Open discussion about the community.

[adamtemp64]

Leading on from a thread that was derailed after a member stated there views on the state of the community I am creating this open discussion.

I am also taking the view that was expressed in the thread from post 24 onwards http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Welcome-News/O2-Community-Rewards-April-2014/m-p/661441#M8644 that @Bambino made.

The discussion lead to hints that many long standing members of this community had left for the reasons as stated in the thread linked. I will not duplicate now as the comments are still there.

As this is a customer to customer community I feel it is time that the wishes of the community are acted upon.

This morning I clicked on unread posts and nearly all were in off topic with a few Questions about o2 that were buried amongst all the facebook like talk.

I am as stated before (on previous occasions) and after much concideration thinking of also withdrawing my support for this community as it is not the place it was. After this thread has been replied to I will make my decision on if I stay or go and will post an open letter explaining the reasons I can no longer support the community if I chose to leave.

[jonsie]

Yes, as I said in a previous post, this has been discussed before. A filter option would be ideal but I would think that question would have to be directed to Lithium.

[Anonymous]

Throwing my two penneth in here.

So some don't like the off topic. ..... and then promptly choose to post into off topic. It seems like off topic is fine when it suits and not fine when the subject matter doesn't. I almost find that hypocritical although I most certainly have no desire to offend.

Personally I am comfortable with the way it is but I also respect others views. For me the simple solution is to have a drop down menu where each poster can choose which sections they are interested in. If they then want to focus on tech help they can (although they must respect that some requests for help might skip through the net as OP's may unwittingly post them into off topic).

By offering a selection tool everyone is happy. Those like @Cleoriff who prefer the social side? Check. Those who prefer the tech side like adam? Check. Those in the half way house like myself and Damien? Check.

Easy win for me.

[Cleoriff]

Actually @Anonymous I did say I was between a rock and a hard place with this subject.

Whilst I openly  admitted to starting my forum life in Off Topic 2 years ago...due to the ease of that and the friendliness of the regulars on here, I then gained the courage to 'venture' out into other areas.

I admit I will never be an expert at anything technical....(so little time, so much to do ).

I do however, really enjoy reading and learning about this stuff that comes so easy to many of you.

I would say for me personally, I spend MORE of my time in the technical areas... albeit in 'study mode' as it were.

Hey, have even been known to post a little in those areas (as long as I am sure of my facts)

So, I too, have a foot in both camps ..but maybe for different reasons to some others......

[Anonymous]

Indeed @Cleoriff I am in a similar situation to you. I like the tech stuff but also like some of the off topic stuff which is why I think to keep everyone happy the best solution is a drop down menu where we can each choose.

[Anonymous]

Surely you can choose already you just don't go in to off topic if you don't want to I really do think this is being blown up for no reason really

[Anonymous]

Have to say I broadly agree @damien1.

I appreciate we are all different and that is what makes the Community special and vibrant. But it must work for all, not a chosen few.

That's why I think a drop down facility keeps everyone happy.

[Anonymous]

Drop down where? I don't get what you mean

[Anonymous]

What I mean is that there should be a drop down menu where each of us can decide which categories we want to see. That way for those who want to it would be possible to deselect off topic and therefore only see the tech stuff. That way gives more choice and would answer the challenges of the regulars who appear to be more interested in the tech support and wantys new place.

[adamtemp64]

you are all missing the point some people when they login hit unread posts so you can see who needs help since your last login but the issue is off topic also appears and you may have ti sift through 80-100 posts to find the people that have come to the official o2 self help community . If the off topic ( i.e. customer queries that live chat have got wrong as one example) was excluded from the unread posts then those that are here to help will see the issues and respond. We have lost some of the regulars that came here to help and that has diluted the knowledge base.

[Anonymous]

I'm with you now yes I can't see it happening to be honest it's been ok all this time I don't really see why everyone is suddenly moaning