what merits a new social group ?

[Walt Caza]

Hello Creek Admin. and our Mods.,

The new Creek features are terrific!
To milk the most from them, where can we get some information on
what the new features are, and how best to use them?
I have been stumbling through the friends, blogs and social groups
with great interest.

My specific question would be:
Would 'The Great Morris Chair project' be a good candidate for it's own
social group?
The number of posts may get quite high, and perhaps be more navigable
as a social group allowing many topics.
A single, long, linear thread may become cumbersome as it grows.
Over time, the postings will evolve from design, to materials, joinery,
assembly, finishing and hopefully some finished chairs.
It would be inefficient to have to scroll through old posts on materials
while looking for the discussion of finishing.

I was kinda thinkin' out loud...
seems like I just talked myself into starting a social group!

As long as the whole Creek can have access to the thread, without
having to join the group, I foresee no downside...

Please let me know if that is appropriate,
and keep up the great work,
take it easy,
Walt

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Walt,

Go to the FAQs at the top of the page and you can find out what "Social Groups" are ....here's the info, however

What is a social group?
A social group is a group of people usually with a particular interest or something else in common. It provides a way of communicating between members as well as sharing photos or other images.
You can get to the list through 'Group Memberships' section on your public profile (?).
The Social Groups list page displays all groups that have been created. You can list the groups by the number of members, messages or pictures, the group name, when the group was created or by the date of the most recent message posted. You can use the controls provided to search for a group.
How do I join a group?
To join a group, click the group title then click 'Join Group'. When you have joined a group, its name will be shown in your public profile. You must be a logged-in, registered member to join groups.
Can I create my own social group?
As a registered member, you can create your own social group (providing the administrator allows this). Go to the groups page and click 'Create A New Group'. Complete the title and description for your group then select the type. There are three types of groups:

• Public - open to everyone. There is no restriction on who can join or who can post messages to it
• Invite Only - require an invitation to be sent to join them. Invitations can only be sent by the group creator or forum moderators and administrators. Invitations are sent by clicking 'Pending & Invited Members' at the bottom of the page for that individual group
• Moderated - open to everyone to join but messages need to be moderated before they will appear. They are moderated by the group creator and the site moderators and administrators

[Walt Caza]

Thanks Ken,
Quick response and very helpful.
It sounds like I will start a social group for the chair project.
I gather it can be a public group, which will still be subject to moderation
and the Creek TOS.
good show!
take care,
Walt

[Walt Caza]

Hello again,
Upon setting up the social group, it appears that all the members
participate in a single, common conversation.
This would not offer the advantage of multiple threads under the group
heading. I guess I will go ahead and delete the newly created social group.
It's just growing pains!
sorry for any bother,
Walt


ps Does anyone know what the advantages of a social group are over and
above chatting in a regular thread?
thanks

[Walt Caza]

Sorry to bother you one last time...
I deleted the social group.
I guess this is how we learn.
We will stick with the regular thread in the projects forum.

Thanks for the sticky on that thread by the way!
on we roll,
Walt

[Keith Outten]

Walt,

The new Social Groups feature should be used to improve communications among groups of people who share an interest that may not be important to the larger community here.

Obviously we can't create hundreds of Forums to cover every conceivable topic so the new Social Groups will provide a similar function to a major Forum, just on a smaller scale. It should be noted that Social Groups, whether they are open to all or setup as private groups will all be required to comply with our Terms of Service and be Moderated. Currently only Contributors are allowed to create Social Groups but participation is open to everyone.

.

[Dewey Torres]

Nice try Walt... check!.. we are staying with the original Morris Chair thread (which is fine).
Dewey

[Walt Caza]

Thanks for weighing in Keith,
I better understand social groups now. I can see value, but not for the
group build, which we hope will appeal to a wide audience.

Of course I understand we can't just have boatloads of forums.
We have plenty of terrific new ones, for which I am grateful...
especially the projects forum, which is great for viewing completed works
and also is a fitting home for our first attempt at a group build.

The problem was in my perception, I have that sorted out now.
Please feel free to delete this thread, as it seems moot now,
and a waste of precious resources!

I used to say: I try, I stumble, I carry on (rinse, lather, repeat!)
take it easy,
Walt