Yes, New (Temp) Admin

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  • 06-16-2008, 06:56 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    Yes, New (Temp) Admin
    I've had a couple of conversations now with atomicAdam, who is here temporarily to update the site. He wants suggestions on how best to improve the experience here and according to what he tells me, a new permanent admin is being sought. I'm going to post the two e-mail conversations I've had with him and I included JM & E-stat with my second reply:

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Me
    Can you tell me atomicAdam if you are an active administrator here? IF you've read my or a lot of other people's posts in the Site Feedback forum, you'd notice there has been quite a bit of frustration exhibited because of the lack of leadership. Your thoughts?

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by atomicAdam
    Hey Rich,

    The answer to the question is yes and no. I am working on updating the site but I am not the new admin admin. Though, if you have ideas, request, even just links to things you've already said I would like to read them. In fact you can spread the word too for others to comment.

    Thanks,
    -adam

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Me
    Thanks for the quick response Adam. The biggest issue we have here is with spammers. JohnMichael and E-stat spend most of their time tracking down spammers and deleting their posts and memberships. In many discussion forums I've posted in, you have to make your e-mail address visible to admins during registration. If you don't do that, a pop-up window appears and if you answer no to the question, you can go no further. This I think would go a long way towards cutting down the crap from spammers we have to deal with on a daily basis.

    I'm glad you say you're here to update the site because there are days when posts by members take very long to appear, and I've read where some people don't have the "Quick Reply" box at times.

    Here are some links to threads that contain some of the complaints we've had over time:

    This one was about e-mail (PM messages I believe)

    http://forums.audioreview.com/site-feedback-discussion/ar-email-problem-26274.html

    This one was about PM's from spammers and the only way to stop them was by sending them to a mod, but my contention is that the site's software should be able to catch this.
    http://forums.audioreview.com/site-feedback-discussion/pms-spammers-26542.html

    Here's a thread about suggestions for reoganizing the forum topic breakdown:
    http://forums.audioreview.com/site-feedback-discussion/time-reorganize-24905.html

    And there are people who've tried to add products to the AR database with no luck. Post #4 includes an error message:
    http://forums.audioreview.com/showth...179#post221179

    The biggest question I've had during my time here is why there was no admin assigned to replace ericl?

    I've included our two active mods in this message, and in my opinion, some of the others who show up as mods should be decommisioned as they no longer post here. (Geoffcin and ericl come to mind).

    My hope is that we'll see a more modernized forum Adam, because as you can see we've become a tight knit community, and a lot of our posts show up on the Google Search website.

    Thanks a lot for taking the time to help us out. :thumbsup: -Rich

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by atomicAdam
    Hey Rich,

    Thanks for the PM.

    I will go over the forum issues w/ our engineer and see what can best be done. I agree - spammers are lame - and they are a problem on all forums that consumerreview.com runs. MTBR, RBR, Photo...etc..

    I know a replacement for Eric is being sought, but no match yet.

    Give me some time to take on these issues. I will be spending a lot of effort getting audioreview.com back into better shape but my time is also split among other things.

    Thanks for the feed back and PM or email me anytime.
    adam@consumerreview.com

    -adam

    So feel free to make your questions and concerns known here or via e-mail to Adam, and maybe we can finally have a site that works well for everybody.
    <!-- / message --><!-- / message --><!-- / message -->
  • 06-16-2008, 07:32 AM
    Sir Terrence the Terrible
    Well. you have been busy Richie Rich!
  • 06-16-2008, 07:33 AM
    GMichael
    You have got way too much free time on your hands buddy. Repeat after me.

    "Too much time on my hands" (clap clap)
    "Too much time on my hands" (clap clap)
    "Too much time on my hands" (clap clap)
    "Too much time on my hands" (whisper)
    "Too much time on my hands"
    (Bzzzzzzzzz...)
  • 06-16-2008, 08:02 AM
    Feanor
    Thanks for your efforts, Rich
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    I've had a couple of conversations now with atomicAdam, who is here temporarily to update the site. He wants suggestions on how best to improve the experience here and according to what he tells me, a new permanent admin is being sought. I'm going to post the two e-mail conversations I've had with him and I included JM & E-stat with my second reply:
    ...
    So feel free to make your questions and concerns known here or via e-mail to Adam, and maybe we can finally have a site that works well for everybody.
    <!-- / message --><!-- / message --><!-- / message -->

    Rich, thanks for your initiative. I certainly do feel that the spam problem is more obvious here at AR than most forums, whether the problem is technical or a matter of site policy.
  • 06-16-2008, 09:15 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    I made sticks aware of this last night and he told me he'd probably send him a note as well.

    As long as Adam is being up front with us, I'd say now's the time to SPEAK UP!
  • 06-16-2008, 09:44 AM
    basite
    wouldn't it be easier if Adam could just post in this thread too? :D

    seriously: improvements for AR...
    besides the spammers, and everything else concerning the topics on this thread, I think what we most need is more traffic. More people here, so maybe advertising AR could be a good idea...

    and definately: an introductions forum, they've got one recently on AK, and from of the start, this has been a big succes. I think alot of people hesitate because they can't find a place where they can properly introduce themselves...

    Keep them spinning,
    Bert.
  • 06-16-2008, 09:53 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Sir Terrence the Terrible
    Well. you have been busy Richie Rich!

    Well shiver me timbers, Mr. Dome posted in one of my threads. I'll be a monkey's uncle! :p
  • 06-16-2008, 09:55 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by basite
    wouldn't it be easier if Adam could just post in this thread too? :D

    Probably not Bert since like he said he's splitting his time with other efforts. I'm going to send him a link to this thread.
  • 06-16-2008, 09:56 AM
    basite
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    Probably not Bert since like he said he's splitting his time with other efforts. I'm going to send him a link to this thread.


    OK :)
    thanks for the effort btw rich :)

    keep them spinning,
    Bert.
  • 06-16-2008, 10:00 AM
    GMichael
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by basite
    wouldn't it be easier if Adam could just post in this thread too? :D

    seriously: improvements for AR...
    besides the spammers, and everything else concerning the topics on this thread, I think what we most need is more traffic. More people here, so maybe advertising AR could be a good idea...

    and definately: an introductions forum, they've got one recently on AK, and from of the start, this has been a big succes. I think alot of people hesitate because they can't find a place where they can properly introduce themselves...

    Keep them spinning,
    Bert.

    I'm thinking of a template. Once someone starts a new account, they get asked a few basic questions (or info could be pulled from their profile). Then a post/thread is automatically started in the introductions forum. It could be something like this. Hi, my name is (insert nickname or UID), I joined this site because (answer to why did you join our site) etc. Then give the new member the option to add more, edit or even delete before posting. Of coarse, the new member would get an explination of why they are being asked to start a thread.
  • 06-16-2008, 10:36 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    Let's see...

    Home Theater forum has 99 pages dating back to 2003.
    General Audio forum has 65 pages dating back to 2003.
    News and Rumors forum has 12 pages dating back to 2004
    Speakers forum has 87 pages dating back to 2003
    ... etc etc etc.

    Anything more than say 2 years old should either be archived (compressed) or deleted. That would surely help speed up page load times. I think RL's biggest gripe about this site was the sometimes agonizingly long load times.
  • 06-17-2008, 11:45 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    Looks like I'm alone on an island here. Mods, why are you not participating in this thread?

    I agree that an introductions forum would be helpful, but I think to create templates and such would require a lot of coding. Again, if new members were forced to allow mods and admins to see their e-mail address, it would help cut down on spam. The check box already exists on the registration page.

    I also think it's time for either more mods or new ones. The Leaders page could use some restructuring IMO.
  • 06-17-2008, 10:27 PM
    audio_dude
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by GMichael
    Of coarse,

    GRAMMAR GESTAPO!
    It should read "Of course"


    (but we all know you that's what you meant....)


    Ether way, good to see someone is finally taking action to tackle the nagging problems of the site.

    Seems I migrated away for a while there, I'm back, don't know for how long, but here nonetheless.

    (Seems I became content with my stereo and stopped needing upgrading advice :P)
  • 06-18-2008, 04:26 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by audio_dude
    GRAMMAR GESTAPO!
    It should read "Of course"

    He he snicker snicker. :)

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by _dude
    Seems I migrated away for a while there, I'm back, don't know for how long, but here nonetheless.

    Yes you did. Nevertheless, it's good to see a familiar face 'round these parts again. :thumbsup:

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by _dude
    (Seems I became content with my stereo and stopped needing upgrading advice :P)

    The same thing happened to me after I bought my first Home Theater receiver. After a while though I became tired of its limitations so the upgrade bug started up again. Been here since, and with some great advice and alert eyes for bargains from some good people here, I've realized a goal that eluded me for many many years. And MAN, does it crank out the dB's!!! :ihih:

    (Gee, I hope I didn't sound like a politician with that suck-up speech. :nonod: )
  • 06-18-2008, 05:12 AM
    GMichael
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by audio_dude
    GRAMMAR GESTAPO!
    It should read "Of course"


    (but we all know you that's what you meant....)


    Ether way, good to see someone is finally taking action to tackle the nagging problems of the site.

    Seems I migrated away for a while there, I'm back, don't know for how long, but here nonetheless.

    (Seems I became content with my stereo and stopped needing upgrading advice :P)


    I meant for it to be a rough explanation.:blush2: Oh, nevermind.:ciappa:
  • 06-18-2008, 05:19 AM
    basite
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by audio_dude
    Seems I migrated away for a while there, I'm back, don't know for how long, but here nonetheless.

    (Seems I became content with my stereo and stopped needing upgrading advice :P)


    yeah, long time no see dude :)



    welcome back :D

    Keep them spinning,
    Bert.
  • 06-18-2008, 05:45 AM
    JSE
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by audio_dude


    Ether way,

    :shocked: :out: :ciappa:
  • 06-18-2008, 06:06 AM
    audio_dude
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    The same thing happened to me after I bought my first Home Theater receiver. After a while though I became tired of its limitations so the upgrade bug started up again. Been here since, and with some great advice and alert eyes for bargains from some good people here, I've realized a goal that eluded me for many many years. And MAN, does it crank out the dB's!!! :ihih:

    Well, mine was too things:
    1. My stereo had the sound and quality I was looking for.
    2. I was flat broke...
  • 06-18-2008, 06:51 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by audio_dude
    Well, mine was too things:
    1. My stereo had the sound and quality I was looking for.
    2. I was flat broke...

    I can see where that might be a contributing factor.:idea:

    On topic: I've been sub'ed to forums where there is much sponsor participation, meaning... the sponsors have a sub-forum where they post special purchase deals for forum members. I think the AVS and Audioholics forums have a similar model, so why can't the same type of thing exist here? Since they sponsor this site, IMO it would give them more visibility and at the same time make the members here feel more comfortable when they're wanting to purchase A/V equipment. Besides that, I think these ads in the right hand column and across the top do nothing more than annoy most of us.
  • 06-18-2008, 07:47 AM
    Ajani
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    I also think it's time for either more mods or new ones.

    My vote for new mods:

    Pix for News and Rumours

    &

    Spanky for Computer Audio

    :ciappa:
  • 06-18-2008, 02:07 PM
    audio_dude
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ajani
    My vote for new mods:

    Pix for News and Rumours

    &

    Spanky for Computer Audio

    :ciappa:

    Audio_dude for portable audio...
  • 06-18-2008, 04:17 PM
    Ajani
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by audio_dude
    Audio_dude for portable audio...

    Audio_who?

    :prrr:
  • 06-18-2008, 07:07 PM
    Rich-n-Texas
    Seriously though
  • 06-18-2008, 10:58 PM
    audio_dude
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    Seriously though

    Did I sound like I was kidding?

    The portable audio section is one of the most spammed sections in this whole damn place.
    Needs some dedicated policing. *pulls out mirrored aviators*
  • 06-19-2008, 04:25 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by audio_dude
    Did I sound like I was kidding?

    I'm glad you're not _dude! atomicAdam's e-mail addy is in my first post, so send him an e-mail. I was responding to Ajani's post.

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by audio_dude
    The portable audio section is one of the most spammed sections in this whole damn place.
    Needs some dedicated policing. *pulls out mirrored aviators*

    Never noticed since I don't spend much time there.

    I have to say something about the moderation of this site... again. Every discussion forum that I've visited always had a slew of moderators. There are only TWO active mods here which just seems rediculous to me.
  • 06-19-2008, 07:24 AM
    Ajani
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    I have to say something about the moderation of this site... again. Every discussion forum that I've visited always had a slew of moderators. There are only TWO active mods here which just seems rediculous to me.

    Seriously, I agree. We need more mods. Since, we have several very active and respected members on this site, why not just add some of them as mods???
  • 06-19-2008, 07:32 AM
    GMichael
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ajani
    Seriously, I agree. We need more mods. Since, we have several very active and respected members on this site, why not just add some of them as mods???

    Yeah Rich. When are you going to step up?
    (Or was that what this was all about to begin with?)
    Hmmmmmmmmmmm..........
    Very well played sir.
  • 06-19-2008, 07:53 AM
    bobsticks
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by GMichael
    Yeah Rich. When are you going to step up?
    (Or was that what this was all about to begin with?)
    Hmmmmmmmmmmm..........
    Very well played sir.


    Hhhmmmnn...interesting...does anyone think it coincidence that Rich makes a political powerplay on the same day that P-Sky/SuperPan returns?? Powerbrokers abound.

    http://forums.audioreview.com/showth...554#post245554
  • 06-19-2008, 08:01 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    Don't be silly. Everywhere except here, a moderator who is assigned to a specific topic forum is supposed to have knowledge of that topic, and I don't profess to have any knowledge of any topic forum. :rolleyes: If this site shapes up to resemble just about every other discussion forum out there then that would make me an even less quailfied candidate for a mod postion.
  • 06-19-2008, 08:03 AM
    GMichael
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by bobsticks
    Hhhmmmnn...interesting...does anyone think it coincidence that Rich makes a political powerplay on the same day that P-Sky/SuperPan returns?? Powerbrokers abound.

    http://forums.audioreview.com/showth...554#post245554

    There are no coincidences in life.
  • 06-19-2008, 02:29 PM
    Groundbeef
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    Don't be silly. Everywhere except here, a moderator who is assigned to a specific topic forum is supposed to have knowledge of that topic, and I don't profess to have any knowledge of any topic forum. :rolleyes: If this site shapes up to resemble just about every other discussion forum out there then that would make me an even less quailfied candidate for a mod postion.

    Now if we just had a thread about Rich guys in Texas, who light their BBQ's w/100$ then we might have a thread for you to moderate.
  • 06-19-2008, 04:07 PM
    kexodusc
    I would offer to be a mod, but by nature I am very immoderate.

    Glad to see there's a command structure still in place at least. Good luck to Mr. Adam and co.
  • 06-20-2008, 08:10 AM
    Ajani
    As requested by the 'Deputy' Mod (Rich), I've placed this suggestion in this thread:

    Why don't Rep points indicate the sender by default? Sending unsigned rep points seems both absurd and cowardly... If possible, I think the site admin should adjust the rep points system so that it automatically displays the name of the sender...

    since I can't make anonymous posts on the forum (well, I don't think I can) then why should I be able to send anonymous rep points?
  • 06-20-2008, 09:04 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    Good idea, but I hope people aren't taking the rep system too seriously. I don't. I think of it as a fun game like "tag" or "kill the man with the football" from when I was a young lad. :yesnod:

    I'm "Deputy Dog" not Mod! :nonod:
  • 06-20-2008, 09:59 AM
    kexodusc
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ajani
    As requested by the 'Deputy' Mod (Rich), I've placed this suggestion in this thread:

    Why don't Rep points indicate the sender by default? Sending unsigned rep points seems both absurd and cowardly... If possible, I think the site admin should adjust the rep points system so that it automatically displays the name of the sender...

    since I can't make anonymous posts on the forum (well, I don't think I can) then why should I be able to send anonymous rep points?

    I like this idea...serious or otherwise, it puts some accountabilty and merit in the rep system -
    It's not public for all to see, but you should know who's giving you greenies or red chiclets.
  • 06-20-2008, 10:21 AM
    JSE
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    Good idea, but I hope people aren't taking the rep system too seriously. I don't. I think of it as a fun game like "tag" or "kill the man with the football" from when I was a young lad. :yesnod:

    I'm "Deputy Dog" not Mod! :nonod:

    Exactly! That's something that seems to have gone over the head of Lex/PS. He thinks we are/were upset because we got red chicklets. At least for me and most likely most others, we are upset because he was too cowardly to sign his name to them. We were upset by his "bad form". He went out of his way to create screen names just to tag people. I could care less if someone give me a red chicklet. Just sign it. I sign mine whether they are green or red.

    It all in good fun for most of us. Rich says he wants/begs for red chicklets so we give him as many greens as we can. Granted if he were to asked for greens, he would not get reds. That's freaking fun!
  • 06-20-2008, 10:26 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    And when Cartman asks for Shiner, I send him Rolling Rock! That's freakin' hilarious! :ciappa:
  • 06-20-2008, 10:31 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by kexodusc
    I like this idea...serious or otherwise, it puts some accountabilty and merit in the rep system -
    It's not public for all to see, but you should know who's giving you greenies or red chiclets.

    For that matter, why aren't I able to see ALL of my rep points, instead of the five latest?
  • 06-20-2008, 10:55 AM
    JSE
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    And when Cartman asks for Shiner, I send him Rolling Rock! That's freakin' hilarious! :ciappa:

    :mad2:
  • 06-20-2008, 11:15 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    Can you believe I was weened on Rolling Rock? I was almost of legal drinking age, but when I turned 18 and had a choice, I gradiated to Budweiser! :thumbsup: