News - Let your thoughts be heard!

[CaptainAce$$]

Have you ever read a news article and had an idea on how we can improve them? Or perhaps you read them all the time. Either way we want your thoughts, ideas and opinions on what us news reporters can do to improve our news articles to make them the best they can be. Share your ideas below and I will pass them onto Samanfa (:

[Mark]

I generally don't read the Habbox News and haven't for a long time. I think it's getting a bit like Rare Values

[Fifty-Six]

I can find all of the threads on the forum before they're posted to News, so for me it's not really "news". However, the team has done a good job keeping it updated and current.

[David]

only read about 2, they generally don't appeal to me.

[CaptainAce$$]

Are there any particular reasons to why they don't appeal to you?

[geo]

find them boring and rarely go on habbox.com to have a look at them. i find out everything i want to know on the forum :P

[Samantha]

I can find all of the threads on the forum before they're posted to News, so for me it's not really "news". However, the team has done a good job keeping it updated and current.

No you can't. The UserVoice suggestions are a prime example of news posted before the forum!

[Munex]

I think people on the forums often know about the news before it's even published on Habbox.com, so the news doesn't appeal to them. People who do not visit the forums would probably find the news much more appealing as it actually informs them of new information.

[David]

Are there any particular reasons to why they don't appeal to you?

I don't care for what's happening in habbo and that's all thats ever written about

[Samantha]

I don't care for what's happening in habbo and that's all thats ever written about

I've opted for other things to be added, belive me!

[David]

I've opted for other things to be added, belive me!

sports please

[Samantha]

Would more News Competitions for more forum based prizes help McDonalds; Dave.;

I remember we had real life and some were sports based!

[Succubus]

I don't really read the news, I prefer reading about it on the forum where it has a better replying system.
It just doesn't appeal to me what so ever and isn't my cup of tea :/

[David]

ye prizes are always good

[Munex]

I think that, if real life news is going to be posted again, only Habbo-related news should make it onto the front page. Habbo is the reason people visit Habbox. I do like the idea of being able to post all forms of news though, because it makes my job more interesting! :P

[David]

I don't really read the news, I prefer reading about it on the forum where it has a better replying system.
It just doesn't appeal to me what so ever and isn't my cup of tea :/

I reckon v7 will fix that xxMATTGxx;

[Samantha]

Munex; that was what it was like before, that was made when I was Articles staff and I hated it due to the fact that I was only required to post one Article per week and no one could see it.

[Succubus]

I reckon v7 will fix that @xxMATTGxx (http://www.habboxforum.com/member.php?u=1020);

Fair enough!
But I just generally prefer the forums way of replying.

[Samantha]

Well really in news it's about your opinion too, you can write the article in your view then form debates on what you agree and disagree on.

[lawrawrrr]

Oh look, the typical 'I don't read news therefore it should be shut down' responses. You're meant to be saying what we could do to improve it. If you're absolutely not interested then there's really no need to post in this thread, really!

I have a few ideas but no time/patience to actually properly set them out yet.

Oh and it's hardly our fault if a HABBO fansite with some habbo ADDICTS post HABBO news after said ADDICTS have posted it on the forum.

[Richie]

No I don't but it's like rare values. I don't use it but it's a nice feature. I hope this thread doesn't make management believe news should close too.

[David]

Oh look, the typical 'I don't read news therefore it should be shut down' responses. You're meant to be saying what we could do to improve it. If you're absolutely not interested then there's really no need to post in this thread, really!

I have a few ideas but no time/patience to actually properly set them out yet.

Oh and it's hardly our fault if a HABBO fansite with some habbo ADDICTS post HABBO news after said ADDICTS have posted it on the forum.

whats with the attitude?
and i cant see one person saying it should be shut down

[orientalframe?]

habbox news generally doesn't appeal to me, it never has and that's probably because before it's even published you've found out on the forum anyway

[xxMATTGxx]

No I don't but it's like rare values. I don't use it but it's a nice feature. I hope this thread doesn't make management believe news should close too.

Rare Values is staying.


I reckon v7 will fix that xxMATTGxx;

Correct, writing articles should also be a breeze to the News Staff already. Well that's if they have any problems with the current system.

[geo]

Samanfa; yeah prizes would be good!!

[Samantha]

I wish people would stop saying it's posted on the forum first, how would you know if you don't read it? There's a fair few that aren't posted on the forum first and if they were I wouldn't have got an extremely positive feedback PM about the current news on the site. Seriously, like Laura said please give us construcitve critisism.

http://habbox.com/#!/News/article/1334 News Comp atm, for medals but still. Award and rep tonights forum prize.

[Lee]

I left the news department because I don't play Habbo and you made me post about habbo and not just RL... News would be more popular if you made it appeal to those who don't play habbo just a bit...

[Richie]

Rare Values is staying.



Correct, writing articles should also be a breeze to the News Staff already. Well that's if they have any problems with the current system.


Good stuff so, I thought it was getting removed after that feedback thread.

[=Lizzy]

some more competitions would be nice on it, rate the article maybe? im not sure if you already have that.
it would be nice to have more real life articles ( yes i know its a habbo fansite but still)
um also, do you have Room of the week?
like when someone goes out and rates a room out of 10 and stuff,

idk just a few ideas. some of them may be in-place im not too sure!

[MKR&*42]

As a few others have said, it isn't as popular as it could be because people post stuff on the forum first (lala :() before it goes onto the Habbox.com site. I see nothing wrong with this, if a user finds something interesting and wants to post it as soon as possible - let it be. I'd encourage every news staff member to try and post stuff on the forum/site the instant they discover it. After all, forcing people to not post rumours on the forum is hardly fair is it? :P

I'm glad there will be a better reply system with V7^ I was going to bring that up but clearly don't need to :L. News is properly one of the most important features of the site/forum now. Considering so many people are pissed off with Sulake posting pieces of news all over the place, it's nice to see that it could be in 1 thread or 1 article. I also quite enjoying reading other news articles if I have to go to Habbox.com for some reason xD.

And yes Samanfa; the news articles concerning competitions would be a great addition :D Enjoyed the Eurovision one.

[lawrawrrr]

whats with the attitude?
and i cant see one person saying it should be shut down

To be honest, I'm fed up of
a)non habbo players shouting how habbo should be shut down
b)non rv users shouting how rv should be shut down
c)non news users shouting how news should be shut down
d)people posting absolutely useless responses to get their post count up.


im not targetting people here, i'm just saying if you don't have anything constructive to say i don't see the point in posting.

[MKR&*42]

some more competitions would be nice on it, rate the article maybe? im not sure if you already have that.
it would be nice to have more real life articles ( yes i know its a habbo fansite but still)
um also, do you have Room of the week?
like when someone goes out and rates a room out of 10 and stuff,

idk just a few ideas. some of them may be in-place im not too sure!

They don't do ratings/show views on articles because some news reporters may end up feeling that their articles aren't good and thus lose "hope" or w.e. I imagine that's the reason why?
Room reviews are there but aren't displayed on the front page.

The Real Life news thing is interesting, I'm genuinely surprised people have brought it up. There was so much debate over RL news before it got scrapped lol and I thought most people disproved of it? no?

[Succubus]

Samanfa;

I know you check over the news reports (or the seniors do?) but I kinda don't want to be reading the same thing again, I.E:


.. and the 'Can Do's' of the Internet;
NEVER EVER TO AGREE TO MEET AN ONLINE "FRIEND" SOMEWHERE IN THE REAL WORLD. Let your parents know if you want to meet someone and let them decide if it is safe and resonable... Then take them with you. This is the only safe way to do this!

Never give out the following:
NEVER, never ever agree to meet an online "friend" somewhere in the real world. Let your parents know if you want to meet someone and let them decide if it is safe and reasonable... then take them with you. This is THE ONLY safe way to do this!

I dont understand why that sentence is in both sections whilst its already in one.

[Samantha]

Would people actually comment on RL if it was back as sometimes the Current Affairs section doesn't have some of the stuff posted like before?

---------- Post added 23-06-2012 at 09:31 PM ----------


Samanfa;

I know you check over the news reports (or the seniors do?) but I kinda don't want to be reading the same thing again, I.E:



I dont understand why that sentence is in both sections whilst its already in one.

That's probably due to a Head or myself missing that, it doesn't usually happen!

[Chippiewill]

a)non habbo players shouting how habbo should be shut down
b)non rv users shouting how rv should be shut down
c)non news users shouting how news should be shut down
Going be honest there's no other category of person who could shout for the department to be shut. However News is far from a dead department considering that Sulake is on a crusade to destroy it's link to the community, just because it's not the first port of call for forum users does not mean it cannot or will not grab the attention of people who do not use the forum (Still a large proportion of habbox visitors)

[xxMATTGxx]

Good stuff so, I thought it was getting removed after that feedback thread.

Ross just assumed that we was closing the department after the forum poll. Although closing it was one of the options on the table it wasn't the final decision because the poll on the actual Habbox.com site had the opposite affect to the forum poll and it told us and other management that Rare Values was still being viewed/used. News won't be closing any time soon either!

[Succubus]

Would people actually comment on RL if it was back as sometimes the Current Affairs section doesn't have some of the stuff posted like before?

---------- Post added 23-06-2012 at 09:31 PM ----------



That's probably due to a Head or myself missing that, it doesn't usually happen!


Ah OK, makes sense :)
Was just curious! Thanks :P

[Samantha]

Due to the demand both Real Life news and Articles have been readded!

[Munex]

What goes on in articles? :O

[Fifty-Six]

I think people on the forums often know about the news before it's even published on Habbox.com, so the news doesn't appeal to them. People who do not visit the forums would probably find the news much more appealing as it actually informs them of new information.

That's what it's like for me. I'd suggest possibly more non-Habbo things to be added or at least more content that isn't from the forums.

[Succubus]

Due to the demand both Real Life news and Articles have been readded!

Sounds good, I will be interested to see what people whip up!
Glad it's been re-added.

[MKR&*42]

Samanfa; Explain articles please? I joined news like after they were scrapped so I have nooooo idea LOL.

[Munex]

I think I've just realised that Articles are anything that isn't News. So, you can express yourself through poems, short-stories or even a blog post - you can write a review on video games, or whatever else floats your boat.

[MKR&*42]

I think I've just realised that Articles are anything that isn't News. So, you can express yourself through poems, short-stories or even a blog post - you can write a review on video games, or whatever else floats your boat.

Explains why the only Article I've ever seen before was a poem :P. If it is that then, I suppose it's an alright intro? lol.

[Red]

Don't really read because all the news I need is on the forum. Don't really like using the main habbox site at all. Only go on to use the staff panel. Might read it more if a link to it was put on forum (non-habbo light skin).

[Kyle]

only ever read Grig;'s articles unless I am specifically linked to one. I read real life news in real life or on specific websites and habbo news in the news and rumours section so no real use for it imo

[lawrawrrr]

I think I've just realised that Articles are anything that isn't News. So, you can express yourself through poems, short-stories or even a blog post - you can write a review on video games, or whatever else floats your boat.


Explains why the only Article I've ever seen before was a poem :P. If it is that then, I suppose it's an alright intro? lol.

There were only really 2 types of articles ever written really as me and sam were the only long-term staff! I wrote poetry and she wrote more entertaining real-life stories and things!

[Seikou]

the news articles don't really interest me, i'm rarely on habbox.com to see them anyway.

[:odey:]

I generally don't read the Habbox News and haven't for a long time. I think it's getting a bit like Rare Values

I agree, I don't really read the news articles in all fairness, nothing that interests me that's not directly available from Habbo :(

[MissAlice]

I read articles on the main site from time to time, on the whole I think they are very good, but I do think you are catering to different readers. Perhaps someone could write an article that relates to the forum, how it works, unless you believe everyone knows exactly how it works, and the advantages of being a member. Has that been done before? Or is it already covered?

Has a poll/questionnaire ever been run, asking viewers of the site if they are members of the forum? Or are they HxL listeners etc? Or just visit for values?

I like others do find most of what I want to read here on the forum, but articles certainly have their place on the site :)

[Samantha]

MissAlice; I have wondered before whether or not it would be plausible to report Habbox News and I allowed lawrawrrr; to do this yesterday for the 8th birthday of Habbox as I thought it was an occasion that of course wouldn't come round again. I feel doing a report on how the forum works may be more content related but I know we could report on say, if a new forum was added give pros and cons to that and link toe threads in it and such.

I think it could be a nice addition to the range of things we now have as I remember wanting to write a report when I was in the department last year for xxMATTGxx; when he resigned from General Management pity we got him back :P.

Oh reading on in your post, advantages of being a member could really entice some readers, informing them of 100 posts in first week gets VIP, motm, notm etc. That could also be a really good idea.

That's for the CC +rep.

[Grig]

Due to the demand both Real Life news and Articles have been readded!

No,nonononononono! I battled to get rid of that section. Mainly because we would have crap about Tiger Bread, the hits were really low and people stopped focusing on Habbo news. xxMATTGxx; was in full agreement with me. This was only a few months ago. It'll return to the situation above.

There were very good reasons to remove this. People might say well add real-life, but in reality very few actually read that section. You got to be realistic.


MissAlice; I have wondered before whether or not it would be plausible to report Habbox News and I allowed lawrawrrr; to do this yesterday for the 8th birthday of Habbox as I thought it was an occasion that of course wouldn't come round again.
That's for the CC +rep.

No,no,no!!! Habbox news is useless on the site. Mainly because why bother. We used to write it. It again diverted from the main point, so back in 2009, we re-directed it to forum announcements. Then removed them completely. News for it would be short, repetitive and waste everyone's time.

You are bringing back absolutely useless sections without knowing why they failed in the first place.

[CaptainAce$$]

No,nonononononono! I battled to get rid of that section. Mainly because we would have crap about Tiger Bread, the hits were really low and people stopped focusing on Habbo news. xxMATTGxx; was in full agreement with me. This was only a few months ago. It'll return to the situation above.

There were very good reasons to remove this. People might say well add real-life, but in reality very few actually read that section. You got to be realistic.



No,no,no!!! Habbox news is useless on the site. Mainly because why bother. We used to write it. It again diverted from the main point, so back in 2009, we re-directed it to forum announcements. Then removed them completely. News for it would be short, repetitive and waste everyone's time.

You are bringing back absolutely useless sections without knowing why they failed in the first place.

There should be a few rules to stop useless articles from being produced. If people want real life aswell as Habbo, then we gotta listen to the people as they are the ones who will be reading it after all. Theres no point just doing Habbo news if people want real life too.

[MKR&*42]

And cue a massive debate over the necessity of real life news again -.-

I'm not in great support of it returning and I am genuinely shocked that quite a few people wanted to so some form of real life article appear on the site again. I don't think news reporters should get completely wrapped up in real life news again (Yes @Grig (http://www.habboxforum.com/member.php?u=8106); like my Tiger Bread :() and focus on Habbo greatly. I mean, there's about 13/14 in the dept. atm and everyone's doing fine reaching their minimum? So I'd feel that the "2 Habbo articles before real life" should be introduced again @Samanfa (http://www.habboxforum.com/member.php?u=68263);

The only reason I can genuinely think of for why it's not read, is that many people probably don't navigate away from the home page/staff pages on Habbox.com and therefore stand less chance of viewing RL News. I wouldn't mind if somehow you managed to fit 1/2 real life articles alongside 3 Habbo articles in V7 xxMATTGxx;.

But yeah, I just hope people don't become too wrapped up in it lol. It's a nice thing now and then I suppose.

[Grig]

And cue a massive debate over the necessity of real life news again -.-

I'm not in great support of it returning and I am genuinely shocked that quite a few people wanted to so some form of real life article appear on the site again. I don't think news reporters should get completely wrapped up in real life news again (Yes @Grig (http://www.habboxforum.com/member.php?u=8106); like my Tiger Bread :() and focus on Habbo greatly. I mean, there's about 13/14 in the dept. atm and everyone's doing fine reaching their minimum? So I'd feel that the "2 Habbo articles before real life" should be introduced again @Samanfa (http://www.habboxforum.com/member.php?u=68263);

The only reason I can genuinely think of for why it's not read, is that many people probably don't navigate away from the home page/staff pages on Habbox.com and therefore stand less chance of viewing RL News. I wouldn't mind if somehow you managed to fit 1/2 real life articles alongside 3 Habbo articles in V7 xxMATTGxx;.

But yeah, I just hope people don't become too wrapped up in it lol. It's a nice thing now and then I suppose.

You do not have 14 reporters constantly. They will drop again, they always do. Then everyone will struggle with Habbo again. We cannot keep changing here and there.

News will not be expanded under v7 I don't think. It already takes up the bulk of the Habbox homepage. Be lucky it wasn't removed by Oli when he wanted to in v6.

Sure, people want to 'see' it return, but in reality not all those people constantly read it, if at all.

[Empired]

I don't really understand why people want real life back. Sure, a few people read it but the hits were, as said above, much lower than Habbo articles.
I guess the reason is because why would you go to a Habbo Fanstie to read real life news? If you were that interested in real life stuff, you would be much better looking at the BBC homepage or reading a newspaper or whatever just because they are professionals.

I agree with Intersocial; that it may be better to bring back "2 Habbo articles before real life". Back when I was in the dept, that was a good way to keep everyone doing their minimums and ​give them other things to write about too.

[Samantha]

At the moment due to the mute staff can only write interviews, room reviews or more articles on the mute due to not knowing where we are.

No not everyone is meeting their minimum at all and they know who they are. The reason real life doesn't get as many is because its not shown on the front page unless you have the widget for it

Grig; I think your post is rude to me due to the fact that ive been in the department over a year, I've seen real life be removed and I've seen real life specialists come and go, its on a trial and if you don't like it then feel free to resign. News should cater for all the readers and if they prefer real life then why not have it back.

The reports have changed to monthly as you know so it won't be the same pointless comments each week, you're living in the past and you need to consider that when you were assistant in 09-10 the ones who are asking for it were not here or a lot younger thus played habbo more.

---------- Post added 24-06-2012 at 12:20 PM ----------

Also Intersocial; I haven't posted a thread yet do no one should be writing real life news. Also of course they'll need to do habbo before they do, at least I'd warn you if you didn't.

[e5]

Years ago, when I first started in the News, people used to read them all the time and it was great to receive all the nice comments and it motivated you for the next one. The thing, that I think made me leave and return and then leave many times was because I knew barely anyone read our news reports and it seemed like I was putting so much hard much in with writing for little in return. It needs more publicity.

[Grig]

At the moment due to the mute staff can only write interviews, room reviews or more articles on the mute due to not knowing where we are.

No not everyone is meeting their minimum at all and they know who they are. The reason real life doesn't get as many is because its not shown on the front page unless you have the widget for it

Grig; I think your post is rude to me due to the fact that ive been in the department over a year, I've seen real life be removed and I've seen real life specialists come and go, its on a trial and if you don't like it then feel free to resign. News should cater for all the readers and if they prefer real life then why not have it back.

The reports have changed to monthly as you know so it won't be the same pointless comments each week, you're living in the past and you need to consider that when you were assistant in 09-10 the ones who are asking for it were not here or a lot younger thus played habbo more.

---------- Post added 24-06-2012 at 12:20 PM ----------

Also Intersocial; I haven't posted a thread yet do no one should be writing real life news. Also of course they'll need to do habbo before they do, at least I'd warn you if you didn't.


I disagree. We all have our views. Real life was removed by Charlie for a reason. I hope Matt (@xxmattg;) still agrees with this view. I think the department is on the right track and doing great atm, reporter quality has gone up and it is really feeling lively. I just don't agree with this and that. Maybe special articles on real life featured on the homepage is great and competitions from them. But not by simply doing it like we did it 2 months ago.

Why? I would want you to look at the old stats and see for yourself :P. A lot were here actually, if you ask on the main site in the question, that would be a more realistic reflection of it. I could be wrong, but I think I'm right! Also, "don't like it resign" comment is the most silly comment ever to constructive criticism and I would never say that to anyone.

We all have our views. I'm stating some facts so no it is not rude.

[Samantha]

I disagree. We all have our views. Real life was removed by Charlie for a reason. I hope Matt (@xxmattg;) still agrees with this view. I think the department is on the right track and doing great atm, reporter quality has gone up and it is really feeling lively. I just don't agree with this and that. Maybe special articles on real life featured on the homepage is great and competitions from them. But not by simply doing it like we did it 2 months ago.

Why? I would want you to look at the old stats and see for yourself :P. A lot were here actually, if you ask on the main site in the question, that would be a more realistic reflection of it. I could be wrong, but I think I'm right! Also, "don't like it resign" comment is the most silly comment ever to constructive criticism and I would never say that to anyone.

We all have our views. I'm stating some facts so no it is not rude.

yeah we have our views but really Charlie did everything when I was assistant. Luke did everything when i was assistant, I want to make it my own and prove you wrong, well come on of you dont like it you will probably resign like others have done before you. I believe its an added extra to the department and I'm not allowing it to get to the state like before, before then people we're doing real life as opposed to habbo they wrote about **** but I'm mot letting it get to that stage.

[Grig]

yeah we have u

What on Earth does this mean :P?

[Samantha]

What on Earth does this mean :P?
My phone entered before id done lol

[Logandyer45]

If you read what you read on the forums, how are you going to "Know it all"? News Reporters take their time to perfect the article and then make it interesting. If you want to know more about the current situations, then you need to read the news. :D

[Nuxty]

yeah we have our views but really Charlie did everything when I was assistant. Luke did everything when i was assistant, I want to make it my own and prove you wrong, well come on of you dont like it you will probably resign like others have done before you. I believe its an added extra to the department and I'm not allowing it to get to the state like before, before then people we're doing real life as opposed to habbo they wrote about **** but I'm mot letting it get to that stage.

I support everything that Sam has said in this post. A manager should make a department their own, who cares if I removed it? I removed it because at the time we were in a bit of a situation with Habbo news being left, and we are a Habbo fansite. However, I think theres so much going on in the world right now, the London Olympics are on our door step and a lot seems to be going on in the real world. I did plan to have real life re-added when Habbo news was back on track, but I left. I do think though that if Sam believes the time is right to bring it back, then she should go ahead and do it. News is getting better and better, as an ex-manager I am seeing it grow, I won't lie and say I read it all the time, because I don't - I very rarely come on these days, but when I do, I can't say that it fails to please me. Keep up the good work guys, and good luck with readding Real Life & Articles. Go news, go @Samanfa - woop!