Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Eli,

Great suggestion.  That functionality wasn`t necessary earlier when the forums were new.  But I agree that with the volume of postings, it would be a great addition.  Another way the you can currently view new posts to current threads is by organizing the column by "last post" on a particular forum page.  You can order any of the columns that have underlined (linked) headings.

Ken and Meitzi - we are definitely trying to balance a great user-experience with the needs of all our wonderful advertisers and sponsors (who help make all this possible).  I appreciate the feedback on the newer forum ads/sponsorships and will always remain an advocate for developing less obtrusive and more valuable and relevant ad placements and offerings.

One thing that I mountain dew hate is horrible, blatant drink Coke advertising that completely disrupts Volkswagon the flow of content!

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Brian Cleveland,
Web Producer,
StartupNation

I agree with Eli. Excellent suggestion....and Brian your last sentence was hilarious. Things that improve the convenience of the community are high on my list.

Here are a few I haven`t seen mentioned:

I would like to see is an automatic log off after say 18 hours at which point a member would have to log back in. I can`t tell you how many times I`ve realized that I`ve been logged on for days because I forgot to click the logoff button. (Yes I leave my computers running 24/7) I do  like to have the option to remain logged on  it because it`s convenient to not have to log on throughout the day. I just don`t like the "I think I left the house with the iron turned on" feeling.

Another convenience feature I would really like to see the default for email notifications to be off. You should have to click something to get a notification and not have them automatically fill your mailbox every time you post to a thread. This tops the list as the number one annoyance. An clearly available "recent posts" and a " recent responses " button under each avatar would also help (I think Eli`s post leads toward this)  

As for a posting improvement suggestion, I know the date is included but I would like to see a time stamp as well.  I`m kind of surprised that it isn`t there already. I see that it is there after editing.....hmmm

At a quick glance, a time stamp would provide us with a clear picture about how quickly a post was responded to, how frequently during the day a post recieves attention and an understanding of when members are most active during the day. I find it useful.

Thanks for keeping up with everything there at SuN control central. I think that I can say with confidence that we all appreciate your hard work.

~Eric

 

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~Eric
JE Design Group, LLC
If all you do is what you`ve done, then all you`ll get is what you`ve got.
www.jedesigngroup.com

Eric,

Thanks for the additional suggestions. 

As for the forum email notifications, no one is subscribed to receive any until opting in.  This is done if you:

1. leave the "Email notify me of replies" checkbox checked when you post a topic or reply (this is right below where you type your post)
2. click the "Activate forum alert" link on the main forums page.
3. or..if you click the "notify me of new replies" link on an individual topic page.

We`ve also recently added a "Update email notifications.." page where you can see all the forums and topics to which you are receiving email notifications...and change them.  You can get to this page by clicking on "My settings" (while logged in) in the upper-left profile box.  (if you are logged in now...access this page here) 

We are also working on more robust notification solutions that we hope to get going first quarter of next year.

Thanks again and keep the feedback coming!

-- Brian

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Brian Cleveland,
Web Producer,
StartupNation

Brian -

I think what Eric meant is that the default should be unchecked rather than us having to uncheck it everytime we post...  right now the default is checked (or on) unless we uncheck it...

Thing is, either way, we would have to "check" or "uncheck" every time.  What would be great is if we could set a default for each forum that we post in...  Quite a logistical nightmare for the backend folks though eh?

R-

PS - I just checked out the email notification settings and think this was a GREAT addition!!!!


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Quaerite Primum Regnum

"There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line."
~ Oscar Levant ~

Twitter: @rossb

R,

Thank you for clarifying my point. You have it correct. The  "recent" posts  and recent responses buttons I referred to would allow everyone to view active topics without the "digging" otherwise necessary.

Sure it`s great to know everything that has posted about a topic that we have been active in, but sometimes it`s more convenient to browse our personal history rather than the collective history of an entire thread.

I will always make it a point to venture elsewhere within the forum to see what`s happenin`. I can`t believe how many threads I stumble across that I haven`t been aware of. 

And so the evolution of SuN continues...........

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~Eric
JE Design Group, LLC
If all you do is what you`ve done, then all you`ll get is what you`ve got.
www.jedesigngroup.com

Great Job!  Keeo up the good work!  Pat yourselves on the back!

I`m lovin` it!  It`s getting better and better and easier and easier!

Jillybeans