Questions , Suggestions, Problems?

[classylady]

I'm wondering is there a reason why so many do not comment any longer seems like the few of us are the only ones who commet? That's one question?
Next question is the challenges in just about all challenges are the same people surely we have more people that could participate, I know its hard getting more people envoled.

A lot of people simply don't check the forums, is there a possibility of say either posting a new challenge for each forum at the beginning of each and possibly one in between and especially to vote at the end when voting starts, also a way to let people know anyone can vote or participate.

maybe even a news letter to remind people to vote I know myself I sometimes get caught up in other things and plain forget to vote.

any other suggestions on how we can get more people to particiate in all aspects?? However I also feel they should already post here regularly. Not just the 1 or 2 posters then challenge win and leave ones.

Angela is there a way or option for say like a news tickler to run across the top of the gallery? Or a mailing list, if posting something that tells everyone
about the current challenge takes away from what you post Angela and Rumour who I have not seen around here much lately, I'd be glad to give up one of my posts per day to use it as a posting for any challenge if need be.
think about ways to improved each challenge and to get more people then the same people entering each challenge

Another way to let people know you know when you post and on the screen with the pull down is there a way to list what challenges are now going on??
Say like at the top above the pull down tab.

I know something to think about
Thanks Carolyn

[ppetersen]

Good ideas all ... I would like to see more folks taking a few to post more often, if for no other reason than it's a great way to get to know folks...This is a wonderful community of artists, and while we're all busy with our art and real life we do have those moments away from both which would be the time to play 'catch' up and let the folks who post to us know we see their things too.

Of course this isn't about those who do post regularly. But then it's not always easy to say to folks 'how come you don't post'. And some artists are odd, like me. It's easier for me to chat away here then in real life, but maybe they are shy and don't want to comment or... who knows.

LOL. Either way I would love to see more take on the challenge. I know there are other 'fine' artists and 3d artists who could give the challenges a go, but maybe they don't want to take the effort. I love what I've seen you all do to the two I've posted and to angies, which were awesome.

Sharing creativity and new ideas is always fun... Guess some folks just don't wanna... :)))

Waves to Carolyn..
as always
Pat

[Rumour]

They are good ideas Carolyn. As far as I know there is no option for a news banner using vBulletin. The best way would be a newsletter posted out to everyone - think I remember seeing that there is a way for us to do that.

Getting people to post in the forums isn't easy. It's a sort of catch 22 situation, to get people posting more they need to see that a forum is really active and they can get help and tips or just share knowledge and why they like doing what they do, but to get it that active you need lots more people posting. Though I am a Mod of a fair few forums outside the usual ones, they are mainly general ones. The Texturing, Lighting and Modelling forums cover all the 3D applications as well as 2D, and often it's easier to just go to the forum that is specific to your program and find help there. As such, encouraging participation is tricky, but I do my best.

The other hassle I have at the moment (aside from being busy with just normal life stuff) is that I am organising a wedding. Mine. :D /Which would almost not add that much to my workload if it wasn't a medieval wedding, necessitating that I make my own dress, plus the groom, best man, two groomsmen and three bridesmaids outfits. And three of those people don't even live in the same city as me. On top of that, the food will be as authentic as we can reasonably get away with, which is another major challenge. So I apologise if I'm not around here as much as I used to be. :( I don't even have a lot of time to go looking at the galleries, let alone doing much art of my own, which makes me sad, but I don't have much choice if I want things to go well later on.

The best way to try to get more people aware of the challenges and get more participating is to put them in the Announcement forum. Alternatively, if you would like to run some challenges, or be a mod on one of the forums (even a forum that already has a moderator would benefit from having two who can help out), just let us know, and we'd love to include you.

[ppetersen]

Oh my how lovely!!!!!! Congratulations are definitely in order, and what a dreamy wedding that will be.!!!! Of course we will get to see some shots of it :) Hint hint....

[vos]

:musik010: CONGRATULATIONS RUMOUR!!!!! :beerchug:

What I do for the challenge is send messages around (for the new Terragen challenge,I have also send a few messages to members ) for the bryce challenge I have put a letter in the main gallery,so all the members see it!!!

[Mikan]

@Rumour - well, that's a weddin' that I'd normally not miss!
I would love to help for such an event - I've done some photos for a firm that makes medieval "everything" - weapons, costumes, environments etc.
The medieval music would be a little bit hard to find, but surprisingly I have friends that form a band called Imago Mundi; I already have two Cd's of them and I love what they compose from classical themes.
Since you're not leaving next door to me, I'll be patiently waiting for the photos! :D Congratulations for such an amazing idea - I have to say that I'm very impressed by your idea! :wave: :dance:

[tdierikx]

Threads: 758, Posts: 5,023, Members: 1,300

Those are some truly scary stats...

1300 members, and only 5023 posts to the forums?

Methinks many people are a lot more interested in the gallery space than talking to others in the forums... check this out... http://www.innertraveler.com/publicgallery/index.php - a heck of a lot of people passing comment from what I can tell... scroll down the page and see the stats for each gallery area...

All is not necessarily as it may seem... lol!

T.

[classylady]

They are good ideas Carolyn. As far as I know there is no option for a news banner using vBulletin. The best way would be a newsletter posted out to everyone - think I remember seeing that there is a way for us to do that.

Getting people to post in the forums isn't easy. It's a sort of catch 22 situation, to get people posting more they need to see that a forum is really active and they can get help and tips or just share knowledge and why they like doing what they do, but to get it that active you need lots more people posting. Though I am a Mod of a fair few forums outside the usual ones, they are mainly general ones. The Texturing, Lighting and Modelling forums cover all the 3D applications as well as 2D, and often it's easier to just go to the forum that is specific to your program and find help there. As such, encouraging participation is tricky, but I do my best.

The other hassle I have at the moment (aside from being busy with just normal life stuff) is that I am organising a wedding. Mine. :D /Which would almost not add that much to my workload if it wasn't a medieval wedding, necessitating that I make my own dress, plus the groom, best man, two groomsmen and three bridesmaids outfits. And three of those people don't even live in the same city as me. On top of that, the food will be as authentic as we can reasonably get away with, which is another major challenge. So I apologise if I'm not around here as much as I used to be. :( I don't even have a lot of time to go looking at the galleries, let alone doing much art of my own, which makes me sad, but I don't have much choice if I want things to go well later on.

The best way to try to get more people aware of the challenges and get more participating is to put them in the Announcement forum. Alternatively, if you would like to run some challenges, or be a mod on one of the forums (even a forum that already has a moderator would benefit from having two who can help out), just let us know, and we'd love to include you.


Oh gosh now I feel badly, but a huge Congrats on your upcoming wedding sounds like its is going to be fabulous I hope you take plenty of pictures so we all can see them. awwww this is such great news , Congratulations to you and your Fiancee fill us in on more detail when you can Please.

I don't mind helping anyone whether it be a challenge or anything else all one has to do is ask me for help and I'll do what I can. To get more people yes a newsletter would do it. maybe showing a thumb of the winning last challenge
I'm still willing to give up also 1 post so a banner can be posted on each challenge in the gallery may or may not help whatever you lady's want just say....Hugs to you Rumour Congrats awwww isn't love grand :) :clap:

[classylady]

Statistics
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I see this and can't help but wonder why more don't comment they seem to view and use gallery space or am I missing something here.

[Rumour]

@Rumour - well, that's a weddin' that I'd normally not miss!


Hopefully I won't either! I have fabric picked out, designs for costumes, a time period even (15C Italian Renaissance), venues (Gorgeous french gothic church - remind me to put the pics I have up of it, and English Tudor style reception - I know two different countries but NZ isn't exactly big for venues with the right look I'm after), but still a long way to go. Both my fiance and I are medieval re-enactors (it's how we met, isn't that cute? Everyone say aw...!), and 90% of our friends are too, so it seems a natural choice for us. Still a long way to go though. Wish you did live closer, we could use a photographer! (They are not cheap!). But! (and keep this to yourselves) with any luck I think we can hire out some of the props from Weta Workshop (you know those guys, made a small budget film called LotR) to help dress things up, since I know that they can be hired 'cause I was at an Irish medieval themed feast not so long back and they had them there.

But anyway, slightly OT. Both Angela and I have racked our brains trying to think of ways to get people to post to the forums more, but we are only two people and don't have as much time as we'd like to dedicate ourselves fully to making it a happening place.

Your offer is really sweet Carolyn, really it is, and your generosity is much appreciated,:hugs: but there's no need to give up one of your posts to post banners. Instead, I have hit on a better idea. I'm not using any of mine at the moment, so may as well use them instead. Admins get 3 a day anyway, just so we can post up announcement and things in the gallery for people to see, so lets use them for what they should be used for. But since I don't have the time to make the pictures (I could just do text on a black box, which is kinda boring and ideally I'd like to do more), perhaps you'd like to help out there? You could email the banners to me or Angela and we could post them up?

And thanks for the best wishes, I will need them before the end!

[wile1]

Oooh congrats Rumour!! An italian Renaissance wedding, sounds beautiful!!! Looks to me like the fractols department gets the most comments, followed by fantasy. Hmmmmm :)

[ppetersen]

Now I'm positively pea green with envy Rumour. LOTR... omg faints. That had some of the most stunning scenery not to mention background plus the artist who worked on many of them is absolutely one of the best who did an entire book on the Lord of the Rings... excelllent!!!!! You go girl as we say here stateside. I can see the vision now... Such perfection. My fingers, toes, legs, arms are crossed for you.

[Engel47]

Okey dokey - looking through the thread and around the site I reckon we can start posting gallery "announcements" (soemthing like the MOM announcement) whenever there is a gallery challenge, that is a very good idea - as is announcing in the same way that voting is starting, ending etc. Perhaps the casual "posters" will see them and choose to drop into one of the forums to check things out. I will post a message in the mods room asking all the mods that are running challenges to make sure that they do this. As Ava said we have been looking into other ways of boosting forum views and posts as well, but it ain't easy. :work:

[tdierikx]

I run 2 bulletin boards myself...

I do not offer gallery space for my art related board...

Here are the stats for that board... (started in late March this year)

"Our users have posted a total of 8736 articles
We have 123 registered users"

As you can see, the lack of offering gallery space definitely cuts down on the number of members one attracts - but it certainly doesn't hurt the post counts of those participating in the forums... lol!

Unfortunately, when you offer free gallery space, you will attract some people that are really only interested in somewhere (preferrably free) to post their art. A lot of people don't want to interact with other people - they just want the free gallery space - nothing more, nothing less. I'm willing to bet that there are a heck of a lot of people posting their works and not even bothering to comment on other people's works while they are at it... such is human nature.

My other board is not art related, just a place to shoot the breeze, and here are the stats for that board... (started in January this year)

"Our users have posted a total of 12677 articles
We have 42 registered users"

A bunch of totally mad people inhabit that board - they will talk to an iron pot... lol!

T.

[classylady]

Okey dokey - looking through the thread and around the site I reckon we can start posting gallery "announcements" (soemthing like the MOM announcement) whenever there is a gallery challenge, that is a very good idea - as is announcing in the same way that voting is starting, ending etc. Perhaps the casual "posters" will see them and choose to drop into one of the forums to check things out. I will post a message in the mods room asking all the mods that are running challenges to make sure that they do this. As Ava said we have been looking into other ways of boosting forum views and posts as well, but it ain't easy. :work:


No it isn't easy to get people to comment, some will only comment on what they work in, some all, some none so how to turn it around, suggestion:) FAQ or even on the home page something like this in there somewhere

We also encourage members to participate , not only by making comments but also participating in forum activities. That mayhelp and it may not could also be listed in FAQ strongly recommended members participate in commenting and forum activites. or something like that anyways.

Also I think its great to start posting like rumour said a news image like what you said about MOM. Before, during, after certainly particpating and voting
still could do a news letter it may bring in some that are members that have not been here for awhile. just another thought..

well as long as I'm tossing things out what about a new home page or say showing a gallery winner's image on the home page may get people more interested lol especially if its mine , heck anyone can beat me I'm the worst when it comes to challenges. people will either like it or not but would also be another insentive to the winners.:)

okay my 5 cents worth "inflation"lol :blowkiss:

[classylady]

Hopefully I won't either! I have fabric picked out, designs for costumes, a time period even (15C Italian Renaissance), venues (Gorgeous french gothic church - remind me to put the pics I have up of it, and English Tudor style reception - I know two different countries but NZ isn't exactly big for venues with the right look I'm after), but still a long way to go. Both my fiance and I are medieval re-enactors (it's how we met, isn't that cute? Everyone say aw...!), and 90% of our friends are too, so it seems a natural choice for us. Still a long way to go though. Wish you did live closer, we could use a photographer! (They are not cheap!). But! (and keep this to yourselves) with any luck I think we can hire out some of the props from Weta Workshop (you know those guys, made a small budget film called LotR) to help dress things up, since I know that they can be hired 'cause I was at an Irish medieval themed feast not so long back and they had them there.

But anyway, slightly OT. Both Angela and I have racked our brains trying to think of ways to get people to post to the forums more, but we are only two people and don't have as much time as we'd like to dedicate ourselves fully to making it a happening place.

Your offer is really sweet Carolyn, really it is, and your generosity is much appreciated,:hugs: but there's no need to give up one of your posts to post banners. Instead, I have hit on a better idea. I'm not using any of mine at the moment, so may as well use them instead. Admins get 3 a day anyway, just so we can post up announcement and things in the gallery for people to see, so lets use them for what they should be used for. But since I don't have the time to make the pictures (I could just do text on a black box, which is kinda boring and ideally I'd like to do more), perhaps you'd like to help out there? You could email the banners to me or Angela and we could post them up?

And thanks for the best wishes, I will need them before the end!

I would say let each moderator try it, I don't mind helping but only with that challenge moderators auth. would not want to step on anyone toes.:)

[classylady]

Angela just got the news letter its great but what do you think about putting a link at least to the main site entrance on the letter. i know many will not even look unless there is a clickable link..:) great e-mail news letter though

[Engel47]

Angela just got the news letter its great but what do you think about putting a link at least to the main site entrance on the letter. i know many will not even look unless there is a clickable link..:) great e-mail news letter though

Hi Carolyn (and anyone else reading this) that first "newletter" was just an experiment to see A) does it work, B) can I do it :rolleyes: But yes, now that we know it works and every member recieved it, hopefully, we can start to think it out better - and including a link or links will be a good idea. :love:

[Rumour]

Unfortunately, when you offer free gallery space, you will attract some people that are really only interested in somewhere (preferrably free) to post their art. A lot of people don't want to interact with other people - they just want the free gallery space - nothing more, nothing less. I'm willing to bet that there are a heck of a lot of people posting their works and not even bothering to comment on other people's works while they are at it... such is human nature.
T.

Unforunately this is true. It is what attracted me to IT in the first place - but well, I had some animations I wanted to put up and they tend to be a bit bigger than mere pictures. Finding a free place to do that was a big bonus. I can't think of any way off the top of my head to convince people to stick around if this is ALL they are after (obviously not all I was after) but perhaps what it might take is posting them a personal message (not a blanket all purpose general one) asking them to help out in a forum and share some of the tips they used in making their image. I've seen heaps of images where I think, gee, how did they DO that? People must like talking about their art as well as showing it off, so we could ask them to spend some time explaining how they go about doing it, where their ideas came from, how it's developed as the work progressed, etc.

Any other ideas?

[classylady]

Hi Carolyn (and anyone else reading this) that first "newletter" was just an experiment to see A) does it work, B) can I do it :rolleyes: But yes, now that we know it works and every member recieved it, hopefully, we can start to think it out better - and including a link or links will be a good idea. :love:


yes it will be a good idea for links, main gallery, forums and challenges I think thats what we need to push hard on.. getting people envolved right:)

[classylady]

Unforunately this is true. It is what attracted me to IT in the first place - but well, I had some animations I wanted to put up and they tend to be a bit bigger than mere pictures. Finding a free place to do that was a big bonus. I can't think of any way off the top of my head to convince people to stick around if this is ALL they are after (obviously not all I was after) but perhaps what it might take is posting them a personal message (not a blanket all purpose general one) asking them to help out in a forum and share some of the tips they used in making their image. I've seen heaps of images where I think, gee, how did they DO that? People must like talking about their art as well as showing it off, so we could ask them to spend some time explaining how they go about doing it, where their ideas came from, how it's developed as the work progressed, etc.

Any other ideas?


Not at the moment I think my brain is to fried bed time for me guys. going to check the gallery and try to post then off to bed. talk to you all later :)

[Engel47]

Unforunately this is true. It is what attracted me to IT in the first place - but well, I had some animations I wanted to put up and they tend to be a bit bigger than mere pictures. Finding a free place to do that was a big bonus. I can't think of any way off the top of my head to convince people to stick around if this is ALL they are after (obviously not all I was after) but perhaps what it might take is posting them a personal message (not a blanket all purpose general one) asking them to help out in a forum and share some of the tips they used in making their image. I've seen heaps of images where I think, gee, how did they DO that? People must like talking about their art as well as showing it off, so we could ask them to spend some time explaining how they go about doing it, where their ideas came from, how it's developed as the work progressed, etc.

Any other ideas?

I agree - I am sure people would love to talk about their art, most artists seem too - how about posting a gallery comment when you see an image that makes you go "gee I wonder that how was done?" and ask then if they would like to go to "? (insert name) forum" and perhaps try to explain to others how they did it. Even if only one or two post a thread it may encorage others :D

[classylady]

In most cases yes people do enjoy talking about how they got a specific look, its a good idea some may not want to because of language barriers
but hey all we can do is try Right?? :juggle:

[tdierikx]

Call me backward... I joined up for the forums... lol!

... and now I'm being badgered to post more works in the gallery... hahaha!

(I posted one yesterday by the way...)

All in good fun I say! Feel free to badger me all you like... I'm good for it...

T.

[vos]

Thanks tdierikx for posting here!!!If you have time take a look in the main gallery,pic.bryce challenge,and take a look at the website from the little guy,I think you like it.

[paully52]

Would someone tell me how to post an image in the Monument Challenge. I have have no clue how these forums work. Thanks, Paully

[tdierikx]

Hey vos...

I've stumbled across a way to create some truly funky flames in Apophysis... and I can make them at will even! You'll have to wait a little while for me to post some of these images... gotta post one in the Fractal Challenge today, then have a couple more of my funky zoomed ones to post, but that will give me time to tweak and render a few of these new flames... and then I'll share those, OK?

T.

[wile1]

Then maybe you can also post a tutorial on how to do it :D

Paully, load your image to your website Then go up to the icon at the top of the page you write on that looks like a postcard Add the addy of your picture to the pop up box you get when you click on that and it will link to your pic.

[Engel47]

Would someone tell me how to post an image in the Monument Challenge. I have have no clue how these forums work. Thanks, Paully
Hi Paully - it is just like posting to the normal gallery - click on upload as normal navigate to where you have the iamge on your hard drive, upload it -but choose the "Bryce Challenge Gallery" as the gallery category! :love: Same for any other challenge - if the challenge has it's own gallery pop your image into there to keep them altogether, makes it easier for the voters :nod: BTW - It is not a forum based challenge.
P.S also helps if you post a new thread rather than hijack someone elses :D

[Engel47]

Then maybe you can also post a tutorial on how to do it :D

Paully, load your image to your website Then go up to the icon at the top of the page you write on that looks like a postcard Add the addy of your picture to the pop up box you get when you click on that and it will link to your pic.
Lou Ann I will do a couple of screenshots!

[tdierikx]

Maybe I should post a tutorial... I'll work on that in the next few days, OK?

T.

[wile1]

Oookay!! :D

[paully52]

Hi Paully - it is just like posting to the normal gallery - click on upload as normal navigate to where you have the iamge on your hard drive, upload it -but choose the "Bryce Challenge Gallery" as the gallery category! :love: Same for any other challenge - if the challenge has it's own gallery pop your image into there to keep them altogether, makes it easier for the voters :nod: BTW - It is not a forum based challenge.
P.S also helps if you post a new thread rather than hijack someone elses :D

Thanks Angie. I haven't used forums much so don't know the protocol. I saw Questions / Problems / Suggestions and thought that's where one would ask questions. I didn't mean to "hijack" anything. :D
I'll go back and read your instructions again.
Paully

[Engel47]

Thanks Angie. I haven't used forums much so don't know the protocol. I saw Questions / Problems / Suggestions and thought that's where one would ask questions. I didn't mean to "hijack" anything. :D
I'll go back and read your instructions again.
Paully

No problem - lots of people seem to have trouble with these forums, not as user friendly as they could be, but easy enough to learn if someone will tell you how :love:

@tdierikx - a tutorial would be fantastic!!!! :worship:

[tdierikx]

Hehehe... I posted something for all to play with in the Fractal forum... enjoy!

As for the layout, etc of the forums - I've been to many that were harder to navigate than this place.

T.