How should XMTS grow and improve?

[Chas]

Buckskin;683442 I think most everyone agrees that we need to stay a forum. There is some discussion about newbie questions, especially the ones we have seen 811,721 times. I can see the advantage of some tutorials, but people ask questions to get human response, not to be shuffled off to an encyclopedia. I have always admired those who realize that the tired old question being asked is fresh and new to the asker, and answered it as such. There are those who have the patience to do that, so let them. If you don't, then move on and resist the quick tart comment about, here we go again! These new people are our new blood, cultivate them.

I have no desire to know about what shotguns are being made in Scotland these days. Hunting pics on a link the way it has been offered would be enough if I cared to explore it. I would like to see a place for Celtic weapons in an historic/re-anactment setting.

I am sorry I wasn't with you 4 years ago - going through the agony of the first kilted experience together. I wasn't with you when 'The Question' was asked for the first time. I missed making the fashion mistakes then. But I am here now; and going through that agony now; and making those mistakes now; and struggling with 'The Question' now. Whatever support and guidance, comradeship and loyalty you got then - well I need that now. More often than not 'Search is not my friend' - I really do not want to know what people thought four years ago. We've had a war since then and a recession - what I and all the other newbies want to know is what people think today - now. I for one am more than grateful to all those who take the time to answer the same questions again and again.

I also agree with Buckskin on the topic of weapons. Would it not be possible to have a VERY time limited and heavily modded forum of say three months tops for the discussion of weapons and side arms used by the Scottish regiments and/or the Celtic peoples up to 31st December 1918. At the end of the third month, the forum slams shut at the stroke of midnight with a bang and then the mods discuss the pros and cons. Has it worked or not? If not, then it could be held up as the failed experiment, never to be repeated. If on the other hand, it wasn't an unmitigated disaster, then maybe a limited thread might be allowed. Just a thought.

Regards

Chas

[herminator]

From a technical perspective, I'd like to suggest two enhancements:

1. Ignore this forum - the "New Posts" link almost my exclusive entry point to XMTS, and there are several high-traffic forums that I would just as soon never encounter except through explicit searches.
2. Ignore this thread - sometimes I've had it with a particular thread - it has become inane and I'm ready to have it drop off my radar, by which I mean the "New Posts" results.

Me too!!

[DWFII]

From a technical perspective, I'd like to suggest two enhancements:

1. Ignore this forum - the "New Posts" link almost my exclusive entry point to XMTS, and there are several high-traffic forums that I would just as soon never encounter except through explicit searches.
2. Ignore this thread - sometimes I've had it with a particular thread - it has become inane and I'm ready to have it drop off my radar, by which I mean the "New Posts" results.

My apologies but I don't understand why this is a problem? I don't get email from threads or forums that I don't post and subscribe to. And if a thread wears out its welcome by becoming "inane" (and they sometimes do) I simply "unsubscribe."

I would make note that even some of the best ideas being floated in this discussion are impractical simply because either the software (the underlying program that creates and runs the forum) won't allow it , or such ideas take up too much bandwidth or server-space. How much of that is applicable to XMarks, I don't know but that's the way it works with other forums.

[DWFII]

I can see the advantage of some tutorials, but people ask questions to get human response, not to be shuffled off to an encyclopidia. I have always admired those who realize that the tired old question being asked is fresh and new to the asker, and answered it as such. There are those who have the patience to do that, so let them. If you don't, then move on and resist the quick tart comment about, here we go again! These new people are our new blood, cultivate them.

I think this is one of the most intelligent comments made so far in this thread. Good on you, mate!

I also wonder...not sure how it would play out...if segregating the forum further in to sections for "strictly traditional," "strictly modern," etc., wouldn't be a bit self-defeating. And I'm a "traditionalist." But part of the "energy" of Xmarks is the interplay of different points of view. Sometimes things get a little heated, it's true, but the most savoury dishes are the one where heat has been applied and the flavours have had the chance to meld.

[Scotus]

I am sorry I wasn't with you 4 years ago - going through the agony of the first kilted experience together. I wasn't with you when 'The Question' was asked for the first time. I missed making the fashion mistakes then. But I am here now; and going through that agony now; and making those mistakes now; and struggling with 'The Question' now. Whatever support and guidance, comradeship and loyalty you got then - well I need that now. More often than not 'Search is not my friend' - I really do not want to know what people thought four years ago.

This is very well said, Chas. I think it'd be very unfriendly to simply say, "Go HERE to find your answer." This should be a place about discussion.

I think we've allowed a lot of these responses to focus on what The Wizard of BC posted in his original post, and I think a lot of us disagree with his post, partly for the reasons you give here.

[Rex_Tremende]

My apologies but I don't understand why this is a problem? I don't get email from threads or forums that I don't post and subscribe to. And if a thread wears out its welcome by becoming "inane" (and they sometimes do) I simply "unsubscribe.

I don't use the subscribe function because I don't want to start cluttering up my mailboxes. The only mail I want to get is that which is directed to me specifically. But as I said, my main entry is "New Posts" which shows all recent activity. I enjoy being able to choose from all the conversations that are going on, though the truth is I tend to ignore most. What I'm suggesting is some sort of control that will support my filtering preferences.

I would make note that even some of the best ideas being floated in this discussion are impractical simply because either the software (the underlying program that creates and runs the forum) won't allow it , or such ideas take up too much bandwidth or server-space. How much of that is applicable to XMarks, I don't know but that's the way it works with other forums.

Having been involved in IT for the last 20-some years, I should have prefaced my suggestions with "If it were feasible..." But I saw this thread as a brainstorming session. The rules of brainstorming prohibit squashing ideas so as to not stifle creativity - sometimes crazy ideas spawn really brilliant ones. The winnowing occurs later.

Regards,
Rex.

[DWFII]

I don't use the subscribe function because I don't want to start cluttering up my mailboxes. The only mail I want to get is that which is directed to me specifically. But as I said, my main entry is "New Posts" which shows all recent activity. I enjoy being able to choose from all the conversations that are going on, though the truth is I tend to ignore most. What I'm suggesting is some sort of control that will support my filtering preferences.

Hmmm...I've been here a year or so but I'm familiar with these kinds of forums. That said, I guess I don't use the forum software the same way you do. I don't automatically allow all New posts to be sent as email to my email account. I visit the forum daily, scan threads for those that might interest me and post if I'm interested in joining in. If I post, I have the option checked to automatically get email from that thread. And then if I lose interest I simply click on the lkink to unsubscribe that is in every email.

No biggie. I was just confused as to why this was a problem...it's not the way I use the forum but I can see it might be the way you use it.

(Sorry for the mini-hijack)

[cavscout]

I'd like to see a way to contact via PM every member in a certain geographic area (ie. GA, NC, SC,...) if they have entered a state in their profile. This would help us promote gatherings. It would of course not be acceptable to solicit or market goods and services by this means. Simply a way to say, "Hey everyone in GA, kilt night at Paddy's". I know we have a kilt night section but we have a lot of lurkers who often miss those posts and getting a PM about it would be more effective and welcoming.

I'm surprised how many don't like to be referred to other threads or locations to find answers to their questions. It seems some don't want to take the time to do the research themselves but have no problem with others spending the time to retype the same thought again and again. Doing the research and hunting down the answers is a big part of the fun of learning about kilts, and if it's done politely and not belligerently there is nothing wrong with someone pointing a reader to a comprehensive source for their answer.

As a point of clarification, no one is saying they don't want to answer questions for new folks. Some topics have just been spoken about in detail and pointing a person to the existing thread is much more productive so they see the topic history and can add their thoughts to that thread. That's the DBA in me, saving multiple records of the same thing is not efficient, consolidate them into one comprehensive thread whenever possible.

[RockyR]

Another thing I'd like to bring up contributing to the 'negative vibe' on XMTS... negative comments!

I know we have members that span the scale from ultra traditionalist to very contempororary. I know that a solid kilt with pockets and tshirt is not going to jive with our traditional members and wearing kilt hose and Argyll jackets won't resonate with our more 'casual dressed' contemporary members... THAT BEING SAID:

What was the line from Bambi? "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all". If someone has an opinion on something, there's a way to express it without insulting people who have the opposite opinion. There's a way to 'agree to disagree without being disagreeable'. I'm not advocating that the MODS do any censorship. What I AM advocating is that the members 'self censor' a little bit. Treat others like you'd like them to treat you. If you already know all you need to know about kilts, then think of it this way... think of the person you love the most (wife/husband, son/daughter, BF/GF) and ask, how would I want THEM to be treated if THEY had this question on an open forum.

I think if we made an effort to express opinions in a POSTIVE way rather than a negative way, certain threads wouldn't get as heated. Our rabble, to some, is an extended family or at least circle of friends. If your best friend came to you in an outfit you thought was hideous, I'd HOPE that you'd politley tell him why you didn't like it (if you felt you HAD to say something to him). If he asked you what you thought, I'm sure you'd say something, but try to keep his feelings in mind in your response.

I.E.:

Friend: Can I wear a plaid flannel shirt with my kilt?

Answer # 1: ABSOLUTELY NOT! Are you kidding me? It would look horrible. You'd be a laughing stock. Why would you even ask that?

Answer # 2: I would strongly suggest not as it would really clash. Kilts usually look best with solid color shirts.

While these examples are a bit 'over the top', you see what a difference the second response makes? It says the same thing, without being insulting. It also gives a suggestion what one SHOULD wear.

I know that new kilt wearers ask the same questions over and over. If you've checked out our new website since September (NOT A PLUG FOR USAK), you'll see how many different 'information and FAQ' pages we've put up to help to educate people. Remember, WE ALL HAD A FIRST KILT FAUX PAS at some point. We all had that same feeling of 'uncertainty' when we tried a kilt on for the first time, or went out in public for the first time.

I agree that XMTS should not lose the 'human element'. I think we can create a database of 'HUMAN SOUNDING' tutorials about different questions. I think the forum is a GREAT way to expand on those tutorials and to have personal interaction about questions that those tutorials might raise.

I just hope that we all continue to be positive and uplifting to newbies and to each other. Without Newbies, this site would have gotten BORING right after I joined in April 2004. You're almost ALL newbies to ME! HAHAHA

[RockyR]

Doing the research and hunting down the answers is a big part of the fun of learning about kilts, and if it's done politely and not belligerently there is nothing wrong with someone pointing a reader to a comprehensive source for their answer.

I agree... is there a way to add THIS to the informative area? Maybe have a question (i.e. what tartan can I wear) and then have a list of links to threads dealing with that topic? It saves time and effort and gives the questioner a LOT of threads to read through.