Articles' feedback for the end of 2014

[Empired]

What are some things you would like to see done from the Articles Department?

All writers to work more closely with The Box. Perhaps this should be mandatory seeing as The Box is basically the Habbox newspaper and you're the articles department. If this were the case, articles writers should be online snooping about in the Help Desk, in events, etc. looking for interesting stories (much like the one about Pyroka getting around in December's issue of the box) that would involve and interest Habbox members.

I'd love to know how the last six months have gone (since I've been manager since August).

The department has very slowly been improving but I still think it's not advertised enough. I love the introduction of articles on the forum, though.

What are some strengths that the Articles Department has?

Honestly? Potential. It could be a bustling department. Articles is one of the few departments not really affected by Habbo's dwindling popularity because real life news/stories/opinions never fade.

What are some areas of improvement?

I'll say it again and again: forum presence. Encourage all writers to have signatures related to the department, come up with activities that really get the community involved rather than just reading and then clicking away again (the Advent Calendar was an extremely good idea for this reason IMO) and don't be afraid to get rid of any dead weight. I'd rather see a small amount of good quality articles than a larger amount of mediocre (née boring) articles.

What are some things that would make Articles more appealing?

Recruit older members who are probably more confident when it comes to writing controversial articles or articles that promote discussion. Articles is normally full of young members who are enthusiastic but, well, boring when it comes down to writing... I'm not saying get rid of all newbies, but I'd like to see a mix rather than all "fresh" faces. I can see some people on this forum writing some truly hilarious pieces!
Leading on from that, cut out all articles that simply report news. If I wanted to find out about the attacks on Sony Pictures I'd go to BBC news or somewhere similar. I think if an Articles Writer wants to write about a real "news" event, they should have to offer their own opinion. An interesting opinion is the only thing that separates Habbox.com from every other news site in the world. (I'm not saying no other site offers opinion, I'm saying opinions will vary whereas the facts will not.) So if a writer wants to do something on a current real life event, they should be made to post it in that Articles Staff Only section and wait for the go-ahead before they're allowed to post it on the main site. If you, Brad, or your head writers think it's just a reworded account of a news story, do not allow it.

That sounds harsh but I'm sick of seeing articles about something I read about two days ago on the BBC news site.

Hope this helps x I just started typing without stopping in that last paragraph so if it doesn't make sense, feel free to ask and I'll explain when it's not 11:17 at night!

[Brad]

All writers to work more closely with The Box. Perhaps this should be mandatory seeing as The Box is basically the Habbox newspaper and you're the articles department. If this were the case, articles writers should be online snooping about in the Help Desk, in events, etc. looking for interesting stories (much like the one about Pyroka getting around in December's issue of the box) that would involve and interest Habbox members.

I actually really like that idea, and I totally agree with you. I think that you have a valid reason there and maybe that could be implemented. I am going to be keeping this active, and maybe even keeping me accountable in this one because honestly (and I agree).. the Box is Habbox's Newspaper...and what better people to write in it are the Article Writers.

The department has very slowly been improving but I still think it's not advertised enough. I love the introduction of articles on the forum, though.

Honestly? Potential. It could be a bustling department. Articles is one of the few departments not really affected by Habbo's dwindling popularity because real life news/stories/opinions never fade.


I'll say it again and again: forum presence. Encourage all writers to have signatures related to the department, come up with activities that really get the community involved rather than just reading and then clicking away again (the Advent Calendar was an extremely good idea for this reason IMO) and don't be afraid to get rid of any dead weight. I'd rather see a small amount of good quality articles than a larger amount of mediocre (née boring) articles.

It's actually funny that you say this. I'll just spill the beans now since It's almost complete to bring forward but might as well say it. For the last couple weeks I have been working non-stop in making my version of "Conversation Starters"... It is a forum based article system that requires writers to make articles in different categories of the forum. Right now we have 21 different category conversation starter banners being made, and along side that I am creating redirections that will enable users to click on the icon to move from one article to the next.
Essentially this will open up a new side of Articles that will be focused solely on the forum (Which I think was something that was requested earlier in December that I took and ran with). Also with this, I will be trying to implement a 1:1 Ratio... because I don't want to loose the actual habbox.com part.. but I will be trying to bridge a gap backwards... (going from forum to habbox.com instead of the other way around... if that makes sense)

Recruit older members who are probably more confident when it comes to writing controversial articles or articles that promote discussion. Articles is normally full of young members who are enthusiastic but, well, boring when it comes down to writing... I'm not saying get rid of all newbies, but I'd like to see a mix rather than all "fresh" faces. I can see some people on this forum writing some truly hilarious pieces!
Leading on from that, cut out all articles that simply report news. If I wanted to find out about the attacks on Sony Pictures I'd go to BBC news or somewhere similar. I think if an Articles Writer wants to write about a real "news" event, they should have to offer their own opinion. An interesting opinion is the only thing that separates Habbox.com from every other news site in the world. (I'm not saying no other site offers opinion, I'm saying opinions will vary whereas the facts will not.) So if a writer wants to do something on a current real life event, they should be made to post it in that Articles Staff Only section and wait for the go-ahead before they're allowed to post it on the main site. If you, Brad, or your head writers think it's just a reworded account of a news story, do not allow it.

I totally agree with that... and it's funny that you say that because I had been talking to Laura and I have requested on making "Guest Articles Writers" now.. before you get the wrong impression on that let me explain;
I know with the "Guest submissions" where you'd send in your piece and then if by chance the manager (me) likes it, and approves it, then it goes on... well with the actual "Guest Articles Writers" you get your perms to post articles freely. I know that there are fantastic writers out on this forum, and I totally agree that the veterans of both the forum and the Articles department are still writing fantastic pieces. I think what this will entail is seeking out myself and PMing those who have really strong articles/postings and offer it to them.
And like every other Guest position it does have requirements and what-not but I think it may offer to bring back some of the older writers.

And to bring back the conversation starters; I am starting this forum base feature in articles because I feel it is a great incentive to the writers to not only get their post count up, but it also will allow the forum to become more active with larger amount of threads being created, but it gives opportunities to those forum users to be apart of habbox that maybe choose not to because it involves them moving away from the forum (if that makes sense)

That sounds harsh but I'm sick of seeing articles about something I read about two days ago on the BBC news site.

Hope this helps x I just started typing without stopping in that last paragraph so if it doesn't make sense, feel free to ask and I'll explain when it's not 11:17 at night!

I don't find it harsh at all. I expect honesty and I appreciate all of it. I will definitely take everything you've said into consideration and I am always open to what you have to say... so thank you.