Suggestions for improving the CDags site

[Andy Stockton]

Quote:

I agree with Alan’s suggestion. Perhaps we need another topic like “My latest successful Dag” for images like Richard’s and another like “What went wrong here?” for blank plates. One of the most frustrating experiences on this forum is inappropriate posting of great and faint images side by side. It would be helpful if more posters stayed on topic a bit more. –Photolytic

Hi John-

As one of the three editors I am always interested in discussions about ways to improve the CDags site. I wondered if you would want to elaborate some more on your suggestions quoted above, so I created this new topic rather than just replying to what you said in the “Your first daguerreotype…” (Since that thread would then be off topic).

I have often found “staying on topic” to be somewhat elusive in forums. Human conversations tend to be rather fluid and jump from subject to subject in my experience. That is why when I go to a forum I tend to just read whatever is new, rather than browse by topic. With a fairly small forum like CDags that is easy to do.

There is also the issue of differing intent by various posters. I for instance posted my blank plate to the “Your first daguerreotype…” topic because it was my first, and by being honest about the failure I think it will encourage other beginners not to be too discouraged by some early difficulties. I actually wouldn’t have posted it to a “What went wrong here?” topic, because I already knew what went wrong, and wasn’t looking for suggestions.

Intent comes into play in the postings to “Your latest dag!” topic as well. We end up with poor images alongside of great ones because both fit the rather general topic. I posted my rudimentary image there because it was my latest and because I was pleased to have captured anything on a plate at my stage in learning the process. Many people also use the “latest” topic to explore “what went wrong”.

In some forums only editors create topics, which tends to channel things more narrowly. Some sites also move or prune “off topic” posts more actively. In CDags we have taken a more hands off approach that allows more freedom of expression, but results in somewhat more chaos. More input on how we do things is always welcome. We exist to further the community of contemporary daguerreotypists.

So to all – an ongoing invitation to use this topic to suggest ideas for improving the site. And John, please feel free to elaborate further if you like.

[jgmotamedi]

I have three suggestions, but these are nuts-and-bolts issues rather than recommendations for ways of keeping people on topic.

First, an email function (or PM) on the forum to directly contact forum members.

Second, I notice that I am signed-off the forum after a undetermined amount of time. I much prefer to remained logged in, can this be changed?

Third, in addition to an the RSS feed, it it possible to have a subscription function which emails when a topic is updated?

I hope I am not going off topic here, as I am rather liberally interpreting the meaning of ‘suggestions for improving the CDags site’ for my own purposes.

jason

[Jon Lewis]

Jason, those sorts of suggestions are also great. As we look at upgrading and revising the site it helps to know what features people would like to see added, removed, and improved.

CDags is a combination of technology and community. It is important to keep the technology and philosophy of the site current with the needs and desires of the community in order to fulfill its purpose of encouraging growth in the art and science of daguerreotypy.

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