Thread subscriptions: Community Poll

[Bigred]

I have a question regarding a new feature I am setting up:

I have the option of setting the default level of auto thread subscription notifications for new accounts and want to ping the existing community members:

Basically auto-subscription to threads means that anytime a user posts in a thread, the system will auto-subscribe them to it, and then notify them of any further posts via the following options:

No Email Notification: You can manage your subscribed threads in your user CP manually.
Weekly Digest: System will send you a weekly roundup of your subscribed threads.
Daily Digest: System will send you a daily roundup of your subscribed threads
Instant Email Notification: System will email you immediately about updates to your subscribed threads (this is what Facebook does)

Give me your thoughts and hit the poll on what the best choice should be. Also note that this only will affect new registrations. Existing users will need to set their own thread-subscriptions manually in their UserCP which is located here: (Forum Actions/General Settings) http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/profile.php?do=editoptions

Also, existing users can alter their settings at any time if they want to mess with it.

So the big issue here is what to set new users to as their default. As we all know a great many new users never explore the UserCP to experiment with this stuff, so lots of these features are never discovered.

[ElectricPaladin]

I'm unlikely to use this feature because I'm here all day. However, I think instant email notification is the best default setting. It's easier to get used to less - if that's your preference - than it is to get used to more.

[Gotthammer]

Default instant email notification would be a pain in the *** if you ever posted in the bigger oubliette threads as you'll be getting email notifications non-stop forever.
There's also an option if you go to the advanced reply menu to subscribe, maybe just have a board intro thread that points that out and explains some of the CP features?

[Houghten]

I, for one, would be going straight back into my control panel to switch the subscriptions off again.

[ElectricPaladin]

I, for one, would be going straight back into my control panel to switch the subscriptions off again.

I probably would, too, but the point is that if the feature is basically turned to "off" right away, then how will anyone ever know about it?

[Houghten]

Taking the time to read the options?

[ElectricPaladin]

Taking the time to read the options?

You have more faith in humanity than I :D.

[Deadlift]

I, for one, would be going straight back into my control panel to switch the subscriptions off again.

Same here. It's a nice idea but not for me personally.

[Bigred]

Here is an example of a subscription email:


Dear Bigred,

You are subscribed to the forum Warhammer 40K Miniatures and Painting Projects, there have been 1 new thread(s) and 5 updated thread(s).
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/forumdisplay.php?8-Warhammer-40K-Miniatures-and-Painting-Projects

The following threads are new:
************
B&SI- Tank Odds and Ends
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?35550-B-amp-SI-Tank-Odds-and-Ends
In forum: Warhammer 40K Miniatures and Painting Projects
Started by: Machinator
Last post: 09-13-2013 09:43 PM


The following threads have been updated:
************
Genestealer Cult Gargoyles - Summer 2013
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?33530-Genestealer-Cult-Gargoyles-Summer-2013
In forum: Warhammer 40K Miniatures and Painting Projects
Started by: rtmaitreya
Last post: 09-13-2013 12:18 AM
************
Coloured Dust - BLOG
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?22531-Coloured-Dust-BLOG
In forum: Warhammer 40K Miniatures and Painting Projects
Started by: ARBAL
Last post: 09-13-2013 01:00 AM
************
Blackadder's Lucius Pattern Reaver
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?34610-Blackadder-s-Lucius-Pattern-Reaver
In forum: Warhammer 40K Miniatures and Painting Projects
Started by: Blackadder
Last post: 09-13-2013 11:24 AM
************
Pre-Heresy Salamanders
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?35528-Pre-Heresy-Salamanders
In forum: Warhammer 40K Miniatures and Painting Projects
Started by: Bigred
Last post: 09-13-2013 04:39 PM
************
Blood Angels Army [Den of Imagination Log]
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?35307-Blood-Angels-Army-Den-of-Imagination-Log
In forum: Warhammer 40K Miniatures and Painting Projects
Started by: Bania
Last post: 09-13-2013 04:55 PM


All the best,
BoLS Lounge : Warhammer 40K & Wargames Forum

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unsubscription information:

To unsubscribe from this forum, please visit this page:
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/subscription.php?do=removesubscription&type=forum&subscriptionid=62&auth=5a2b287afd0bd58f5ada14508cfc888d

And here is a general concept to think about. Imagine that there are three types of Lounge users who have registered:

Power-Users
These folks are on all the time, post very often, and are generally pillars of the community and on top of things. You see them all the time.

Moderate-Users
These folks stop in 3-5 a week, and post about 1-3 times each visit. You recognize them as solid community members but they aren't everywhere like the Power-Users are.

Occasional-Users
These folks stop by every now and then, and post occasionally.

Power users have no need for anything to do with subscription and notification services. They are already on top of things. The real goal of these systems is to serve as a reminder/incentive to help get the lower two tiers of users to "move up". So we want to provide a mechanism for the the Occasional users to become Moderate Users, and the Moderate users to become Power Users.

So the question is what level of default notification would best accomplish that without feeling like you are being bothered by the system?

The biggest issue in these cases is that 99% of users will never change the default setting and keep it going forever. That's why Facebook is Orwellian by default but happy to smile and provide all manner of byzantine privacy controls for their 100 million+ users. Because with the controls being off by default, they know good and well that only power-users will ever use them.

But we aren't data-mining overlords, we just want to grow a stronger positive community.

[Deadlift]

Yes, like I said for myself personally it's not something I would use. However like you say Red it could encourage those you describe as moderate or occasional users to come back and further contribute to threads they have posted on. More discussion, different views and input can't be bad.
Actually for myself it could be handy during the summer months when I'm generally at my busiest at work and sometimes miss a reply to a thread etc.

[Wolfshade]

As a "power user" (mwhahahaha) I would just hit the new posts button. If I'm not online every 8hrs then I am pressumed dead,

[Wildeybeast]

Does that mean we get all your stuff?

[scadugenga]

I like the instant notice as work blocks bols.

[Bigred]

I just ran a test with instant email notification.

Here is a sample system "instant notification email":


Dear Bigred,

Kirsten has just replied to a thread you have subscribed to entitled - What's your favourite Space Marine armour mark? - in the Warhammer 40K General Discussion forum of BoLS Lounge : Warhammer 40K & Wargames Forum.

This thread is located at:
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?35556-What-s-your-favourite-Space-Marine-armour-mark&goto=newpost

Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
I suspect most people are just too used to mark seven and like to see alternatives.
***************


There may also be other replies, but you will not receive any more notifications until you visit the forum again.

All the best,
BoLS Lounge : Warhammer 40K & Wargames Forum

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To unsubscribe from this thread, please visit this page:
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/subscription.php?do=removesubscription&type=thread&subscriptionid=15187&auth=2839bbde104c9465d1ca5f97f8865035

To unsubscribe from ALL threads, please visit this page:
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/subscription.php?do=viewsubscription&folderid=all

The notifications are capped at once per thread, so for example:

1) You post on a thread with "instant email notification" on.
2) You walk away for a week and miss 100 responses.
3) You receive 1 email for that thread, not 100 emails.

Hmmm, that's much less spammy than it could have been.

[Kirsten]

woohoo, I am famous

[tawelwch]

I voted for a weekly email. Instant or daily is too much, I think. Some might be nice though and save visiting to find out. I think you'll get more of what you describe as power users asking here but I don't know how else you'd do this.

[Psychosplodge]

I think No email is the best option.
Most people will just ignore it, or get annoyed by it.
Maybe some automated email on sign up explaining the settings to them instead?

[daboarder]

I'm not sure I'd use it, but I think a "daily digest" would be the most appropriate for the average user, gives a good balance between volume of information (weekly could be huge) and response time (instant notification would be insaenly annoying and intrusive)

[Wolfshade]

woohoo, I am famous

Infamous I believe.

I like the cap of one per thread per login otherwise rumour threads near laucnh are crazy.

[Bigred]

I've decided to go with weekly digest by default for new registrations.

I think getting one email a week monday morning will serve to wrangle in the occasional users, and shouldn't feel they are being spammed.

Of course you existing folks can set your setting as you see fit.

-Larry

[Wildeybeast]

Infamous I believe.

I like the cap of one per thread per login otherwise rumour threads near laucnh are crazy.

I'm not sure posting on a thread about your favourite mark of power armour carries enough public appeal to be any flavour of famous.