Since there's a place for suggestions...What about an option for starting a thread and inviting specific people to it? Public and Private threads, in other words. That way people could debate a topic without interference, work on a hub project together...other things I probably haven't thought of yet...What do others think?
a variation of that is already available to you in the form of the comments section on your personal hub(s), and is in fact a way that many do communicate with those of a like mind. you, as the author, can approve or delete any comments you choose, or if you like, make certain trolls look like complete fools.
it's a great feature to do exactly what you're looking for. there are already enough popularity contests on hp.
Agreed - I personally don't think the forums would be enhanced by this feature; in fact, I think it would create a divisiveness that we just don't need. And if you want to chat privately with other chosen HP members it's possible to do what other people have suggested, and invite people to a private forum/group elsewhere.
oh boy
there's already certain threads that are "invitation only" by default. some of these are clearly gathering places for people who are either friends or like-minded, and people can either decide to post in them or not. the hub tribe thread comes to mind. i've never posted in there because it doesn't interest me, and i certainly didn't need a locked gate to keep me out.
why should you create private forums in a public forum? if you want to chat privately with your buddies, there's always chat utilities.
yeh? well, we're building a treehouse now, and if you want you can come see it, or not, whatever!
This last week I tried to have a few didcussions on threads - some went ok some were hijacked. Not all hubbers come to a thread for discussion like you do. I don't utilize other utilities so this still looks viable to me. Holly
You got a lot of solutions to make private clubs.
You can use MSN, Skype, etc.
do you mean like having a separate category altogether for private threads? (but how would you keep everyone from commenting, unless you address names specifically, right?) Sounds like a great idea actually...
I didn't really get far enough to have thought out *how* it would work
I don't know...maybe next to "start a new thread" there could also be a "start a private thread" button...then that would take you to a place where you could type in another hubbers name to invite them to that forum...*shrug* Or perhaps it could be on the honor system, and ppl would just agree to stay out of forums where they weren't invited...though I don't know how well that would go over, as they could still be read by others.
MOW thank you for your kind comment on my profile! Isn't it funny how some people can connect with one another even across such a distance!?
yes , cool... but implementing it is another story.. SUGGESTION ;maybe you should offer to code it for them... bigger than just clicking buttons and ...PRESTO... a new feature. Forums are only a bonus really.. we should be asking for better hub capsule features ,IMO.. any more forum features and it will become another myspace or facebook fad ready to hit a web 2.0 bubble like the '00.com bubble.. its about time they added better features to hubs, like offer additional layouts or new capsules or new affiliates to work with since ebay no longer accepts applications... just saying... but otherwise yeah , would be a cool feature
Well...I sure have no problems with any of your other suggestions...this is just the one that came to my mind. I *wish* I could offer to code it for them...If I could I wouldn't be snowed in in Crap-on-a-Map, WV.
Great idea, but the only way I could see it working would be if it was set up with the originator being the moderator, i.e. they had the right to block people from the forum that they wanted to 'uninvite', or people needed to get a 'vote' from existing forum posters before they could join.... three votes against and you are out so to speak.
I also agree that better hubcaps would be great, as I come from using Dreamweaver/Photoshop and InDesign, these features seem limited, great for and better than most WYSIWYG online html pages, but still limited.
However most folk don't even use the features currently available, and I can see that a standardised format is better than some people having stunning pages and others publishing dogs ears because they don't know how to use all the bells and flashing lights.
I think a voting system will just end up with certain people blocking certain other people because of a difference in opinion that may be perfectly valid, which would make many forum posts unfair for many people. No, I think it should stay an open forum. Otherwise some people will just want their opinion repeated back to them, and all others will be cast out/ignored.
I think it sounds like a fantastic idea! Imagine, a place where hub collaboration could be conducted in peace and privacy. A conversation could be held without fear of "prying" eyes. It would make so much sense to do this. It would also cut down on a lot of the BS that goes on. Name calling, bickering, etc.
And that way you only have to "debate" with those who agree with you
Not particularly. I don't make a habit of debating to be honest. I do understand where you are coming from I think. However, I think that this could be a good thing. I doubt it will happen, but I have to give credit where credit is due. I believe this to be a sound idea.
lol
that was my thought too, Uninvited Writer.
Must be a miracle; this is at least the second time I've agreed with you.....
You could invite people to discuss an issue with you in a specific email chatroom and have that privacy - just sayin'!
I agree, the idea is appealing. I play word games at pogo and we are allowed to have private tables for invited screen names to participate, blocking others from wandering in. If we could make threads like that I think more discussions would be productive provided the participants have that intent.
Cool thoughts Glass Spider, Holly
I would hope that the HP team would put more work into more Hub features and widgets than the forum - which is not the main reason most of us are here. Of the estimated 122,000 hubbers how many come to the forums?
I have to say my thoughts are along these lines.
After all, there are thousands of other sites and groups where a bunch of Hub authors could form their own "coffee klatch" if they wish to have private conversations.
I agree! There are private chat rooms on the web that could be used by invitation only. The person can moderate those as they will. No need for Hubpages to be part of that.
I agree. There's too much emphasis on the forums already.
I don't think it is a good idea to have private forums - the forums by definition are public meeting and discussion places. If you want to discuss privately why not give your email address to certain hubbers you want to discuss with and use the chat feature in gmail or other email places.
The fun of the forums is that they are public and you meet new people this way. I know that thread "hijacking" to talk about something else or to just say hi back and forth and exchange pleasantries is disappointing and irritating when you had a good discussion going, but I can live with it. If you posted the thread it helps to remind people every once in awhile to focus on the original question.
If I get out of line in the forums I hope people will just say - stop it, mega - and I will slap myself around and get back in line!
If you want to work together on a project, try google documents. It allows for multiple users, and is considered private.
cosette , Great cartoon and I love the ending! Thread got hijacked again DOOOOHH!
If you want to collaborate, theres always the "email this hubber" feature.
glass Spider, not trying to knock your idea because it would be cool but at what point does turn from a place to write hubs than to another cool place to hang for teenagers. Facebook was originally set up for professionals to collaborate and turned into a place for teen and preteen kids to post photos to other classmates. Completely off the original idea for professional to collaborate. Now the only thing its good for is posting a few links to hubs or lenses. Hubpages would drowned with the rest of the web 2.0 companies if hubbers started hanging out and not writing which is how they generate money. Once the vitual bar and private sauna rooms become a feature i'm outta here.
Business models with no real marketing are the next fad and will fail. this from the about us page of twitter , i suggest alot of people check out the actual about us page:http://twitter.com/about#about - click the" how does twitter make money tab"
"Twitter has many appealing opportunities for generating revenue but we are holding off on implementation for now because we don't want to distract ourselves from the more important work at hand which is to create a compelling service and great user experience for millions of people around the world. While our business model is in a research phase, we spend more money than we make."
adding kiddie features while losing the real reason for being at hubpages destroys the business model making it nonprofitable and hitting a dotcombubble doomed to fade as the next fad. Hubpages has a real business model so lets not make it overwhelmingly kiddish and forget the real reason for being here.
Hey there. Watching football and decided to check forums for a minute.
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