From the community, with the community, for the community

[SunDancer]

It’s da glorious REVALUSHN!

No, but seriously. In last nights stream of the show that shall not be named we had a lengthy discussion about what we (the OTTer/Backstagers/CoGs/members) can do to improve this community. It’s been a hot minute since then and I’m probably forgetting some things and might even get some things wrong so bare with me and chime in.

Preamble: We (the community) do know that the site is clinging on for dear life and is running not on all cylinders. We also know that Tom is doing is best in getting this beast roaring again. This thread is not about how broken the project system is or what things should be changed on a technical level. This is about the heart and soul of it all.

Meetups

Yes, setting up any kind of in person meeting is work but we all agreed that the chemistry just hits differently when people are actually sitting next to each other. Of course this is (by nature) limited to those people already living close to each other but we’d love to see some kind of get together with people outside monster events like UKGE

Painting competitions

BoW/OTT does set up events on the big screen and that is great but what could make this feel more like a community again would be things like a monthly painting competition run by the community with out big prize support and just a theme per month. (Similar to what the gaming club thing is at @warbossd )

Cut the WAYPN thread

It’s too long. It’s too big and can’t be navigated. “We should cut that thread down” has been uttered from the OTT Team more than once but action never came. (And this is not to blame the team because we all can do basic math and see how much content you put out there and how many of you there are) Maybe I will just go to the thread when I’m done writing this up and start a fresh WAYPN thread by myself. What’s the worst that could happen?

Not use the project system to avoid frustration

Yeah this is a weird one but hear me out: I’ve lost count on how often people are complaining that the PS is eating their posts and pictures and how that keeps them from even trying any more. That is bleeding interaction. So as a “short term” solution I would urge anybody who’s not willing to put up with the very wonky PS to use the forum. Start a thread instead of a project and put your work there. Yes this undermines the PS but it could lead to way much more activity. Until the PS is “up for the task” this would take a lot of stress from users.

One for the Team

Please, get rid of all entries in the footer saying [Coming soon]. How long has it been since BoW 2.0? 8 years? 9? It’s just silly and depressing so please axe it.

A second one for the team

We do know you are busy behind the curtains. And we appreciate every time you interact with us. But when was the last time anybody on the team has started a forum thread or even participated in a topic for more than just “an entry”? We understand that you can’t answer every comment in articles and under videos but there must be something more. You guys still do like to do hobby, don’t you?

That’s all from me for now and I’m pretty sure I’ve missed a few ideas that came up last night and I urge those who where there to chime in on this.

Now I will put “the team” into this to make sure it get’s noticed. Usually I don’t like doing it, it’s so SPAM like, but in this case I feel they need to hear it.

[This post is for archival only because the OTT forum has a technical problem and ate all first posts on every topic]

[SunDancer]

[Another archival entry.]

This technically derailing the initial thread but to hell with that.

@gorram @holly I’m really sorry to hear that you (and probably others who are to afraid/scared to speak out) don’t feel welcome here any more.

Since I’m just a member of this community like you there is little I can do here. That being said: you’re always welcome on my streams, in my YouTube and PeerTube comments, in the Fediverse (Mastodon, PixelFed), my forum (even though it very barren atm) and anywhere else where I can leverage something to make you feel welcome, included and safe. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.

And to all those trans- and homophobes, fear mongers, racists fascists and religious zealots: go play in traffic. Remove yourself from the gen pool.

Also: just to make sure the team is hearing this: @warzan @lloyd @brennon @avernos @johnlyons @dignity Maybe, just maybe have a talk with business daddy if staying “neutral” really is the best course of action. Maybe it is time to pick a side. Otherwise the users will pick it for you in the long run.