37 replies to this topic

[Steve Heard]

As the new, I don't know what I want to call myself; Owner? Webmaster? Grand Poobah?

 

Maybe I'll stick with just Steve for now. 

 

Whatever, I'd like your advice, input, feedback, and suggestions on how to make myfolsom.com a better community resource and a great place to hang around. 

 

What features or information would you like to see? 

 

What changes would you make?

 

I'm open. 

[4thgenFolsomite]

Follow John's lead.  Stay neutral, but present.  He was good about always making sure it was the Folsom Forum, not the John Forum.  Kept it a safe environment for everyone to share opinions.  You should do fine, Steve.

[Stop South of 50]

There are way too many subforums.   Make it simple.

 

Make this place as Folsom-centric as possible.

[folsombound]

All the above and bring back the annual "Best of Folsom".

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

In addition to the ideas we shared via PM, I hope you will not be so neutral that you discontinue or substantially decrease your posting. I have always appreciated your perspective.

[Deanna H]

Maybe a pinned topic where people can post upcoming Folsom events that may not be heavily promoted? Sporadic things like the Police K-9 competition, chili cookoffs, etc. There have been a few things like that that we didn't know about until after the fact. Then again, maybe there wouldn't be enough postings to warrant it.

[Steve Heard]

Thank you all! This is what need. I agree with everything you've all said. Anyone else? 

[4thgenFolsomite]

I agree that it would be nice to have a place for events, non-profit stuff, to post.  Also, can you make it any easier to post photos?  a photo is worth a 1,000 words and I think more people would like seeing images, might draw more people in.  I am technically challenged but there have been times I wanted to post something and couldn't.

[DougP]

Whatever, I'd like your advice, input, feedback, and suggestions on how to make myfolsom.com a better community resource and a great place to hang around. 

 

What features or information would you like to see? 

 

What changes would you make?

 

 

 

Although we no longer live in Folsom, I certainly work in Folsom and the Folsom area comprises where we do most of our shopping.  (Target is the only big box store in EDH)

 

Anyhow, over the past decade I still read what's going on w/MyFolsom on a daily basis.

 

My biggest draw to the site is local news and information.  Normal media these days is so focused on celebrity, national, and global news that there is no good source for what's going here.

 

I want to talk about how local shops and restaurants are doing.  What's going on with new housing and construction -- and heaven forbid... south of 50.  Heck, a few years ago there were threads about "hoodlum" high school students hanging around local shops.  Even that was useful.

 

Who are the good contractors and what local shops go above and beyond the call of duty?

 

Even politics are good -- so long as it's about local politics.

 

There are countless sites that can talk about national politics or polarizing topics like many that are banned here.  However, what matters to me is our little ecosystem here.

[tsukiji]

On phone, so typing not convenient but wanted Yi get some thoughts out. And nothing is a ding on John.

1) you're considered reasonable. This is your house. Allow for various opinions, even if you don't agree. But don't allow behaviors with which you don't agree. Your house, your rules. Rule with an iron fist of integrity.

2) rethink the taxonomy of the site. What's your vision? What topics do you want to encourage? Consider the categories suggested above.

3) be active here. You're the host of the party. Make sure you guests are comfortable, entertained, having fun, respectful of you and others.

4) have an occasional reward system for significant site contributers. People who post a lot, well respected, engage other posters, etc. take them to dinner or something.

5) have some living threads, perhaps FAQ like. Many of the same topics come up again and again; let's capture that tribal knowledge as people come and go.

6)

[bordercolliefan]

Would you consider un-hiding the Politics forum -- i.e., having it appear in the "View New Content" list?

 

Traffic has decreased A LOT on this site compared to a few years ago.  Often I will check the New Content and there won't have been any new posts since the day before.  That's because endless discussions of whether the service has gone downhill at a particular restaurant are boring.  We used to have lively discussions of many social and political topics, but those have all been moved out of sight. 

[Steve Heard]

Would you consider un-hiding the Politics forum -- i.e., having it appear in the "View New Content" list?

 

Traffic has decreased A LOT on this site compared to a few years ago.  Often I will check the New Content and there won't have been any new posts since the day before.  That's because endless discussions of whether the service has gone downhill at a particular restaurant are boring.  We used to have lively discussions of many social and political topics, but those have all been moved out of sight. 

 

That's a good question, and one I struggle.

 

Instead of lively discussions, the politics forum became a hot bed of rumors, accusations, and ridicule. 

 

I exiled my self from it. I can't remember the last time I posted there, and on the rare occasions when I go to check on it, I find it's the same old topics by the same old members. They have their right to their opinion. 

 

I know a lot of people love to discuss politics, but I know a lot of people left BECAUSE of the political discussions. 

 

Some left because they thought it was one-sided (about half thought it leaned right and the other thought it leaned left). Some left because they didn't like being censored. Some couldn't stand the bickering and lack of civility.

 

At the same time, Facebook took the world by storm, and a lot of discussions moved there. The good part is that people are discussing with people they choose to discuss with, and many are like-minded.

 

The bad is that they can't get the opinions of others, of strangers, on Facebook, and so I think myfolsom has something to offer there. 

 

I still don't know what to do about the national politics section. 

 

I do know that all of the suggestions have been welcome and many are falling along the lines of what I want for MyFolsom.com.

 

Please feel free to continue to offer your own advice and opinions. 

[bordercolliefan]

Yes, I acknowledge the problems you cite are real.  But when I finally realized that the Politics section still existed (just hidden), it struck me that part of the reason it has become so insular with a few people rehashing stock viewpoints is because it is hidden.  Since it takes effort to find it, there is less traffic to it, and less diversity of opinion. 

 

I personally don't find Facebook a good substitute because, since I have friends all over the spectrum, I tend to be a bit restrained in what I say there.  There is a place for anonymity sometimes, in being able to exchange candid (though potentially unpopular) opinions. 

 

I wish instead of hiding the Politics section for everyone, the forum could be set up so that members can choose whether to see those topics in "New Content" or not.  New members could be asked, "Do you want to block politics topics?" or something.  --Not sure if that is technologically possible...

[Chris]

Hey Steve, please continue your real estate updates.  I like those very much...!  I may not comment but I do read them.  Even more in depth stuff would be cool if you have the time.  Like maybe articles on "flippers", commercial real estate, local builder updates, trends in loans, what banks are doing, and some info on companies that buy houses and consolidate like Blackrock, etc......  Chris

[Carl G]

Yes, I acknowledge the problems you cite are real.  But when I finally realized that the Politics section still existed (just hidden), it struck me that part of the reason it has become so insular with a few people rehashing stock viewpoints is because it is hidden.  Since it takes effort to find it, there is less traffic to it, and less diversity of opinion. 

 

I personally don't find Facebook a good substitute because, since I have friends all over the spectrum, I tend to be a bit restrained in what I say there.  There is a place for anonymity sometimes, in being able to exchange candid (though potentially unpopular) opinions. 

 

I wish instead of hiding the Politics section for everyone, the forum could be set up so that members can choose whether to see those topics in "New Content" or not.  New members could be asked, "Do you want to block politics topics?" or something.  --Not sure if that is technologically possible...

 

If possible, the Politics section should be opt-in.  I believe it used to be Opt-out, but too many people didn't do that.  Those of us who like the section could opt-in and make it easier to find the content.