Do you guys think that having a stickied "Introduce yourself" thread up until the next race is over may have a benefit? I'm wondering if we have so many guests during the race threads because people don't really know how to say hello and get involved in F1 forum land. We can all contribute to get it rolling, just a simple "Hi any who you like/why you like f1" kind of thing. Just a thought
That's the kind of thing you have in the off-topic sub-forum you're sorting out. Don't have it open-ended though. Ask, say, a dozen direct and searching questions that people can answer monosyllabically or expansively, humorously or seriously, according to their moods or dispositions. People who like to talk about themselves will but you'll still learn something about those who don't. Or just do whatever you want. I have a little thread I could post that might stimulate discussion between now and testing... I think you know the one.
I don't see how an introduction thread would help people. If they don't want to post, thats their issue.
Of course. But it should be obvious that no-one would be forced to introduce themselves. Providing the option simply provides an option - which cannot do any harm and may do some good. If it doesn't, it doesn't matter; nothing's lost…
It just strikes me as a waste of time. A Newcastle United football fansite has one, and 90% of the posts are from established members, barely any newbies. It would just clutter the site up, and add another unnecessary thread.
Trying to be friendly is never a complete waste of time. If no-one uses it, it does not matter; the option will have been provided anyway, and is likely (not certain of course; but again, this does not matter) to encourage a feeling of friendliness and a sense of involvement. Anyone can ignore it if they choose. Nothing is lost if someone wants to have a go at encouraging people to take part - even if it does not get a single post! It cannot do any harm, and will likely require no more effort than you and I discussing it!
I was only planning on keeping the thread active until the Monday after the next gp, basically a trial and then let it die away. If it works at all great, if it doesn't then no loss. As for the sub forum thing we're still trying there. and finally as to your thread Genji... Im not about on Thursday so do it then
Why the please log in to view this image ? If your communication in this public thread is for everyone, your secretive behaviour may appear aloof. This sort of thing does not promote the F1 forum but is likely to appear elitist - especially to newcomers. If it is not for everyone, why not use the PM facility?
Now it's being built up into something and if it doesn't generate much discussion we'll look like two cheeks of an arse. Speaking of PM, though...
Given that this entire thread is about shameless plugging, I just thought I'd advertise that I'm slowly ramping up this year's draft thread at the American Football forum. Hope to see a few of you in there over the next few days. The first round begins on Thursday night/Friday morning (shortly after midnight).
I think it depends on the person as Genji has said. People should be able to introduce themselves how they want, if they feel like introducing themselves at all. I made my own thread when I first joined. Rebel.
The Bluce_Ree standard Getting-to-know-you thread is good for hooking new members. If they've invested in sharing some personal (but not too private) information then they're more likely to stick around:
The idea of the live text for discussions during the races is quality. Also, more new threads rather than older ones being re-used/changing from what they were originally intended for. In terms of furthering interest, I completely agree with pushing for posters on the Scarbs site, as it is fanstastic and very detailed, and will hopefully draw more posters that will be able to ask more questions, if not maybe answer a few. Just as an aside for the mods/site creatots, i like the ranking/achievement system but i think the sidebar looks a bit crowded. Perhaps this could be tidied up a bit?
Live chat during races would be great but I don't think we could get a specific one for the F1 sub-forum (would a mod be able to find out?). The live thread works adequately but I prefer the immediacy of a chat box. We did dabble with using a hashtag on Twitter last year but there wasn't much uptake. EDIT: I forgot that I signed up to this before the Australian GP but I haven't used it yet. Fewer threads with more involved discussions is far better in my opinion, and merging if there is any duplication. BBC 606 was utter dogshit because of the amount of piddling little threads it had all about roughly the same thing. Scarbs' site is a blog so not geared up for discussion. Are you suggesting going there and advertising not606 to draw some of their regulars here? I think the 'Likes' system is a third-party mod for VBulletin. I doubt not606 managers would dabble with the code to change it and if they did half the forum would hate the changes. I'm getting used to and just accepting it for what it is. It's not too intrusive. I just wish Kyle would **** off with his mass dislikes.
I agree 606 got a bit rediculous, but in terms of showing people there is activity on the F1 forum, new threads would help. I read that some people were looking at trying to divert some of his followers on to this site, which is something I agree with in principle. Not too sure on how this would be excecuted though. Fair enough on the changes, just thought I would add my 2cents.
Oops. Sorry, SpursG. I'm sure I scanned this thread the first time it did the rounds but I've just gone back to page 1 and some of the suggestions read like news to me. This is an excellent idea: I remember a couple of members followed AG's lead on writing articles last year and some were pretty good. I'd recommend a proof-read/sanity check by other forum members, though, because some of the threads that get republished as articles could put potential new members off. Personally, although I've occasionally considered writing an article, I never feel I have anything much to say until someone else posts something I particularly agree or disagree with. I started writing one before the first GP about Vettel and what I hoped to see from him in 2012 but I never finished it and now I've regurgitated bits and pieces in other discussions. I think it's a solid idea from NNW, though. Thinking about this - it would be nice if all the Join Date/Location/Posts information was collapsible like the Thanks/Like information so that a one line reply takes up less space on the page. I'm sure the css code to do that could be copied from one section to the other.
