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- This topic has 61 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 1 month ago by Doris Kenney.
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January 12, 2008 at 1:59 am #28081Jeff HesterKeymaster
I’m going to make some changes to the staff following the Three Rs: Restructuring, Retiring and Recruiting.
A while back, we moved away from the idea of moderating teams. While this may simplify things from an administrative standpoint, things are slipping through the cracks. And instead of having the effect of increasing forum activity, the opposite has been true.
As a result, I’m going to be reorganizing the forums. We are going to return to the “Moderating Teams” approach, with Team Leaders and Moderators. As before, Team Leaders will have global moderator rights, so they’ll be able to pitch in whenever a crisis occurs.
In addition to this organizational change, we have a few other changes. Several staffers are going to be retiring, and I’m recruiting some new staff members. And… we’ll be expanding our forums based on the results of Philip’s excellent poll, broadening coverage to cover all aspects of social networking (not just IM). The site will expand to include special test projects, and the podcast will be resurrected!
What does this all mean?
Well, first of all and most importantly, I need to know what area(s) you have interest and expertise in. For example, if you’re a huge fan of Yahoo! Messenger, you’ll probably want to be on the Yahoo! Team.
Secondly, I’ll have to do some recruiting. We have some gaps to fill, such as for AIM and ICQ expertise (where a lot of questions go unanswered), and possibly in other areas.
Finally, I will likely be creating some new roles like Editor for one or more people who will collect and publish news on the site.
What I need from you?
- Confirm that you’d like to continue on the BigBlue Crew, and what “Team” and/or role you’d like to be part of.
- If you have a software project that you’d like to promote, let me know. We may be able to include and promote it through BBB.
- If you have suggestions for new Teams, share that as well.
- If you have concerns, ideas or suggestions for anything I haven’t covered, please post that as well.
I will begin making some changes this Sunday, with announcements on the BigBlueBlog and here in the forums.
Get ready for a bigger, better, BigBlueBall!
January 12, 2008 at 2:44 pm #165851PolarBearNPRParticipant‘k . . . I’ll go first here . . . I still feel completely noobish at the IM scene, and just use it; am not a problem solver like Philip or Doris. What I like to do when I come here is see whose birthday it is, and if I know them or have seen the name around, wish them a happy one. I then look at the posts that have been added since my last visit, and if I can, I answer – or give rep š Now – lately I’ve not been reading all of them, but rely on the headline and section to decide. And although I haven’t done a statistical analysis of my postings, I’ll betcha they mostly fall in CC.
That said, I’ll leave it up to whomever to decide if I should stay on the crew. Honestly it doesn’t matter to me because I’ll keep doing what I do whether or not I’m staff since I do feel a part of this community. As far as teams go . . . again, don’t care where because again, I post where I can and when time allows; usually stopping by at least twice a day.
I am glad to see some action here in this regard, it’s good to let folks know that as they grow up and away or situations change, they should feel ok moving on or be encouraged to share some of their expanding knowledge with the community because I’ll bet that some of our members have experienced that same growth. And wouldn’t it be great to keep ’em here and expand the forums as our members (and staff) become more savvy.
January 12, 2008 at 6:17 pm #165833NessaParticipantWhat Heather typed up is mainly where I fall too. I still stick to Yahoo! mainly (WLM sometimes) but I’m not the same girl who knew a lot about it like when I first started here simply because I don’t get on as much nor spend the same amount of time on here as I used to. Hence why I can’t answer Yahoo! questions anymore. (Yeah, the work life!) I tend to post when I can or when something really gets my attention which I can be the first to admit hasn’t been as oftenly as it can be.
So I guess what it comes down to is you needing a way more active staff who can help out and stir up some action on here and I’m currently not that person at the moment. Granted I will definately stick around and still keep my posting up as well as any participation I can but I’m probably not being the staff you currently need.
Although I do love seeing the behind the scenes action….. I’ll leave the choice up to you and everyone else that decides to stick around. Especially since I can never really truly leave BBB completely because I’ve made some great friends on here, and you know who you are. š
And this is my five cents on this.
January 12, 2008 at 11:20 pm #165825MrEggsaladParticipantFor me, I love “being behind the scenes” like Nessa as well. My specialties have shifted more towards general computer but I still know a fair amount of alternative IMs, and I use Pidgin 24/7. So to #1 I would say “Yes I am staying” and “Computer Support/Other IM”, both teams.
I have a few software projects but not sure when any of them will actually start heh (always seems that way am I right?) so I’ll talk later about those.
Maybe “team” isn’t the right word as sometimes team might feel somewhat limiting to where you can post, while if it was like “In house specialist” or something, not sure how it would all work out but there is something to think about.
That’s all I have to say.
January 13, 2008 at 12:22 am #165841MrOatsMemberI basically come here and check the introduction section to make sure members have been welcomed/helped. I also check the birthdays, and wish people happy ones. I also check the “what makes you laugh” and “computer support” section to make sure everything looks “OK”. I then will usually scan through most of “off-topic” for new posts, posts of interest, etc.
I would like to stay a part of the BigBlue Crew and would like to stay in the CC. I also would like to be involved somehow in the new forum sections, like inputting/getting in on the threads, something…
Do you have the names of the new forum sections? I think a technology-related forum section could be popular, talking about the latest iPods and such…
Those are my thoughts so far.
January 13, 2008 at 4:55 pm #165860Doris KenneyParticipantI feel most useful in the WLM & YH forums. WLM is my area of “expertise” but YH pulls a close second. I’ll pitch in anywhere else whenever possible.
From a general computing standpoint, I don’t know much about hardware – but software issues I can sometimes help with. I’m especially fanatical about preaching the values of firewalls, virus protection, spyware scans, and HiJack This logs (in case you haven’t noticed) since that takes care of so many people’s problems. And often, a good Google search can yield lots of results to someones problems.
I’m more than happy to try and help out in new social networking forums. Facebook is where I spend most of my social networking time now, but I am looking forward to the upcoming changes in Yahoo.
I do love to write and would be interested in working on articles that whomever is going to be “editor” could then use. When I write, I find it takes time (write, re-write and edit) to create an article I feel is worthy of reading, so timetables are sometimes difficult and I tend to write them when the spark of creativity hits. I’m happy to assist if I can though.
I’m most definitely interested in staying on the crew. Definitely WLM and YH but ready and willing to help wherever I possibly can!!
-Doris-
January 13, 2008 at 7:47 pm #165849imported_Ven0mMemberMy area of main expertise is Yahoo! Messenger, with Windows Live Messenger coming up in a close second.
I’m definitely interested in staying on the crew and helping out whenever I can. =)
January 14, 2008 at 12:38 am #165855PhilipModeratorYes, I would like to stay on as part of the BBB crew. My main area would be WLM but I’d be glad to help out in Computer Support, and I like the CC area as well.
I have grown used to this “staff” thing we’ve been having for a while, as opposed to the Team structure we used to have (remember all those confusing colors? Ugh) But if you feel we have to go back to the Team thing, then so be it. Please keep our moderating powers, though!
January 16, 2008 at 1:08 pm #165822DrBroccoliParticipantQuote:…
What I need from you?- Confirm that you’d like to continue on the BigBlue Crew, and what “Team” and/or role you’d like to be part of.
- If you have a software project that you’d like to promote, let me know. We may be able to include and promote it through BBB.
- If you have suggestions for new Teams, share that as well.
- If you have concerns, ideas or suggestions for anything I haven’t covered, please post that as well.
I will begin making some changes this Sunday, with announcements on the BigBlueBlog and here in the forums.
Get ready for a bigger, better, BigBlueBall!
1. Definitely! I’ve pretty much given up on AIM/MSN/Yahoo and all I use now is Pidgin. I also have access to Trillian Astra, I am an official alpha tester (even though the program should be released by now, it’s been alpha for like 2 years). Also, I would obviously love to stay on the Computer Support team, this is where most of my expertise is and I feel I can contribute the most in this area.
2. –
3. What all exactly is going to be added? When you say Social Networking, does this now include sites like Facebook, MySpace, Orkut, etc? I would not mind helping out in areas like that, if we did add them.
4. I know I’m one to talk, because I have not been active at all lately, but if we’re going to the “bigger, better, BigBlueBall,” how about that official redesign of the site?I will admit, I haven’t been active at all. It just seemed to me like BBB was slowly fading away. I kind of just quit checking it everyday and began checking once a week, which turned to once a month which has turned into very sporadically. I’d love to become active again on a new and improved BBB! I haven’t been here in a while to read what’s going on, but I’ll surely try to catch up!
January 17, 2008 at 5:51 pm #165831StigmataMemberI’m up for it. Guess WLM is my thing as I use it alot, also general computer things… I mostly just click new posts and see what takes my interest š
Don’t have any software projects, but I’m long due finding one I actually can be bothered to do… So I’d be well up for helping with any.
I’m looking forward to these new changes. Could be quite exciting š
January 25, 2008 at 3:49 pm #165816imported_EvilSephMemberHello everyone!
I’m not sure where to start, but here goes anyway.
First off, I’d like to apologise for my absence from BigBlueBall but I’m afraid it could not be avoided.
This last year has been…a bit crazy for me. A lot of personal issues that I’ve had to deal with and…then falling really ill, scared I may have a fatal disease.
In truth, I took a break from everything I did not have direct influence over because I knew places like BigBlueBall and other communities can survive without me. This is not the case with the places I run so I focused whatever energy I had on these places instead.
I’m generally getting back on my feet and feeling better but there are some problems I have with BigBlueBall (and the way it is run) that I think I should at least voice my opinion on. Whether or not my opinion is taken to heart, is up to you but it is the accumulation of an opinion formed while thinking really hard about everything in life and talking to and hearing everything everyone else has to say.
BigBlueBall was not one of my primary areas to which I was going to focus whatever little energy I had for a few reason: it is self-maintained by its staff, staff opinions or at least my opinions are hardly ever truly taken to heart and keeping up with my knowledge on MSN/WLMsgr is directly attributed to being active on MSN/WLMsgr and keeping in contact with a rather large group of people – something I wasn’t well enough to do at the time.
Two of those reasons are self explanatory, the one left is a story in itself. Throughout my time here, as a BigBlueBall staffer, I’ve noticed one, key thing missing from this internal, staff, community. I noticed it from day one when I’d browsed through the archives of this staff forum. I noticed it each time I made a suggestion; no matter how much praise a suggestion received, hardly anything was ever done to implement these suggestions.
The most obvious event would be the discussion on the new site engine. When people are asked for their opinions, they expect them to at least be listened to and this was not the case when considering the new BigBlueBall. Better alternative site engines could possibly have been found with proof but it wouldn’t matter. No one would listen anyway and Jeff put his foot down.
So, I moved my priorities around and BigBlueBall was no longer number 1. This was once a community I poured all my heart and soul into, posted suggestions for and so on, but with each suggestion posted, praise received and lack of action accompanying, my dedication to BigBlueBall waned. I just gave up giving suggestions in the hopes I could look past this not-caring-for-what-we-think attitude but then, obviously, the other staff gave their suggestions and then too, did this attitude show up and their suggestions were, too, buried in the BigBlueBall archives.
I assure you, I’m not alone when I feel that our opinions matter little to BigBlueBall – just look at how many staff have become inactive. All it takes is a quick browse of the Staff archives to find more examples of this issue. So, that being said, I decided to direct whatever energy I had, in to a place I know would want or need it: my own sites and communities.
Secondly, I don’t think going back to a formal teams system is a great idea. Sure, we could have an internal teams system but keep BigBlueBall how it is – it lets us cover more ground. We just need to form internal teams so that there is at least a few people pushing others to contribute and provide moderation as well as guidance if required. This system we’ve changed to could definitely work and would be more beneficial if used correctly than switching back to the formal teams system.
Lastly, my expertise is applicably rather broad but the obvious one would be MSN/WLMsgr.
Whether or not I wish to continue on the team remains to be seen if the key issue I’ve outlined in this post is dealt with or not. And whether or not you guys want me back too.
On a happier note, yay, I’m 19.
January 26, 2008 at 12:46 am #165834NessaParticipantSeeing as how this was first posted on 1-11-08 and today is 1-25-08 (two weeks), if you are currently a staff member and have not posted in this thread it should really make you and everyone else think. It is my belief that a staff member should at least care enough to respond to Jeff’s question whether you want to remain a staff member or not and if you haven’t responded well what’s your excuse/reason? Sorry if this is coming across as mean (which it’s not suppose to) but I think it’s the honest truth. If you look here, some staff haven’t browsed BBB for months and some haven’t posted in months. I’m not saying they don’t care, but they aren’t committed to helping at the time or don’t have the time for it currently. I may not be the role model of a staff member but at least I do check up in here and post every so often, which is more than I’ve seen some people do.
Now separating things like this gives you a vague idea of who’s really participating and who isn’t.
Now what’s the point of my rant here? I guess it just bugged me a bit to notice that this thread had gone down in a black hole up until Seph posted in it. IF anything as a staff member, you can at least take the time to read the Staff Room and keep yourself slightly updated. So it’s saddening to me seeing as how no one else has replied and as much as I know we all love being behind the scenes, what’s the point if you aren’t even looking at it?
š”
I really had to thrown in my five cents at this. I’d really like to see BBB grow back into something big and am willing to help out as much as I can. Now as much as inactive that Seph has been, he does have a point in saying that not much gets done after things are said they are going to be done….. So this is my plea for something to get done.
January 26, 2008 at 1:21 am #165856PhilipModeratorIt’s nice to see you again, Warren. And congrats on becoming 19. Vanessa, you can “rant” all you want. I love it.
Remember this thread I posted? It had this:
Getting Things Done Around Here Is Like Mating Elephants:
1. It’s Done At A High Level.
2. It’s Accomplished With A Great Deal Of Roaring And Screaming.
3. It Takes Two Years To Produce Results.:pI am starting to wonder when all the changes Jeff mentioned in this thread will take place.
January 26, 2008 at 1:43 am #165814DavidParticipantI have already talked to Jeff, so technically I am not on staff and should not be posting here, thus I have waited (I visit every day) until now to say anything.
I joined BigBlueBall in 2003, and joined the staff in early 2004. I remember people like DJHyperbyte and Shifter. I remember how much work they put into the site, how much it grew from their actions. I would never claim to have worked as hard, or to have done as much as they did. I know Jeff does way more than anyone else (but that is to be expected, to a degree) The days of people like this (aside from Jeff, who I apologize to now) are long, long gone.
I was promoted to an Administrator because I thought I (along with Jake and Graham) could make a difference. I thought we could, I still remember the excitement I had while posting in years past. Maybe it was because I was younger, maybe the people were more interesting, and maybe it was something else.
I put a lot of thought into how I wanted to change the site, and what direction we should go. I wanted input from others; help on forming what the future would look like. You know what I got? Nothing. The opinions and information from the rest of the staff were pitiful or worthless. I asked āWhere should we take the site?ā You guys answered āComputers!ā Thatās not helpful, at all.I tried to reorganize the staff and trim off āthe fat,ā I got bitched out for dropping someone that doesnāt participate. There isnāt any way to win with you peopleāyou resist and demand change at the same time.
Jake stopped working because nobody cared about his new design plans, there wasnāt any input, and there wasnāt any help. At first I blamed him for thisā¦ but he put a lot of effort in for nothing, and I completely understand where he was coming from.
You guys bitch about change, bitch about how nothing gets doneāwhile you donāt do anything yourselves. When I started, being on staff was a privilege, one which you earned–not one which was handed to you. I should have been fired long ago, and so should many of you. Jeff is the only one trying anymore, I told him Iād help in the ways which Iāve helped behind the scenes for a while now, but Iām resigning and will continue as a regular member. I am not fit for this role, and I am not nearly active enough to set the proper example for the rest of you. I apologize for failing as an administrator.
I realize I may have offended some here, and I really donāt care,most-if not all-of you think Iām an asshole anyway, and sometimes that is just what it takes the get the job done. I do hope something happens of BigBlueBall, but I don’t see how it could happen in the current state, with the current staff.
P.S ā Jeff, Philip, Nessa ā you have done a wonderful job, and none of this is directed towards you.
January 26, 2008 at 1:59 am #165835NessaParticipant@David 225974 wrote:
P.S – Jeff, Philip, Nessa – you have done a wonderful job, and none of this is directed towards you.
I don’t believe that, yet I’m not offended, and no, I never thought nor think you are an asshole. You were always very nice to me so no bad things to say about you.
What you say is very true though, hence why I felt the need to rant which I hope isn’t taken as part of the bitching portion because this time I really do want change even if it does mean me getting kicked off the staff. I would love to put the change in myself but over that I have nor power. I would love to change the site but I do not know where to begin nor have the ability to do so (I’m still not all that computer literate.) I could go on but it’s a bit pointless.
I will although say to you Dave, it is extremely sad to see you resign. I for one can appreciate all you did for this site behind the scenes. So THANK YOU – it did not go unnoticed, maybe not mentioned, but not unnoticed.
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