I wonder if engaging a few facilitators might be worth considering?
Facilitator may not be the right word.....
I go mostly to the Sony threads but have also checked several others and there are many posts with zero response after days (or even weeks).
If a few "facilitators" (or extra Moderators) could at least acknowledge those posts I believe it would encourage people to stay and enliven discussions.
People that get ignored tend to drift away..... just sayin'. 😎
April 25, 2023
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Thanks Geoff. We could ask. I know we have one or two who have said they could help.
One issue at the moment is that the permissions for a "facilitator" (or moderator) are site wide - not like DPReview which (I assume) are per forum.
Alan
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Your assumption is correct.
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But hopefully people can have a bit of self-discipline and keep on their patch.
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Make that part of the facilitator rules?
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My bad, I'm still writing the guidelines - privacy policy took priority.
What do you think would be a better word. I'm loathe to use 'moderators' because it implies moving things to a medium, whilst I'd prefer people who see their role as facilitating lively and civil discussion.
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I agree.
At the same time I think how I did behave at the old Dpreview sites and how I do here.In Dpreview I have been a long time lurker or (as I think it) a reader at the forums. I did read Medium Format, Photographic science and tech, Adapted lenses, sometimes Macro, Retouching or Sony forums.
Almost never Open talk forum. I found it not comfortable or civilised place of discussion.
But here my starting page is Categories dprevived.com/ or dprevived.com/threads/ which is worse. And I have read those stupid duells about exposure or other subjects at the same time people could been helping each other to make better pictures.In the old sites I hovered the word "Forums" and picked my choice.
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There are a few topics here that are near and dear to me that I would happily help with. We want to keep the interest levels up and encouragement is the best way. No superpowers need be bestowed upon these people…just a willingness to help.
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I would think so.
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Forum managers...
Forum coordinators...? -
I don't think either of those are right, they are not there to manage or co-ordinate the forum.
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Non-english IT-person here.
I had to look at dictionary, what this facilitator means :(
Moderator is known word for everyone. (Is it?)Well, I have no idea, what associations it can create for english people - I have often fallen into trap, assuming some widely used term in IT/computer world meaning same in everyday language.
Understandably I can't suggest any synonyms either. -
Advocate or Ambassador
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They're not there to do that either.
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Marriam-Webster has : someone or something that facilitates something. especially : someone who helps to bring about an outcome (such as learning, productivity, or communication) by providing indirect or unobtrusive assistance, guidance, or supervision.
That sounds just right to me.
The problem is that 'moderators' have a reputation, as we found out. I'm hoping that some of the people that really wanted to be moderators won't fancy the facilitator's role. -
And what about
Forum Leader...
Forum Staff...
Forum Team...I like Staff or Team because it differentiates from the rest of the members without a formal title.
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Wouldn't it be enough if we all tried to answer when we can? I must say I don't like the idea of some kind of answering machines.
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Agree, but if there must be a title, I'd suggest "tummler" which combines accuracy with a felicitous absence of dignity.
