On the 30's Influx....

admin · Jul 1, 2007

Mods: I'd like your input on this. The 30's have moved their thread from coolrunning to us. Of which I am VERY HAPPY! Since I'm trying real hard to keep ads out of the forums, the more members, the better. 
At the same time, I do believe we need to be consistent on the appropriate use of the forums. 
I've already heard 'through the grapevine' that one member is suggesting we don't give them their own forum. To be honest, I am leaning to GIVING them a special forum... (after all, I am a market driven provider! ). 
In fact, I'm thinking of putting several age group forums in an attempt to pull more from the Cool Running. 
What are your thoughts? Here are my "MUST HAVE" conditions: 
1. Running SPECIFIC topics go to The Race 2. Race Reports and Daily Run Reports go to: The Finish Line 3. Injury type questions etc.. to The Side Line Other than that, is it a bad thing to have multiple 'goof off' forums? More than ONE PRT? Each developing it's own persona? 
I'm in no hurry on this and duckgeek is working on his group to help with behavioral changes on where they post. 
Pro or Con comments welcome! 
Thanks!

liath · Jul 1, 2007

I would def keep one PRT. The appeal of it and the CH is the liveliness of the board, there is always someone online. (well unless you get up before 11am in the uk <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"> ) 
I'd keep that condensed to maintain that feel. 
The problem with too many boards is that they become stagnant, just look at the "Just Running" board! 
No opinions, just observations <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

sistergoldenhair · Jul 1, 2007

I agree with liath, one PRT. It looks like the 30s are keeping their own run report thread, but having one central "goof-off" place will help them desegregate a bit while still having a home base. 
So, are they friendly or clique-ish? I'm 30something and was never active in the thread on CR, but have thought of trying to get acquainted since they came aboard.

diablita · Jul 1, 2007

I wondered the same thing, SGH. They seem to be friendly. I've interacted with the few who came over to the PRT and VRAA boards, and know a few from boards in the CH (e.g., Pacer Chris). But I still would feel like an outsider if I tried to hop into their long string threads, even though they would likely be welcoming. 
And I agree, Rich; one PRT makes more sense. At least for now. Maybe when we're so busy that topics are hitting page 2 in a couple of hours it would make sense?

Cappy · Jul 1, 2007

The age group forums may not be a bad idea, but it would need to very age specific and related, and may help bring more people into the forums. 
Like you said, there are multiple forums that would cover the topic areas, and it could get redundant, and has been said above, one PRT type forum is enough.

Liam3494 · Jul 2, 2007

It's a toughie - As you say, the more the merrier, even if it means I miss out a fair bit because of the time zones. Despite being 30 + (a lot), I have occassionally dipped into the CR group in the past and they are a sound group. There is a danger of clicques, but that will always happen - Hey, we were a clique ourselves, that's why this site came about in the first place <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">... 
I'm not against a separate forum for the gang, but I bet they would still post a daily thread where everything would go - Maybe we should sound out a few of the regulars as to the best way forward. 
Rich, you know me, I'll go with the flow 
.... Oh, and by the way, I'm here virtually everyday again now <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> 
Liam

sierra · Jul 2, 2007

I kinda have mixed feelings about this. I think that if we do age group forums, everything will be everywhere. Each age group will put EVERYTHING in THEIR forum and I think moving things to the correct places will just cause people to be upset. It will confuse the issues. I think that they would view a requirement to use the other forums as a conflict, we give them their own space but then dont let them use it as they want to. 
As it is, the 30's group is integrating a bit, at least some of them are, which is great! But I think doing an entire forum for them will stop that. It will be considered their own little world and they will for the most part, not step out of it. 
If we want to add a couple of forums, thats fine, but lets keep them a bit more generic. Maybe something like "Midlife" (with a description that includes running and balancing with family and work etc) and "Beyond kids and into retirement" (similar to boomers and beyond in cr) or something like that. (I am horrible at coming up with names, thats richs speciality! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> ) More "Life Stage" sort of thing vs age group sort of thing. If we were to do something like that, they will still have a somewhat seperate place to be, but its not JUST their own! This way there wont be so much of the cliquish attitude and mentality. This way we can continue to say that other things belong in other forums, (side line, finish line etc) without it sounding like we are giving them their space then telling them what they can and cant do with it. 
Using new forums in this way, a specfic group can still do a daily thread like the 30's are doing without the possessive feel of it and without making others feel like outsiders. 
I DO NOT think that specific age group forums are the way to go. It would just be too much duplication in too many places. 
Anyway, thats my thoughts on it.

merigayle · Jul 3, 2007

I think they seem fine where they are. I do not think we need a 30-something forum, cause then EVERYONE is gonna want their own forum for their whatever group <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

roots · Jul 3, 2007

I'm mid-30s and I have not been a part of this group. Never appealed, probably because I rarely spend time in the Newbie Cafe. 
Their hit count is considerable. 
It seems all cordial and supportive in their thread(s) and the content is more than I can keep up with. 
Their decision to migrate to Kick was swift. I suggest observing some more before making a forum addition, but I'm for leaving it as is.

Cappy · Jul 4, 2007

So it looks like they are kind of staying in the running clubs thread.

duckgeek · Jul 4, 2007

Just checking in here. 
I've seen some migration already starting to happen, so that's a good thing. I believe you'll first see a bump in Run and Race Reports, then the PRT, then the other forums. 
As far as being open, they have always been a good group for welcoming people into the fold. I have a feeling that the 30s lurkers in CR outnumbered the regulars by a fair number. It will be interesting to see if the lurkers follow and reveal themselves to the group. 
Please let me know what I can do to help. I'm pretty laid back and open to suggestion. I do have a bit of a secular humanist righteous streak (as Rich and Sierra already are aware), but other than that I'm very flexible. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

diablita · Jul 6, 2007

So not only was the Running Clubs board a GREAT idea, but we ARE at the point where a few hours a day puts the threads way down on page two. Wow! Talk about growth. Good stuff.

merigayle · Jul 6, 2007

they all seem like really really nice people <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

sierra · Jul 6, 2007

Rich, maybe you should change the page so that each page has like... 100 threads or something so that things dont sink so fast! <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">

admin · Jul 7, 2007

duckgeek: You guys are doin' good! I see the 30's all over the place and that's all I ask... I think the initial confusion was handled well by everyone and I believe we've communicated effectively what we're looking for. 
I can't ask for anything more... I'm sure they'll begin bringin more members over.. and the board will continue at it's current growth rate! 
So.. congrats on the assimilation and keep doin' what yer doin! 
Best, 
Rich

On the 30's Influx....

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