Should ECF staff be doing more to keep its members?

[whiskey]

This thread has been a long time coming...I did not start this thread to upset or anger any staff members

However I have been noticing the displeasure many have been feeling at the way things get handled when members ask questions about the forum's performance and the way many of the members are answered.

I thought this would be a good place to discuss how this can be improved upon.

It is not a thread to bash & rant...lets see what we can do to make things better.

If I have posted this in the wrong area, forgive me and move it to where you think it may need to go.

I think its time we had a civil discussion about where this forum is going.

 

[Oliver]

Hi Whisky.

I'm sorry you feel this way. Listen, we're not going to get it right 100% of the time with all our members, and we do try to improve things - sometimes improving things upsets our members, and we do listen when that happens.

The fact is, we are very proud of ECF and what our incredibly hard working team of admins, moderators and techs have created over the last 4 years.

As for going forward, what would you like to see us do differently?

SJ

 

[Traver]

Should ECF staff be doing more to keep its members?
Yes, are you volunteering to help?

 

[jkmtwo]

Things happen from a technical aspect, they have to do what they've got to do, I'm not one to complain about this kind of thing. The thing that grinds me is the attitude of some of the mods, and the natzi-esque enforcement of some of the rules.

Example- I mentioned something drug related once, I wasn't talking about it, I just mentioned something comparatively speaking as a side to a convo- infraction- the circumstances didn't matter nor did the obvious and clear intent.

I've got more.

I wouldn't be surprised if I got a stern talking to for this message. I just try to be nice and not do anything to make the prison guards angry.

 

[swedishfish]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I always thought the staff are members that volunteer to help the forum.

I came here to find out about vaping to save my mothers life and to help me quit smoking and this forum did that. Members and the staff went above and beyond as far as I'm concerned.

I read the rules. If I didn't like them, I'd find another place to post. Sometimes boredom leads to irritation about every little thing on a board (this ain't my first rodeo). Breaks are great when that happens.

 

[Uncle Willie]

I'd rather see some enforcement than the incredibly crass and profanity ridden forums that are everywhere these days .. ECF is a safe haven compared to many .. cheers to the staff ..

 

[jkmtwo]

Agreed "some enforcement" wasn't my point.

If one comes in to contact with well known members of the vaping community, people who never post here, there is one recurring theme as to why, and it has nothing to do with the speed of the site, or even some enforcement of the rules. The op raised the question and I was answering from what I have seen.

I'd rather see some enforcement than the incredibly crass and profanity ridden forums that are everywhere these days .. ECF is a safe haven compared to many .. cheers to the staff ..

 

[TexasT]

Should ECF staff be doing more to keep its members?
Yes, are you volunteering to help?

LOL, evidently you aren't aware of the many, many hours and all the hard work whiskey has devoted to ECF. And that's okay ... if you don't know - you don't know. I'm not scolding.

But whiskey has been one of the key players in several important forums here on ECF. This individual along with some really dedicated supporters has done as much if not more than many volunteers and mods. Even to the point of posting get well cards and wishes to members who have been ill or hospitalized.

We're fortunate to have fine people like whiskey here on ECF and I admire and appreciate them.

TT

 

[whiskey]

Hi Whisky.

I'm sorry you feel this way. Listen, we're not going to get it right 100% of the time with all our members, and we do try to improve things - sometimes improving things upsets our members, and we do listen when that happens.

The fact is, we are very proud of ECF and what our incredibly hard working team of admins, moderators and techs have created over the last 4 years.

As for going forward, what would you like to see us do differently?

SJ

Hi Smokey Joe, I guess I would like to see a more polite attitude to members when they are answered by staff for one thing..
Maybe keeping Pm's open, instead of having pm's come back saying this staff member is not accepting pm's at this time.

Some of your moderators are hardly ever here, and have not been here for quite some time yet are still listed as staff.

I love this forum and I started this thread to see if we could come up with ideas to better the forum.
I respect you most of all Smokey Joe and never had the chance to tell you how glad I am that you started this Great forum. Thank you!!!

 

[whiskey]

Should ECF staff be doing more to keep its members?
Yes, are you volunteering to help?

Many many many many times

 

[DC2]

I've been on other forums, and this one just flat out rocks.
So I guess I'll start there.

At the same time, there have been many well-respected members who have "moved on" from this forum.
But it appears that ECF will survive, and will continue succeeding in what they are trying to do, regardless.

They know that, and that is what drives them.
It's all about what they are trying to do.

I'm sure that advancing what they are trying to do is their goal, and their purpose.
And if people disagree with their goal and purpose they are free to leave, or become gone.

I'm not privy to the general workings of how long-time respected members get gone.
I don't really get into the social aspects of this forum, nor do I want to.

And really, it's not my business, so long as this forum continues doing what it has always done so well.
And that is making a safe place for all vapers to come and learn without being subjugated to the normal internet crap.

This is not a democracy, this is a forum.
And this forum has goals and aims, and I personally consider those goals and aims to be worth fighting for.

And how they choose to do that is their prerogative.

If how they handle such things was not working, you would see the results.
But if there are valid concerns and complaints outside of what their goals and aims are, I would hope they are ready to listen.

 

[spaky]

Some of you moderators are hardly ever here, and have not been here for quite some time yet are still listed as staff.

That is a completely false statement. There is currently only one member of the staff that is not on here on a regular if not daily basis. Just because they don't post on the main forum doesn't mean that they aren't here and helping to run the site.

 

[whiskey]

I am glad to be corrected if I am wrong, thanks Spaky

 

[CES]

ECF is important to me. But you couldn’t pay me enough to do the jobs that the ECF staff does…and they do it for free.

What helps me when I get annoyed is remembering that management/staff likely has a very different perspective on the forum than I do.

All I know is what affects me, and what I’m annoyed about (or happy about) at a given moment. Management has to look at the forum as a whole, and what is most consistent for the most people. So, I’m not always going like the answers I get. And when I like the answers, very probably someone else hates them.

 

[Mac]

I just wish there was some way to make the outside less addictive. Maybe we could lower it's nicotine content?

Just kidding. No complaints here..

 

[priorities]

Hi ..I am new here and am loving it..I also found and am still finding SO much great info..people..just too much to mention. I have no problems but just a notice/question. Since the other night when things went a bit quacky...did you guys know that the 'What's New' on posts and supplier's posts do not 'update' on the lists when a person posts. They usually pop right up at top until others post. Just wanted you all to know that..also..having and I am not alone trouble posting pics...Not sure if this is something you guys are aware of...thanks for all you do..have seen some of you around... and thank you whiskey for having a place for me to let ECF know of these problems take care all...have a great day....Lee going to try a pic again

 

[priorities]

no...oh well....

 

[priorities]

oops..sorry I should mention it shows up on what's new SOME of the time...hope you'll see what I mean...take care all...!

 

[oldsoldier]

The attachments issue has been passed on to the techies.

 

[priorities]

Thanks for that!