a thoughtful web.
Good ideas and conversation. No ads, no tracking.   Login or Take a Tour!
comment by user-inactivated
user-inactivated  ·  3189 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: ARE YOU NEW TO HUBSKI? PLEASE READ THIS.....

Thanks. But you sound kinda terrified that your new influx of users might not like this site. And telling people that there's a rub, and that it can be "daunting," well, that's a turn-off. It's as if you don't believe in the usability of your own product. Maybe the months in the barren wilderness have gotten to ya... Anyway, next time try something like: While most new users take to Hubski like fish to water, some users who are accustomed to Facebook or Reddit may take a while to acclimatize. It's like switching from writing with a quill to writing with a ball-point pen: weird at first, but you pretty soon get used to it, and you'll never want to go back.





thenewgreen  ·  3189 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    you sound kinda terrified
nope

    And telling people that there's a rub, and that it can be "daunting," well, that's a turn-off
It's honest. If a learning curve is a turn off, hubski will not be for you.

    It's as if you don't believe in the usability of your own product.
We've been around for almost 5 years. I don't have to believe in the usability. I use it. Many of us have been using it for years.

    Maybe the months in the barren wilderness have gotten to ya
I have no idea what you mean by this.

    next time try something like: While most new users take to Hubski like fish to water...

I'm not trying to sell you anything, maybe you're not used to that.

briandmyers  ·  3188 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Well, that didn't last long - I didn't even see all the drama.

It's possible (and I hope this is the case) they may have simply decided to grab a new screen-name and start again, without this interchange hanging over their head. As kb sez : lurk moar

thenewgreen  ·  3188 days ago  ·  link  ·  

You know what, I have been fretting about this all day, no matter what nothing beats a face to face conversation and I fear that I may have misinterpreted their original post. Also, I think they may have thought my reply was more antagonistic than I intended it to be.

    Well, that didn't last long - I didn't even see all the drama.
Yeah, it's not representative of what is occurring in this influx.

That said, I'm able to see much of the conversations etc happening since the influx, though by no means all of it, and it seems like the OVERWHELMING majority of new users are absolutely amazing. Seriously. Very thoughtful and interesting people.

briandmyers  ·  3188 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Try not to fret about it, tng - you're a class act all the way, as far as I can see.

WWTSD?

thenewgreen  ·  3188 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Thanks Brian, see #27. Also, that may be the first Taylor Swift song I've ever heard, knowing it was TS.

briandmyers  ·  3188 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I think your link needs "pub" where "edit" is - but I saw what you meant.

That's the only TS song I know; just tryin' to be cool :-)

user-inactivated  ·  3189 days ago  ·  link  ·  
This comment has been deleted.
thenewgreen  ·  3189 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    I'm starting to see why you haven't gotten anywhere in 5 years.
We have built an amazing community, we have done so much together as a group. If Hubski had reached its apex four days ago, I would have counted it a major achievement in my life. Your initial comment was presumptuous which I can handle but this one is flat out rude.

Good luck to you in your pursuits.

rezzeJ  ·  3189 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Perhaps you could learn from your own advice of choosing words carefully. There may well be some valid criticism within your comments, but they're worded in an antagonistic fashion.

A prime rule to giving criticisms is to try and make it sound that, as much as possible, it is not the person's fault. It is always a problem with the thing you're observing, never the human behind it. The original comment starts off with the direct personal assertion of:

    you sound kinda terrified that your new influx of users might not like this site

Which is then followed by:

    It's as if you don't believe in the usability of your own product.

Wording it like that makes it sound like it's a criticism of thenewgreen as a person rather than what the post says. It is of no surprise if someone becomes defensive after that. Especially as anyone who actually knows tng would be aware that he is incredibly passionate about the site and its users. He clearly believes in the project he is part of. By making the comments personal you leave little option than for the other person to refute your remarks.

A less confrontation way to write those sentences (which I don't actually agree with) might be:

    The post makes it seem like the site is scared of new users

or

    The way the post is worded gives off a sense of uncertainty in regards to the site's usability

That way, you can say the same thing and it also allows the OP to look at the observations as objectively as possible without having to deal with what sounds like unfounded attacks on his character.

freehunter  ·  3189 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Absolutely nothing in that post was hostile, defensive, or argumentative. Whereas almost every word you have written is exactly what you described. I think what he's saying (and you're missing) is that Hubski was not set up to be a Reddit replacement during their recent turmoil. That's all he's ever said in his original post or in his reply to your feedback.

_refugee_  ·  3189 days ago  ·  link  ·  

lol we ain't terrified we're fucking hopeful