Hey Lisa...How much time do you...

coosbaytv · #1 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 09:35 PM

spend on average here on the forum looking over posts?

Just a point of curiosity more than anything else.

Do you try and get to most every post, at least to look it over?

I am thinking of getting into the forum thing myself and don't have a clue but I am guessing that with the modest success of this forum that it has to be close to a full time job alone!

Feedback or thoughts on "doin' the Forum Thing"?

lisa · #2 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 09:44 PM

If you totaled up the amount of time I spend on here a day, it probably equates to 1 - 1/2 hours. I usually check in at least 5-6 times per day and spend about 15 minutes each check -- sometimes more, sometimes less. I don't read every single post in detail but I do scan them all for spam, etc.

It doesn't have to be a full time job, but I admit I spend more time than many forum admins because I have no moderators. If you appoint moderators you can cut down on that time a lot. I had a very bad experience with moderators on my last forum so that's why I've been so slow about this process.... but I need to get started on appointing people 'cause this forum is growing. Plus I travel a LOT and it's a bummer to have to check in for spam when I'm on the beach 'cause I have no moderators.

coosbaytv · #3 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 09:57 PM

"it's a bummer to have to check in for spam when I'm on the beach 'cause I have no moderators. "

The equivalent of "buying yourself a job"!

Without going into specifics, what kinds of things did you learn to avoid in that last forum process?

coosbaytv · #4 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 09:59 PM

and you do use some type of smartphone or PDA to make these spam checks I hope...rather than lug around a laptop?

lisa · #5 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coosbaytv

The equivalent of "buying yourself a job"!

I wouldn't go that far. When I think of "job" I think of my old 9 to 5, and considering the alternative I'd much rather check my forum on the beach any day.

After experiencing "forum failure" 3 times on 2Create before launching this one, I'm just happy people are posting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by coosbaytv

Without going into specifics, what kinds of things did you learn to avoid in that last forum process?

It's better to be strict than to be liked by everyone. I posted about this yesterday in another thread and mentioned how I was so concerned about my other forum getting popular that I was very lax about the rules so things got out of hand. I also appointed moderators before I got a chance to really know them as forum members. Those were probably the 2 biggest lessons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by coosbaytv

and you do use some type of smartphone or PDA to make these spam checks I hope...rather than lug around a laptop?

No smartphone but that's about to change as soon as I get my iPhone. Although I must say, I'm very hesitant about this because I don't want to be one of those people who can't put the thing down. I spend enough time on my sites and when I'm away from home, whether it's vacation or just out and about, I like to focus on what I'm doing.... not plunking away on a phone.

I know too many "Crackberries" (Blackberry addicts) and I don't want to turn into one of those.

The nice thing about having the laptop when I'm away is I may check it once or twice a day and then I'm done for the day. I set limits and don't take it everywhere. (I don't really take the laptop on the beach with me, that was just an expression.

)

However, with a smartphone, it's always with you and that's not always a good thing. Especially when you enjoy being online, checking stats, etc. as much as I do.

Like I said in the other post, appointing moderators will cut down on the spam checks immensely.

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