I was going to put this in the CLUB area but maybe THIS area would be more appropriate???

Suggestion:

What if HDF opened a NEW forum called "Soap Box" or something like that.

This "Soap Box" forum can have the members names who want to be listed in "Soap Box".

Each member can say whatever they want (within HDF guidlines). For example, if HDF rider John Doe wanted to talk about music, he can say whatever he wants about that subject matter. Others can reply if they so wish.

Then in another section underneath John Does "Soap Box" area if he wants to talk about repairing ski's.

Then in another section underneath John Does "Soap Box" area if he wants to talk about his putting together a doctoral dissertation.

Etc....

This way, each member will be given a chance to talk about ANYTHING at all to their hearts content about ANY subject matter within the HDF Guidelines or with some greater flexibility.

It is like having your own blog. But it is all under HDF.

Respectfully submitted .

--BuzzCap7

 

Just curious about something. What would be the difference between what you suggest doing and the OT section that we already have? Over the years that I've been here, I've seen a huge variety of things discussed there, so basically wouldn't it be kind of the same thing?

 

You know SPRINGER my friend, you could be 100% right. And maybe that is the way it should be done.

I was thinking this…

1. It gives each member a degree of "ownership" and they are likely to come back more often. The "ownership" part I believe would be a pretty important concept.

2. Items in the OT section get old and lost. But when they are in an area with the volume of posts is less, the items are more apt to stay "on top" so to speak and fresh. Not lost in a massive and constant loading of new posts/threads that are heavily piled on top every day.

3. Maybe there would be more flexibility. More specifically SPRINGER, I would like to talk about spiritualism. 100% pure spiritualism that has nothing whatsoever to do with religion. But I was slapped for that because it would be a violation of the HDF rules and regulations.

Maybe in this particular case if we have our own "Soap Box" area that I and only I am responsible for (and as you would be responsible for only your area) there will be a greater degree of flexibility of what we can discuss.

Of course things like **** or secret TERRORIST type of topics would still be banned.

4. Getting to know each other in much greater depth I think will also draw more loyalty and activity to HDF and more activity. For example, if you had a section called "SPRINGER" and under your section you have 3 categories like SAILING, DARTS, and HOT AIR BALLOON, then people will definitely get to know you better.

You know with the hundreds thousands of people here, you going to attract questions regarding the three topics above. And since those are your particular interests your app to know a great deal about SAILING, DARTS and HOT AIR BALLOONING.

5. By the mere token there are more places for visitors and members to go into, there is a greater chance that visitor and/or member will be here and spend more time here. Both of which are of great value to the HDF vendors. The more people you can hold onto and the longer you can hold their interest. And that my friend in my opinion would be a "win-win" for the HDF proverbial (financial) bottom line as well as increasing the visitor and member interests.

There are likely more reasons my friend, but those are a couple off the top of my head.

 

We don't need another free for all section.....OT covers everything but Politics..... POD sewer has that covered.

 

What would attract readers to John Doe's soap box, for instance ? Would forum highlights reveal whats generally in John Doe's box by topic or would John's accrued popularity within HDF be the attraction ? I'm just struggling to understand how it would work.

 

Let's say there is a list like this....

John Doe

Fred Johnson

Bill Kiddson

Elliot Blackburn


You say click on John Doe, then you will see this....

John Doe
Sailing
Darts
Hot Air Balloon

Now, you 3 items here. Sailing, Darts, And Hot Air Ballooning. You can click on whatever is of interest. Say you click on Darts. There under Darts, John Dow would talk about whatever he would like bcs it is of great interest to John. You as the reader, can now ask questions about Darts.

Same with Sailing and Hot Air Ballooning.

You and I both know, there are many people with GOOD knowledge about different fields, not just bikes. There are experts here in all kinds of fields. A huge wealth of info well outside of bikes. There even is at least 1 thread that asks mbrs what they do/did for a living and it is amazing what a huge array of jobs mbrs here have or are retired from.

If you click on the next person in my example above "Fred Johnson", you may have one item listed or two or three or four or five for who knows how many? If Fred Johnson has one called "UAV" and YOU are into UAVs, you will know to go to Fred Johnson again and again to discuss/learn about UAVs.

Making a little more sense now?

This way everyone has a blog inside of HDF.

 

I like it ! I think I can see how this would work and not mimic the POD or OT. Like other more technical forums on HDF, this one would offer no traction for the purely politically motivated. Can such a forum be started up on a trial basis at least ? Be a shame not to try if there's interest.

Thats a rhetorical question. I don't mean to pester with interrogatives, it will just be interesting to see how this develops. Thanx.

 

I do not see why not.

If HDF sees fit, they can put it up for a trial period like you are saying. Be it 120 days or whatever they deem reasonable. If this new section does not receive the "hits" or interactions (however they want to judge its value/activity) then they can just delete the entire section.

A NEW theme/area may pump more life into HDF. Add some excitement, something new.

 

The more I think about this the more I'm reminded I've already touched base with other members over interests in things like guitars or truck driving or specialty tools for example. Thing is, HDF is a resource a lot of us use this way no doubt only it can take awhile sometimes to discover who's who when it comes to certain topics. Streamlining an activity which is already in evidence here seems like a natural really.

Good call !

 

Thank you HKM-23

We'll see where it goes my friend.