- This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 9 months, 3 weeks ago by
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Hey all, some random musings from me..
I just read through this post from a few months back which I thought was pretty interesting: https://www.activemelody.com/forums/topic/keeping-the-forum-fresh-and-alive/
In my day job, I’m a software engineer building websites and such. When I use the AM forum, which I love and check regularly, I have to constantly convince myself to not want to rebuild the entire site that has all the bells and whistles we all want 😆 The current site/forum has a “vintage” feel to it for lack of better words. As a developer I’m always itching to have a side project, so it’s hard for me to fight this urge. I’de even do it for free.
But I am conflicted, because I also don’t want to take away from this forum. Lessons, membership, and forum are all tied closely together here. So maybe someone has an idea out there for a different guitar site idea I could explore. Would be interested in any ideas you have.
Here are some ideas I have for my dream guitar forum, would be fun to hear yours too!
– can’t post until you’ve replied x number of times to others
– medals, badges, achievements that are guitar themed
– profiles, I would like to see all posts from a certain user
– better notifications
– hitting reply shouldn’t mean you have to scroll to the bottom of the page to make your reply
– make the youtube embed link thing a little bit more obvious
– collaboration on a jam track (love this idea from the thread above)Where I am in my guitar journey I don’t really watch lessons anymore so I feel the community/forum aspect is really important to my improvement.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the simplicity of the site is great and things work perfectly as they should, just brainstorming for the sake of brainstorming.
At the end of the day, maybe I should forget the idea of mixing my passion for guitar with software and just stick to my day job. Also this might just be an elaborate way for me to procrastinate and not practice my arpeggios 🤘
Nick
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Hi Nick,
That would be a very generous offer. In spite of the “vintage” feel of the site I think it works pretty well, although I can’t say I’m familiar with other forums. I don’t think it’s Brian’s top priority so I’m just glad we have what we do. The forum is actually a very small portion of the membership.
A few points. It is possible to see all posts from one user. Clicking on their name takes you to their profile page and clicking Forums brings up all their posts. We were once notified if someone replied to your post or reply but it crashed the site. I actually find it irritating when somebody makes the exact same point you have just made and it’s clear they didn’t look at anybody else’s reply. I’m not sure about medals and badges, I worry it would exclude some members. Brian does still offer a free AM t-shirt for 10 challenge responses on the honour system. People that post but never reply is definitely a pet peeve of mine but I generally ignore those members.
In the end, the forum is only as good as the input of the members. It’s great to have you on board and contributing.
John-
Thanks John, didn’t know about the profile->forum link, thanks for letting me know. Definitely agree that the forum is only as good as its members, and I have some experience seeing other sites having the newest fancy tech but pretty dead communities. So I think “don’t change it if it ain’t broke” is probably the way to go.
Nick
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That is a generous offer of yours Nick but the original discussion (started by Sunjamr Steve) was centred around how we could foster more interest and communication from existing and new members to the Forum.
The existing design of the Forum could certainly benefit from some tweaking here and there but nothing that needs a complete restructure.
I believe that the categories that could be deleted are:-
* Most Popular Post
* Post with Most Replies
* My Active PostsThe next two categories could be merged as one, which catches all new posts (both new and replies)
* Latest Posts
* Post FreshnessThe last two categories I think are useful:-
* All My Posts
* Posts With My ReplyI think it important to have a ‘Welcome Pack’ for beginners to the site, which could contain sections on ‘Starter Lessons’, tips on ‘Recording and Posting’ etc.
I don’t subscribe to a ‘Like’ button as I believe members that have posted a piece are encouraged by positive and constructive comments from viewers.I think the new ideas on Collaboration and the Zoom meetings etc. are welcome and encouraging and our existing Forum members can benefit where they think fit but the resolution for recruiting any significant amount of ‘new’ members to the Forum lies with Brian.
Richard
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I agree with you Nick…I think the site could use a face lift to make it look more current and vibrant. But I also know a lot of people don’t like change (me included) and would not want to see any changes.
I also don’t know how Brian would feel spending the effort/energy/$$$ to change the forum software. I just don’t think the forums are a big income producer. I think people join AM to get access to the additional resources available to members.
Whether a site refresh increases activity well, I doubt it. But I liked your ideas about badges which could be displayed next to a member’s profile picture. Things like most posts for the month/week, most replies for the month/week, and other stuff like that. It could reset each month/week so it would always be changing.
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge -
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Nick
Thanks for the offer. I agree with most of what was already stated and don’t think I could offer anything else original or intelligent. I would however, reach out to Brian and see what he thinks. All he can do is say “great idea or no.” I have a hard time believing that this site will never be updated. It’s just a matter of when and to what extent. Maybe your ideas might generate some action with him. FYI-I do love listening/watching your posts. You have a very smooth touch and dulcet tone. Keep ’em coming.John
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Lots of good ideas here, and maybe some will be incorporated into the next update of the forum software. Meanwhile, what I’m trying to do is to mention the AM forum in my Youtube videos whenever possible. I know that only a tiny percentage of AM premium members ever even bother to check out the forum. And if they do, they are mainly just lurkers and don’t post any comments. It’s kind of sad really, since those of us who regularly check into the forum consider it to be an important part of the Active Melody experience. It seems like the people who are motivated to post videos of themselves playing are the ones who end up getting involved in the forum.
But as far as I can tell, only a very tiny percentage of AM members bother to video themselves doing their thing. Instead, they huddle in their sad little music rooms relentlessly practicing their tabs in endless obscurity where no one can hear them play except their cats or dogs. Or maybe when their spouses accidentally walk past and are forced to momentarily hear it. Little do they know that if they logged into the forum, joined in on the monthly challenges and started posting some videos, their playing skills would increase very rapidly.Sunjamr Steve
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Nick
Thanks for the offer. I agree with most of what was already stated and don’t think I could offer anything else original or intelligent. I would however, reach out to Brian and see what he thinks. All he can do is say “great idea or no.” I have a hard time believing that this site will never be updated. It’s just a matter of when and to what extent. Maybe your ideas might generate some action with him. FYI-I do love listening/watching your posts. You have a very smooth touch and dulcet tone. Keep ’em coming.John
update
been moderator for 14 years
keep it simple
people understand it that way
the forum is for us to see the 6strings on how well we express ourselves on itThe melody of the notes is what expresses the art of music . 🙂 6stringerPete
It really is all about ”melody”. The melody comes from a language from our heart. Our heart is the muscle in music harmony. The melody is the sweetness that it pumps into our musical thoughts on the fretboard. 🙂 6 stringer Pete
Pete
Active Melody
Forum Moderator
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