My biggest issue with photography forums - or what I'm concerned with - is that they tend to deteriorate into flame wars, back and forth crap about who's equipment is better, rumors, trolls, and just generally weird stuff (unless they're moderated).
Problem with moderating is that it is time consuming.
I'm thinking of some sort of approval threshold for being able to post. There would be a section where you'd fill out a post that has a link to your b&w images. I don't think they have to be particularly good - but they have to show some degree of sophistication in order to post.
Personally, I don't care about cursing - I curse all the time - but I don't want members calling each other names either - unless it's done with some wit. In other words, if you want to call yourself an idiot - I'm fine with that. If you want to grumble - fine.
But before you call another member a &^!* - you would need to take a deep breath, imagine that you are sitting in a bar with the other member who is bigger and stronger than you - and that you've both only had one or two beers. Now you need to look the other guy in the face and before your invective - ask yourself: Do you feel lucky? Well do you ya, punk.
At any rate - I'll spend a day working on it today and see how it goes.
I'm completely open to other ideas about how to manage the content of the forum.
THE BETA FORUM
3 comments:
The threshold isn't really having a website with pictures; but I'm determined that this whole thing not turn into a flaming morass. I would like it to be a friendly place where people can exchange information without getting hot about it.
I really have nothing against arguing about stuff - whatever it is - but I don't like it via computer. Maybe I'm just old fashioned that way.
Another possibility is that people who are in the WRITERS GROUP can recommend others that they vouch for.
Anyway - it's only day one. I think I have the permissions stuff worked out. (Greg was helpful with that by doing some beta testing).
As far as posting images directly - I'm not going to do that. You'll have to provide a link to images which are hosted somewhere else.
My two cents is: A few weeks ago you were tired of tutoring photographers all the time for free, and now it seems to me that you'll be doing just that all over again, even if it's in a different format. Less time for shooting and more time at the computer is not something I could afford, but I've got precious little time to play with. Still I think your time is best used fishing for the next killer image, rather than preventing online squabbles...
Matt - you could be right - but I don't plan on answering lots of questions. I really don't. I expect other members to ask and answer their own questions. I am only the tech. admin.
I will put ads on the site and have a possible source of more income.
If it turns into an unpaying headache - I'll just chalk it up to experience.
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