J
JRB
Guest
Keep it in mind in the mean time if you need it.Ridemonkey said:
How would you grow a Ridemonkey?
- Thread starter Ridemonkey
- Start date
I Are Baboon said:
stosh said:
I have to say that I have been a bit driven away from ridemonkey lately because of a gradual but notable change over the past few months. It seems that such a huge amount of posts/threads are about "why do you all hate me?", "Loco sucks"... etc. It started to get really old. Then... enter reputation ratings. This only perpetuated these types of threads. I'm not going anywhere, but I really fail to see how newer users would not be turned off by this... If a user's posting behaviour is not "within the spirit" of what the current owner of ridemonkey.com desires, they should be moderated accordingly. Just my 2c...
I think this would make a good case for being able to individually "moderate" threads with a "thread ignore" feature.Crashby said:
I have to say that I have been a bit driven away from ridemonkey lately because of a gradual but notable change over the past few months. It seems that such a huge amount of posts/threads are about "why do you all hate me?", "Loco sucks"... etc. It started to get really old. Then... enter reputation ratings. This only perpetuated these types of threads. I'm not going anywhere, but I really fail to see how newer users would not be turned off by this... If a user's posting behaviour is not "within the spirit" of what the current owner of ridemonkey.com desires, they should be moderated accordingly. Just my 2c...
stosh said:
I dont understand where it's going, seems to be just an annoying toy thing for all the nerds that dont really ride...
I 2nd thatdhbuilder said:
I 2nd thatstosh said:
Crashby said:
I have to say that I have been a bit driven away from ridemonkey lately because of a gradual but notable change over the past few months. It seems that such a huge amount of posts/threads are about "why do you all hate me?", "Loco sucks"... etc. It started to get really old. Then... enter reputation ratings. This only perpetuated these types of threads. I'm not going anywhere, but I really fail to see how newer users would not be turned off by this... If a user's posting behaviour is not "within the spirit" of what the current owner of ridemonkey.com desires, they should be moderated accordingly. Just my 2c...
I really agree with this statement, and i find myself not caring about much other than the DH forum/Buy Sell as well...The lounge really has gone down hill lately. I know a bunch of guys with very low post counts on here that have been totally turned off by the current topics...You might say you dont care, but they are quality users, that have alot of good info to contribute...
This might never happen, but I love the www.bmxboard.com format. It's soooo simple and straight forward. All these dang avatars and signatures drive me crazy. Do we really need all that stuff cluttering up the page? Please make RideMonkey more like BMX Board. They also don't censor anything.
I say make it simpler. It's too damn complicated, with too many features.
I say make it simpler. It's too damn complicated, with too many features.
The reputation thing is new, so it's getting a lot of attention. Eventually that will subside and I'll reveal it's true purpose.
the arcade was nice. very nice.
for more traffic... attract people who normally dont use forums with more non-geek friendly information, like reviews, where is the best deal on a part, trail maps, trail directions, a little bike shop yellow pages (if reviews are included, probably better), riding spots and specific stuff people who surf the internet to expand their biking horizons would look for.
for more traffic... attract people who normally dont use forums with more non-geek friendly information, like reviews, where is the best deal on a part, trail maps, trail directions, a little bike shop yellow pages (if reviews are included, probably better), riding spots and specific stuff people who surf the internet to expand their biking horizons would look for.
I always like making things simpler, and will look for ways to do that.bikenweed said:
No moderation will not work though.
I agree. basically, when you put someone on ignore, you don't even know they exist.dhbuilder said:
Of course, I couldn't use that function myself, but I am still in favor of it.
manhattanprjkt83 said:
a couple things here...
if someone doesn't like a particular thread, they don't have to open and read it. failing that, use the ignore feature on certain users.
or, they can create their own thread which they feel is interesting.
one legit beef is thread hijacking, but it's very hard to police correctly and consistently.
User error.bikenweed said:
"Visible Post Elements
You have the option to show or hide various elements of messages, which may be of use to users on slow internet connections, or who want to remove extraneous clutter from posts.
Show Signatures
Show Avatars
Show Images (including attached images and images in
Press release "junk mail" box?Ridemonkey said:
Take all of those press releases and ads etc, and put them somewhere on the site that people can browse them. Add a disclaimer that Ridemonkey does not edit or promote the items, they are just there for what they are.
When I joined RM the semi-regular raffles and random prize things were pretty cool. "Post a pic, win a set of brakes" etc. This encourages members to actively contribute something, and hopefully they continue without the carrot.
... lemme guess... to increase ads to those with poor feedback ratings to help drive subscriber revenue?Ridemonkey said:
not a bad idea btw...
I would also like to add that I feel this is the best MTB forum on the web, nowhere else gets the amount of industry personnel and expertise that frequent this board. When I need good solid info I usually find it here (bike or non bike related)...
I just wish we could make the best better and cut down on some of the garbage
I just wish we could make the best better and cut down on some of the garbage
i think the problem is that the Lounge, for better or for worse, is what it is, and it's not gonna stay even >50% bike-related most days...the DH board is well-run and on topic for the most part, and the ride report forum i think it is an unmitigated hit.manhattanprjkt83 said:
i see it as a chicken and egg thing...most people want their posts to reach a larger audience, so they choose the lounge, rather than perhaps a more relevant forum such as cross country, tech talk, racing, fitness, etc. so these other forums don't get much traffic. and threads which are of value get posted in the lounge and get submerged pretty fast.
stinkyboy said:
a video/photog forum would be pretty cool.
ditto.manhattanprjkt83 said:
there's a little snobbish action going on in some areas,
but overall our forum in the south is a great place to find out who doing what and where.
i've used the south forum to promote the downhill trail system i've been building for the last six years. if it hadn't been for this site, very few riders would have ever known about it.
i for one appreciate that opportunity.
My random thoughts...
I'd like to see a gear review section. We had one at one point, but seems to have been nixed.
[flame suit on]
I'd like to see the lounge be reserved for general bike topics... get rid of all the garbage... no more off-topic stuff. However, in the long run, that may hurt growth of the site, but might help quality. Tough call, but you asked.
I'd like to see a gear review section. We had one at one point, but seems to have been nixed.
[flame suit on]
I'd like to see the lounge be reserved for general bike topics... get rid of all the garbage... no more off-topic stuff. However, in the long run, that may hurt growth of the site, but might help quality. Tough call, but you asked.
Maybe another branch off of the main forums where MTB clubs can have there own posting area.
Keep it to suggestions like the head monkey requested.
Suggestions does not mean complaining about how the lounge sucks, nor does it mean complaining about how your buddies could roast everyone on the forum.
Suggestions does not mean complaining about how the lounge sucks, nor does it mean complaining about how your buddies could roast everyone on the forum.
How about a Ridmonkey Bike that gets sold to help the site? (similar to Stinkyboy's RM bike thingy)
Members donate parts and the final bike gets sold or raffled off to generate site money.
Donors that pitch in more than $XX worth of parts get premium memberships.
Members donate parts and the final bike gets sold or raffled off to generate site money.
Donors that pitch in more than $XX worth of parts get premium memberships.
I agree, a trail finder would be sweet, I often find myself reading about a trail thats nearby, but I've never heard of. Would also help the new guys just getting into the sport.ALEXIS_DH said:
I would aslo like a revision, or explanation of some sort of te reputation thing. It seems like a silly game to make Stinkyboy and Loco look bad, both of whom, IMO are a quite good addition to RM.
i know any forum is only as good or bad as the people posting on it.
and it's the people that post that determin what's working here, and what's going to gather dust.
one of the things that pops up in the downhill forum from time to time that always get multiple responses, are how to threads.
how to, corner.
how to, ride rockgardens.
how to, jump. etc...
something to think about.
and it's the people that post that determin what's working here, and what's going to gather dust.
one of the things that pops up in the downhill forum from time to time that always get multiple responses, are how to threads.
how to, corner.
how to, ride rockgardens.
how to, jump. etc...
something to think about.
Oh my god yes...have BAH or Transcend be the Mods...jdschall said:
I think an unedited press release forum would be great. Props to head monkey for wanting to save us from the ad speak, but there are lots of sites that just print them without editing. Plus, press releases will generate related threads anyway, so there will be plenty of e-speculation and people explaining the BS to those who can't figure it out themselves.
Reviews categorized by manufacturer and/or product would be good. For new users it can be tough to find specific info: Some clown will berate them for not "doing a search," and when they do a search they often have to sift through piles of drivel. Instead they can just go look at mtbr and find the product quickly. Once there they might stay on those forums.
I don't think a picture or video forum will add much. They would need to be further categorized and anyway it could be covered by having a picture or video sticky in the existing forums.
How to attract new users...hmmm, does RM do any advertising? I have no idea what it would cost but I imagine it could be good to get ads up on some of the magazine sites, maybe Drunkcyclist.com, IMBA, etc.
As for how to keep them, consider giving away schwag to people once they reach 250 or 500 un-moderated posts. You know, give 'em a reason to stick around if they don't immediately like what they see.
It might already exist but you might also consider a "New User's Guide to RM" explaining how to do simple stuff and warning them to not be put-off by all the asshats.
Reviews categorized by manufacturer and/or product would be good. For new users it can be tough to find specific info: Some clown will berate them for not "doing a search," and when they do a search they often have to sift through piles of drivel. Instead they can just go look at mtbr and find the product quickly. Once there they might stay on those forums.
I don't think a picture or video forum will add much. They would need to be further categorized and anyway it could be covered by having a picture or video sticky in the existing forums.
How to attract new users...hmmm, does RM do any advertising? I have no idea what it would cost but I imagine it could be good to get ads up on some of the magazine sites, maybe Drunkcyclist.com, IMBA, etc.
As for how to keep them, consider giving away schwag to people once they reach 250 or 500 un-moderated posts. You know, give 'em a reason to stick around if they don't immediately like what they see.
It might already exist but you might also consider a "New User's Guide to RM" explaining how to do simple stuff and warning them to not be put-off by all the asshats.
Remove the rep mod...it does nothing but foster whining and infighting among current members.Ridemonkey said:
Cut the elitism crap down a touch. I know of more than one person who has looked at the site and has gone elsewhere because many of the posters here are so intolerant of new posters (lounge specifically, the other forums are quite good).
And (it's just a picky bit), but that little menu bar that you can pull down and select any forum off of (that is at the bottom of the page) would be super on top for another easy navigation tool.
A selection of How To's would be great. I think that if you're looking for advice, a standard post in the forums will serve, but just a section where writeups could be submitted and listed would be awesome.biggins said:
It could be used for writeups on mechanical tutorials as well (how to change your fork oil, etc.)
Maybe split the lounge into the bike related stuff and a plain old off topic forum as a solution?jacksonpt said:
the product reviews sound like a good idea, but in the end i think it's a daunting task, unless the membership base of RM rises dramatically. even MTBR (which has a lot more users) has problems w/ keeping on top of stuff, because so many products get released each year.
i will admit that mtbr's trail reviews are a nice resource, but they really porked the system when they changed how they are listed (by trail name rather than town/locale).
i will admit that mtbr's trail reviews are a nice resource, but they really porked the system when they changed how they are listed (by trail name rather than town/locale).
there have been 3 active topics in the xc forum today.robdamanii said:
I'm not saying a specific kind of biking.narlus said:
Hell, it could be as lame as "check out the new schwag i installed" and as involved as "I'm looking for XXX bike for XXX person who is 5 foot 6 and 175 pounds, I need (list), help me out. Why, what, where."
It would be nice to be able to read that kind of thing without sorting through all the junk in the lounge is all.
That is a very good idea. I completely agree.robdamanii said:
we've got forums for:robdamanii said:
road
xc/cyclo-x
dh
freeride
trials
edit - and i forgot dirt jump and the newly minted 29er forums.
i find it hard to believe that the sort of post you described couldn't find a home in one of them.
fact is, we've got no shortage of specific forums, just not many people who use them; let's not add another bike-related forum.