From: Mike .
Let's Improve the Forum
Hi Folks,
No, I don't mean the software interface with all its "bells and whistles". We've hoed that road, already. I'm talking about level of disclosure. Something which happens rarely and seems to require a catalyst of some kind to make it happen.
I don't know about you, but I thought the second half of the recent thread titled, "Opinion Polls" was great, whereas the first half was very lacklustre, to say the least. What was the catalyst? I'm not sure but it could have been a bottle of red wine. The level of disclosure in the second half of the thread was outstanding and, I think, elevated the thread to greatness. It inspired me and got me thinking that the forum would be even better if we had better discussions, like this, more often.
Some posts in that thread confirmed that, for one reason or another, people are holding back. I accept that Michael's reasons play a part (I'll come back to them) but I think the main culprit is the fear factor of coming across as (dare I say it) a newbie. Saying something silly that the likes of The Wife or Michael Croft might see. Ironically, these newbies, by not contributing, can be seen as bloodsuckers by those who do contribute generously. So we have a stalemate and a forum which fails to reach its full potential.
Having failed to reach its potential, I feel the forum will always impress forum newbies with the wealth of info that has already been archived but having digested that, without new quality in-depth threads to satisfy their insatiable thirst for further knowledge, eventually they drop out of sight, never to return. Not a good state of affairs.
To stop this cycle "Let's Improve the Forum" by engaging in full-disclosure in-depth discussions. Perhaps we can start with this topic. I'll start the ball rolling with my ideas.
Firstly, let's create a Conference entitled, "Newbies, research your topic here before posting your question." The Conference will contain hypertext links to selected threads based on their content and catalogued by topic. This should eliminate many dead-end threads where the newbie is directed to previous posts.
Secondly, let's create a Calendar of Events which sets dates in advance to discuss topics of interest such as property "hot spots", best dwelling to buy, to fix interest rates now or wait, my investment strategy, etc.
I believe the major reasons for the plethora of short, humdrum threads is that: 1) each thread is competing with many other threads (I've seen numerous examples of posts that have been looked at 70 or 80 times without a reply by posters picking and choosing what to reply to.), 2) Many posters who don't have the answer at hand won't research and come back later with a reply.
I believe that setting a day aside in advance to discuss a single issue, where we have time to research the topic or form some views, will lead to better in-depth discussions.
Thirdly, for issues which may prompt potentially libellous comments, I suggest a bi annual survey where a "satisfied" or "not satisfied" response only is given in the post. Example: Were you satisfied with the purchase price? Were you satisfied with the sale process? Were you satisfied with the location of the property? Were you satisfied with the rental return? - just to name a few.
What will this achieve? Over the short-term, the results will be dubious due to the small sample and the integrity of the respondents. However, over the long-term, it will become quite clear that certain organizations are favoured over others by the amount of custom they have received. If the respondents choose so they may attach their e-mail address to the post to enable enquirers to contact them privately for details. Naturally, you can't be sued for candidly discussing organizations via private e-mail.
Finally, a disclaimer on the Login page regarding comments and advice given by forum contributors are held to be their own view and no blame shall be taken etc..
Well, that's it folks! If these ideas are not your cuppa tea, fine. What else can be done to improve the forum? This discussion is long overdue.
Regards, Mike
PS: Dave, for giving your suburb tips, here are the ones I left out of my post: Flemington, Kensington, North Melbourne and Thornbury are seen as undervalued and relatively affordable. Now, it's my turn to tuck into a good red whilst I await everyones verdict.
Let's Improve the Forum
Hi Folks,
No, I don't mean the software interface with all its "bells and whistles". We've hoed that road, already. I'm talking about level of disclosure. Something which happens rarely and seems to require a catalyst of some kind to make it happen.
I don't know about you, but I thought the second half of the recent thread titled, "Opinion Polls" was great, whereas the first half was very lacklustre, to say the least. What was the catalyst? I'm not sure but it could have been a bottle of red wine. The level of disclosure in the second half of the thread was outstanding and, I think, elevated the thread to greatness. It inspired me and got me thinking that the forum would be even better if we had better discussions, like this, more often.
Some posts in that thread confirmed that, for one reason or another, people are holding back. I accept that Michael's reasons play a part (I'll come back to them) but I think the main culprit is the fear factor of coming across as (dare I say it) a newbie. Saying something silly that the likes of The Wife or Michael Croft might see. Ironically, these newbies, by not contributing, can be seen as bloodsuckers by those who do contribute generously. So we have a stalemate and a forum which fails to reach its full potential.
Having failed to reach its potential, I feel the forum will always impress forum newbies with the wealth of info that has already been archived but having digested that, without new quality in-depth threads to satisfy their insatiable thirst for further knowledge, eventually they drop out of sight, never to return. Not a good state of affairs.
To stop this cycle "Let's Improve the Forum" by engaging in full-disclosure in-depth discussions. Perhaps we can start with this topic. I'll start the ball rolling with my ideas.
Firstly, let's create a Conference entitled, "Newbies, research your topic here before posting your question." The Conference will contain hypertext links to selected threads based on their content and catalogued by topic. This should eliminate many dead-end threads where the newbie is directed to previous posts.
Secondly, let's create a Calendar of Events which sets dates in advance to discuss topics of interest such as property "hot spots", best dwelling to buy, to fix interest rates now or wait, my investment strategy, etc.
I believe the major reasons for the plethora of short, humdrum threads is that: 1) each thread is competing with many other threads (I've seen numerous examples of posts that have been looked at 70 or 80 times without a reply by posters picking and choosing what to reply to.), 2) Many posters who don't have the answer at hand won't research and come back later with a reply.
I believe that setting a day aside in advance to discuss a single issue, where we have time to research the topic or form some views, will lead to better in-depth discussions.
Thirdly, for issues which may prompt potentially libellous comments, I suggest a bi annual survey where a "satisfied" or "not satisfied" response only is given in the post. Example: Were you satisfied with the purchase price? Were you satisfied with the sale process? Were you satisfied with the location of the property? Were you satisfied with the rental return? - just to name a few.
What will this achieve? Over the short-term, the results will be dubious due to the small sample and the integrity of the respondents. However, over the long-term, it will become quite clear that certain organizations are favoured over others by the amount of custom they have received. If the respondents choose so they may attach their e-mail address to the post to enable enquirers to contact them privately for details. Naturally, you can't be sued for candidly discussing organizations via private e-mail.
Finally, a disclaimer on the Login page regarding comments and advice given by forum contributors are held to be their own view and no blame shall be taken etc..
Well, that's it folks! If these ideas are not your cuppa tea, fine. What else can be done to improve the forum? This discussion is long overdue.
Regards, Mike
PS: Dave, for giving your suburb tips, here are the ones I left out of my post: Flemington, Kensington, North Melbourne and Thornbury are seen as undervalued and relatively affordable. Now, it's my turn to tuck into a good red whilst I await everyones verdict.
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