ALL MEMBERS - Your ideas are welcome - please!!

[byteme]

August 2011

The summer season is leaving the Northern Hemisphere and is eagerly awaited in the Southern Hemisphere - and life in Photozo goes on!

The Moderators are discussing ideas to invigorate Photozo - we are reviewing all aspects inc competions and challenges - NOT that they will necessarily change but we are aware many of our routines have been in place for some time.

It would be wrong if we didn't include you, our members, in this 'brain storming' session.

So we welcome all members to write their ideas here - we wont guarentee to use them all straight away - but they will be seriously considered as we enter the second half of 2011 - and a refresh of Photozo takes place

Thanks in advance for you input and ideas

The "Mods" :-)

[mishlove]

John...not sure how the BWC has become "too complicated" but be that as it may..if it does not seem to be working something should change.



Maybe another style of competition is a recurring competition, one that closes once the max number of entries has been reached (5, 10.....) , voting is by poll, and another starts.....not an original idea, I have seen it somewhere else).....and the entries are any photo from any time....the idea is to get members to post and participate with what they have.


The type of competition I mentioned is extremely popular and has a very high degree of participation., hence the mention.


.

[sacstoy02gt]

This is just an idea....

Seems like the gallery and forums are two somewhat different, disparate, worlds on here. Is there a way that with the upload of photos into the public/themed galleries, topics end up automatically created in the forum with the images? Bridging the gallery entries to the forum discussions.

I've experienced some forum software that does things like that but with calendar entries. Just curious if that's possible with the setup here and if anyone else thinks that may be worthwhile.

[byteme]

Isaac
One for us to review but I like the idea - I have stated on numerous occasions that the galleries are the poor relation to the Forum - but offer the most change with new photos daily

They have to be connected........... somehow, in my opinion

Thanks ~ John

[Skippy]

Dear Mods,

All of your time and attention to the Zo is deeply appreciated by many. You have written tuts on how to use the board. You have a welcoming letter and several others, so I do not understand.


One size will not fit all - but what Monnie is suggesting comes from many members voicing that the BWC etc has gotten 'too' complicated.

Yes, occasionally these can take a minute to find if we need to share them with newcomers. Unfortunately the whole world has a touch of ADD and do not take the time to find out what is already there. After all, upload here is in every invitation and vote here is always posted too.

The Zo has a tremendous body of knowledge, open to everyone. Some of the members came looking for that one piece of info and having found it, stayed, others moved on. In a thread here in the past few days, I believe it was a mod who said it is a photo sharing site. If you interpret that as sharing with friends, then there is a lot of competition for the members time, Facebook and now Google Plus?, who isn't even accepting people at the moment, and you tube etc. The Zo doesn't even hold a candle to these when it comes to complicated, yet that is where everyone is going for sharing. They come here for questions answered.

Not sure how to solve the dilemma. If you notice only the active members are taking part in these discussions. Why aren't we getting ideas from those who aren't taking part in the threads and challenges? These are the people we need to hear from. I could name a few.

As for complicated. Have long noticed that there are really two different forums here, threads and galleries.

We could make it more complicated by having a test you must pass before allowing any one to enter. Make it multiple choice, do you know where, do you what the frame is, do you know what exif is, do you know the maximum size you can upload etc.

:D:D:D:D


Wishing you the best of luck in solving this. By the way, how do you envision The Zo? I always feel that learning is the priority.

[brucep]

I didn't always participate in the BW or Monthly Challenges, but I did enjoy the way they were set up. The overlap of the Bi-Weekly challenges gave me two choices of what subjects to shoot (or both) and I liked that the winner got to choose the next challenge topic.

To me the Monthly Challenges were for the best of what we'd shot that month. Simple as that.

I "tweak" nearly everything I shoot in Photoshop, just to optimize the best parts of them and de-emphasize any shortcomings. This is a photography forum, primarily, though, not an image editing forum. Not everyone has photo editing software or is adept at using it, so I like to see some challenges where only a minimum of image editing is permitted and other challenges where all types of image editing are allowed without it turning into a wild and crazy "creative" shot... just depicting the scene as the photographer saw it.

In short, I liked those challenges the way they were. I'll be happy to go with the majority here, though, because Photozo is what its members want it to be.

I agree that our main objective is to help each other grow as photographers. I'm very grateful for all of the knowledge I've gained from my fellow Photozo members.

[yellalablady]

Thanks for your input, Bruce. I agree. I like both Challenges, but it seems only a handful of the same people enter. You've got a good idea about the PPing. I'll consider making different PPing for each month. I know of a site that does that. They'll through out a challenge with limited processing and another one with the sky's the limit. Thanks for giving me something to think about.

[yellalablady]

Skippy, personally I've never like the way we enter the challenges since we changed several years ago. I forget to go check out entries. That's pretty bad, since I'm the challenge moderator. I feel a lot of people don't even bother, especially newcomers. If it appears too difficult, it is. We used to get soooo many more entries when the upload was just a thread in the Challenge section. Same with voting. It did drop off significantly after the change and has been going down hill ever since. Thrust me when I say no one really like that one change in particular at the time. I'd be willing to keep the BWC with this one change just to see if it would rekindle interest.

[Skippy]

Monnie that must have been before my time. I don't ever remember doing it any other way. You might try first and give a 2 or 3 times to see if it helps. The rust challenge just got a way from me. The Lord knows there is not a lack of subject matter laying around here. lol It should have been easy shoot...........

[byteme]

Members will see a number of changes have been made to the Forum Set Up - with new forums added and some linked together
There is much work (mainly idea exchanges at present) taking place "behind the scenes" but we welcome ideas from all members whilst we go through this review.

We look forward to hearing from you

Moderators

[yellalablady]

Remember this is your forum, too. Now is the time to be heard if you'd like to see something different. We get suggestions from time to time, but it's not always easy(as you can tell from the hiccups we've been having the last couple days) to make changes. Now is time to speak up, we already screwed up the board what would a few more matter.lol lol lol. In all seriousness, we really want your input.

Moderators.

[BobR]

As a newb here I cant even figure out the callenges areas-especially how to navigate and get involved in one. I gave up-for now. :) Bob

[Skippy]

Well I think about 50 new or old members who would comment on at least five posts a day and vote in all challenges. Start minimum of two threads a week. That should keep us all busy. Can we run an ad somewhere. :bounce:

A note to the lurkers and sand baggers, I know you are reading this. If you are not striving for these bench marks, you are shirking your responsibilities as a member of the Zo. :-)

All kidding aside, what we really need more than changes are enthusiastic members.

[Pat_H]

Mods, et.al.-

One notable benefit I heard about having a challenge entry thread is that it will keep the challenge in front of people for longer. The challenge announcement does tend to get buried over the course of a couple weeks (a fortnight! - I can learn lol ). Unfortunately, it seems that most entries occur very late in the challenge period so I'm not sure an entry thread alone would provide the desired benefit of exposure.

If that challenge thread was a sticky on the portal page, that might keep it on people's mind. Also, if you opened up the period for eligible entries like say pictures taken a few weeks early are eligible, this might encourage or allow people to post entries early. Right now the main page displays past challenge and showcase photos. Maybe another section that displays a couple of the current challenge entries with the theme mentioned as part of the standard banner would help? Maybe display the current monthly and BWC winning photos along with a link to the current challenges.

With regard to getting the forum and gallery more unified, maybe the front page could display some of the latest uploads - maybe a random selection of photos uploaded over the last week or so?

Just my 2 cents.

-Pat

[Skippy]

Sorry Bob you were posting as I was writing.

Go to this thread. Very clear directions as how to.

http://www.photozo.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19912

In John's third picture. See the line towards the bottom that says members gallery, click on the little arrow to the right. A drop down menu appears for all your choices of where to put your picture. It will look like the attached a file. Scroll to whatever challenge you are looking for and click.

Then go forward with uploading. Hope this helps.

[byteme]

Thanks Skippy - you beat me to it.

Bob - hope the link helps - if you get stuck just ask - we'll guide you through

Regards ~ John

[byteme]

With regard to getting the forum and gallery more unified, maybe the front page could display some of the latest uploads - maybe a random selection of photos uploaded over the last week or so?

-Pat

Pat

Thats a great idea - Nice one - thank you ................. :-)

Thinks .........*now how the heck can we make that work.......? mutter mutter* mmmm!!

[Skippy]

You're Welcome John.


Thinks .........*now how the heck can we make that work.......? mutter mutter* mmmm!!


Am going to be gone most of the day. Please don't break the board while I am gone. lol

[BobR]

OK so I "thought" I entered the bi-weeekly" challenge just now but I cant find my picture? Argh...:confused: Bob

[BobR]

Tried it twice. I must be doing something wrong....Bob

[Leonie]

Does this help at all?

[mishlove]

John...not sure how the BWC has become "too complicated" but be that as it may..if it does not seem to be working something should change.



Maybe another style of competition is a recurring competition, one that closes once the max number of entries has been reached (5, 10.....) , voting is by poll, and another starts.....not an original idea, I have seen it somewhere else).....and the entries are any photo from any time....the idea is to get members to post and participate with what they have.


The type of competition I mentioned is extremely popular and has a very high degree of participation., hence the mention.


.


I will regurgitate what I had written above as I have seen this style have a very high degree of participation...a regular one and a monochrome one, 2 competitions.....this seems to get people involved...its easy, quick and someone wins...glory be to him/her.

I will not be offended if this too is ignored....I had 23 years of experience of being ignored and am thick skinned....there is always a positive in a negative...somewhere.

[BobR]

Does this help at all?

I went to the gallery,bi-weekly challange then clicked on upload pictures. Provided a title,description,etc and uploaded a picture from my computer. Said I successfully uploaded but nothing shows up? :confused: Bob

[Leonie]

What size is your photo Bob? I think if it's over a certain size in both kb and/or pixels it may not upload into the gallery, perhaps that is the problem?

[BobR]

What size is your photo Bob? I think if it's over a certain size in both kb and/or pixels it may not upload into the gallery, perhaps that is the problem?

800x500 apprimately. :) Bob

[yellalablady]

Let me have a look. I've been out all day.

[BobR]

Nevermind! Im challenged in more than photography! lol! Leonie-You nailed it.I thought I had resized it but evidently hadnt! :rolleyes:Thanks everyone for your patience. Bob

[yellalablady]

Michael, down the road I may consider your idea. I've got enough on my mind now with these two. I may keep the BWC if changing the entering and voting gets more entries.

[mishlove]

phew.....that was a long time to hold my breath.....OK, I know where the dog house is, just call me Fido....:rolleyes:

[Waterwings]

Something that's real minor, and just a personal preference with me, is that I'd like to see the "Online Users" block (currently at the bottom) in the right-hand margin moved to the top of the column. For some reason I'll collapse all of the blocks, but they don't stay that way. Just my personal preference. :)

[Ima Hack]

On an Electrical forum that I belong to , they have a "Thanks" button. Kinda nice when someone makes a comment that you concur with, or they compliment your work.

[Sage]

I don't know exactly how or what would work well, but a forum category where those new to photography could post their images without feeling intimidated or uneasy might be a good thing. When I first came to the Zo, I had about a year's experience in photography. It was quite intimidating to see all the posts on the portal with the superb work usually included. I remember lurking for another year before I posted anything. And even then, I was uncomfortable. If there had been a forum category for newbies, maybe I would have posted sooner. Maybe not everyone is uncomfortable posting their first works, but if they are, a forum category for newbies might encourage more participation instead of lurking. Thanks for listening. ~~Peg

[Skippy]

Paul we have something like that here, but I don't think anyone uses possibly because they don't know about. If you look at your reputation. It has been added to. The button is the scales that appears in the right upper hand corner of a post just before the number.

Skippy

PS The Photocamel forum has something similar, they call it karma and it shows your total under your avatar. Here you have to go to your page to see it.

[Ima Hack]

If you look at your reputation. It has been added to. The button is the scales that appears in the right upper hand corner of a post just before the number.
.

Oh yeah, I see it. So who adds the catchy phrases that you see when you hover over the green squares?

[Leonie]

Thanks for the suggestions :) We are discussing them and will implement those that we can. Just thought I'd post so you know that we are listening :)

[Skippy]

Oh yeah, I see it. So who adds the catchy phrases that you see when you hover over the green squares?

I don't know it comes with the square. lol I don't think anyone here uses it much. I know it's there, and I should use it more, but forget. Just answer the posts and go, maybe I should make an effort.

Skippy

[BobR]

How about the ability to delete threads you've started? I've got 30-something clunkers that for whatever reason no one replied to. Be nice to have the ability to thin them out. Bob

[Pixels]

I personally like the new changes in the monthly and weekly challenges with having a themed challenge for the monthly and an open theme for the weekly, instead of the other way around as it used to be. I often didn't enter the bi-weekly themed challenge due to time constraints with a particular subject. A month for a particular theme is enough time. I don't have a clue about ways to increase member participation in the galleries. I've known many members who've left Zo due to the lack of participation there. I have to admit that I'm not as active here as I once was, a matter which I'm trying to correct.

[BobR]

Also ,again ,an "unanswered posts" button. Leone- I figured out the way you described but it would be much simpler with one. :) Bob

[Waterwings]

How about the ability to delete threads you've started? I've got 30-something clunkers that for whatever reason no one replied to. Be nice to have the ability to thin them out. Bob


I agree, Bob. I would like to delete those of mine with no activity also.

[Waterwings]

Something I've thought about is maybe increasing the number of photos that are readily viewable when the gallery is clicked on. When eight (or more) new photos have been posted all at one time in the gallery by the same person, recent shots by other members are then unviewable. Or, limit the amount of photos one can post to the gallery to a max of 5, or something to that effect. At times I feel that the Zo is being used as a storage facility when multiple shots are posted, but the postees do not ever participate in the forums. Just my 2 cents. :)

[JimL]

I really like the newest changes to the EXIF information. Much easier to get to and very readable when it pops under the photos.

Jim

[Sage]

I love the new header banner. The aperture opening and closing looks really cool. Color is nice too. ~~Peg

[Kiasmum]

How about the ability to delete threads you've started? I've got 30-something clunkers that for whatever reason no one replied to. Be nice to have the ability to thin them out. Bob


I know this is an old post Bob,but I'm sure if you asked a Mod we could delete the unanswered threads for you...