topic Re: Extra-long threads in Discussions & Feedback

Extra-long threads

Toby — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 13:47:32 GMT

Hi guys,

We have some fantastic threads in the community that are very long and contain hundreds or thousands of messages. These threads are really special, such as our Introduce Yourself, Wanty's Place or the Virtual Lounge.

Myself and the team are reviewing whether these long threads have any affect on community performance. So we may, at some stage, open up new versions. I've already done this a few times with the Introduce Yourself thread.

This wont be happening soon and if we don't see a benefit of closing and opening new threads, we will of courseleave them as they are. I just wanted to post this as an FYI, as these threads mean a lot to many of us

Re: Extra-long threads

jonsie — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 14:08:20 GMT

The last time we had major changes like this we all saw our post count reduced by some 5000 posts as threads were deemed unnecessary and irrelevant to the 'new' community, We also saw the withdrawal of our 'superuser' status even though we were responsible for testing the new community when we changed over to Lithium. For three months we were the guinea pigs and then we were kicked in the teeth so to speak.

I'm not sure what you wish to achieve by this?

Those threads are off topic and are a social media for members and have been going for a couple of years. Change for change sake? Those threads are very popular and any member can feel free to post in them and will be welcomed by regular contributors. We have always had Wanty's which was started by an O2 staff mamber before the community was in existance, indeed when it was just the O2 forum.

The members here are used to the virtual threads where anything goes apart from discussing mobile phones. It's our escape, especially at iphone launch. I look forward to admin explaining exactly what changes this will involve.

Re: Extra-long threads

Toby — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 14:17:42 GMT

Hi @jonsie,

I think you're misunderstanding what I'm saying. This would not be about closing any of those discussions. We would create new versions and link to them. Very long threads can at times affect page-loading times and other factors.

This is in no way indicating that any of these threads will be gone, just continued in a different thread ID. Its purely for the benefit of everyone. As I've said though, if we don't see any benefit to page loading, we wont do it. Its purely to help us all here.

Re: Extra-long threads

Cleoriff — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 18:53:09 GMT

Personally would be upset to see either Wanty's or the Virtual Lounge revamped. I think it's a testament to the forum to see how long they have been running and they are open to everyone. They allow people to talk about anything and everything without the need for new off topic threads to be started about non phone related issues.

When I click on Wanty's I have no problem with page loading.....This is my opinion for what it's worth

Re: Extra-long threads

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:36:31 GMT

Hi, I created the virtual lounge because att there was a certain amount of shall we say kerfuffle about off-topic being non-tech

I'm not being at all 'precious' about 'owning the thread' ... = ... I don't feel that way, it's a good way as is Wanty's for members to socialise on the forum

I would not wish to see either Wanty's or the virtual lounge go or be altered

Re: Extra-long threads

Toby — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 08:46:12 GMT

Hi Cleo,

It wouldn't be a re-vamp, but a continuation. We'll look into the performance across the whole community too.

If we dont need to do it, we wont. I just thought I'd post as an FYI

Re: Extra-long threads

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 20:01:17 GMT

@Toby to clarify my post above

I remember the time when a lot of the forum's senior members were rather vocal in the sense that eg they felt off-topic had become rather shall-we-say like Facebook

Several of your senior regular posters left the forum for good

I would not wish whole-heartedly for that to happen again

I get so much out of the forum not only knowledge, a place to ask questions re: my mobile

I'll own up to probably being a bit of a newbie att to perhaps fissing off some people as mentioned above

I can still run amok imho on off-topic, but hopefully not fiss people orf as before

thank you

Smile

Re: Extra-long threads

Cleoriff — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 20:42:07 GMT

Well I was never one who had a problem with Off Topic. Most of my medical innovation posts feature in this section.

We also discuss some news items and give tribute to those we have lost

It's called freedom of choice. If I want to join in with something I will...if I don't I won't. It really is as simple as that.

There is an old saying. 'If it ain't broke it doesn't need fixing'

Re: Extra-long threads

MI5 — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 20:46:44 GMT

Just delete off topic completely

Re: Extra-long threads

Beenherebefore — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 20:57:23 GMT

@MI5 wrote:
Just delete off topic completely

Re: Extra-long threads

Cleoriff — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 20:57:49 GMT

@MI5 wrote:
Just delete off topic completely

Well you and I will always disagree on that one. Not everyone can have your level of technical expertise though and a lot of off topic is fine...some isnt...but it's individual choice as to whether we contribute or not....

Re: Extra-long threads

Beenherebefore — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 21:02:22 GMT

Or even read !

Re: Extra-long threads

jonsie — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 07:27:49 GMT

@Beenherebefore wrote:
@MI5 wrote:
Just delete off topic completely

Drastic but we could all go back to Faceache

Re: Extra-long threads

Cleoriff — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 07:30:34 GMT

@jonsie wrote:

Drastic but we could all go back to Faceache

No....don't think so.....

Re: Extra-long threads

jonsie — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 07:37:37 GMT

It would please some who want it to go back to the old days...not me I might add but they know who I refer to...

Re: Extra-long threads

Toby — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 07:47:40 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

My OP here is not referring to having how the off-topic is run or the off topic section itself in any way. It only relates to extra long threads and would not in any way stop any discussions.

Everyone has the choice to post anything they like in off-topic, as long as it follows our guidelines. Its entirely anyone's choice to post or read in that section :).

Re: Extra-long threads

gindygoo — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 12:25:06 GMT

Personally as I'm not a frequent visitor in OT it wouldn't really effect my O2 community experience, and I'd probably not even notice if a thread was restarted/continued.

Buuuut I think we need to be fair to those who do spend time in Wanty's and what their thoughts are, and from the looks of it the majority don't want anything fiddled with.

What I would ask of those who don't want a new thread is, how often would u read back through the thread more than a few pages? And what would a restarted thread mean to you in regards to not having the previous long thread? I'm not asking to be on any particular side, in fact I'm leaning towards leaving the old one as it's what the regulars want but I'm curious as to what a new thread would mean for those wanting to keep it as it stands now.

Re: Extra-long threads

Cleoriff — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:11:38 GMT

As sad as it may seem I think Wanty's is an institution of the forum. Like a historic old building/pub. It was and still is a place that we can have a laugh and a giggle whilst pretending that we were imbibing alcohol or cold drinks or whatever.......having barbeques, throwing a party, celebrating something etc etc.

Back in the day (before my time) it was started by a lass (Wanty) who worked for O2. It was also agreed (I think) it would be a mod free zone. That's not to say it isn't moderated...it is frequently.... However, it's a bit like having a place to go for a laugh without the boss 'spoiling the fun'....(No insults intended)

Personally I think it's unique. Its also good to look back (like library archives) to see past members and the shenanigans that took place

Add to that, without Wantys and the Virtual Lounge, I am sure we would have reams of off topic threads popping up discussing stuff that currently goes into these two places.

Finally...... if it ain't broke then it doesn't need fixing. Phew!!!...and on that note I rest my case M'Lud

Re: Extra-long threads

Toby — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:46:31 GMT

If performance isn't affected guys, nothing will change. Said it right in my OP ;).

Re: Extra-long threads

MI5 — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:48:45 GMT

Bet you're glad you started this thread now, Toby ?