»
Discussion
»
The Alley
»
An Observance....
| The Alley |
|
An Observance.... |
|
|
Artur Hawkwing Member
since 1999-06-30
Posts 444USA |
Okay, maybe I'll regret saying this, but at midnight, different people pop up, posting their poems. Then when the morning people come on, they might reply to some, then post more of theirs, and the midnight poems go behind one or two or three pages. By the next evening it seems like those people are way back and most people just don't seem to want to go back even two pages to pick off what they might've missed - instead they reply to the ones in the first page mostly. I was wondering if it would be possible to extend the length of posted poems on the page? It's up to you guys, after all...  but it will give people more viewing capacity in a single page. Loading time might be a bit longer, but is it worth it? |
||
| © Copyright 1999 Artur Hawkwing - All Rights Reserved | |||
Ladycat 
since 1999-07-05
Posts 782At the edge and a doorway,TX |
I was hoping that it wasn't just me that was having troubles reading the other pieces.. I hope that someone comes up with a good answer soon.. I've never seen this much trouble on the old forum.. I don't get a chance to hardly read anything without having to go back three pages.. The poems that were there before vanish in an hour.. Sometimes these ppl putting up three or four pieces at a time don't reply to anything, but their friends pieces.. You would think that we were all here to read something new.. I don't get a chance to see the ones by the new ppl.. I hope they find an answer for this.. Love, Lady ------------------ Live in my world just once and you'll find yourself enraptured. |
||
|
Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
We can certainly make the pages longer - if enough people vote that's what they want. Currently, they're set at 35 and I don't think 50 would be unreasonable. I really wonder, though, if that solves anything. The truth is, with the number of people we have posting (and multiple posting), it's going to take a really dedicated person to read everything posted between visits. I do, but I wonder how many others do. And the price I pay for reading everything is that I very rarely have time to comment. For me, the page length is immaterial. I start at the first poem on the page. I read at least the beginning of the poem and usually the whole thing unless it's really not to my taste or it's unformatted and too difficult to decipher, then I read all the comments, and I finish by clicking on the "next oldest topic" link at the bottom of the page. I continue doing that until I reach a point where I remember I've already been (i.e., the end of the new poem list). As such, I never go back to the page where poems are listed. But, hey guys and gals, I'm easy (that doesn't necessarily equate to cheap, though). If enough people want longer pages and don't mind waiting for them to load, then by golly I'll make the pages longer. Can we see a raise of hands, please? |
||
|
Artur Hawkwing Member
since 1999-06-30
Posts 444USA |
It's the increase of people that makes postings hard to keep up with, as you say, Ron. I think that some people are going to be angry with me once I suggest this, but it's a solution one way or another (if it's not foolish, in the least): limiting how many poems a person can post per day (in the 'open poetry' forum) would be a solution. Except for editting, of course. It would be similar to how you deal with voting. Or, another forum for as many poems as you want, and another to limit. Ladycat, I am glad to hear that I'm not alone... for almost 37 hours, I was wondering if I was the only one.... but this forum, everything, is what we should be thankful for, I've seen few as enduring and well-maintained as this one. And of course, you have a vote here. Artur [This message has been edited by Artur Hawkwing (edited 07-25-99).] |
||
|
Ladycat
since 1999-07-05
Posts 782At the edge and a doorway,TX |
I agreee with you Arthur.. I don't know if it's possible to do, but limit the number of posting that ppl are allowed to have in one day.. I think that they should post one and to everyone that they post the have to go and respond to atleast two other ppl pieces (not just their friends pieces).. Then again that is just my opinion.. Love, Lady ------------------ Live in my world just once and you'll find yourself enraptured. |
||
|
Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850In the space between moments |
Being one of those midnight people who watches a lot of her poetry buried in a matter of hours, I agree wholeheartedly with Artur and Ladycat. I think its a good idea if the number of poems one can post per day is limited. Just be sure that we can respond to everyone elses as much as possible. And not just our friends, either. And you have another hand raised in favor, Ron. ::raises hand:: ------------------ *Krista Knutson* "It's a crazy thing, fate has perfect wings..."-Deanna Carter |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
I would agree with limitations, if that's what everyone wants, but I have seen new rules and regulations sabotage things, also. It would, I think, also put a greater load on Ron's shoulders policing it (although he is certainly too amiable to state it) We have it easy. We write and read. He makes it work and it is a much more difficult task than I'm sure we imagine. I really don't see a problem. When you log on, you have colored envelopes to inform you of all new postings since your last log-on. Read them...and if they cover more than one page, continue for as long as they last. The only thing I would like to see, Ron, is that when you go to another page and then click on 'return to open (or whichever) forum, it will always take you back to page 1. It would be much friendlier if it returned you to the page you are on so that you could continue on that page. (this can be done by using the back arrow but I wonder how many people are aware of this). Just my rambling thoughts on the matter. |
||
|
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I am raising my hand and waving it frantically!!!! I get home from work and since I haven't been on for 18 hours, the postings have really piled up. It's impossible to read everything! I try to read at least one poem by any new poet that's listed and reply with a welcome to them. Then I start down the list. If I get distracted and have to leave, when I come back there are 15 more postings! Multiple postings would not be a problem for me if those same people would read and reply to the poems already listed before they post their poems. I commend Elvira for bringing a lot of missed work to everyone's attention, but I think she is the only one consistantly reading ALL poetry. I think it's great that we can discuss this and work out an amicable solution. I was no help at all but will support whatever decision is made.  |
||
|
Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Mmmm. We seem to have gone from increasing the page size to limiting the number of poems posted. How'd that happen? Well, let's try to take this one step at a time... Artur, I have no problem with opening up new forums. And, yea, we could have one where we limit posts (call it the Poem of the Day forum - PotD ). But I don't see what that really accomplishes? All those multiple posts are still sitting over there! It's really no different than simply ignoring the ones you don't want to read. You're just ignoring them in a different way. Or am I missing something?Balladeer, I completely agree. When I was raising my kids I tried very hard to impose as few rules as possible - and to make those the important ones. Having too many rules is almost as bad as having none (just look at our government!). But we do need some, and I'm always willing to listen. Hey, guys, I'm listening! Balladeer, I don't want to dilute this thread with unrelated topics, but let me add in passing that I'm confused about the "return to" link you reference (there's so darn many links to keep track of). Do you mean the Hop To dropdown? If you could tell me how you're using what link (probably a new thread would be best), I'll see if I can make it more friendly. Before we can devise a solution, maybe we really have to better define the problem. Reading between the lines here, and I think Poet deVine maybe said it best, the real problem here isn't with having too many poems to read (no one is obligated to read everything), but rather the problem is with the comments. Or lack of comments? There seems to be an unspoken feeling that some people are taking advantage of the system and posting more poems in relation to their comments than is fair. There also seems to be a recurring theme about commenting only on posts by a friend? (Hey, I thought we were all friends!) And it seems to me that hidden behind all of these problems is the real complaint - when you post a poem (I'm using the pronoun generically), it quickly gets hidden behind many others and thus ignored. Am I hitting close to the mark here, guys? Am I in the same ballpark with you? Remember, we're in the Alley right now - so it's perfectly legitimate so say what you mean. If we can pinpoint the problem, logically and honestly, then we can find a way to solve it! |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
You got it, Ron....the Hop to dropdown at the end of the page. If I go to page three, for example, to read poems posted on that page, I select a poem, read it along with the comments and, with the hop to being right there, I hit it to return to the poetry. When I do that, I always go to page 1. If I scroll back up to the top and hit the Open Poetry folder, I also go to page 1. I was hoping that I could hit something that would return me to the page I was currently viewing so that I wouldn't have to start from scratch each time, going to page 1, selecting page 3 again, reading, clicking, going to page 1, selecting......etc etc etc. If there is a way, besides using the back button, I don't know it. And if it's a problem, I shall continue to hit the back button at such times that my brain moves faster than my fingers going for the button. |
||
|
Artur Hawkwing Member
since 1999-06-30
Posts 444USA |
That suggestion about having double forums is out of my mind now, it would certainly not suppress the problem; and it would only increase your workload, besides. But I'm still considering the single forum poem limitation per day, because it might encourage more time for responding to new people's poems. And it might allow more attention to be diverted towards one poem per person, instead of scrambling frantically over several for quick responses and sometimes poor critiques. Besides, please keep allowing people to respond as often as they want to postings. Being someone who doesn't want to be ignored in any circumstances makes the overflow of several poems from the same individual in a single day (whether with multiple names, or not) a problem. I think that's troublesome for me, but others have told me they feel the same way, besides, via email. Double forums would mean more work for you, Ron, but keeping the forum and posting a limit on the number of poems per day posted (such as PotD) would most likely do the opposite, reduce the number of poems you have to monitor a day (until the time the balance shifts.) So vice-versa, that's less work for the moderators. I'm just trying to give a reasonable and fair solution for both moderators and members alike.... |
||
|
elvira Senior Member
since 1999-07-06
Posts 936California |
[This message has been edited by elvira (edited 08-22-99).] |
||
|
elvira Senior Member
since 1999-07-06
Posts 936California |
[This message has been edited by elvira (edited 08-22-99).] |
||
|
Artur Hawkwing Member
since 1999-06-30
Posts 444USA |
Why, of course, elvira, the first thing I did tonight was wonder at the list, and counted...50!!! and I'm still as bright as a flame in the darkness if you ask my opinion whether I support the limit (meaning yes, I support the same decision you do, elvira)... Anyway, this might be my last posting for weeks to come, so there it is, my vote. [This message has been edited by Artur Hawkwing (edited 07-26-99).] |
||
|
DreamEvil Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 2396 |
Reading through this thread, I am struck by a few things. I agree with limiting the number of new posts from an individual in a day, but it should be set at more than one. Here's my reasoning, I write almost all day, I'm at the forum all night. I produce 6-7 poems a day, I only post those that I find worth posting. Wouldn't keeping the number of posts per individual to one, place an unfair limitation on those that are responsible in their postings? My second point is the same as Ron's and Balladeer's. The colored tabs do show what posts you haven't read yet. While seeing three pages of new posts could be somewhat daunting, I have noticed that the new poets rarely receive a reply on their first posts. It takes a few posts to get peoples' attention. Taking both of those things into account, I have to conclude that limiting the number of posts per individual could limit the exposure of new poets and cause people to more often reply to just friends' work than the new poets' material. One last thing, I totally agree that the posts of some far outweigh the replies. I don't think there should be a required ratio of replies to posts. I do think that we should all reply more, and more often to the new poets. End of rant, thank you. ------------------ Shall I indulge in flights of fancy hampered by clipped wings? DreamEvil© [This message has been edited by DreamEvil (edited 07-26-99).] |
||
|
Gentle Soul Member
since 1999-07-12
Posts 273Vinton,Ohio USA |
Well... I havent done this recently becuz of things that I dont feel like explaining... but what I do is I search for the poems that have no replies.. and I try my best to reply and say something good about it... just to lift the new poet up.. cuz Im fairly new as well.. and I love reading replies to my poetry.. ya know gives me something to look for.. as far as rules and regulations go.. I dont have any suggestions.. I think it is an individual thing in my opinion.. becuz with extending the pages, it just encourages ppl to post more.. IMHO.. the other options given.. I think could possibly work.. but who knows! hehe.. humans are so unpredictable! ------------------ Gënt£ë¤§°û£ |
||
|
Ladycat
since 1999-07-05
Posts 782At the edge and a doorway,TX |
I like the other forum idea.. Yes Ron, you would be right that I don't like getting my poetry buried so fast, but there are somethings that you learn to live with.. I like to read other people's poetry, but I have found it hard as of late due to the fact that everyday-- every hour there are 16 or so new posts.. I work at night and sometimes during the day too and I don't always get a chance to read or see the new poet's poetry.. I would respond to everyones, but I don't have that kind of time during the day.. Now as for responding to just friends that is not a good idea either cause then the newer poets feel like they are left out.. The only other thing with opening a new forum is poeple will think "Oh, another place to post." They won't give a second thought about it and the post will pile up again.. They are just alot of people here and not enough time to read everything.. I try my hardest though.. I hope that everything gets resolved soon.. Love, Lady |
||
|
DreamEvil Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 2396 |
Just a quick question regarding the midnight posters, of which I am one. How many people from other countries post here? We should consider the time differences before making any decision on this issue. ------------------ Shall I indulge in flights of fancy hampered by clipped wings? DreamEvil© |
||
|
Ladycat
since 1999-07-05
Posts 782At the edge and a doorway,TX |
Dream Evil, as far as that goes; how many different states do we have? As for me being in TX when I post the time shows up an hour of the time that I am in.. I can't post at midnight though; I have to be at work in the morning.. It seems that I stay up till midnight just trying to read everything that is posted though.. I guess that more or less that I am glad that we have this many people here sharing their work.. Love, Lady ------------------ Live in my world just once and you'll find yourself enraptured. |
||
|
Crystal Member
since 1999-07-24
Posts 62Hazel Park Mi U.S.A. |
You have my vote |
||
|
Delores Hall Member
since 1999-07-16
Posts 342USA |
Never mind. [This message has been edited by Delores Hall (edited 08-02-99).] |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||