How are we doing? Suggestions here!

[gregory]

1 hour ago, Saturn Celeste said:

I suggest having a “celebration” page in our profile where people can write their congratulations to profiles, bypassing the forum altogether.  Make sure this page is implemented when someone joins because many people are not sure how to set up their profiles.  It would be nice if we can reply also so they receive the notice of our thank yous.

 

But what for ? Why would we need such a thing. This is a tarot forum, not facebook.

 

42 minutes ago, Raggydoll said:

You mean, a bit like Facebook and their member walls? 

 

See above. Oh god let's not get like facebook.

 

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I do want to say 3700+ is not that large of a forum to be so overwhelmed.  A birthday greeting allows members to show their appreciation of someone else.  

 

It's great that we have so many members, But 3700 birthday threads is overload and then some - and you can bet there would be new ones every year, doubling up on the overload. Waste of bandwidth. There are plenty of ways of appreciating one another without that.

 

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Their is warmth in a special greeting that allows others to take note of each other.  Since the threads are so problematic, make congratulations a permanent part of profiles.  Every good forum needs the ability for member recognition.  It would be a shame to see this totally removed from the forum.  

 

We recognise one another every time we respond to a post. This IS a good forum. It doesn't need to become a let's all pat each other on the back for living another year forum.

 

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Heck, you could even make a birthday “rank” that gives birthday members a little crown icon for the day (or some other cute icon).    I know we get a cake in our profile but why not take an extra step.  This can all be set to automatic so mods are not involved.

 

This gets worse by the second. I had no idea we even got a cake - but if we do - can it not be left at that and PM people we happen to want to PM when that cake shows up ?

 

1 hour ago, Saturn Celeste said:

An auto generated birthday email is a great thing to get people back to a forum if they have disappeared.  This forum does not send out monthly emails (which is a shame) because they can actually keep members informed and curious and stimulate them to return.  This forum does have an interest in obtaining funds but there is not really anything to keep people here after a few months.  I was gone a year and was surprised to see only 3700+ members.  So, I ask, what is the goal of TT&M, stay in a rut or expand your subscriptions?  It’s the homey, thoughtful things a forum can do to keep their members and possible subscribers.

 

Oh and why on EARTH would we need a monthly email ? What would it contain that isn't HERE ? We have more members than the other forum I know you are on that does send out such a thing - I really don't see what purpose it serves. I wouldn't actually LIKE an automated birthday card - I suggested it as an alternative for people who care. My birthdays are real life events; I don't need people I will never know piling in to a thread just because someone started it. I remember one that was set up for me on AT and there were loads of people chipping in who I had never even heard of. What is the point ?

Edited March 13, 2021 by gregory

[le_charior]

25 minutes ago, gregory said:

Oh god let's not get like facebook.

Yes please! I am here precisely because it is NOT (like) facebook! 

[Saturn Celeste]

@Raggydoll I am happy to hear subscriptions are no longer a driving force but I did sign up for a year to help out.

 

@gregory any automated  feature can be controlled with an on/off toggle.

 

I don’t use FB, my suggestions were within forum software, not social media.  As I said, it’s great to see the forum will be here a long time. 😊

[Raggydoll]

Just now, Saturn Celeste said:

@Raggydoll I am happy to hear subscriptions are no longer a driving force but I did sign up for a year to help out.

Subscriptions have never been a driving force, other than to cover the basic expenses of the forum. I know you know this but new members might not, and it would make me sad if they got the impression that anyone on our Staff team is making money or looking to make money from this forum. We spend time and effort on this place because we love it and because we genuinely care! 

[Little Fang]

Every sub does help out, so thank you. 🙂

[gregory]

This place is brilliant as it stands. We don't need to get all pushy and commercial. If we keep doing what we do so well, people will keep coming - as they do now. I have brought several people here and every last one has said  something along the lines of great, it's almost getting to be like AT. That wasn't the aim,  I imagine, but it is one hell of a tribute.

 

Thank you to Little Fang and all the staff.

Edited March 13, 2021 by gregory

[katrinka]

5 hours ago, Saturn Celeste said:

I suggest having a “celebration” page in our profile where people can write their congratulations to profiles, bypassing the forum altogether.  Make sure this page is implemented when someone joins because many people are not sure how to set up their profiles.  It would be nice if we can reply also so they receive the notice of our thank yous.

 

Speaking for myself, I don't visit my profile enough to notice if anyone wrote something there. What's there is for other people, if they want to find my content or whatever. I seldom if ever go there.  And I don't want to be notified that I owe 'thank yous' to people who were looking around there, it would be annoying. 

 

5 hours ago, Saturn Celeste said:

I do want to say 3700+ is not that large of a forum to be so overwhelmed.  

 

OK. 

3700 divided by 365 works out to a little over 10 a day. (Of course that's an average number, in practice there might be none one day and 40 the next.) Personally, I wouldn't even look at any of those, and it would spam up my activity feed if there were notifications.  

 

But overwhelming or not, it's unnecessary work. I think that between reading all our crazy posts, deciding what to do about reports, and whatever they have going on IRL with family, work, etc., our mods have full plates. They don't need this, and it really serves no purpose.

 

Looking back, I've had all kinds of birthdays. The surrounded by the love of family ones, the partying with friends ones, the quiet evening with just the dogs ones, the having to work ones, and a few profoundly crappy ones. But the crappy ones wouldn't have been improved by an automated email or a virtual crown. That would have made them worse.

 

5 hours ago, Saturn Celeste said:

A birthday greeting allows members to show their appreciation of someone else.  Their is warmth in a special greeting that allows others to take note of each other.  Since the threads are so problematic, make congratulations a permanent part of profiles.  Every good forum needs the ability for member recognition.  It would be a shame to see this totally removed from the forum.  
 

Heck, you could even make a birthday “rank” that gives birthday members a little crown icon for the day (or some other cute icon).    I know we get a cake in our profile but why not take an extra step.  This can all be set to automatic so mods are not involved.

 

A crown, really? Like at Burger King? 

 

 

I like to think this place is a little more refined than that. 😁
 

4 hours ago, Saturn Celeste said:

An auto generated birthday email is a great thing to get people back to a forum if they have disappeared.  This forum does not send out monthly emails (which is a shame) because they can actually keep members informed and curious and stimulate them to return.

 

Sorry, but again, no. 
I mark such things as spam. Too many websites require an email address before purchasing, interacting, etc. I don't want hundreds of emails a day, so it only makes sense to send things that are not important or from actual people to the spam folder.

 

Most of us are here for content. We want information, or we want to share something we know. And there's friendship, too, but that doesn't require a special appreciation box or a faux crown. When niceties become Features(TM), it brings in an element of insincerity, a kind of fake validation...and a certain absurdity.

 

 

 

 

[Raggydoll]

8 hours ago, gregory said:

This place is brilliant as it stands. We don't need to get all pushy and commercial. If we keep doing what we do so well, people will keep coming - as they do now. I have brought several people here and every last one has said  something along the lines of great, it's almost getting to be like AT. That wasn't the aim,  I imagine, but it is one hell of a tribute.

 

Thank you to Little Fang and all the staff.

I was feeling a bit deflated, but waking up to this post made me really happy and proud. Thanks for taking the time to write that, it means a lot! 

[katrinka]

3 minutes ago, Raggydoll said:

I was feeling a bit deflated, but waking up to this post made me really happy and proud. Thanks for taking the time to write that, it means a lot! 

 

I'll go one better - it has everything that was good about AT, and none of the flaws.
And yeah, I mean that. Those who know me know that I don't do insincere flattery and sucking up, lol. This is a seriously good forum!

[Raggydoll]

43 minutes ago, katrinka said:

 

I'll go one better - it has everything that was good about AT, and none of the flaws.
And yeah, I mean that. Those who know me know that I don't do insincere flattery and sucking up, lol. This is a seriously good forum!

Thank you!! 🌹

[gregory]

3 hours ago, katrinka said:

Speaking for myself, I don't visit my profile enough to notice if anyone wrote something there. What's there is for other people, if they want to find my content or whatever. I seldom if ever go there.  And I don't want to be notified that I owe 'thank yous' to people who were looking around there, it would be annoying. 

 

Geez I never thought of that. A shout out. If anyone thinks I owe them a thank you - PM me, and I'll let you know if I deliberately didn't bother or whether I am actually grateful. I have already made it clear (see my sig) that a ping won't reach me.

 

2 hours ago, katrinka said:

I'll go one better - it has everything that was good about AT, and none of the flaws.
And yeah, I mean that. Those who know me know that I don't do insincere flattery and sucking up, lol. This is a seriously good forum!

 

I wasn't one who saw that many flaws on AT - but yeah. And as one who has been at the receiving and of a LOT from katrinka (who I still respect very much) that is VERY TRUE 

 

3 hours ago, katrinka said:

Most of us are here for content. We want information, or we want to share something we know. And there's friendship, too, but that doesn't require a special appreciation box or a faux crown. When niceties become Features(TM), it brings in an element of insincerity, a kind of fake validation...and a certain absurdity.

 

Yes indeed, This isn't a place to collect "friends" and "likes". Or even to have birthday parties. It's a place to share information and readings and ask questions.

 

It's perfectly lovely. 💞

[katrinka]

35 minutes ago, gregory said:

 

Geez I never thought of that. A shout out. If anyone thinks I owe them a thank you - PM me, and I'll let you know if I deliberately didn't bother or whether I am actually grateful. I have already made it clear (see my sig) that a ping won't reach me.

 

This. 
Some of us are just here to talk about cards. We don't want to be dragged into birthdays. We might go OT, but that's not the same as being shoved into something.

 

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I wasn't one who saw that many flaws on AT - but yeah. And as one who has been at the receiving and of a LOT from katrinka (who I still respect very much) that is VERY TRUE

 

Aw, now I feel kinda bad.
But yeah. We don't have to see eye to eye on every damn thing. I think we agree on the Important Stuff. It doesn't matter to me if you like some LS deck that I consider abysmal. None of that means diddly squat. 

 

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Yes indeed, This isn't a place to collect "friends" and "likes". Or even to have birthday parties. It's a place to share information and readings and ask questions.

 

It's perfectly lovely. 💞

 

YES. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Edited March 14, 2021 by katrinka

[fire cat pickles]

28 minutes ago, katrinka said:

YES. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Yep, nothing too complicated.

 

The only thing that I have an issue with, like I mentioned before, is the possibility of people feeling left out. That's why I mentioned the zodiac thread. Neither the mods nor a member would have to do anything complicated to run the things. No one would have to be prevented from starting birthday thread. In the event that someone starts a birthday thread, the mod just moves the that birthday thread into the appropriate zodiac thread. Easy to read, easy to find. Commenting could even be turned off. Just a simple, "Happy Birthday so-and-so" in one place for those who want it and it's done, other than  quick "thank you" via PM.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 14, 2021 by fire cat pickles

[gregory]

And suppose EVERYONE did it ? And what about the butt-hurt* people that ask why no-one started one for them (this actually happened here !)

 

* I use the word unashamedly; I thought it was very silly, but...

 

If there are no such threads, no-one can feel left out. As soon as there ARE, people who "wish someone had cared enough to start one for them" WILL feel left out. That was part of my whole point when - years ago now - I asked not to have them at all.

Edited March 14, 2021 by gregory

[katrinka]

4 minutes ago, gregory said:

And suppose EVERYONE did it ? And what about the butt-hurt* people that ask why no-one started one for them (this actually happened here !)

 

* I use the word unashamedly; I tonight it was very silly, but...

 

If there are no such threads, no-one can feel left out. As soon as there ARE, people who "wish someone had cared enough to start one for them" WILL feel left out. That was part of my whole point when - years ago now - I asked not to have them at all.

 

Yes, exactly.
But - 
 

32 minutes ago, fire cat pickles said:

Commenting could even be turned off

 

That could work. "Happy birthday Aries people" for those who need to see such things. (Why, IDK, but whatevs...) End of thread. 

[fire cat pickles]

8 minutes ago, gregory said:

And suppose EVERYONE did it ? And what about the butt-hurt* people that ask why no-one started one for them (this actually happened here !)

 

* I use the word unashamedly; I tonight it was very silly, but...

 

If there are no such threads, no-one can feel left out. As soon as there ARE, people who "wish someone had cared enough to start one for them" WILL feel left out. That was part of my whole point when - years ago now - I asked not to have them at all.

 

Well, for the record, I did vote "destroy". If for some reason these do perpetuate I suppose this could be a "worst case scenario" situation. Contrary to popular belief I am no fan of censorship. (Before one balks, at the other place I am not admin and do not have final say I would like to be on record saying that also!)

[Raggydoll]

I am not keen on any solutions that might end up requiring us moderators to have to move and merge threads regularly. I understand that most people don't know this, but we do a lot of moving/locking/merging of threads already, and I don't think anyone on the staff team would want even more of it. I am also hesitant towards solutions that require someone to manage a section for a longer period of time. Truth be told, it takes a lot for anyone to consistently keep up with starting threads and remembering to do it on time each month. Its one thing to do it for a month or three, but if we are discussing the long run.. Hmm..

I think that whatever we decide on needs to have no regular maintenance required. 

[gregory]

Absolutely. Whatever happens, it mustn't create work for mods.

[fire cat pickles]

1 minute ago, Raggydoll said:

I am not keen on any solutions that might end up requiring us moderators to have to move and merge threads regularly. I understand that most people don't know this, but we do a lot of moving/locking/merging of threads already, and I don't think anyone on the staff team would want even more of it. I am also hesitant towards solutions that require someone to manage a section for a longer period of time. Truth be told, it takes a lot for anyone to consistently keep up with starting threads and remembering to do it on time each month. Its one thing to do it for a month or three, but if we are discussing the long run.. Hmm..

I think that whatever we decide on needs to have no regular maintenance required. 

 

Then if any birthday thread were to be started it would have to be removed, and clear instructions to be given that all birthday wishes be made in the appropriate zodiac threads:

 

IF someone were to want to wish someone a "Happy Birthday".

 

Again, I voted "destroy".

[Raggydoll]

13 minutes ago, fire cat pickles said:

 

Contrary to popular belief I am no fan of censorship. (Before one balks, at the other place I am not admin and do not have final say I would like to be on record saying that also!)

I get what you mean

 

8 minutes ago, fire cat pickles said:

 

Then if any birthday thread were to be started it would have to be removed, and clear instructions to be given that all birthday wishes be made in the appropriate zodiac threads:

 

IF someone were to want to wish someone a "Happy Birthday".

 

Again, I voted "destroy".

I am not upset at your suggestion, I was thinking out loud. I should have added a thinking-smiley for sure

 

This is me. Minus the cuteness. 

 

[gregory]

9 minutes ago, fire cat pickles said:

 

Well, for the record, I did vote "destroy". If for some reason these do perpetuate I suppose this could be a "worst case scenario" situation. Contrary to popular belief I am no fan of censorship. (Before one balks, at the other place I am not admin and do not have final say I would like to be on record saying that also!)

 (personal history here everyone; he really isn't....)

4 minutes ago, fire cat pickles said:

 

Then if any birthday thread were to be started it would have to be removed, and clear instructions to be given that all birthday wishes be made in the appropriate zodiac threads:

 

IF someone were to want to wish someone a "Happy Birthday".

 

Again, I voted "destroy".

 

If someone wants to wish someone a Happy Birthday, we have this AMAZING feature called PM.

 

You know - if birthdays were not a category in profiles, and didn't show in the calendar, most of this would go away all by its little self. The people like Grandma who say they will tell everyone in another thread that it's their birthday wouldn't spawn much, as it would be overtaken by other posts. 

 

I know you voted destroy - but creating "alternatives" resurrects it all...

[fire cat pickles]

1 minute ago, gregory said:

I know you voted destroy - but creating "alternatives" resurrects it all...

 

Habit. I problem solve for a living. If we don't have a solution we'll end up with a problem.

 

Of course, a great solution would be to nix it all, but then there may be people who are very unhappy about it. And the poll right now it pretty close: "Keep It/Other" is at 49% and "Destroy It" is at 50%.

[katrinka]

5 minutes ago, gregory said:

 (personal history here everyone; he really isn't....)

 

If someone wants to wish someone a Happy Birthday, we have this AMAZING feature called PM.

 

You know - if birthdays were not a category in profiles, and didn't show in the calendar, most of this would go away all by its little self. The people like Grandma who say they will tell everyone in another thread that it's their birthday wouldn't spawn much, as it would be overtaken by other posts. 

 

Yes.
No forbidding of mentioning birthdays, but no birthday threads, boxes, emails, Burger King crowns, etc. 
Let it be part of normal conversation.
"Hi, I need to know what the 3 of Wands is saying about my birthday bash" or whatver.
Not forbidden, but not a big, fake deal with insincere hoopla, either.
Beyond that, take it to PM.

 

5 minutes ago, gregory said:

I know you voted destroy - but creating "alternatives" resurrects it all...

An alternative is often another form of the same thing, yeah.

 

I think people will be perfectly fine without any of that stuff. And if they aren't, they're beyond our help anyway. 

[Rupicapra]

Can I just point one thing out: I know the poll has not even been up for 24hrs, but so far only 38 out of the 3700 members have voted. That is 1.03%. I think a lot of people might really not be bothered enough about this whole thing.

 

I do feel a bit bad about it, I feel I poked a hornets nest when I suggested in the subscriber thread to get rid of it. I did not want for people to get upset about this.

 

How about somebody pull some cards about what to do??? 😁 

[Raggydoll]

41 minutes ago, Rupicapra said:

 

How about somebody pull some cards about what to do??? 😁 

🤣 Finally, a really solid suggestion! 😁❤️