BackStage at RB

What will happen to the General discussion forum Peter ? I’m not sure that people will want to join a whole heap of groups simply to discuss individual topics.

The GD forum was travelling along nicely until today. If people choose not to go to the forums and participate, there isn’t really a lot you can do about it.

Nifty idea. I don’t spend much time in the main forums on a regular basis, myself. This would be more useful to me. =)

God Lord you guys are cool.. I love the 10 and that’s it.. I have never participated in the forums because frankly I am way too Paulianna and do not like the back and forth of negatives.. I like to have a problem addressed and answered..there never were answers so I just did not feel compelled to participate.. you are really feeling life here in cyber ville and encouraging our community not to FIXATE ON PROBLEMS.. but rather give suggestions and expect that they will be addressed.. and heard.
BRAVO BRAVO.. I KEEP LOVING MY BUBBLE LAND MORE AND MORE .. XOXO

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH,
We’ll see how that works for you Peter.

please add a games and a lounge room peter, this way those who like the games can hang out there, those who dont want to get in deep philosopical discussions can have a spot of their own, as it goes now..if you create a thread that isnt Deep or a game..you just dont have anywhere to go

Sounds like a good idea all round.

ah I see tweetdeck voting system here.. you guys to do with that too?

I dont participate in the forums as I have enough to do to look after my groups well. Those forums are not well used either as they are a pain to get to each time I want to post. However, with the new look My Bubble you have on tap that will sort that out.

I’ve already made suggestions for setting up the forums to cover various genres of art available at RB – A Photography Forum – A Painting/Drawing Forum – A Writing Forum – A T-Shirt Forum – An Editing Software Forum.

looks and sounds like an extremely positive move forward!

I like the idea of a feedback section. I don’t like hearing that staff are staying away from the forums. Its dissapointing as that is definately going to put more pressure on the forum hosts :(

Good luck!

Anything which provides a structured feedback system is a good move.
It appears this one allows for removal of duplicate complaints (amen).
I like it, and also agree with your rehash of the forums.

yes!!!

Good idea – I would certainly visit the forums more.

I think your proposal is a decent solution to a difficult problem. I’d agree with there being a negative vibe over in the forums. If the feedback system could be sorted this way, it may take the heat out of some of the discussions. They do seem to ramble on and get out of hand quickly, especially if it appears issues aren’t being addressed.

i support this Peter

Looks good

Agree 100% peter.

Go for it. :)

It sounds good.

I’ve avoided general forums because it’s easier to find group forums if that makes sense but then again the group forums always seem far more friendly.

i’m not sure, but isn’t the Critique concept the same as a Feedback one?

i left the forums _sigh

I ‘m reluctant to post anything in the general forums because it seems to be dominated by a few that attack any new idea, or if something is not right and someone makes a suggestion it’s taken as a negative. The group forums are even worse, as their seems to be a retaliation going there. I’m not sure about this idea, it would limit that domination by a few individuals, but will it also limit valid discussion of things not working.. Perhaps what is needed is a forum just for suggestions and problems.

What you view as negative may be rising out of frustration on both sides of the bubble (your staffs and the membership). I think you guys need a mechanism to sort thru suggestions in private (so as not to encourage the just posting to vent type of behavor).

If you feel a vote is needed by the membership, then it needed to go to the members activity page or bubblemail requesting a vote. The more uninteresting the forums become the less people will use them.

Not sure where this all came from, but you don’t just want happy news as it rarely helps define problem areas that impact your business.

Looks good and would function well, in theory. The issue, as always, is the Human Element. One cannot remove the countless numbers of pantywastes found in society on a non-pay site without seeming pompous, rude, nor horrid. Other than blocking by IP one at a time, there is little to be done with offenders and most is subject to personal interpretation anyway! Who’s right, where is the line, oh my aching head, and so on.

So go with this. But don’t beat your heads on the collective Wall of Self-Defeat. Know that you are Fantastic human beings for even attempting to corral the sheep into a semi-ordered grouping and make them play nice amongst themselves.

If it eases some of your stress, that’s what counts. This is Your baby.

If they don’t play nicely … let them sort it out and pop one another off the circuit. It will all work out as it should if you let it go.

I’d make a horrible politician…

I am for any positivity

the forums are like trying to herd cats

this is to my mind a stroke of genius,

run with it

but please keep it Art based.

I noticed Christophe E suggested a games lounge, no direspect C, but www.gameslounge.con would be the place for games, redbubble is for art

unless you can find exciting art shoot ‘em ups ?

well done for constantly thinking

this place has been a big surprise to me and in the short time I have been here (less than a month) I have been made incredibly welcome, and had my artistic horizons stretched beyond belief, and made a few friends too

Love ‘N’ Laughter

Kriss

You are so right about the negativity; I have stopped spending much time in them just for that reason. I would love to see some way to find specific topic posts. It is so time consuming to wade through pages and pages looking fore a specific subject matter. For instance, where are the posts that I can refer new members to so they can find ways to set up and improve their profile pages. Perhaps a search engine within the forums would work without to much added programming baggage.

Good idea. It will look more professional, RB will be able to keep track on feedbacks more and it should give access to more members.

I think the feedback idea is good…if it works. I’m not sure about limiting each person to 10 votes. Is that 10 lifetime votes? In that case, after you support 10 suggestions you can offer no further support. That is not good.

For the other forums…there already is a chit chat and games and to me that is a “lounge” forum.

Perhaps general discussion should be changed to Discussion and Debate. I frankly would not want to join a heap of different groups just to have a discussion on an issue I have an interest in. I might not join the discussion on every thread in GD, but I DO read most of the serious discussions, mostly out of interest. Having them in one place is more useful than spreading them out among hundreds of groups. Bad idea.

I really don’t see that much of a problem with the GD forums as they are since there is a place provided for fun or relaxing discussion right above it.

Hey if it doesn’t work, you can always change it again.

There is a negative vibe in the forums, and many of the folks there don’t abide by the “play nice” rules. It is a daunting thing for new RB’ers to go in there expecting to say hello, or request help/feedback…. ultimately they get ripped to shreds!
Other than that, I think that re-vamping the forums to make them more user friendly is a great idea. Currently they tend to look a bit messy …. Keep up the great work that you all do, there are some of us that really appreciate what you do for the site and for us as artists!!!

I totally agree with solareclipse, sadly this happens to be
Exactly my feelings on the matter of the main forums
The negativity has started to spread throughout red bubble
Artists are losing their mojo – morale is low- negativity is a powerful
Force

There is a negative vibe in the forums, and many of the folks there don’t abide by the “play nice” rules. It is a daunting thing for new RB’ers to go in there expecting to say hello, or request help/feedback…. ultimately they get ripped to shreds!

The welcome forum is to say hello – request help/feedback would be found in the learning and help centre. The only place that the play nice policy might not be used by some, is in the GD forum. RB have already sorted this by giving the ‘moderated’ option to the lovely volunteers.

Thoughts? your one percent will be minus one more person. This will completely kill off what good is left of the forums. So much for not only concentrating on what is broken!

I like the feedback thing, after all, thats is a site specific forum and should really always be addressed by RB, but as for dropping the GD forum in with chit chat and games, I think it is a big mistake.

You once told me Peter that you had a vision where the whole world would talk to each other, and discuss things openly, and be tolerant of opposing views to try and create change. What happened to that vision?

I must have a MAJOR personality disorder????????!!!!!! All this talk of negativity and intimidation on the GD forum…................I just don’t see it? It’s happened in the past, but of late, I think everyone’s been pretty much well behaved.

If having someone (politely) disagree with you is intimidating, then you really shouldn’t be entering into discussion there at all, for your health’s sake.

Either I’m missing the offending threads (I don’t read ‘em all), I’m missing the innuendos, or I’m missing a few marbles :-)

kev

Here is an interesting link
about how many internet users read and contribute to online forums in general

it says that 18% of all internet users contribute, maybe RB feel that less than 1% of members contributing to the forum is something they’d like to see changed

perhaps the changes they are making are what they feel might help increase participation

Your marbles are fine Kev

perhaps the changes they are making are what they feel might help increase participation

I don’t think these changesw will see much of an increase in forum users Karin – all ne needs to do is look to the group forums to see how little people use forums hee on RB.

The18% of the gazillion internet users that use online forums cannot be used as a comparison for a site as small as RB. It isn’t realistic.

hmmm, thats a lot of typos for one post :)

Here it is again

perhaps the changes they are making are what they feel might help increase participation

I don’t think these changesw will see much of an increase in forum users Karin – all one needs to do is look to the group forums to see how little people use forums here on RB.

The18% of the gazillion internet users that use online forums cannot be used as a comparison for a site as small as RB. It isn’t realistic.

Ok, I think there is something wrong with my keyboard :)

Don’t change the subject! ;-)

This really concerns me

I think the next step will be to ensure that the remaining forums are open to the entire community … anything that’s a narrow interest thread really should go into a group

Forum [main] hosting is a much tougher thing than group hosting. I doubt very much if RB have considered whether or not some group hosts will want the job of hosting site wide discussions within their groups – talk about increasing their workload without even consulting them first. Some will no doubt take to it like ducks to water, but I see real problems ahead when someone posts a topic into a group that they don’t host, especially if it should get heated – the poor group hosts may find themselves being bombarded by bubblemails from offended group members, and they may not even be aware of why it has been posted in their group in the first place. There again – the hosts may well just bubblemail the member who started the discussion saying, What the hell do you think you are doing posting that into my group?

If it is only the group hosts that should post things into their forums – where do you suggest non hosts post them. I may want to generate a discussion on something environmental for instance – but I dont run an environment group. what do I do – just post away in someone elses group and give them a great big workload to contend with – or just request a duplicate group – that is what you will find happening.

I see big problems ahead.

This is a really unfair way to treat the people who already volunteer so much of their valuable time RB. Have you thought what complications will come with this encouragement for people to post to groups instead of a main GD forum? If a thread takes a negative nose dive in one of my groups – I will be calling on RB admin to come and sort it out I can guarantee it. I haven’t been asked if I want this extra responsibility, not that it bothers me because I host forums anyway – but there are many group hosts that would never be prepared for this.

Quote: “but there are many group hosts that would never be prepared for this

Method in madness? Deliberate ploy to sort wheat from chaff?

Some hosts wouldn’t last 5 minutes as a receptionist in an information bureau, judging from how unwisely they pick their words when BM’ing members. Their frustration is plain to see, and in some instances, their arrogance. If they are forever moaning about their task, why don’t they just give it up? Give ‘em more to do and there’ll be hell to pay and loss of membership.

I really hope that it’s simply just a case of me picking and lurking at the wrong groups, I’d hate to think that my experience was indicative of groups as a whole.

Personally, I think groups was the worst thing to happen to RB. It’s created cliques, snotty and vitriolic journals sniping at other members, and an uneven playing field.

I’ve tested….................I can load a new image, and if I don’t tick the group boxes, it’ll get no attention whatsoever, other than from those who have me on their watchlist. Two days of inactivity later, I tick the boxes, and lo and behold! I get comments.

The idea behind groups was good…..........rather like a library where you know which shelf to go to if you are looking for something, the reality is, many are nothing but rooms for back-scratchers and crawlers. It’s just a pity that the good groups may be lumped in with the not-so-good.

It seems just about anybody can start a group…...................they may not have the faintest idea about oil, stencil, aperture, dof, and may well have a folder full of “happy snaps” yet they get to say what art comes into their group, and even in some cases who comes into their group.

kev

Very well said Julie. The few who don’t like the GD now are going to pale in comparison to the group hosts who don’t like been given the extra responsibility. Head for thinking, feet for dancing.

I like the feedback system … I already saw this system at other sites like 99design.com and also microsoft.com
Its very productive in a way that you can visually see the suggestion, see the no. of votes, dont have go through 3 pages of posts,,,, and also you can comment if you want.

If you want to see who used this system earlier … see here

Regarding the forum, I dont visit it much.

Peter, it’s important that morale amongst staff is good.

Having staff attending to day-to-day duties which involves dealing with relevant business matters will assist those members who are here to make sales.

You’ve clearly stated the RB line in your first paragraph, and you pretty much know what the feeling is amongst staff.

This is a commercial art site – not a soapbox.

Less than 1% of members visit the site wide forums and there is a negative vibe in the forums that frankly we find depressing.

I guess the what you perceive as negative vibe (yes I hear critique but I see also lot of great ideas erupting in the forums) plays a bigger part in your decision than the fact that only 1% of the members visiting the forums. I say that because most of the forums in the groups attract even a less % as far as I can see. Groups are the categories RB never introduced and they are used accordingly (yes I am guilty…).

IMO RB is experiencing growing pains. RB has grown from a friendly village to a big city too fast. The infrastructure (website functions, number of staff members, hardware) can’t keep up with that growth and the economical climate isn’t helping either at the moment. The risk at the moment is you are taking stop gap measures that work in the short term but could be bigger problems in the near future.

It is perhaps time to step back and reflect (a bit more probably) on the question what is the infrastructure the big city needs and a way to improve the infrastructure for both inhabitants (artists) and tourists (buyers).

My 2 Euro cents (VAT included….)

This is a commercial art site – not a soapbox.

There is an easy solution by hiding the soapbox uhhh forum from the non members.
If less than 1% of members visit the forums I wouldn’t expect more than 1% of the buyers visit the forums.

I do not believe that the few who visit the forums on a regular basis realize how intimidating that they are…..There have been some with thick skins who tried, but unless you agree with the subject as it has been raised, forget it…you’re food.... You’re made to feel out of touch, stupid. You’re words are pasted back at you with quotes from every place on the net which agrees with the poster. So just an average person with an opinion feels they are uneducated and just shouldn’t be there. Ok, I’m done….Yes, change the forums…..Forums are fun, informative and a wonderful place for a lively debate…......if your lucky. But get the bandages on bad days…

I do not believe that the few who visit the forums on a regular basis realize how intimidating that they are…..There have been some with thick skins who tried, but unless you agree with the subject as it has been raised, forget it…you’re food…. You’re made to feel out of touch, stupid. You’re words are pasted back at you with quotes from every place on the net which agrees with the poster. So just an average person with an opinion feels they are uneducated and just shouldn’t be there.

That happened once upon a time, but not so much now Ginger – nowhere near as much. I stated this on another thread – you dont stop the party because of a few disruptive party crashers. You dont move the party to somwhere else either. Neither of these options work, the party crashers just move with it. The only way to fix the problem is to prevent the party crashers from carrying out their disruptive behaviour.

There will always be people who will feel more educated over others on certain subjects, and a lot of people will use references from the internet to get a point across. I don’t think that is the problem, not when people do it and keep their respect for others. The problem lies with people who attack – and they should be stoppped from doing it, then the forum will be one of the best places here for interacting with others.

I get the point of the many people who want the forums changed because they are fed up of attacks and abuse taking place within them – I have been on the recieving end of it more times than I care to remember – but I don’t want to bend to accomodate the people who cause the trouble – If I do, then they have won haven’t they.

I also find it very difficult to understand why RB would issue a statement such as

So the site-wide forums have been troubling us for a long time. Less than 1% of members visit the site wide forums and there is a negative vibe in the forums that frankly we find depressing. Most of the RB staff avoid the main forums for this reason

It ever a forum troll had occasion to throw a victory party – there it is. Talk about feeding them.

Destoying a perfectly good forum because of a few bad people doesn’t solve anything – it just hands more power to those people.

Julie….I know how you love the forums, and for a while you know that I did too. But, Julie it’s still the same 25 or 30 people in every conversation. I have heard from many new people, that read the forums almost every day, but would never enter the “viper” pit (as it was described yesterday) themselves. I do peruse it because there is always something of value brought out in it…but I have no desire to enter most of the conversations at this time. If there were more people who would enter the conversation, with more than the usual cast of characters, I would gladly enter again.

Julie, you are one of the fairest and most honest, and still the kindest, even under pressure.

But, Julie it’s still the same 25 or 30 people in every conversation. I have heard from many new people, that read the forums almost every day, but would never enter the “viper” pit (as it was described yesterday) themselves. I do peruse it because there is always something of value brought out in it…but I have no desire to enter most of the conversations at this time. If there were more people who would enter the conversation, with more than the usual cast of characters, I would gladly enter again.

People will overcome that fear if RB makea stand against people who are causing problems. Getting rid of teh forum and preventing discussion is not the way to go on this, I guarantee that we will see these characters popping up on other peoples journals, artwork and other forums right through the bubble. I see what you are getting at Ginger, I really do, but this change is not a fix, it is just a shuffle of the playing field onto a larger and more widespread area. Perhaps it will be a case of RB can use the old chestnut – We don’t know about it, so can’t be exected to deal with it, under the new widespread distribution of debate, perhaps not – but either way, they will never keep track of it when it goes everywhere else, and that is just the opportunity that trouble makers will relish.

It could open some job vacancies though Julie. The support link will be lit up like a christmas tree with people hitting the report button if GD’s are allowed to extent beyond the GD forum. Champagne, Caviar – I’m on my way :)

You’re made to feel out of touch, stupid. You’re words are pasted back at you with quotes from every place on the net which agrees with the poster. So just an average person with an opinion feels they are uneducated and just shouldn’t be there.

I see this happening quite often myself when I give an opinion based purely of my own personal preference rather than fact – I just take plenty of no notice of it. I am not interested in the battle between intellect and the laymen – its not constructive and warrants nothing more than a complete ignore stance.The internet is a wealth of information – but it doesn’t mean that I have to agree with all or any of it when I am basing my view on my preference – I certainly wouldn’t feel stupid if someone posted referenced finformation at me in opposition to my own view – I would more likely think them as a little shallow to even think I would be so easily turned around or convinced to drop my own view because of information found on a medium that anyone can create.

Debate is a tough arena, and it takes a lot of thick skin to stay put within it, even when abuse is not apparent. As long as people are not being abusive, or deliberately attacking in nature – people can just take no notice of it when people are putting on the intellectual hat.

When people are being nasty, or deliberately trying to rile another member or belittle them, RB should step in and let them know it is not acceptable in any form of the word, and if they continue – they should be prevented from participating until they learn how to respect others. If they can’t, then show them the door, its as simple as that.

Removing the arena doesnt fix the bad behaviour – it just moves it on to somewhere else, and it is not really a fair way to treat people who really want to engage in conversation.

In a nutshell – you don’t feel comfotable going into debate at the moment, and choose only to read it – when the ability to participate is removed – you won’t even have that option. That isn’t a solution in my book, it just empowers the people who caused the trouble at the cost of those who want to have a place to talk [or read]. Whereas if RB find a real solution – you may take the plunge back into discussions, safe in the knowledge that if you are attacked – RB will come to your rescue and remove the offender.

It could open some job vacancies though Julie. The support link will be lit up like a christmas tree with people hitting the report button if GD’s are allowed to extent beyond the GD forum. Champagne, Caviar – I’m on my way :)

haha I am sure it would Aly. I wouldn’t take the job for all the tea in china – it would be pointless. I would be fired within a week for banning the real trouible makers and abusers – I have very sharp teeth LOL, when it comes to enforcing rules that would work well, if people were made to abide by them.

What they sell wouldn’t come into it
How much support they have from others wouldn’t come into it
How much I personally like them wouldn’t come into it

It would be a case of – you broke the rules, you were warned, and still carried on with it – now you’re out.

Which is exactly how it should be.

If RB took the stance and stuck their guns with respect to the rules and policies they have out in place – we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. There would be no room for real trouble makers, they would be removed after the first warning as stated in the PNP and people would be less reluctant to talk in debate.

Sorry – but this problem has come about due to RB inconsistencies in dealing with problematic members [as I have stated so many times before], yet it is the members who are paying for it.

Quote: “It would be a case of – you broke the rules, you were warned, and still carried on with it – now you’re out.

Which is exactly how it should be.”

And that goes for those who don’t post in GD often, stick up their grimy little heads, make inferences and innuendoes , and then when they are called on it, make apologies and say that wasn’t their intent and they weren’t aiming at an individual when it is clear that they were.

It’s happened in the last 12 hrs and it’s on the side of those who say they are intimidated….................who’s doing the intimidating now then?

If it wasn’t for the “play nice” rule, I would name the bugger, but they’d probably have some sweet talking excuse to relinquish responsibility for it.

Like I’ve said before, and in other threads, the majority of those making the loudest noises here about being intimidated, certainly don’t come across as being intimidated when they put their point…..............particularly when that point is being made behind the scenes.

kev

I have just requested a General Discussions and Hot Topics group, in an attempt to salvage some of the good that we see in the GD forum, and to try and keep hot debates under one umbrella, rather than spread all around the bubble. I hope that RB will consider this option. It will provide a place that mirros the GD forum as it is now – but with one major difference. There will be hosts from a large diversity of people running it, from all walks of life and with different personalities – who will not be afraid to remove people who cause trouble from the group – it will remain a safe place for everyone, with attacks and abuse being removed and followed up by members of a large and unbiased group of people.

The idea was already in place in the GD forum, it will work if done properly, and it will provide a talking arena for everyone to talk while still feeling comfortable.

Like I’ve said before, and in other threads, the majority of those making the loudest noises here about being intimidated, certainly don’t come across as being intimidated when they put their point

I agree with this in a large number of instances that I have seen. People who don’t like what they see in the forums, entering a tread within that forum??? and putting a point across in a very nasty and belittling way – whats that all about??

The link in “test the software”

10 votes left!

What happens if I run out?

Links back to itself and just seems to go round and round like a forum. Could someone please explain how the 10 votes thing is really intended to work?

It seems quite bizarre to limit a person to voting on only ten issues, or do you get to vote ten times on the same issue? which is equally unfathomable

“You can re allocate your votes and once your idea has been built I think the votes become available again. It’s aimed to ensure that a broader cross section of RB have a voice”…

Could somebody from BackStage at RB please elaborate on this and explain how preventing one person from voting allows someone else to have a voice. Allowing everyone who cares, to have one vote on each issue, would ensure this anyway.

BTW if you have multiple accounts, do you get ten votes on each?

I think Julie makes a lot of sense, forums are good If everyone plays the ball not the man. If you have an opinion you have to realise that others may have an opposite opinion. If people attack your opinion, that’s tough, get over it. If they attack you that’s a different thing and clearly in breach of the play nice policy anyway. Robust debate is healthy.

I think you have to own your words in the GD forum and if you don’t you may “feel” attacked more so than people actually attacking you. If you are sensitive you probably won’t like the forums but that is a reflection of daily life in general. Shy people, outspoken people ,know it all’s and comics. It’s similar to any break room, lunch room,social event or party. There will people in search of this type of interaction and those off to the corner by themselves or with a friend.

Some people don’t create “just” for money and some can’t create in a generic little happy bubble environment…...............tons of bubblers are inspired by this community and it typically isn’t the happy stuff that lends inspiration…............

I guess we will see how it all works out….............;)

This sounds like a winning formula to me

@Julie and Kev

Sometimes I think we should just sit back and watch the chaos unfurl, but then I think no, perhaps it might be best not to do that. RB don’t appear to do doing these changes for any other reason than to placate a few members.

Sometimes I think we should just sit back and watch the chaos unfurl

Oh, that’s exactly what I intend to do now Aly – I have said my bit, and I can do no more. It is RB’s baby now.

The only suggestion I have now is for RB to listen to the people who haven’t spoken yet. We have some speaking up for the changes, saying that people don’t like what they see in the forums [that is because they themselves don’t like it, it is only an assumption that everyone who doesn’t participate doesn’t like it], and a few saying the love what they see [because they themselves love it – again assuming that others do as well]. The people who don;t go into the forums and havent voiced why – need to be contacted to determine why. Is it really because of the what they have read in there, or is it because they simply are not into that kind of thing – heaven’t even been there to see what goes on etc – in which case, they are never likely to whatever changes RB make.

This cannot be based on the handful of people who have spoken [on either side] – it has to be researched much deeper than that to get a true representation of what the score is.

“The only suggestion I have now is for RB to listen to the people who haven’t spoken yet”

To help out those who are reluctant, here are some familiar words to facilitate joining in on forums:

Awesome
Agree with the suggestion

Wow
That’s interesting

Nice shot
I love the way you are having a go at someone/something

Great capture
I like the way you have caught this/these naughty person/people doing the wrong thing.

No comment
No comment

Uh uh
Dissagree but will comply with “play nice policy”

F@#k off
Disagree strongly

#$@ x%x%#
As above (for really shy people)

LOL, well I think some have used up their 10 allocation already (sorry I just couldn’t help myself).

I am not one of the 1% that visit the forums regularly… so No comment . LOL @ Matt’s legend!!!! hahahaha…

Anything to bring back the positive vibes :o)

Gotta say I find it kinda ironic that even some discussion on this very thread has turned to negative comments and shouting down suggestions.

what is interesting here is that the same concerns you have voiced about the GD forums has appeared in this thread….. a very vocal minority doing most of the posting….....

I don’t understand what in the forums are being replaced by this new voting scheme or is it the whole general forum in the community section. I hope it’s not that, as I would hate seeing all that’s there duplicated in 100 group forums.. Central place to go is better than a distributed place.

I see this has be cut over and the forums locked. I have a question?
On the new screen it takes you too, it appears to be a third party site, not RB.
Do we still use our RB login, or do you need a different login for that site as well. If it is a third party managing this voting site, do they have the same conditions for privacy policy as RB for any information shared with them?

Again rollout could be better.

I did read their privacy statement, and it seemed broader with little restrictions on third party sharing. But if I don’t have to give them personal information to use it, it would be ok, if I do I wouldn’t use them.

I’m new here and actually have trouble finding the forums. I wonder if other site newbies don’t get to them simply because they can’t find them!