What would you like to ask HubPages staff members?

1. 84

   Simone Smithposted 13 years ago

   Hello everyone!!
   
   We're launching a series of interviews with the cool employees at HubPages headquarters to give you a better view of the people behind the site. Not all staff members have agreed to an interview (we have a couple shy folks!!), but many have, and I'd love to know what questions I should ask them!
   
   Do you have any questions that you would like to ask the HubPages staff? Do you ever wonder about the way work through various HubPages initiatives, execute new programs, or build new features? Would you like to know about the crazy shenanigans that go on in the office?
   
   Feel free to post any interview questions you might like to see in this series. They can be for specific people (e.g. Paul Edmondson), types of employees (e.g. engineers, or the person responsible for designing/building a certain feature), or just any HubPages staff member in general.
   
   If you feel self-conscious about sending over your question in this thread, you could also send me a personal message through my profile.
   
   I look forward to seeing what you might have in mind!

   report
   1. 60

      paradigmsearchposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      .
      To Simone.
      .
      Do you get cable?
      .
      .
      

      report
      1. 84

         Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         
         
         Cable? Errr...
         
         Just some messages from space.

         report
         1. 60

            paradigmsearchposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I saw the 4/27 blog. Bow Power Forever!

            report
2. 82

   Rik Ravadoposted 13 years ago

   Hi Simone,
   
   Here is a question for you staff. How do you cope with all the flak and diverse opinions from we hubbers?  On top of that you have Google Panda every month plus penguin! I admire you guys for keeping on innovating amidst all this conflict and constant change. Do you every feel like quitting hubpages and joining the army or becoming a cop?

   report
   1. 84

      Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Hehee! That's a fun one.

      report
   2. 88

      Denise Handlonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent question...one I have often thought of myself.

      report
3. 79

   ngurecoposted 13 years ago

   1. To Paul Edmondson: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received from a hubber?
   
   2. To all: Do you ever feel bad when after a hard job you do not receive the recognition and praise that you deserve from hubbers?
   
   3. To all: Do you feel challenged when you suspect a certain hubber may be more conversant than you in some issues to do with hubpages?
   
   4. To all: Why do some staff members write lots of hubs whilst others don’t? Aren't staff members not as interested in making more money from hubpages just like the hubbers are?
   
   5. To Simone Smith: Your current avatar is very cool. Why didn’t use it the first time you joined hubpages?

   report
   1. 84

      Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Good ones!
      
      Since Aya Katz already interviewed me on the blog, I'll answer #5- I didn't have it back in the day. It's a screenshot from one of my videos, and I chose it because it's 93% more sarcastic.

      report
4. 51

   janderson99posted 13 years ago

   What would you do if you had spokes and a rim?

   report
   1. 84

      Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Love it.

      report
5. 0

   mts1098posted 13 years ago

   Simone...I would like to know how super hero titles are assigned among the staff

   report
   1. 84

      Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Very good one! I am going to use variants of that across all of 'em!

      report
   2. 98

      leahleflerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      More importantly, which one of you is Darth Vader?

      report
      1. 84

         Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Well well, we all know THAT'S Darkside!

         report
6. 98

   watergeekposted 13 years ago

   When we copy and paste another's hub link with our referral number included, does that get counted as a "share"? Alternatively, is there a way that "sharing" hubs on Facebook can be made to include our referral link?

   report
   1. 84

      Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I'm thinking you just want that answered.
      
      If your referral tracker is included in a HubPages link, it counts as your share. That includes links you share on Facebook, but only if those links include that tracker. You can get links with the tracker built in by clicking the "link to this page" link at the bottom of every page on HubPages.

      report
7. 78

   AEvansposted 13 years ago

   To Simone: What are your thoughts when you see the child-like antics that happen on the forums?
   
   To All: How does HubPages handle negativity written about them on the Internet from outside sources?
   
   To All: When does your work day begin and when does it end? Do you work 24/7 or ever go through HP withdrawal when you are away from the computer?

   report
   1. 84

      Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent questions!

      report
8. 0

   mts1098posted 13 years ago

   There are several thousand people writing on this site with photos and videos potentially in every hub.  How does hp deal with storing all this media and is there an annual hardware upgrade to handle the storage?

   report
   1. 84

      Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting one!

      report
9. 96

   Cardisaposted 13 years ago

   (1)To Simone: Will you be my best friend?
   
   (2) Jason Menayan: Will you marry me?
   
   Seriously guys, I just want to commend you all for doing a great job. I may ask my serious questions later but for now I see some people asking stuff that I would have so I will just read those answers.

   report
   1. 68

      Camille Harrisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      There's a line

      report
10. 80

    sunforgedposted 13 years ago

    To all:
    
    What is the Airspeed Velocity of an Unladen Swallow ?

    report
    1. 80

       SimeyCposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       What do you mean? An African or European swallow?

       report
       1. 96

          Cardisaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          256 miles per second!

          report
11. 83

    Marcy Goodfleischposted 13 years ago

    Hi, Simone and Staff! Questions for our great staff? You bet!  Here goes:
    
    To the Founders:
    
    What inspired you to start HubPages? What did you originally envision the site would be like?
    
    Follow-up to that question: How has the site evolved in ways you never imagined?
    
    
    To All Staff:
    
    What are your goals for site in the future (one year, five years, etc.)?
    
    What do you love about your job? What do you hate (or love a whole lot less)?
    
    Describe your ideal Hubber?
    
    
    Thanks for the opportunity to ask questions - can't wait to read the outcome!

    report
    1. 64

       Lisa HWposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Marcy, I especially like the questions about "originally envision for the site"  and "goals for the site in the future".  Those have been questions I've had ever since I first signed up here.  The one about "evolved in ways you never imagined" is a good one too, I think.    I just think the ones about "originally envision" and "in the future", if answered, might give some Hubbers a better context within which they could then operate.

       report
    2. 84

       Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I agree these are great questions. Can't wait to read the answers.

       report
12. 60

    paradigmsearchposted 13 years ago

    .
    
    Have you ever wanted to smack a Hubber on the nose with a rolled up newspaper?

    report
    1. 88

       Denise Handlonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       

       report
    2. 84

       Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       
       
       No, but I have wanted to throttle a couple.
       
       Just kidding. I'm a horrid throttler.

       report
13. 60

    paradigmsearchposted 13 years ago

    What are your secret thoughts about Google?
    .
    

    report
    1. 84

       Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Heee.

       report
14. 67

    KiaKitoriposted 13 years ago

    1.Is Hubpages thinking to get into ebooks publishing?
    2.What is the future of online content?
    3.Does Hubpages has a long term business plan? How many years does it covers?
    4.for Paul Edmondson.: If you'd be rich, what kind of act of charity would you do?
    
    Thank you.
    :)KiaK.

    report
15. 51

    janderson99posted 13 years ago

    Who has the Phantom ring Now!

    report
16. 70

    celebritieposted 13 years ago

    To Staff: How Many Hubbers will it take to fit into a Submarine without it sinking?

    report
17. 79

    LuisEGonzalezposted 13 years ago

    To those in charge.....are there any steps in the works to make The "Google God" see HubPages as the great writers's community that it is and avoid the suffering brought about by their constant Pandas, penguins... giraffes.... elephants...the entire zoo or whatever they think off next...........

    report
18. 0

    Arlene V. Pomaposted 13 years ago

    Are you strictly a 9-5 outfit?  Or do you have workaholics that work into the night, holidays and weekends?  I want to know because I have workaholic tendencies.  But only if I love my work.

    report
19. 62

    prettydarkhorseposted 13 years ago

    Is Ari reading all the questions and answers in the Q and A section?
    
    
    What sports each one of you like to watch and play?
    
    
    Do you ever sleep and when you sleep are you still dreaming of H-u-b-p-a-g-e-s?
    
    
    How do you squeeze your lovelife into such demanding and hectic HubPages?
    
    All the staff : Do you still watch cartoons? What cartoons do you like to watch? Favorite cartoons/cartoon character when you were a kid.
    
    To Simone Smith : How do you manage to remain funny, smart and beautiful at the same time?
    
    How old is Paul Deeds, is he married? has a gf? Does he like to watch or play football? (Am I allowed to ask lots of qs about him )

    report
    1. 87

       rebekahELLEposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Maita, do you have a staff crush?? 
       
       Questions to any staff member
       
       Do you read hubs for enjoyment?
       
       Moderator question
       
       Any stories you want to share about moderating forum posts?

       report
       1. 62

          prettydarkhorseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I am just curious, just to lighten up the mood.

          report
    2. 84

       Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Prettydarkhorse, your questions are super fun! I can't wait to read the staff answers.
       
       Cartoons are fun. I watch Adventure Time and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic a bit now. Also, to answer your question directly to me: Easy!! I don't!!!
       
       rebekahELLE, those are fabulous queries.

       report
20. 86

    GinnyLeeposted 13 years ago

    What do you see as the next major move for HubPages? 
    
    What are the biggest risks that you have identified for continued success at online publishing?
    
    Where are HubPages' growth opportunities?
    
    When you look back at the Panda 1.0 hit, what things do you wish you would have done differently?  What things were you particularly proud of?
    
    Are you concerned with some of the high-profile hubbers leaving the site?  Do you think it is part of the natural churn on writing?
    
    What new Web 2.0 technologies are you eyeing for porting to HubPages? We saw the Pinterest-esque picture scrolling test.  Are you looking at Pinwheel for location tagging?  Any other up and coming companies that pique your interest?
    
    Oh, and does Simone really wear big hair bows every day?  ;-)

    report
21. 80

    SimeyCposted 13 years ago

    Who is the office geek?
    Who is the office joker?
    Who is the most eligible batchelor / batchelorrette?
    Who is the 'go to guy / girl'?
    Who works the longest?
    Who likes the Telletubbies?

    report
    1. 84

       Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Oooooh!!!! Love 'em!

       report
22. 60

    paradigmsearchposted 13 years ago

    Happy Friday!
    
    Does HP have any Friday traditions? Things like casual day, big box of donuts next to the coffee machine, group lunch at TGIF, etc.

    report
23. 87

    Faith Reaperposted 13 years ago

    This is my last resort about Hub Groups, as I have grouped my hubs, but they are not showing as grouped on my profile page.  I've checked out the Learning Center and other areas and even asked the question and did what was suggested by a fellow hubber, but it keeps telling me to cancel then hit the submit button, but there is no submit button under my Hub Groups page.  Is there any way the staff can tweaked that for me, as I would like to have my husbs grouped by topics for increased traffic flow?  But I would also like to know if there is a problem on my Hub as it appears to be an easy thing to do, but it is just not working.  Please help, as some of my best hubs are the very first hubs I had written.  Thanks a lot for your help and assistance, Faith Reaper

    report
    1. 84

       Simone Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Hey Faith! They're not supposed to show up as grouped on your profile page- they'll just be connected in Hub view

       report
24. 60

    Diane Woodsonposted 13 years ago

    How long does it usually take to work for HubPages?

    report
25. 88

    Denise Handlonposted 13 years ago

    What a riot-this was the best part of my morning so far,      Way to go Simone and co. for bringing this forum to the table.  After all of the flak that was going on in some of the forums this may put to rest all of the backbiting comments...hmmmm, unless the grumblers aren't really interested in solutions.   
    
    I also would like to commend the staff for doing a great job keeping the works going and for motivating writers with things like improvements and contests!  I'm all for continued education.   
    
    I'm looking forward to reading the answers to some of the questions here. 

    report
26. 68

    cardeleanposted 13 years ago

    These are awesome questions!

    report
27. 75

    ripplemakerposted 13 years ago

    How do you guys unwind?  Do you take a vacation together?
    What motivates you to do the things you do for Hubpages?
    Are there hubbers that you would like to meet in person?
    What was the kindest thing a hubber did for you?
    What is your comfort food?
    
    Excited to read the answers to the questions that have been posted. Lots of good ones.

    report
28. 94

    wordscribe43posted 13 years ago

    1.  In the office, what do you do to blow off steam or to have fun?  Google headquarters has all kinds of games for employees, what about HP? 
    
    2.  Ryan H. used to bring in his dog.  Do you have any office dogs now?
    
    3.  I notice employees on the forums late at night sometimes.  Are you "on the clock" for these late hours, or what?
    
    4.  When I flag spammers even late at night, I notice the offending posts are deleted pretty quickly.  How does this work?  In other words, are staff watching the forums 24/7?
    
    5.  To all:  what's your favorite thing about San Francisco?
    
    6.  What's the best restaurant close to HP headquarters?
    
    7.  Does Paul E have barbeques at his house? 
    
    8.  Who is HP's "class clown"/resident comedian?
    
    9.  Who always makes the coffee?
    
    10. Do employees' kids come in for "bring your child to work day?"
    
    11. To all:  if you could give hubbers one piece of advice, what would it be?

    report
29. 87

    rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

    A few more specific questions-
    
    Fawtina - Can you tell us more about the Japanese themed public school you attended in Oregon? Do you feel it affected how you approach the learning process?
    
    Mausmi - Are you still involved in the Aspire Education Project? Can you tell us more about your role as an educator in this program?
    
    Norah - I see you are working towards finishing your BA in Science and History. Can you share with us more about your interest in Physical Anthropology?

    report
30. 64

    Maddie Ruudposted 13 years ago

    Great questions! I'm having a hard time restraining myself from answering some of them right now!
    
    Patience, Maddie. Patience.

    report
31. 83

    Marcy Goodfleischposted 13 years ago

    Another question - when Paul and any of the rest of you come to Austin for SXSW (or anything else), will you PLEASE let those of us who are Hubbing in Austin get together with you?  I know the places we real Austinites hang out, by the way.  I cannot, however, tell you why we are called something that sounds like a cave formation (over here, you'll see some of them thar weird Austinites poking through the rock).

    report
    1. 83

       Nell Roseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       

       report
32. 80

    SimeyCposted 13 years ago

    When are you opening the New Jersey Office?

    report
33. 97

    mary615posted 13 years ago

    How come I see Hubs with lots of photos not attributed to anyone and they are high scoring Hubbers?
    When I HubHop, should I flag those Hubs who have photos that are not attibuted to anyone?  I never know what I should do.
    Thanks for all you do!

    report
    1. 96

       Cardisaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I think attribution is optional even though recommended. I don't usually flag hubs that don't list the source.

       report
    2. 60

       paradigmsearchposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       In many cases they are public domain .gov pics whose original .gov website has since moved on to different pics.

       report
34. 67

    TravelAboutposted 13 years ago

    Has HubPages ever held a hubber conference/convention?

    report
35. 84

    Simone Smithposted 13 years ago

    Thanks for your questions, everyone! I'm emailing them to those who agreed to do the interview. Reading these interviews is going to be CRAZY fun!!!

    report