was a blessing from this forum and led me to find folks like @CracklePot @wim @samu, who didn’t seem to mind a noob looking for a helping hand.
Maybe I'm describing a mentor system, and maybe that’s a separate discussion which I might implement,

As to politics, lol, I promised @Michael i wouldn’t start any more political threads but I like to see them now and then and warily participate. I realize there’s a potential minefield, but civilly navigating such always seemed worthwhile to me and enriched the “community” aspect as much as posting creations, favorite or newly discovered artists and personal issues. Like a colorized set of headphones, it can add a warmth to the mix that, when it’s strictly technical, can be a bit too neutral.

I realize many just want a tech forum, but many, I believe, also want something more encompassing as this place can be a haven for frustrations, personal difficulties and communal needs. I have seen, many times, the generous outreach toward brother and sister members when they have difficulties that cause them to feel alone, have medical problems or need some life advice. We”re an empathetic group, by and large. I think it makes sense to take advantage of that. Just my opinion, natch.

Poppadocrock

@LinearLineman Honestly, after a quick chat with another member, I don’t think the friendly guidelines is the best idea either… I threw it out there, as a brainstorming type suggestion. Basically me trying to problem solve/think out loud towards some potential solution. I think this forum is great the way it is, it’s quite literally an oasis for me. I actually agree with you on every point. We all started somewhere. I also realized my suggestion was a little counterintuitive to the forum.

I always welcome new members when I see them, try to help them, and make a point to tell them their self labeled “stupid or silly” question is not stupid at all. There is no such thing as a dumb question.

Poppadocrock

This has been an interesting discussion about the very soul of this amazing forum.

audiblevideo

Necro-threads bother me but only sort of.

Sometimes I rediscover something, or see an old friends comment who doesn’t come by anymore. That makes me wistful and oddly fills me with hope that they’ve reached peak app and are creating instead.

I don’t mind politics. Any time you gather more than 3 people together you will get that. It’s part of human nature. Problems only arise from toxic behavior and disinformation.

Some of the greatest songs in the world are “political”. There will never be a tech only forum - ever.

Samu

I don't mind helping out when enough base-information (Devices and iOS version etc.) about the case is available.
This makes troubleshooting a bit easier as some issues are clearly related to the iOS version being used.

In some cases it can be a proper 'user mallfunction' and there's no way to make them realize that...
...basic 'platform knowledge'(iOS/iPadOS) is something every user should learn to handle like sharing files between apps and learning to live with the limitations being a few examples.

Other topics/posts that are quite 'fun' to answer are "How Do I...?" with/using App XYZ?
They serve as 'memory refreshers'

My 'App Cleanup' has been a blessing since I no longer have 'everything' installed and thus can leave the questions to those that still use the mentioned apps even though some apps & topics still 'trigger' me in a not so pleasant way...

Cheers!

Poppadocrock

@Samu said:
I don't mind helping out when enough base-information (Devices and iOS version etc.) about the case is available.
This makes troubleshooting a bit easier as some issues are clearly related to the iOS version being used.

In some cases it can be a proper 'user mallfunction' and there's no way to make them realize that...
...basic 'platform knowledge'(iOS/iPadOS) is something every user should learn to handle like sharing files between apps and learning to live with the limitations being a few examples.

Other topics/posts that are quite 'fun' to answer are "How Do I...?" with/using App XYZ?
They serve as 'memory refreshers'

My 'App Cleanup' has been a blessing since I no longer have 'everything' installed and thus can leave the questions to those that still use the mentioned apps even though some apps & topics still 'trigger' me in a not so pleasant way...

Cheers!

if I have any issue, I keep in mind that user error is always a possibility.

AudioGus

Given that it is called the Audiobus Forum but 99.9% of the posts have nothing to do with Audiobus I say let friendly chaos reign. I don’t care if a new redundant ‘How do I…’ thread pops up and it morphs into a discussion about Season 2 of Mr Robot. I think it could be up to the OP to layout their expectations for the thread in their initial post. I have seen that where some people have asked to keep their own thread on topic and think it is a nice way to keep things on track.

Poppadocrock

@AudioGus said:
Given that it is called the Audiobus Forum but 99.9% of the posts have nothing to do with Audiobus I say let friendly chaos reign. I don’t care if a new redundant ‘How do I…’ thread pops up and it morphs into a discussion about Season 2 of Mr Robot. I think it could be up to the OP to layout their expectations for the thread in their initial post. I have seen that where some people have asked to keep their own thread on topic and think it is a nice way to keep things on track.

True.

Samu

@Poppadocrock said:

if I have any issue, I keep in mind that user error is always a possibility.

Yepp, but sometimes it's very hard to make the user accept the fact that it's their own 'fault'.
ie. if it doesn't work like 'they' want it to work it's the apps fault, thus the term 'user mallfunction' (ie. the app works but the user doesn't...).

LinearLineman

All this discussion makes me wonder how many do visit here and what the fluctuation is over time (excluding BF,of course). Maybe @Michael willclueus in a bit.

uncledave

@richardyot said:

@Spidericemidas said:

@Poppadocrock said:

@McD said:
I like a Thread Title that sets up the content. For example, if it's a request for a solution try and indicate that with a question mark or use the words "request for". If it's a statement of fact then the lack of a question mark makes that clear,

I like when someone adds solved to thread title after the issue has been resolved.

Agreed. I’ve been able to do that with a couple of my requests for problem solving in the past, but not if it takes longer than the editable time frame for threads, which I believe is one month. It would be handy in those cases to have a longer editable time limit. I guess there must be a specific reason for the time limit?

The time limit was introduced after one user went through all their old posts and deleted them, going back years.

Admittedly it seemed annoying at the time but people delete their accounts left right and centre these days, although generally their posts still remain, attributed to “deleted user”.

Yes. That's actually an option when a user is deleted. He can request that the posts be deleted as well. This is kinda annoying, since it may break the continuity, and the deleted posts may have contained useful info.

Michael

@LinearLineman said:
All this discussion makes me wonder how many do visit here and what the fluctuation is over time (excluding BF,of course). Maybe @Michael willclueus in a bit.

It’s about 0.9-1.1 mil page views and 100-130 new registered users per month

LinearLineman

@Michael, well, that does sound like a lot! And generated by, at most, 130 partipants? Well, damn, that’s the fame we all have been craving! Thanks, bro.

Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr

The green new thread button being right under the search bar instigates new threads. Many the time I have been trying to search and hit the green button instead.

Also google search does not work well in safari. I just searched for the current Nave thread and it did not come up.

wim

@LinearLineman said:
@Michael, well, that does sound like a lot! And generated by, at most, 130 partipants? Well, damn, that’s the fame we all have been craving! Thanks, bro.

I think what he means is 100-130 new user registrations per month.

Michael

@wim said:

@LinearLineman said:
@Michael, well, that does sound like a lot! And generated by, at most, 130 partipants? Well, damn, that’s the fame we all have been craving! Thanks, bro.

I think what he means is 100-130 new user registrations per month.

Yep. Either that, or each user is posting about 1000 posts per day 😄

McD

@wim said:
I think what he means is 100-130 new user registrations per month.

@Micheal uses the word "active" so I'd assume it means 100-130 people posted or commented in that month. But I suppose if you return to the site and have the cookie loaded it could register that as a "login" and just reading pages would being an active user.

For me that fun of the forum is getting to create a virtual profile of another user through their comments and creative products: tracks, scripts, videos, etc. It's like words from the "Cheers" theme song that
perfectly encapsulates the sense of a place where everyone "knows your name":

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn't you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.

You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.

You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.

wim

@Michael said:

@wim said:

@LinearLineman said:
@Michael, well, that does sound like a lot! And generated by, at most, 130 partipants? Well, damn, that’s the fame we all have been craving! Thanks, bro.

I think what he means is 100-130 new user registrations per month.

Yep. Either that, or each user is posting about 1000 posts per day 😄

Yeh, I do my best to keep it below 900 or so myself.

LinearLineman

Well, I am a bit confused… so 9,000,000 views a month… 108,000,000 a yr and 1500 “active”, does that mean people who post… per year?

wim

@LinearLineman said:
Well, I am a bit confused… so 9,000,000 views a month… 108,000,000 a yr and 1500 “active”, does that mean people who post… per year?

There's no correlation between how many people post and how many posts there are in those numbers.

A page (any page) is viewed 0.9-1.1 million times a month by some unspecified number of visitors. That could be one user viewing the same page one million times, or one million people viewing one page one time, or any of infinite combinations of number of people and pages.

100 - 130 new users register for the forum each month. The number of views or posts they generate isn't indicated.

Usually there's another statistic: "unique visitors", which is the estimate of how many individual people visit the web site. Dividing the total page views by this number gives the average page views per unique visitor. But that still doesn't relate to how many people wrote a post.

tldr; some number of people view at least one page per month. 100 to 130 people sign up for user accounts per month. Those are the only numbers we're working with here. There has been no data about number of posts or number of posters.

tldr #2; More of those posts than are healthy are from me.

Michael

@McD said:

@wim said:
I think what he means is 100-130 new user registrations per month.

@Micheal uses the word "active" so I'd assume it means 100-130 people posted or commented in that month.

Nah, I just misspoke. I do that 😆

LinearLineman

@wim… ah.

wim

@Michael said:
Nah, I just misspoke. I do that 😆

How many times per month?

And don't tell me you don't have that number. I'm sure your wife keeps track in detail.

Michael

@wim said:
Usually there's another statistic: "unique visitors", which is the estimate of how many individual people visit the web site. Dividing the total page views by this number gives the average page views per unique visitor. But that still doesn't relate to how many people wrote a post.

Yep, I don't have that data (don't use Google Analytics or anything, just the built-in Vanilla forum ones which doesn't track that)

Michael

@wim said:

@Michael said:
Nah, I just misspoke. I do that 😆

How many times per month?

And don't tell me you don't have that number. I'm sure your wife keeps track in detail.

...all of them. All the times.

Aud_iOS

Hey @AndyPlankton I actually read this thread because I saw you posted it - which is to say, do keep doing so.

Edward_Alexander

@Poppadocrock said:

@LinearLineman said:

@CracklePot said:
Digging up old threads is annoying.
Starting a new thread when there is there is an existing active thread that is days or hours old, you are lazy or blind (or maybe too excited to check).
Everyone knows how shit the rest of the internet is, but this forum has definitely changed over the years.
It is still relatively civil, but much personality is gone with all the great people who moved on with their lives.

It will take new members to bring the fun back, I think.
When the fun returns, hopefully all of us lurkers will join in again.

Ahoy @AndyPlankton !
Hope all is well with you and your kin.

I think the fun has probably gone with the wave of app innovation. Loopy is the most exciting thing at the moment, but not that much talk about it here, I believe. But, I agree, the forum these days feels dull… but for me it’s not so much the tech as the lack of crunchy off topic back and forth.

I don’t know who those “new members to replace the great old guys” will be… heck, I don’t even know who those old guys were…. Actually, you were the cool user I met when I first came aboard.

I think you also have to add in pandemic and political exhaustion. For most of us life isn’t as much fun as it was three years ago.

Still, there are many here, I believe, who still live up to that unknown standard: @Samu, @gravitas @iOSTRAKON @NoiseHorse @CapnWillie @Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr, @echoopera @Spidericemidas @McD, @richardyot @Svetlovska @JohnnyGoodyear @AndyPlankton @espiegel123 @Paulieworld @Gavinski @tahiche @jonmoore @Daveypoo @rs2000 @shinyisshiny @Poppadocrock @wim @GeoTony @Edward_Alexander @senhorlampada @Lady_App_titude @uncledave @onerez @lukesleepwalker @Pxlhg @jwmmakerofmusic @JudasZimmerman @mjcouche @JoyceRoadStudios @gusgranite @AudioGus @Stochastically @LFS… whew, I can’t go on… and many others (pls don’t be offended if I forgot to mention you, these characters are just emblematic!). I put them up with the best knowledgeable, cantankerous and generous denizens who may have roamed the antediluvian plains of ABF when iOS was young.

Even you are appearing now and then… so it can’t be all bad😉😎

All good points.

raises coffee cup

audiblevideo

Am I the super loquacious one?

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