Staff Forums

[Sarah]

I'm a bit on the fence here. I know that personally I would only know the people in the Forum department through spam (I didn't know them before Habbox) and it is just a nice way to chat and to get to know them - and I know that it is a nice way to talk and welcome new people into the department. However It would be so much more nicer to see staff posting more in public forums - but the argument is they either post in Staff spam and not in public or not at all. I think a trial period would be ok as long as feedback can be given to General Management from departments.

[AgnesIO]

There has (allegedly) been a posting decrease across the board. Removing staff spam threads will not suddenly result in an increase imo. Most people on the main forum are here to post/have discussions whereas most staff are here to do a job which is why I don't think staff will think 'oh no spam threads, I'll just venture out into the main forum then and find somewhere to post' cos that's not their main use of the forum in the first place.

If they are here to do the job, then they don't want the spam forums either?

Obviously it won't cause a sudden increase, but any increase is good surely? Especially community departments - they should be bonding with members.

I am not saying they should post more than FlyingJesus (had to use you haha), but they should be posting lol

[Hecktix]

There has (allegedly) been a posting decrease across the board. Removing staff spam threads will not suddenly result in an increase imo. Most people on the main forum are here to post/have discussions whereas most staff are here to do a job which is why I don't think staff will think 'oh no spam threads, I'll just venture out into the main forum then and find somewhere to post' cos that's not their main use of the forum in the first place.

It's not about increasing overall posting it's about increasing staff posting and staff presence on the main forum, it's a very hard task to taclke to get certain staff members posting but the thing is a lot of them need to give it a chance. I was talking about removing spam threads as an incentive and then putting them back if staff started posting although I feel that may be way too authoritarian.

[xxMATTGxx]

I think the question is, can managers be bothered? I mean certain managers seem to think they do more work than David Cameron - although I know Elle was always up for some fun within a department (bonding via ff, bingo etc)

I guess that depends on the person if they can be bothered and if they are able to spare some free time. I know certain departments have always been up for some omgpop or even when members of the Forum Department all went on transformice which got us all chatting within the game to work in a team to achieve the level. Which is ideal for any department, but obviously that can't happen all the time and does rely on people being free, wanting to do it and so on.

[Inseriousity.]

Any increase is good yeah, I was questioning whether there'd actually be one.
Of course they should be posting but unless we log on their account and go posting round the forum for them, I don't think removing spam threads will make much of a difference.

[AgnesIO]

Any increase is good yeah, I was questioning whether there'd actually be one.
Of course they should be posting but unless we log on their account and go posting round the forum for them, I don't think removing spam threads will make much of a difference.

Perhaps a staff requirement of 'Post actively around the forum' - I am sure this used to be one for some departments? Then you could have three strikes and you're out?

I know it seems harsh, but it isn't right for management to try and get more activity with users etc - if the staff aren't eve posting.

I am not trying to attack management here - but you guys are the people who I have to use as the example

[Martin]

Staff spam threads have been around for years, and I don't think they've really done any harm up until now. As others have said, yes it would be nice for all staff to post lots and lots outside their staff forums, however I think that for a department to work together in the best way possible, it's essential that we are able to talk freely to our fellow staff in individual departments. There will often be department specific stuff in them anyway.

I think also, (although I can only see three), it isn't a huge amount of posts that we're talking about anyway. Perhaps 20 a day, which isn't really that much really.

I think alternative methods of getting people to join the forum/post on the forum/enjoy the forum need to be looked into first, rather than changing something which has been with the staff forums for many years, enables departments to feel more laid back and like a unit, rather than just work work work. If it wasn't for staff spam threads I wouldn't have made some of the amazing friends I have on here.

You could argue that people could simply use the main spam forums instead, but I just feel it's a lot easier and nicer to spam in your departmental group, since main spam threads often get 'hijacked' by other members and it's just not as 'cosy' I guess I'm struggling to find the right words there.

I agree with Michael that if you remove staff spam threads, I don't think it would definitely mean people would get out there posting, it will just reduce the amount of bonding and communication within departments.

[Hecktix]

Perhaps a staff requirement of 'Post actively around the forum' - I am sure this used to be one for some departments? Then you could have three strikes and you're out?

I know it seems harsh, but it isn't right for management to try and get more activity with users etc - if the staff aren't eve posting.

I am not trying to attack management here - but you guys are the people who I have to use as the example

It's in most staff rules, hard one to crack down on mind.

[xxMATTGxx]

Perhaps a staff requirement of 'Post actively around the forum' - I am sure this used to be one for some departments? Then you could have three strikes and you're out?

I know it seems harsh, but it isn't right for management to try and get more activity with users etc - if the staff aren't eve posting.

I am not trying to attack management here - but you guys are the people who I have to use as the example

I know when Oli was Forum Manager he had some sort of "Make X amount of posts on the forum" or something which got the moderators on the forum posting until they got to that number or even higher. I forgot fully what it was, I know staff members posting around the forum is a problem and has been for a while but three strikes and getting rid of a very good staff member who do their roles apart from posting enough on the forum sounds a bit too harsh too me.

[Sammeth.]

To be fair I don't ever remember the amount of staff forums being an issue. The problem is that staff need to post publicly, as you did also outline in your first post, but which should be the main thing here. The staff spam threads in each departments forum do serve a small purpose, but they certainly shouldn't be a main attraction for staff members. More effort needs to be put in by the staff workforce as a whole to post more actively around the forum rather than lingering where no one can see them. Its almost a sort of elitist view. Encouraging staff to post more in public forums can only be a positive thing for the community, reputation of the forum as a whole and quality of discussions.

Edit: Sorry if I repeated anything someone else has already said, I now have a habit of skim-reading these threads now I dont have to read every post