Help / Suggestions

[The Reefuge]

Hi everyone,

Seeing as right now a whole bunch of new members are becoming active, and we have an established base of members who have been regulars here for a while now, I would like some feedback on the forums (as they are right now). This does not take into account any new features that are going to be implemented in the near future.

There are a few questions that I would like answered from both regular and new members. If you would take the time to answer these questions, it will not only be appreciated, but it will help make this place even better.

1) Culture.

• Is it a friendly environment?
• Do you get along with other members?
• How does the culture suit you?
• Do you find it relaxed here?

2) Usability.

• Are the forums easy to use?
• Are there features here that you enjoy that you don't find on other forum software?
• What are some improvements we can make to make your experience here better?

3) Information

• Is The Reefuge a good source for information regarding this hobby?
• Are there certain areas we should focus on more regarding information users can find?

4) Building Members

• How do you think The Reefuge can get more people to register an account and become active in the discussions?
• Would you recommend The Reefuge to friends / other hobbyists?
• If you would recommend people here, why would you recommend them here?
• If you would not recommend people here, why would you not recommend them here?

If people can take a few minutes to answer these questions, we will be able to see what direction the community would like this site to pull towards, and thus we can work on more important matters first.

Thanks.

 

[Sarg]

Alrighty...

1. It is a friendly environment and thats one of the reasons I like it. If the forum looses this then it will just be like any other, you have created a good culture and everybody mostly keeps it alive. As such all threads get a decent response rate from the experienced and new alike. The moderators a fair and, unlike some forums out on the interweb, do not bully/post stupid comments on threads of members they do not like if that ever happened I for one would be out the door so to speak. Public knocking of other forums is counter productive to this forums growth i feel as there are people here (who for some reason :rolleyes) prefer to be seen on both. edit. A live and let live senario needs to happen with forums people will settle where they feel comfortable.

2. I like the forums they are easy to navigate, will have to get used to the new style :p. The little chat feature that pops up when friends are online is very handy to have a quick little instant convo. One thing that could use improving is the curent chat format. It would be good to be able to see if anybody is in chat (sort of like the whos online feature on the right or even if not the names just a number ie 5 people in chat)

3. I think it is a good source of info. The wiki is up and running and contrary to some members beliefs there are enough experienced reefers to get us newbies sorted out. We have a lot of newbies here but as our member base grows the experienced reefer no's will grow to.

4. Getting the word out I dont know best sourse atm i guess is word of mouth. I have introduced 3 members that I know have signed up and have started posting and I recommended this place as it is open and fair and internet warrior free for the most part and will continue to recruit when i can. Once the shops start coming online and becoming more active it will help the reefuges growth also. One online retailer here replied to a pm instucting me to email as he barely checks in :rolleyes. Once retailers start becomeing more active it will definatly help.

Anyhow I think I will be late for work now so that it, hopefully i make sence cause I'm rushing ;)

 

[The Reefuge]

Hi Sarg,

Thank you very much for the feeback. With any luck, others will also reply.

Thanks.

 

[Synodontis]

1) We have never spent this long on one forum. The atmosphere here is why we stay & enjoy the banter that goes on. The other people in the sandpit dont throw sand, but it does get tossed up now & then right into your shorts. The range of people in here is always changing, the very new to the very experienced & this leads to some great threads. Even the thread hijacks make good reading most of the time :)

2) As for ease of use, well I'm posting so it must be easy. The features in here are plentiful &cant wait to see the rest of the site opened up.

3) I'm happy with the amount of info in here. The wiki is looking great & very useful.

4) This is the first site we mention when speaking to people. If we had cards we would be handing them out at the LFS while waiting the the water container to fill lol. As for why we tell them about this place, see Q.1. The member count is going up, but word of mouth is a great tool & one we use.

K&J

 

[The Reefuge]

Hi Synodontis,

Thank you very much for the feedback. I can't wait to see how you all like the new sections.

More feedback please :)

Thanks.

 

['vspec']

1) Culture.

• Is it a friendly environment? From what I've seen yes. People seem to regulate themselves.
• Do you get along with other members? I try not to!! But what can I say, I love this lot.
• How does the culture suit you? Pretty well actually. Respectful culture is the big ticket item I think we have handled! New or old, experienced or green ~ it doesn't matter to me, I talk to everyone the same. :)
• Do you find it relaxed here? Most certainly! We could do with a few more reefer chicks though. I want to see a worthy calendar damn it!

2) Usability.

• Are the forums easy to use? Neo ol' chap, you've created a pretty easy place to navigate dude!
• Are there features here that you enjoy that you don't find on other forum software? Umm, you let me in the front door!!! Thats a big one. We also have one of those automatic vacuum thingy's that pick up my trail of chip crumbs after walking the hall! ~ I dont see that sh^t on ReefC;)
• What are some improvements we can make to make your experience here better? Introduce a scratch and sniff wiki! ~ although I may just end up borrowing it for some porn lol. Push the envelope on the media front, find your key frontrunners, capitalise on your current action plans and chant the Field of Dreams phrase "If you build it, they will come!"

3) Information

• Is The Reefuge a good source for information regarding this hobby? Wiki is growing, and people are knowledgeable here without a doubt. So I would say yes.
• Are there certain areas we should focus on more regarding information users can find? We have so much on our door step, and often I hear about things from the other side of the world. I would actively seek out research findings being conducted that relates. GBRMP, CSIRO ect and see if we can get a solid stream of info. Same goes for new products. Production houses are a bounty of ideas.

4) Building Members

• How do you think The Reefuge can get more people to register an account and become active in the discussions? People join because of the community or content ~ Hopefully in our case, both!
• Would you recommend The Reefuge to friends / other hobbyists? I dont have any friends *sniff* But yeah!
• If you would recommend people here, why would you recommend them here? We're an expanding shock wave baby!! ~ Get your tickets early before we take over america! :)
• If you would not recommend people here, why would you not recommend them here? I'll leave this one ~ need some mystery to make it interesting!

 

[VaultBoy]

1) Culture.

This is about the friendliest and most helpful community I have been a part of both in the real world and online, I get along well with everyone I have dealt with on here wether buying, selling, trading or just the giving and receiving of advice/assistance I always got what I wanted. Do I find it relaxed.... Im so relaxed Im about to stop breathing!

2) Usability.

• Are the forums easy to use? - Very, I fear change but for some reason Im really looking forward to the new features!
• Are there features here that you enjoy that you don't find on other forum software? - I dont get out much, mostly just lurking in the shadows here only sticking my head out when someone piques my interest!
• What are some improvements we can make to make your experience here better? - Meh.... Like I said. I fear change!

3) Information

I used to frequent another forum which was a great source of information. I think what sets thereefuge apart is the accessability of the information, with rapid responses to questions (stupid or otherwise) and more importantly helpful replies without spiteful comments towards newbies.

4) Building Members

I have and do recommend TheReefuge to anyone with a fish tank and or computer but it seems that a lot of LFS in SA either align themselves with the "other" forum or fear the internet. I would also love to be able to hand out some cards but I have been waiting almost 12 months to get some.....

 

['vspec']

hell, cards are the easy part;)

 

[chris B]

Here is my feedback

1) Culture.

[*]Is it a friendly environment? yes it can be a friendly enviroment, it depends on who responds to the messages,
[*]Do you get along with other members? Mods can sometimes get carried away, and come acrosss too rude and make its a bad place
[*]How does the culture suit you? not at present , its starting to head towards like another forum, that unless there right, you have no say in the forum.
[*]Do you find it relaxed here? its releaxed to a certain extent

2) Usability.

• Are the forums easy to use?No as i find it takes time to post messages and sometimes it comes up with a javascript error. and its slow logging into the site as well
• Are there features here that you enjoy that you don't find on other forum software? N/A
• What are some improvements we can make to make your experience here better?
  
  Bettter chat software that doesnt use taptalk
  Faster Access to site & posting
  More Competitions
  More Retailers who offer there services
  Fragging comps
  monthly meetings
  Brand New Mods to be added to the site and remove old mods as they are not helpful
  
  3) Information
  
• Is The Reefuge a good source for information regarding this hobby?It can bee alot better , with more information needs to be updated & more reviews as well of products from fellow reefers
• Are there certain areas we should focus on more regarding information users can find?
  Coral & list of corals
  List of Products & there uses
  List of Chemicals
  Test Kits
  Lighting
  Where to collect saltwater
  how to add new fish to tanks & corals as well
  Feeding the corals & marine fish
  Tank videos
  
  
  
  4) Building Members
  • How do you think The Reefuge can get more people to register an account and become active in the discussions? more Promotion through thee marine stores
  • Would you recommend The Reefuge to friends / other hobbyists? Yes
  • If you would recommend people here, why would you recommend them here? As it quite new and better range of reefeer here as well with knowledge
  • If you would not recommend people here, why would you not recommend them here? only reason i would not recommend people is due to software issues that are occuring & time outs & Feeling Unwelcome and bias information from mods. If something is been sold on another site, This should have nothing to do with this site , what so ever, even if they obtained it for free, its upto that memeber to do what he likes with his own stock

 

[MTG]

Chris i have one question, but what unwelcome/bias information have the mods provoked you with?

 

[shane_h]

Here is my feedback

1) Culture.

[*]Is it a friendly environment? yes it can be a friendly enviroment, it depends on who responds to the messages,
[*]Do you get along with other members? Mods can sometimes get carried away, and come acrosss too rude and make its a bad place
[*]How does the culture suit you? not at present , its starting to head towards like another forum, that unless there right, you have no say in the forum.
[*]Do you find it relaxed here? its releaxed to a certain extent

2) Usability.

• Are the forums easy to use?No as i find it takes time to post messages and sometimes it comes up with a javascript error. and its slow logging into the site as well
• Are there features here that you enjoy that you don't find on other forum software? N/A
• What are some improvements we can make to make your experience here better?
  
  Bettter chat software that doesnt use taptalk
  Faster Access to site & posting
  More Competitions
  More Retailers who offer there services
  Fragging comps
  monthly meetings
  Brand New Mods to be added to the site and remove old mods as they are not helpful
  
  3) Information
• Is The Reefuge a good source for information regarding this hobby?It can bee alot better , with more information needs to be updated & more reviews as well of products from fellow reefers
• Are there certain areas we should focus on more regarding information users can find?
  Coral & list of corals
  List of Products & there uses
  List of Chemicals
  Test Kits
  Lighting
  Where to collect saltwater
  how to add new fish to tanks & corals as well
  Feeding the corals & marine fish
  Tank videos
  
  
  
  4) Building Members
  • How do you think The Reefuge can get more people to register an account and become active in the discussions? more Promotion through thee marine stores
  • Would you recommend The Reefuge to friends / other hobbyists? Yes
  • If you would recommend people here, why would you recommend them here? As it quite new and better range of reefeer here as well with knowledge
  • If you would not recommend people here, why would you not recommend them here? only reason i would not recommend people is due to software issues that are occuring & time outs & Feeling Unwelcome and bias information from mods. If something is been sold on another site, This should have nothing to do with this site , what so ever, even if they obtained it for free, its upto that memeber to do what he likes with his own stock

Hey Chris.
Try unistalling Sun Java and see how ya go. (If its installed on your system that is.)

 

['vspec']

Ok ~ Who in invited this guy! lol

Bit of hard love'n and a slipper to boot. Nice.
Hey, honesty, I'm down for it.

 

[chris B]

i am not going to mention any names, they have really not my fav at present as a mod, i will not ssay what they have done, but they know what has happened. which makes me so annoyed with them, but oh well, i just putting it out there , if they do not like it, i cant pleae eveyone, i just want to give my honest opion.

 

[chris B]

Ok ~ Who in invited this guy! lol

Bit of hard love'n and a slipper to boot. Nice.
Hey, honesty, I'm down for it.

which guy do you mean, vspec

 

['vspec']

which guy do you mean, vspec

You dude. I was having a laugh.

I appreciated your public awareness campaign, you made some good points.
A hint of negativity is creeping into your wording which is noticeable though dude.~ If you get upset, then I get upset, and we both end up hugging.
It's not a pretty picture bud.

I think your aright dude.

 

[The Reefuge]

Thanks for the feedback everyone :)

Any more?

Thanks.

 

[macca_75]

I personally think displaying "Message Count" in avatars is/would be no where near as benifical as displaying another great feature you have here - likes.

Some people have really high message counts as they use the forum as a "Social Media" of sorts. Nothing wrong with that - it seems to be what you encourage. But for new starters who are trying to work out who/what to believe, etc I believe likes are a better indication of a members "reefing" ability and experience than post count.

Overall the forum is run fine technically - plenty of communications, etc. for the most part members behave themselves really well as well.

Would I recommend it - yes I have.

Would more product reviews be good - yes they would. I know this relies on members donating their time and I wish I could contribute. Maybe while on the topic of reviews a standard "template" to loosely follow so all reviews offer the same level of information. Some of the Basic's I can think of (and I am sure there are more):

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RRP:
General Availability:
AU Distributor:
Link to any offical website:

Function: (lighting, water filtration, circulation, maintanence, etc)
Product's purpose: (More specific)

Review: (the heart of the post) Quailty, performance, general reliabilty, etc)

Similar Products: (think same/similar function,price bracket, etc)

Pro's:
Con's:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maybe even a seperate forum for Product reviews.

Oh - and 1 last really really nice feature to have - a spell checker (unless it's here but I just haven't found it). As you can see by my posts I need it ;)

Great site though.

 

[macca_75]

Oh - and a feature (I saw it mentioned somewhere but can't find it) that refers to the first "unread post" in a thread rather than the most recent.

Come to think of it, also a quick link to unread and/or new posts is handy - that other site has it and I use it as my default bookmark.

Keep up the great work.

 

[The Reefuge]

Oh - and a feature (I saw it mentioned somewhere but can't find it) that refers to the first "unread post" in a thread rather than the most recent.

Come to think of it, also a quick link to unread and/or new posts is handy - that other site has it and I use it as my default bookmark.

Keep up the great work.

Thanks for the feedback macca_75,

I do not want the likes system to give users more weight over others, but to test it out I have added it as it was a really good idea. You should now see it under everyones username. Thank you for the suggestion.

As far as the first unread post goes, it is automatic. If you read a thread, and come back to it later and there are new posts, it will take you to the first unread post in that thread. As far as the latest content, you have two choices. You will find them in the navigation panel. One is called Whats New? and the other is called Recent Activity.

Enjoy :)

Thanks.

 

[The Reefuge]

Also, one more thing I should mention. On every forum, at the bottom of the thread list, there is a button called "Thread Display Options". This allows you to view the threads in whichever way you wish. This also adds to the features of this site.

Thanks.