Is It Wasteful? Bloat & Bumping

[underdog]

First, let me give some background. I’m a huge fan of the moderation and administration here on the DIYC forum and WIKI pages. I love the omnipresence of quality and support from all the forum members, supporting, non-supporting, and donating members alike. I, like many of the blinky-flashy junkies like to use keep up to date with the entire forum by clicking on the ‘Today’s Posts’ tab. I find it to be the easiest way to get a general overview of what’s happening, who has questions, what’s for sale…etc.

Second, something has become apparent to me recently. With the ever increasing quantity of members, right now at the time of posting there are 8,669 members, and of that, only 1,451 are ‘active’ members, surprisingly that’s nearly 4 birthdays per day considering only active members. This congregation has FAR too many birthdays to keep track of, more importantly, is every individual birthday worth a new thread? I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the community in wishing “happy birthday” to each and every individual member but have we gone too far?

As an example, not attacking anyone, a birthday post in ‘The Lounge’ today serves as a perfect example of many other birthday posts. The person who’s birthday it is happens to have joined back in 2008, active for 6 days never made a post, and hasn’t been on since. Is this person valuable, yes. Are these valuable enough members to warrant top spots repeatedly, ALL DAY on the ‘Today’s Post’s’ tab, you decide.

I love the camaraderie and participation amongst members, absolutely fantastic, but I feel that these posts bloat the forum while offering nearly nothing but an increased post counts…and thus falling into the category of “bumping”. (See DIYC Terms of Use HERE (http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?1579-Terms-of-Use) under the category of “bumping”)

I have 100 posts, I'd like to think that the quality of 100 posts outweighs quantity of 1000 worthless posts. If I’m out of line, I apologize. I just believe it was worth getting up on my soapbox about!

[griffixdc]

I have 100 posts, I'd like to think that the quality of 100 posts outweighs quantity of 1000 worthless posts.
I doubt anyone on here has all worthless posts...more so then some, but not all ...everyone that posts; sometimes or another contributes greatness to this forum. And what might be great for some is useless to others.


My response:
I have not been here long enough to understand the whole evolution of this forum and its main members. As it gets older and older more and more contributing members appear (good thing). New innovative ideas come about, old ones get re-mentioned, sales, where to's, how to's. there are a lot of categories.

I completely agree with the ever increasing amount of members (active) it is important that we remember this is not Facebook, this is a learning experience. Where do we draw the line? Well i think if we keep our intents in their proper categories then all should be fine. Some people learn by talking and communicating about it, some people can very well just read about it and that's it, some people do both. There is a huge diversity of people upon this forum and categorizing a learning rule should be flexible. If a reader of learning, the wiki and library offers countless pages of hard workmanship and knowledge. The thread topics have the ability to offer the "NEW" and developing stages of this innovative development and study.

I am in favor of purifying the topics but not in favor of limiting people on their conversations. For some, this how we get to know each other and create greater friendships.

[jrock64]

I am not sure what defines an active member, but back to the original post,
if someone has not even logged into the board since their last birthday, they probably will not see this birthday post either.

We all join forums all the time to get access to some bit of information we think we need at the time.
I probably have forgotten my userid and password to many sites, I got some bit of information, but will never go back to.
But that site knows who I am, and will never forget, and is still patiently waiting for me to return.

Joel

[g2ktcf]

Well, here is how I see it.....

Every person here is needed. If they are not active and do finally see a nice "happy birthday" then maybe they will come back. I have a major issue with a Happy Birthday be posted for a Mod, but not one for some other member that is only here a time or two. We never know why they are not here...could be anything to something major. Maybe someone here upset them and they left.

To me its simple...if you do not like it, then do not participate. I will continue to do what I do as it is who I am.

[dirknerkle]

As the one who has posted probably the most dubious-value content of any DIYC member, I really liked Chris' note. I belong to the largest Lutheran church in America and with more than 14,000 members, whenever I say hello to any one of our 9 pastors, they call me by my first name. But what's truly amazing is that they know virtually everyone by his/her first name, too -- I've seen it! I don't know how they do it, but it's a wonderfully welcoming feeling to know that you matter. So for me, it's the least I can do to be welcoming to other DIYC members, regardless of how long they've been a member or how rarely they've visited.

And I'm still hoping to hit 100 quality posts someday.... :smile:

[underdog]

And I'm still hoping to hit 100 quality posts someday.... :smile:

Well played sir! Sadly I feel that my 102 is waste when compared to 10 of your "dubious-value" posts!

I agree with welcoming members, It's my favorite thing to do, especially when I see their count is low or their join date is recent. I received a happy birthday card/email from DIYC, though unexpected in my inbox, it was pleasant. I feel that the email is all the acknowledgement I need, reminding me that I'm, once again, a year older! DIYC reminds me in an email - pleasant, my wife always reminds me - ulterior motives, (I'm too young to compete for maturity with a child, next year maybe I'll think about it...!), and an entire thread dedicated to me - YIKES, that would be too much! Like I said, it just seems like a bit of waste that could easily be reduced. Remember, no hard feelings, nothing is directed toward anyone. Chris you're still the man, A true DIYC Patriot!

[tjetzer]

And I'm still hoping to hit 100 quality posts someday.... :smile:

Hang in there..the first one is right around the corner!

[griffixdc]

As the one who has posted probably the most dubious-value content of any DIYC member, I really liked Chris' note. I belong to the largest Lutheran church in America and with more than 14,000 members, whenever I say hello to any one of our 9 pastors, they call me by my first name. But what's truly amazing is that they know virtually everyone by his/her first name, too -- I've seen it! I don't know how they do it, but it's a wonderfully welcoming feeling to know that you matter. So for me, it's the least I can do to be welcoming to other DIYC members, regardless of how long they've been a member or how rarely they've visited.

And I'm still hoping to hit 100 quality posts someday.... :smile:
for someone who has the highest number of posts, i would say you well surpassed even the 1,000 quality posts. I'm always looking forward for what you have to say next! :)

[LabRat]

Oh don't say that... we were only just getting him to slow down enough to bring the signal to noise ratio in line. It will be months again before we get back to this point. Oh well.. 10 more months of " 'Snowda, Stuff I can do and you can't, and Lutefisk" posts. Sigh.




(and for the humour impaired --> :cool: )

[dirknerkle]

hang in there..the first one is right around the corner!

roflmao!!!

[DaveJZ]

I personally am for and against it... I think it's great that it's done... but also agree with the first post of theres alot of them in a day.... Why can't we do a daily Birthday wish and note everyone that has a birthday for that day in the post?? I'm not for or against it just trying to make a suggestion that will make all happy

[griffixdc]

I personally am for and against it... I think it's great that it's done... but also agree with the first post of theres alot of them in a day.... Why can't we do a daily Birthday wish and note everyone that has a birthday for that day in the post?? I'm not for or against it just trying to make a suggestion that will make all happy
Now that's not a bad idea...only problem is if we post the thread with the names in the title more than likely after the first name the rest would be listed as "...." so people would not have a clue...although we could post something like "Birthday Wishes On 10/19/11" ...still dont know if it would all show up...i really dont like that after almost 2-3 words your title description is a "....."

[underdog]

I personally am for and against it... I think it's great that it's done... but also agree with the first post of theres alot of them in a day.... Why can't we do a daily Birthday wish and note everyone that has a birthday for that day in the post?? I'm not for or against it just trying to make a suggestion that will make all happy

LOVE IT! GREAT Suggestion...that's all I've got...<-(I've got to boost my count somehow...:))

[Wayne J]

I think what you are seeing is just community talk. We have shop talk, then someone comes along and breaks things up a bit. If you are serious 100% of the time, it will get boring and no fun. Besides, all (well, most) of those are in "The Lounge" where they belong and do not break any rules.

[DaveJZ]

(I've got to boost my count somehow...:))


LOL.... this is going to turn into the "Joke of the Day" thread um... Sorry Dirk :D:D

It's not like all the birthday posts is going to keep me from supporting the site....

[Livermore-Dad]

I love the forum , I love the people, even though I disappeared as I was dealing with the house issue. the same welcoming folks are still here 9 months later. And It's nice.

But I've caught myself the last few days, wondering how can I wish each person a happy bday, there seems to be a lot and whether there may not be a better way, a single post, listing everyone's bday (if it has to be done daily). But I'm just saying that the thread timing is interesting as i've had similar thoughts.

With that said, it's very nice to know when it is in fact someones birthday that I have crossed paths with, have swapped tongue in cheek comments with and or just those so many folks that have helped me out. I want to be able to take the second and wish them a happy birthday.

So maybe a single post with today's birthdays with each name in link format to wish them a happy Bday (well crud, private messages are not unlimited and for someone like Brian or Brian or Dave that would probably be a burden..

Whatever leave it as is, I'll scan when I can and hope that those I miss are not bose with me!

Tory

[griffixdc]

well as i suspected it cut off the date ...so maybe we can think of another combination for the title

[g2ktcf]

I personally am for and against it... I think it's great that it's done... but also agree with the first post of theres alot of them in a day.... Why can't we do a daily Birthday wish and note everyone that has a birthday for that day in the post?? I'm not for or against it just trying to make a suggestion that will make all happy

I used to do just that..on single post. But if you have one by yourself....is it fair to be lumped in with three others for someone else. I do this to make the site PERSONAL...not just technical.

[LabRat]

+1 for Chris's approach. I try and add my "Bappy Hirthday" message to those I've interacted with, and I was surprised last year when I realized I was looking forward to checking DIYC at the end of "my special day". Unfortunately I was out of the country for the next three weeks... but the sentiment was there. :)

[glaforce]

I used to do just that..on single post. But if you have one by yourself....is it fair to be lumped in with three others for someone else. I do this to make the site PERSONAL...not just technical.

I agree with Chris if you lump them all together it would feels less personal. This reminds me of birthdays at grandma's house it was done once a month there could be 1 or 10 grand kids having there birthdays at the same time. I just didn't like it, people like to be singled out on there birthday it just gives you that warm fuzzy feeling. it makes you feel more like your part of this group and not just sitting on the side looking in.

That's my 25 cents worth.

Gary

[kychristmas]

For myself, I don't feel the Happy Birthday posts add a personal feel to the site. Especially, if we are wishing Happy Birthday to folks who are not even contributing to discussions and such. This place is a community and "welcoming" without Happy Birthday post. Its the way members are greeted initially and treated during their experience that matters. I don't feel they are worth worrying about. I just read around them. I have very rarely seen more than a few Birthdays listed so I'm guessing that most members do not enter their Birthdays when registering. I added mine a couple of years after joining.

I do share some of the same concerns as the original poster. The site is growing exponentially and there are just a ton of posts that are "bloat". I also know that I have contributed that, so I am hesitant to criticize and certainly can't offer up a solution.

Maybe its just a "it is what it is" type scenario. The tool is not the greatest for the amount of communication that happens here, but we can't argue with the end result. We have the greatest community and source of hobby information that I know of web.

[macebobo]

<tongue-in-cheek>
Hijacking this as an interest thread for the DIYC website bloat filter. You define what bloat is and you will never see it again. Only $20, including paypal fees and shipping. Shipped in a plain brown container so no one will know you're filtering.
</tongue-in-cheek>

[a158946]

Don't want to see the birthday posts in your updates?

Solution:

add a bookmark for one of the following URLs (I think you'll have to create the bookmark, and not just re-use the page that these take you to). Just a note though, this excludes the "The Lounge" forum entirely, not just birthday posts. I think to be able to exclude by title, we would need to have boolean support enabled.

Whats New -
http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/search.php?do=getnew&contenttype=vBForum_Post&exclude=41-The-Lounge

Todays Posts -
http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/search.php?do=getdaily&contenttype=vBForum_Post&exclude=41-The-Lounge

Want to see the birthday posts?

Solution: Don't use the links above!

[scootchu]

My Birthday was the 1st of September. I didn't get a Happy Birthday thread and now I know why my special day just seemed "off". :(

[budude]

My Birthday was the 1st of September. I didn't get a Happy Birthday thread and now I know why my special day just seemed "off". :(

That's because you have your birthdate hidden in your profile by choice - if you expose that publicly (you can hide the year if you wish), we'll see it's your birthday and we'll brighten your day!

[a158946]

ok...slightly off topic, but still related...

"Please contact the Administrator if your date of birth has changed."

Whose date of birth has changed recently...or ever? I'm fairly certain there are a lot of makeup companies that would like the formula for whatever it is that accomplishes that.

[WireWrap]

Well, I've heard of "re-virginizing" and being "reborn", so I guess Brian is keeping the site as flexible as may be necessary...

<grin>



:)

[scootchu]

That's because you have your birthdate hidden in your profile by choice - if you expose that publicly (you can hide the year if you wish), we'll see it's your birthday and we'll brighten your day!

Thanks, that just brightened my day! LOL