Hi,
Previous plastics is a really nice idea, I’m hoping we can make it easier for people to get engaged so that more people do.
There are a few simple suggestions below:
> Can we have a search bar in the navigation pane? It would really improve the user interface. Avoids people posting the same questions.
> The Private messaging is really clunky. I’ve been using the web for over 20 years and haven’t seen something like this for a long time. There are loads of open sources forum systems which work well. Has this one been developed from the ground up? If the main system is staying (please improve the user interface). Then the private messaging should really be improved. Sending based on name and username both failed, only worked when clicking “send pm” on the users page. White on grey is hard for many people especially older people or visually impaired.I’d suggest increasing the contrast or having a border on the input boxes.
> Why is the community forum not branded as Previous Plastic but Dave Hakkens? He is brilliant, but it seems like there are lots of people involved now so think it should be labelled as Precious Plastic really.
have you been on the repository side of this website?
You can find it here: https://github.com/hakkens/davehakkens
I am quiet new here myself and the README says to reach out here in the community if you have suggestions or want to contribute.
In general i agree on your suggestions without having tried the messaging part myself.
About the branding though: The forum is shared between Precious Plastic, Phonebloks and other projects Dave is working on. I see the point for the labeling part but i could imagine that it is a lot of effort to split these communities – code and member wise.
And on the plus side there is for sure a synergy effect between the projects.
I was just thinking about this after seeing the 12th monthly news. I haven’t got started yet but would be really opened to do it. But the problem is that I don’t always remember to open the site on may laptop, and that can lead to a message missing, etc.
And I was thinking what if the whole site could be opened from an application on you’re phone. I mean in the world today a phone is sort of always there and the whole process of massage changing could be a lot faster. Which would mean more time for productivity.
Like a social media platform, that’s always there for something good.
What do you think?
@davehakkens, related to previous comments, I have my own:
– I don’t think its a mistake to have .nl/community/forums/forum/precious-plastic (its a bit redundant, but its OK).
– I DON’T think you should create a new forum (like preciousplastic.com/forum or similar) because many people won’t understand what it’s happening and maybe won’t re-register. Its no good to lose some friends, is it?
– It is a good idea to enhance the ‘search button’ in order to avoid lots of posts of the same topic.
– I DO recommend to add a litter green button (or an envelope) in the general area of topics that we have already posted. Why? I have already commented in 4 or 5 topics and I don’t remember on which of them. Related to the next bullet, I can’t see (and can’t check them all every hour) If there’s a new response or not.
– I DO recommend to create a ‘recently updated posts’ widget (or similar) in the TOP of the forum (.nl/community/forums). It has to be similar to ‘Activity’ but only with new messages (including new topics, of course). That will significatively increase user engagement and you know, more activity = more precious plastic.
– I DO recommend to add a ‘Report’ button. Why? Not trying to be mean or aiming to issue sanctions, but there are posts that need to be replaced (for example they are about ‘how to build a shredder’ and are posted in ‘General ideas and suggestions’ and not in ‘Machine development’.
P.S: I’m a webmaster, so let me know if I can be of any help.
totally agree with you guys here (well most points). i’m currently figuring/sketching out the next step for this community. A big update, its always a balance between what we want and how much resources we have to actually make it. We’re not coders ourselves… But very value feedback, I read them all. Keep it coming
Apparently my first comment vanished somehow.
Exactly thats why we need to change something!
Here my original comment:
I really agree that we have to improve the forum!
Its not easy to inform yourself or get an overview about whats going on.
Phoneblocks by the way got cancelled, so there is no real forum need.
I dont have much knowledge about programming and wordpress. What about to start a new forum?
So everyone can sign up again and we can sort it better.
For me its really a hassle to get not notified if messages are coming in and the space between comments is killing me too.
I really appreciate this forum, but for 2018 it has to get a Do-over or even a new foundation.
My dream forum would contain:
– 1 A good messaging system with option for email notification
– 2 A section to inform yourself about plastics, the machines and processes (no
comments, updated regularly
– 3 A team to take care of the forum
– 4 A vote system for community decisions
_______________________________________________________________
I agree that we can name the forum after its purpose ‘precious plastic’. Maybe @Davehakkens can give green light for that?
@F4bian , i agree about synergy effect, but its useless if there are bigger problems. I feel that this forum slows down the real momentum, that we could get as a community.
I really agree that we have to improve the forum!
Its not easy to inform yourself or get an overview about whats going on.
Phoneblocks by the way got cancelled, so there is no real forum need.
I dont have much knowledge about programming and wordpress. What about to start a new forum?
So everyone can sign up again and we can sort it better.
For me its really a hassle to get not notified if messages are coming in and the space between comments is killing me too.
I really appreciate this forum, but for 2018 it has to get a Do-over or even a new foundation.
My dream forum would contain:
– 1 A good messaging system with option for email notification
– 2 A section to inform yourself about plastics, the machines and processes (no
– comments, updated regularly
– 3 A team to take care of the forum
– 4 A vote system for community decisions
_______________________________________________________________
I agree that we can name the forum after its purpose ‘precious plastic’. Maybe @Davehakkens can give green light for that?
@F4bian , i agree about synergy effect, but its useless if there are bigger problems. I feel that this forum slows down the real momentum, that we could get as a community.
