Help Need your opinion on site change

[Art]

My fellow ScapeCrunchers,

We are working hard to improve how easy it is for you to find what you're looking for. One possible change is to modify our homepage to focus on New Posts (since that is what most of you click on when you arrive) and Latest Journal Updates (a listing of the latest journal updates) as seen below.

Standard computer layout:


Mobile view:


As you can see, there is a button in the top navigation that says "Forum List". By clicking that, you get to our current homepage that has all of the forums visible.

So, you get to quickly see what's new for you and, if you want to look at forums, it's just one click away.

I would really appreciate it if you would share with me your thoughts on whether this improves your used experience. I realize all change takes some getting used to but it is worthwhile if it improves our overall experience long-term.

Thanks!

 

[Koan]

How about something like this?




I like how simple the layout is now, worry that the busier layout would be a turn off to new people coming by.

 

[Art]

Thanks for the input, @Koan, I really appreciate it.

A little background:

• The most clicked area on our site is the "What's New" button followed closely by the "New Posts" button.
• The most clicked and read forum, besides General Plant Discussions is the Member Journals.
• The least viewed area of our website is the middle and lower forum list on the homepage.

My thinking is then to:

1. Move New Posts to the first thing you see
2. Follow that with Member Journal Updates
3. Then Trending content so that you see what is most active.

I know some people do like to see the full list of forums so there is a button at the top called "Forum List".

It's interesting to me that you listed Trending Content first, then the row of inspiration pictures then New Posts. For you, are you more interested in active topics or topics that are new to you? No judgement, just trying to understand.

I don't believe there is an ability to paginate the forum list so I likely won't be able to have those "More" buttons you have.

I truly appreciate you going through the effort of doctoring the photo!

 

[Koan]

interesting to me that you listed Trending Content first, then the row of inspiration pictures then New Posts

Hum, actually what is it most interesting to me are the New Posts/ Whats New, so I like to see them enumerated out fully rather than have to click through a button to get to the list.

I would however click on the More.. button to expand that section to display the rest of the first dozen or so New posts.

I wouldn't probably even use the Trending button so I put it up there as something I don't need to see spelled out when I come to the landing page. But for people who like it it's right there the very first thing on the page.

Definitely keep that Inspiration rotating banner high and center! It makes the whole entrance to the page so much more welcoming

 

[Koan]

I likely won't be able to have those "More" buttons you have.

Actually I got that from what you have here?

 

[Art]

Oops! Thanks. I see the software is doing it on a mobile. I'm on a computer.

 

[Hanuman]

When I go into a forum I like to see the full forum view, not some customized view of the forum.
Also not a big fan of the Trending section. I find that quite obstrusive since I don't really go to threads because they are trending but more because they are of interest to me. Trending threads don't necessarely equate being interesting to everyone. It just means that some members just started pilling in on that thread. IMO this trending section could still be kept but put on the right side, just below the "Latest posts" section. I don't think it needs to be splashed as a main element of the forum. I would also increase the number of posts being shown in the Latest post. Currently there are only three which I think it's just not enough.
Of course this is just my opinion.

 

[Art]

Thank you all. Some of your comments have been implemented. Please provide feedback if you see improvement and, of course, continue to let me know what you think still requires improvement.

 

[Yugang]

Please provide feedback if you see improvement

Let me share my thought, yet it may just be a minority opinion and then please ignore. I am not a fan of the Rockstar label for various reasons.

Let me emphasize first, the two members who were awarded are truly great contributors, so my remark should be seen in a broader context and longer term for the forum.

The criterium for Rockstar is to reach as many as 500 posts, with only 75% reaction to message ratio. I personally prefer members to pack content and quality in a reasonably low quantity of posts as that may benefit the quality of ScapeCrunch. Then, as it is defined now, longer term we create a pool of 'distinguished' members, and I am not sure if that is the most inclusive and attracts new members to the forum. Some of the Rockstars may actually not be the most relevant contributors to the hobby and forum anymore, even have no tank anymore. Lastly, in some cultures Rockstars and explicit 'social statuses' may be more appreciated/valued than others, and I would hope that ScapeCrunch develops into a true global forum. We know who are the best contributors anyway. In summary, I see more downsides for ScapeCrunch development with Rockstars than upsides.

So I would prefer to drop the Rockstar idea, keep the forum simple and focussed on the quality of content and relevance to the hobby. If we want to keep it, then at least I would suggest to grant the status for a limited time period, and it to be earned with excellent contributions over the past 6 months or so.

Just my two cents.

 

[Art]

Thanks for your thoughtful feedback @Yugang. I appreciate you caring for our community. I do think we are both in agreement that we want the best for this community and encourage quality and relevance.

Here are more facts to consider as I do think an open and thought-provoking discussion on any badge is worthwhile.

I am very focused on streamlining ScapeCrunch by removing things that are just noise or that may not support what our goals are. This is why I removed the achievements, badges and leader board.

Our goal​

To be an easy-going, welcoming community where engaged members that often contribute meaningful and relevant content.

While we want quality and relevant content, it's perfectly OK to simply make a post saying "Thanks. I appreciate that" for example.

We want to recognize those members that go above and beyond towards our goal. At the moment, we do that by awarding them a banner under their name as a little recognition and thanks. We don't have many banners and they are only given for good reason.

The Rockstar Banner​

The idea of the Rockstar banner is to recognize those members that meet the above. It's a balancing act because we have to take into account many factors. At the moment, to achieve this recognition, a member must:

• Have made at least 500 posts;
• Have a reaction score of at least 75% meaning 75% of their posts have received a Like;
• Has been a member for at least 6 months; and
• Must be active in the last 30 days.

My thinking was that someone who has been here at least 6 months, has at least 500 posts and 75% of those post have received a "Like" is certainly contributing and engaged. The requirement to be active in the last 30 days requires that they are currently engaged.

Improvements​

I do believe that few, little recognitions are generally appreciated by the community. However, we can together make sure that the requirements to achieve these recognitions truly does require an above and beyond contribution.

With that said, what would you change or add to the above list of requirements to better achieve our goal?

Also, I am certainly not opposed to changing the name if there is a better name that more universally conveys what we are trying to do. Happy to take suggestions on a change.

Thanks again for your valuable insights and opinion.

 

[Yugang]

Thanks for your thoughtful feedback @Yugang. I appreciate you caring for our community. I do think we are both in agreement that we want the best for this community and encourage quality and relevance.

Here are more facts to consider as I do think an open and thought-provoking discussion on any badge is worthwhile.

I am very focused on streamlining ScapeCrunch by removing things that are just noise or that may not support what our goals are. This is why I removed the achievements, badges and leader board.

Our goal​

To be an easy-going, welcoming community where engaged members that often contribute meaningful and relevant content.

While we want quality and relevant content, it's perfectly OK to simply make a post saying "Thanks. I appreciate that" for example.

We want to recognize those members that go above and beyond towards our goal. At the moment, we do that by awarding them a banner under their name as a little recognition and thanks. We don't have many banners and they are only given for good reason.

The Rockstar Banner​

The idea of the Rockstar banner is to recognize those members that meet the above. It's a balancing act because we have to take into account many factors. At the moment, to achieve this recognition, a member must:

• Have made at least 500 posts;
• Have a reaction score of at least 75% meaning 75% of their posts have received a Like;
• Has been a member for at least 6 months; and
• Must be active in the last 30 days.

My thinking was that someone who has been here at least 6 months, has at least 500 posts and 75% of those post have received a "Like" is certainly contributing and engaged. The requirement to be active in the last 30 days requires that they are currently engaged.

Improvements​

I do believe that few, little recognitions are generally appreciated by the community. However, we can together make sure that the requirements to achieve these recognitions truly does require an above and beyond contribution.

With that said, what would you change or add to the above list of requirements to better achieve our goal?

Also, I am certainly not opposed to changing the name if there is a better name that more universally conveys what we are trying to do. Happy to take suggestions on a change.

Thanks again for your valuable insights and opinion.

Thank you for your reply @Art . I believe the open dialogues that you initiate, asking members for their input is one of the best practices that makes ScapeCrunch great, and I also appreciate that at best you can satisfy a majority of members, not all. So I respect any decision you take, and prefer to let other members give their opinion to you.

My personal opinion as you ask me again, for what it's worth, is that in a few years ScapeCrunch will have a not so small community of Rockstars, some of them posting really good stuff and some of them less so. Some of the best in the hobby will never make ScapeCrunch Rockstar status, as they don't post enough, and may or may not care. Some new members may feel that Rockstar is a thing on ScapeCrunch, and unconsciously aim for it with their frequency and quality of posting. Some who just lurk around may not like this for various reasons, and decide not to join. My humble opinion is that Rockstar is an unnecessary gimmick and will not help and will not support ScapeCrunch long term goals, and will not differentiate it in a positive sense from other fora. I should stop here, and wait and see what others say and let you make your decision @Art, which arguable is not a big thing and should not be overthought.

With that said, what would you change or add to the above list of requirements to better achieve our goal?

So I would prefer to drop the Rockstar idea, keep the forum simple and focussed on the quality of content and relevance to the hobby. If we want to keep it, then at least I would suggest to grant the status for a limited time period, and it to be earned with excellent contributions over the past 6 months or so.

 

[Art]

wait and see what others say

Thanks @Yugang, let's see what others have to say about this. Again, thanks for the feedback.

 

[Count Krunk]

Yes i always hit the whats new button.

I noticed on mobile the button now has the alerts etc. took me a sec and we will see how that feels. So far seems a better spot for those actions.

Perhaps feature a thread on the main page. On humblefish, these are usually build threads. But it could be any thread of substance. Draws traffic to build threads.

 

[Art]

Thanks @Count Krunk, I haven't pulled the trigger yet but I'm working on a homepage that shows Latest Posts and then Journal Updates. That seems to be what most people are looking for.

Let's see what the feedback says when I turn it on.