How about creating one or more new forums for off topics like just hanging out, or selling stuff, or trading stuff?
By Bruce Harrell, 20 January, 2025
Forum
Other Apple Chat
I've noticed people on Applevis have been expressing interest in Applevis creating one or more new forums, such as an off topic chatroom, or blindness related forums for trading stuff or for selling stuff. I like it.
Hmm... I think if we had just a cimple off topic forum that could be good enough I think yes? Everything can go in there regardless. Plus I think it could make moderating easier and you wouldn't have to worry about so many rooms. I quite like the idea but if it don't make it in, I do understand. This is applevis after all.
An off topic chat forum would be kind of nice, I would think. In fact it was my recommendation for a possible change to the AppleVis website, back when we had that last poll. The one about recommended changes to AppleVis.
Okay for fos / other os and hardware. Completely disagree for the original idea though, it's not the point of applevis. You have other real social medias for that. I wouldn't want to moderate that mess anyway. It's a very very bad idea in fact.
I was against expanding applevis as much as it has been expanded. I am absolutely against this!!!!! Applevis was apple at the core. in my opinion it shouldn't have been expanded to included windows android ETC.
The idea of an 'Off Topic' or 'General Chat' forum is definitely something that we have considered before, including recently. We appreciate that people would like to see us expand our scope, and the idea that some would want AppleVis to expand into the 'General Chat' blindness space is both humbling and inspiring. And it speaks to the value that AppleVis holds to many. I look at communities like Reddit's R/Blind and I have tremendous respect for the people who make that community not just work, but thrive.
While a General Chat forum might solve one problem (creating a place for discussions that don't otherwise fit in our existing topic areas), it would also create new challenges for which we have no easy answers.
Moderation is a primary concern in any discussion about expanding a community's topic area and scope. Even with an 'Off Topic' or 'General Chat' subforum, the reality is that not everything can be allowed. And as those off-topic discussions get into things that people have stronger opinions about (divisive social issues, politics, etc.), the likelihood that moderator intervention will be required at some point goes way up. Moderation is a necessary part of running an online community, but it can also be both time-consuming and emotionally draining if not managed well.
So, while I wouldn't say 'never' because anything is possible, an 'Off Topic' forum is not something we want to take on right now.
I think this is a reasonable stance to take. Personally I'm indifferent. I come to AppleVis to talk about, well, Apple. I can't really see myself using offtopic that much if it were added..
Smile. Bite small; chew well, as my jiu jitsu instructor used to say. Thank you for your response. We will leave it to someone else out there in the blindness universe to take it on.
I assume we have a place to add our BlueSky/X etc details? Might be someone can build a couple of lists so we can follow each other in our non-tech lives.
I agree that this should be focused on accessible technology, apple and otherwise. Really pleased about the extra tab at the bottom now for non-apple tech. This cleared things up and has streamlined the apple chat without those former diversions into comparisons of tech etc.
Could we get BlueSky in our socials on our profiles, please? I realise there are a ton of them now, but the landscape has changed and maybe that should be represented?
It would be great to have the opportunity to socialize more with Applevis members, but I completely understand and respect the stance the mods are taking. It would have definitely added more work for them.
Comments
Hmm... I think if we had…
Hmm... I think if we had just a cimple off topic forum that could be good enough I think yes? Everything can go in there regardless. Plus I think it could make moderating easier and you wouldn't have to worry about so many rooms. I quite like the idea but if it don't make it in, I do understand. This is applevis after all.
I'm up for that...
An Open Source forum would also be nice. Though I'd call it 'FLOSS.'
I'm down
An off topic chat forum would be kind of nice, I would think. In fact it was my recommendation for a possible change to the AppleVis website, back when we had that last poll. The one about recommended changes to AppleVis.
Okay for fos / other os and…
Okay for fos / other os and hardware. Completely disagree for the original idea though, it's not the point of applevis. You have other real social medias for that. I wouldn't want to moderate that mess anyway. It's a very very bad idea in fact.
no absolutely not
I was against expanding applevis as much as it has been expanded. I am absolutely against this!!!!! Applevis was apple at the core. in my opinion it shouldn't have been expanded to included windows android ETC.
Not Right Now
Hi Bruce and all,
We appreciate any and all feedback.
The idea of an 'Off Topic' or 'General Chat' forum is definitely something that we have considered before, including recently. We appreciate that people would like to see us expand our scope, and the idea that some would want AppleVis to expand into the 'General Chat' blindness space is both humbling and inspiring. And it speaks to the value that AppleVis holds to many. I look at communities like Reddit's R/Blind and I have tremendous respect for the people who make that community not just work, but thrive.
While a General Chat forum might solve one problem (creating a place for discussions that don't otherwise fit in our existing topic areas), it would also create new challenges for which we have no easy answers.
Moderation is a primary concern in any discussion about expanding a community's topic area and scope. Even with an 'Off Topic' or 'General Chat' subforum, the reality is that not everything can be allowed. And as those off-topic discussions get into things that people have stronger opinions about (divisive social issues, politics, etc.), the likelihood that moderator intervention will be required at some point goes way up. Moderation is a necessary part of running an online community, but it can also be both time-consuming and emotionally draining if not managed well.
So, while I wouldn't say 'never' because anything is possible, an 'Off Topic' forum is not something we want to take on right now.
Reasonable response
I think this is a reasonable stance to take. Personally I'm indifferent. I come to AppleVis to talk about, well, Apple. I can't really see myself using offtopic that much if it were added..
Would love to see it, but…
Would love to see it, but completely understand the response and reasons why the mods don't think it's a good idea.
@Michael Hansen
Smile. Bite small; chew well, as my jiu jitsu instructor used to say. Thank you for your response. We will leave it to someone else out there in the blindness universe to take it on.
Joy!
Bruce
Yeah, good and reasonable…
Yeah, good and reasonable response.
I assume we have a place to add our BlueSky/X etc details? Might be someone can build a couple of lists so we can follow each other in our non-tech lives.
I agree that this should be focused on accessible technology, apple and otherwise. Really pleased about the extra tab at the bottom now for non-apple tech. This cleared things up and has streamlined the apple chat without those former diversions into comparisons of tech etc.
BlueSky handle in personal profile?
Could we get BlueSky in our socials on our profiles, please? I realise there are a ton of them now, but the landscape has changed and maybe that should be represented?
Thank you.
Would love this, but...
It would be great to have the opportunity to socialize more with Applevis members, but I completely understand and respect the stance the mods are taking. It would have definitely added more work for them.