Are the groups passing away?

lizajuk · 05-03-2007, 03:25 AM

There seemed to be a rush to create groups and I formed one and joined a few but the only vibrant ones, I belong to are the Teachers group and the Politics. One is private and one is for discussion which many felt best kept well away from the general forum?
So did it seem like a good idea at the time?..and oooo I will create a poll.

beafarhana · 05-03-2007, 04:01 AM

I've been thinking the same thing.

The fan groups, don't seem to generate a lot of activity, but I think they will be updated as & when we take workshops/see shows etc, so I think they will stand the test of time.

The geographical groups I think may need to hit critical mass before you can see that they work. A lot of what might be said in the local groups could just as easily be said on the open forum, so perhaps people are using the general board in preference...

I do think the group creator/mod needs to make a bit of an effort to encourage discussion, to develop the sense of the group identity and Make It Work.

NandaDncer · 05-03-2007, 04:27 AM

I would love to contribute to groups but I can't on safari and firefox is giving me grief. So no groups for me, which is a shame as it is a feature I felt I would've enjoyed using.

deelybopper · 05-03-2007, 05:09 AM

It seems to me that they are withering slightly. The teachers group is still fairly vibrant, but the others I belong to are slow.

My personal opinion is that I really enjoyed the contributions and questions in threads on old Bhuz from people who didn't know much/wanted to know more about particular issues (e.g., Alternative Bellydance, etc). I found that this kept discussion livelier, more stimulating, and helped me to question myself, etc. I don't find the groups doing this so much. I do, however, think there is value in the 'virtual staffroom' of the teachers group.

Another observation: for the main forums there is 'new posts', which at least lets us see which threads are active (when it's working!). There is no similar option in the Groups function, and I find that a bit trying, and so I am less inclined to use the groups as I was.

D

meissoun · 05-03-2007, 05:16 AM

Yes, I actually often forget to check the Teachers group because it's not so obvious.
It's kind of an extra effort to go there.
And right now there is so much going on in the general forum, and I don't have much time - so I am glad if I can already keep up with the rest!

MEISSOUN

sumayasaahir · 05-03-2007, 07:05 AM

From what I gather from Rosey, Groups is still under construction. I think that once subscription options are available (if they are available) groups has a better chance of surviving.

I would like it too, if group posts came up with new posts as well because it IS an extra effort to go there. Im crossing my fingers for email alerts when new posts are made to groups.

*maria* · 05-03-2007, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meissoun

Yes, I actually often forget to check the Teachers group because it's not so obvious.
It's kind of an extra effort to go there.
And right now there is so much going on in the general forum, and I don't have much time - so I am glad if I can already keep up with the rest!

MEISSOUN

Exactly how I feel!

danielabellydance · 05-03-2007, 08:33 AM

Ditto! Haven't check my groups in weeks!

steffib · 05-03-2007, 08:49 AM

I am rather disinclined to use the groups, I am not in favor of adding lots of bells and whistles that do not bring a lot of benefits and are rather brittle.

antimony · 05-03-2007, 09:20 AM

Of the groups I'm a member of, the topics discussed there could just as easily be discussed on the main bhuz as in the group. I don't see any reason to talk there instead of here.

Even regional groups I think aren't going to be so heavily trafficked. They'll be great for even announcements, and discussing purely local things like haflas, etc. But when it comes to bigger events like workshops... Let's say there's a local workshop with teacher X...

If the conversation went on in a regional group:
"Hey, It was good to see you guys at Teacher X's workshop"
"Yeah, it was fun"
"oh I'm sorry I missed it"

The conversation on the main Bhuz:
"It was good to see other Bhuzzers at Teacher X's workshop in City A"
"Yeah, it was fun"
"oh I'm sorry I missed it"
"I took a workshop with Teacher X in City B!"
"Me too, I love her arm work!"
"does anyone know when she'l be near City C?"
"I don't know guys, she seems kind of intimidating"
"Don't worry, her workshops are great for beginners"
etc.

I just think when you have a conversation in a limited subgroup of members, you are necessarily only going to get a limited subgroup of knowledge, information, or insight.

danidance · 05-03-2007, 09:50 AM

I like the groups function but it could be more easily accessed.
There are several ongoing conversations/support things that I don't think are appropriate for the main board because they get lost after a time (diets) and new ones start (which changes the "conversation" of it); or, conversations that people don't like on the main board that warrant a longer and more frequent discussion (politics).

tattood1 · 05-03-2007, 10:03 AM

well it's only been a few weeks... i think they will serve a function from time to time. tina

zorba · 05-03-2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antimony

Of the groups I'm a member of, the topics discussed there could just as easily be discussed on the main bhuz as in the group. I don't see any reason to talk there instead of here.

Even regional groups I think aren't going to be so heavily trafficked. They'll be great for even announcements, and discussing purely local things like haflas, etc. But when it comes to bigger events like workshops... Let's say there's a local workshop with teacher X...

If the conversation went on in a regional group:
"Hey, It was good to see you guys at Teacher X's workshop"
"Yeah, it was fun"
"oh I'm sorry I missed it"

The conversation on the main Bhuz:
"It was good to see other Bhuzzers at Teacher X's workshop in City A"
"Yeah, it was fun"
"oh I'm sorry I missed it"
"I took a workshop with Teacher X in City B!"
"Me too, I love her arm work!"
"does anyone know when she'l be near City C?"
"I don't know guys, she seems kind of intimidating"
"Don't worry, her workshops are great for beginners"
etc.

I just think when you have a conversation in a limited subgroup of members, you are necessarily only going to get a limited subgroup of knowledge, information, or insight.

Agreed.

I find the groups feature is as dis-jointed as Tribe - which is why I'm seldom seen there either. I'd much rather keep everything on the main board...

lizajuk · 05-03-2007, 01:02 PM

I did create a poll

danielabellydance · 05-03-2007, 02:41 PM

About accessability - maybe I'm just slow, but one of the reasons I don't check my groups often is because I have no clue how to find them....

Lucinia · 05-03-2007, 03:55 PM

I don't think they are passing away... They are fairly new and it takes time to develop a personality of the group.....

I use mine for networking and hopefully for building bonds of friendships here in the northwest.... there are a lot of functions and oppurtunities to dance that are not normally listed and I want to share this with other dancers..

For example, there is a newly formed band in our area that just started doing regular community dance nights once a month... I put up that info so dancers could contact them and get on the dancers list...

I am soon going to put up a student night for my friend who teaches in another city who is looking for dancers to dance in her student show. She doesn't do the BHUz thing.... but needs dancers....

heinakuu · 05-04-2007, 11:10 AM

You'll find a list of groups at
http://www.bhuz.com/index.php?cmd=/public/groups

or you can go to www.bhuz.com (not directly to forum) and then you see
Groups as well as other functions.

hope this helps, come and join...

By the way, I do not need the groups discussion to be very lively, I just expect that a group of people interested in same things form a group
and I love to know who think like I do (like is fond of same dancers, teaches similarly etc.).

Lauren_ · 05-04-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizajuk

I did create a poll

Where the heck are polls now? They don't show up as messages any more on the main board.

Wait, let me guess -- there's a sublisting under the main heading, like for groups, so I just have to go back to the Bhuz home page?

By george I think I'm getting the hang of this -- <off to test theory>

Are the groups passing away?

Questions?