Blogs... Want your feedback!

I agree with your observation. Forum posts and blog posts are often mistaken and ultimately don't really differentiate content that much. I would not object to a merger of these two systems.

The main purpose is to spark discussion - I'm sure we'll survive :)

Lars Wiberg (slartie) | http://slartie.wordp... | http://www.flickr.co...
Currently reading: NOTHING! | Books read this year: 1

I agree with your observation. Forum posts and blog posts are often mistaken and ultimately don't really differentiate content that much. I would not object to a merger of these two systems.

The main purpose is to spark discussion - I'm sure we'll survive :)

Lars Wiberg (slartie) | http://slartie.wordp... | http://www.flickr.co...
Currently reading: NOTHING! | Books read this year: 1

The only thing I like about the current system is that the blog is like my own personal history of what I've written. Other than that, I never know which place to write in either.

Personally I like the blog format.  I can just put down random thoughts, and if anyone wants to respond, great, if not, no problem.  The forums are (I think) more for specific questions and comments.  Sometimes it's just nice to write a little something and log it away.

I've been carefully building my blog for all my pipe experience and lore (such as it is) vs using the forums for everyday posting.  I'd hate to lose the blog I've built.  I've referred new smokers to it in the past ... oh man, I'd hate to lose all that typing.

What I'd rather get rid of is this point system.  I realize it was your plan originally to use it in conjunction with contests you had in mind but frankly (being one of the top posters), I find it kind of a downer showing me I'm spending far too much time here!  Losing it would not ruin my day.

Rick Piatt

Thanks for the feedback so far guys.

Yeah, the points system is going to go. I still want to hold contests... but participation levels will not be used in any way to determine the outcomes.

I think I am going to go can the points right now. Or in two minutes from now.

This is the only site anywhere that I know which encourages conversation and rumination.  To lose this great flexibility would be a disservice to, and might end, dialogue.  Please consider keeping the blog-format. 

 "I see a bearded hero, with slouch hat and shepherd's crook, a clay pipe in his mouth. He is a Bohemian-ever a popular type of hero, and the Bohemian is to be known all the world over by the pipe, which he prefers to a cigar.

Sounds like the solution isn't necessarily then getting rid of the blogs due to their similarity to other content on the site, but rather to do what we can to make the different enough in style and design to clear up any confusion for the users.

with the current format of blogs/forum and have never heard any others complain.  Others have expressed their displeasure with performance and have stopped posting due to it.  Switching the server seems to be a great improvement in that area and possible some may return now that the problem seems to have gone away.

As far as a face lift for the site, while it would be good I don't believe it is an absoulte necessity.  I have been fortunate enough to meet and have a bowl with other forum members here.  With that not always being possible this site is the next best thing.  It is the camaraderie between fellow members here that makes this my go-to site and to that end - I think it serves us all very well.  I am very thankful for all that you have done for us.

Fume in pace, ckr

Bingo!

We have a winner!

(Not that it matters to me personally, given the fact I just jump in somewhere in a thread or comment list, rather than starting a new one myself) 

Cheers!

Corneel Vermeulen

http://pipelore.net

Why don't I ever get emails about these things until someone happens to casually mention they are having issues in the chat?

Seriously folks - admin@my-pipes.com *wink*

I think overall the points only tended to intimidate less frequent participants.  Knowing that you only post 25 times while others (like me) posted 800 times kind of makes you say, "who cares what I have to say" ... which of course is completely insane!  I care!  And I want to read more folks posting here regardless of how much others post.

Ya done good Brian.

Rick Piatt

was fairly apparent that the performance of the site was deterioating.  While I could have added my voice to the "reports of the site being a little slow" I instead thought - Cut the dude some slack, he'll get to it when he can.  It's not like we are paying for membership here. 

Sorry, I was wrong.  The next time I'll spam the living hell out of your mail box. :-)

Fume in pace, ckr

a "reply" posted to a message is dropping to the bottom of the thread rather than following the post it is a reply to 

Fume in pace, ckr

I would like to keep the Blog vs. Forum layout - some people may take a little while to learn how to navigate the site - but I agree with Rick on keeping the blog history.

The point thing can come or go - I would hate to see folks not participate because they were too far down in "points" and felt intimidated by more regular posters.

Great job!

 Bob Rivet    

Smoke your pipe and be silent; there's only wind and smoke in the world.  ~Irish Proverb

As long as it doesn't complicate things as far as posting is concerned, I welcome any changes.

Lars Wiberg (slartie) | http://slartie.wordp... | http://www.flickr.co...
Currently reading: NOTHING! | Books read this year: 1

Unfortunately, when I am quite busy with client work, I only have a chance to check in here every few days. Perhaps because of the time of day I would check or something, but it always seemed quite responsive to me. It wasn't until I heard in the chat and read in a forum post that some members had possibly left due to performance issues that I was made aware of the problem.

At any rate, no big deal - performance issues should now be history!

Unfortunately, that is part and parcel of the new flat forum function that I have given the MPC forums. In essence, they now behave somewhat like other forum systems new users may be more familiar with, such as PHPBB or vBulletin.

This just means that users will now have to take fuller advantage of the 'quote' link to carry on conversations!

I may re-implement threaded discussions to work with this forum system, but unless the entire site is screaming for it, it is fairly low on my priority list.

I'd keep the blog feature but would dump the point system as it is.I think the Knoxville Board has the right idea.You go up one point with each post you make and your points are displayed below your picture..You go from private to sargeant to lieutenant to ect to ect all the way up to Yoda when you've made over a thousand posts..Start over and let everyone accumulate points at their own speed.Just my two cents....I love the new layout... Well done...

Best,

D.

The Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club of Boston... "Keeping The Smoking Lamp Lit Since 1989"

www.shpcboston.org

See My Gallery Page Here:

http://ww

One more idea... How about a place under our pic to say where in the world that we are?

Just a thought...

Best,D.

 The Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club of Boston... "Keeping The Smoking Lamp Lit Since 1989"

www.shpcboston.org

See My Gallery Page Here:

http://ww

I regularly refer to the Roll Call post for blogger location as my memory is as short as my...ah,..er,..little finger...

 Bob Rivet    

Smoke your pipe and be silent; there's only wind and smoke in the world.  ~Irish Proverb

ah well, you win some, you lose some.  But if you could reimplement it ... I'd sure appreciate it.

Rick Piatt

ROTFLMAO

Rick Piatt

I am a fairly new member and did find the two applications confusing and redundant.  I'm not sure that the blog application is the one to remove, but it won't matter much either way.