Review of Light Art website and features

[admin]

Well a new year is as good a time as any to invite a review of Light Art as a forum, community and take stock of the features.
We have now been live for around 8 months. Your support and particpation are very much appreciated.
Please take a few minutes to provide the following feedback. Please be open and forthright, I have reasonably thick skin.

1. What is your overall opinion of the website and its structure?
2. What do ou like best about LA? Is there anything(s) that set it apart in a positive sense from other forums you might visit?
3. What do you like least about LA? Is the anything(s) that set it apart in a negative sense form other forums you might visit?
4. What do you think we need to change?
5. What other features or categories do we need to add?
6. Does the small amount of advertising that we feature bother you? (Clicking on a few as you leave would be nice!  )
7. Any other thoughts and suggestions

[Ross and Cher]

Hmmm - sit down Admin Dude, grab a nice glass of red (Ilnam Estates comes highly recommended) take off your shoes and relax, this could take a while!!!!!

Firstly - our "goals" when we stumbled into LAF many months ago were loosely - partly social interaction, partly self improvement (photography wise) and partly just plain nosey!!! We believe we have succeeded particularly on the first two, so our thanks to all here, and most importantly to you for the midnight oil you have burnt for our collective benefit!

Now in answer to your quiz (and shame we can't remain anonymous as I will probably incriminate us... ) -

1. Overall good, but our preference (and yes appreciate that it is not a majority view) is for separation of the galleries (and comments directly on photos) from the forum.

2. The friendly & down to earth nature/approach of all here makes this forum a stand out!

3. Activity! As a photographic forum, we need more photos posted by everyone to keep the forum attractive to "the lurkers" to convert them to members! Although far from Pros, we have learnt by posting  and the C & C of others (and not always what we hoped for but that is learning)! Regardless of where our ability lies, we all need to post to keep this site moving!

4. OUR (members) attitudes!!!!!

5. Some suggestions - instead of big challenges, what about a photo of the week - no prizes or shiny badges, but the kudos of being on the front page for week! And maybe a spot on the front page for the monthly challenge winner as well1

6. Have no idea where the ads are! Our view remains that you should not be out of pocket for our playground! If we have a few ads, so be it - so please direct us where to click!!!

7. Mark - great first 8 months or so as far as we are concerned! Thanks, and look forward to commenting again after 8 years or so!!!
 

[tommykelso]

I don't have much to add to what Ross and Cher said..

I agree that it would be much easier to comment on photos direct from the forum..

Other than that the format and layout is good.

We just need to attract more members.

[Analog6]

1. What is your overall opinion of the website and its structure?

I love the post in a gallery and it comes up in the forum feature.  On other forums I've been on that have galleries, I rarely bother to post in the gallereis as it is too much trouble.  This way is GREAT!

2. What do ou like best about LA? Is there anything(s) that set it apart in a positive sense from other forums you might visit?

See above.  And the fact that we seem to be a pretty nice mob and there is no nasty sniping (except for that Tim bloke making comments about my spelling!).

3. What do you like least about LA? Is the anything(s) that set it apart in a negative sense form other forums you might visit?

We may have a few too many sub-topics/dorums (whatever they are called).  Some have no posts.

4. What do you think we need to change?

If it ain't broke don't fix it.  Works fine for me.

5. What other features or categories do we need to add?

None come immediately to mind.

6. Does the small amount of advertising that we feature bother you? (Clicking on a few as you leave would be nice!)

No, expecially not if it helps raise a bit of funds towards administration osts.

7. Any other thoughts and suggestions

It's basically a good friendly forum with a lot of talent.  It is No. 1 on my photo forums list.

[Cygnus]

I think that the progress is going well overall. There are some sections that have not been used yet and maybe should be hidden for a while. Other than that, the forum is growing at a slow but steady rate, and the overall feel is pretty good. I like the international feel. Even though this forum is small, it has quite a range.

[Tim N]

1. What is your overall opinion of the website and its structure?
When I first started posting I was a little confused with going into the gallery and making my picture post directly in the gallery. Once I worked that out (which didnt take long) its all good.

2. What do ou like best about LA? Is there anything(s) that set it apart in a positive sense from other forums you might visit?
I like the fact that LA is friendly, small and supportive. Great advice is given on photos and there is a wide range of people who use interesting techniques.

3. What do you like least about LA? Is the anything(s) that set it apart in a negative sense form other forums you might visit?
Again as others have said there are a number of topics which have no posts, perhaps there are a few too many options ?

4. What do you think we need to change?
All seems to be working pretty well at the moment.

5. What other features or categories do we need to add?
Is there a live chat room feature which might be added so when members are on at the same time you can say hello and have a chat in real time ?

6. Does the small amount of advertising that we feature bother you? (Clicking on a few as you leave would be nice!  Smiley )
Advertising doesnt intrude, so doesnt worry me at all !

7. Any other thoughts and suggestions
LA is number 1 on my forum list as well ... spend a lot of time here when I should be probably asleep or out taking photos

[Truckman]

Does the small amount of advertising that we feature bother you? (Clicking on a few as you leave would be nice!  )

Am I blind?...What advertising?... ...Ben

[bigbob]

I am in full agreement with tim on this one.so i say if it ain't broken don't try fixing it

[admin]

To Tommy: You can comment directly within the forum, but comments can also be made against each image.
To Tim: Yes, there are modules for both chat room and Shout box. We can look at adding that if you like.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to those that have so far.

[Mike]

1) I also like the option of being able to post in  the gallery and and getting a thread starting automatically in the forum. It works really well, and is pretty unique to the best of my knowledge.

2) It's friendliness is a real plus point, there's no one on a real ego trips on here either.... not like some forums I've been a member of

3) The empty sub forums are in need of trimming away or condensing. Couldn't the 'Film' section become just 1 sub-section instead of 6? Similarly the 'Service' section has had only one post, but consists of 7 sub-sections.

4) I can't think of anything that I'd really like to change, other than tidying up the look of the forum as I stated above

5) None, I think there's enough on here at present.

6) There's advertising !?!?

7) Other than trying to attract new members I can't really think of anything.

Mike

[admin]

I agree with trimming.
I do not even think it is so much about relevance as nobody bothering to scroll down that far!

[OZZI-BLOKE]

I haven't had a lot to do with forums so I can't really compare this one to others.
I am signed up to the Pentax forum but it is a different setup, yes people post photos but it seems to be more of a talk forum and not as personal and friendly as LAF.
I agree with the above comments about the friendly atmosphere here and the way the forum is run.
I think a live chat setup similar to facebook would be great and would attract more people.
There does seem to be a few to many topics so maybe get rid of a few of the unused ones until needed.
Advertising doesn't worry me to much, especially if it has to do with our hobby. Though like some others,
I don't know where it is.
The reason why I don't use other photography forums is because I found this one first and it is a great
place so there is no need to go elsewhere.
I also joined the LAF on facebook.
Keep up the great work, it is much appreciated.   

[admin]

OK, thanks any more comments? Maybe if you currently visit and just watch, you could sign up to tell us what it would take to get you involved on a regular basis. What would make the kick-ass (but friendly) perfect forum.

So far I  agree with trimming, tho' I think a lot of it has to do with the length and order of categories.
For example, the Digital Photography section is EMPTY, yet it the busiest and raison d'etre on some other forums.
Are there any that are being ignored that might benfit from more prominence?

On the Light Art Photo version, I have kept the categories limited to about 10 (although I think I scared most with a change of format)

I can add chat as a couple of people suggest, But I am not sure if there is enought people on at once yet...I'll take alook at what is available.