We were just semi-seriously discussing making Hubski invite only with each hubwheel giving you an invite to give. Also, something like the first day of every month is open registration.
Would I get a badge and an invite with each hubwheel? Or 1 point that could be used on either but not both? I like this idea, what led you into considering it?
That's a twist. We haven't discussed the particulars. I like the idea that they can be used on either but not both. It makes each more special. I've always been of the mind that Hubski was more about quality than quantity. But most of all, that people are mindful about the place and their interactions here. I think that something like this could encourage that.
I was pretty worried for a minute. I got my hubwheel up to 8 dots a while ago and have been lurking ever since without a wheel. But I wouldn't have anywhere to go for internetting if I had to bump myself up before I could contribute again (although this could be the push for a hubwheel, guys).
However, what's wrong with people inviting people they know to Hubski? Also, with a day of "open enrollment" each month, it will allow others the ability to join. What we would not have are the HUGE influxes of new users that can occur when we are mentioned on other sites. That's not necessarily good or bad. I'm not 100% sold on the idea, but it's worth considering.Wouldn't that slow it to only personal friends of people getting in?
Not necessarily, I may have a discussion on another forum with someone I don't actually know and think to myself, "this person would be a great fit at Hubski," and then I'd mention it to them. -That's just me though.
I'm writing a long-ass post as a reply to this, but I need to go to bed. I'm waking up early tomorrow. Watch this space. EDIT: I'm waking up early tomorrow to go to the dentist, not to finish writing. The actual post will probably be sometime later in the afternoon.
I am normally the last person on the Hubski team to suggest or endorse anything that makes it harder for someone to join the Hubski community, however if we were to do it, I almost think that now is the best time. We've done a great job cultivating a community of smart and capable people, this would be one way to ensure that it continues down that path. Plus, if someone cared enough about joining the community, they could sign up on an open enrollment day. I like the idea of the first of every month being "open." I'm still digesting the idea, but I think there is merit to it. Who knows, you might actually see the site grow at a faster clip than it is. Nothing is more appealing than the club you can't get in to, right? Plus, when ya'll are equipped with official "invites" you may use them more often.... What do you think?
I would think the point of limiting the enrollment would be to get rid of those that aren't serious about joining. If it's just once a month or you have to petition someone you know to join, you are more likely to stick around, kick the tires etc. Those with short attention spans won't come back on the first of every month, but those sincerely interested in Hubski, after lurking for a month or so, are likely to come back and sign up. I don't think it's too frequent. But I could be wrong.
Says the user who just recently complained (or at least commented): I'd consider "short and simple" being the "most important parameters lately" to be a negative. Would you not?This is one of those comments that I didn't think much about but now I see it's kind of popular for some reason. Guess it was short and simple -- those seem to be the most important parameters lately.
Man, hubski was so much better when I first joined. Now it's gone to shit. What happened, hubski? While we're at it, remember that time Pokemon started making monsters that were super dumb and easy? Like a magnet, a pile of sludge, literally a Pokeball with a face, eggs, a duck with a butt on its head, and another amorphous blob? What happened Pokemon?? Oh wait, that was all Gen 1, WHOOPS, mah bad-
So you think it might be worth trying, _refugee_? Actually, I just made a post for discussion:
Change for change's sake...? Rate of new users joining seems fine to me -- why mess with it? But you don't have to justify this to me; you've spent a lot more time thinking about the pros and cons than I have. I was just registering my opinion in case this was a straw poll.
Not for the sake of change. I want to enhance the expectation that goes beyond: "Sign up and drop a comment." As an example, the Reddit influxes always result in a disruptive education period, and the burden falls upon the extant users. cgod often ducks our for several days, and kleinbl00 has begged to have a newbie filter. IMO a reasonable barrier would require some reflection, and beg a more thoughtful entry. Also, it will combat spam.
Heavy-handed way to deal with spam. The reddit influxes always work out pretty well. I hate them while they're happening, and I can't remember if I'm following the nearly-pointless #askhubski right now or not, but the aftermath is an improvement in the hubski brain trust. It's possible that, based on stuff I've said in the past, you expected me to be pro-invite only. I'm a member of a lot of great invite-only websites, and I'm an outspoken proponent of this axiom. And indeed somewhere down the line I think this policy is not only positive but necessary. But for now, we don't have a growth problem. We don't really have a content problem. (Or the one we have isn't going to be fixed by an invite system.) We have muting etc, which I would love for you to make even stronger. EDIT: if you must, maybe a new-user filter is a good idea. 24 hours, say. It's self-selecting; anyone patient enough to read-only for a day will probably contribute well afterward. Under your suggestion, how do good new users join the site? How does a random internet user who happens across hubski ever join? Bookmarking until the 1st of the month, then remembering to join? Won't happen. Getting invited? Not sure how that would work. I can invite people I know, not people I don't.