by William M.
Member since:
July 31, 2006

What do you do about groups?

September 25, 2007 06:02 PM EDT
views: 87 | rating: 9.7/10 (35 votes) | comments: 90

I’m a member of so many groups now that it takes a long time going through them every time I publish anything. I know I miss out on comments by doing it, but I often publish to just my few groups to cut down on time. When I publish to all groups that will accept most articles I feel like it is bad publishing to so many groups.

 

I don’t want to quit publishing to the groups I have been publishing too.

 

I have well over 100 group invitations now that I have been putting off doing anything about. Some of them I might join, when I decide what to do.

 

It looks like I might have to drop some of the groups I have or not join anymore. I might hit a happy medium and drop a few and add a few.

 

If I’m in one of your groups and drop it, please don’t get upset. If you have sent me a group invitation lately, I’ll look at them as soon as I can.

 

What is everyone else doing about so many groups?

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Comments: 90

Vivian P. Sep 25, 2007, 6:05pm EDT
going through them all each time I publish
Trish A. Sep 25, 2007, 6:06pm EDT
I still hope there will soon be a way to divide up our groups, for example into folders so if I want to read some poetry I go to my poetry file, if I want to see the latest free offers I go to my free offers folder, if I want to read about or see pet photos, etc. I dream!
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:09pm EDT
That might be a good idea, Sue.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:10pm EDT
Thanks for the info, Vivian.
Heather C. Sep 25, 2007, 6:11pm EDT
I join many but I realize that makes it harder when I have to read through to select the ones to post to. I guess I just can't say no...
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:11pm EDT
There are so many that will accept anything, Trish. They would have to go into each folder, but it is a good idea.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:13pm EDT
That is part of my problem, Heather. It takes so long that many times I just publish to one of my groups to save time.
Veronique AKA Zoe Sep 25, 2007, 6:14pm EDT
I love that idea Trish. I also have a problem with all my groups. I have so many groups, and I often get annoyed selecting the whole lot of them when publishing. Not to mention I read in a couple of articles where people will refuse to comment on your article if you post to, too many groups. I haven't decided what to do yet about my groups.
flit . Sep 25, 2007, 6:17pm EDT
I'm hoping for folders/categories soon as well.

In the meantime I am becoming increasing less likely to join new ones, and I go through and remove myself from ones that I mostly joined to be polite

I find that I am much less concerned about polite now that Im back to full time and then some :)
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:19pm EDT
We are in the same boat, Veronique.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Sep 25, 2007, 6:19pm EDT
I post to how many groups I want. I know the more groups I post to. The more of a chance of someone responding. Espically since the groups are posted after the articles now.

I do wish there were orgnaized better. I have dropped a few groups I really like because of clicking on it by accident.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:20pm EDT
You are too nice to be impolite, Flit, unless it is well deserved.
Janet Somewhere Up On The Mount Sep 25, 2007, 6:21pm EDT
Great Point. I am in the same boat. I even have Groups I'd like to delete. When I first joined Gather as a Bzz Campaign I didn't realize how joining so many Groups would end up. I joined almost anything at first if I was interested in it or it was owned by a friend or connection.
I also have over a 100 Group Invites just sitting here.
What to do?
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:21pm EDT
That is fine except for the time taken up, Sandy. I'm usually in a hurry.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:23pm EDT
That is something we will have to decide on, Janet. Maybe some of the comments here will help.
Sammie B. Sep 25, 2007, 6:27pm EDT
Heh, I'm in almost the same boat as you are. I've got more groups than I know what to do with, but luckily I'm usually not in a hurry, so I don't mind clicking through the list. ^_^

I hope you resolve your group issue, though.
Tom d. Sep 25, 2007, 6:30pm EDT
I have 150 and I publish to all of them, with some exceptions - some are listed as only for this or that and I try to respect their choices.

If you are interested in the answers to my PET QUIZ:

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977128103

Told you I'd let you know!
David Smith Sep 25, 2007, 6:31pm EDT
If you're willing to learn how William, there is a way you can use macros to select your groups. I'll have to dig up the article about it from Kevin the gather guide.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Sep 25, 2007, 6:32pm EDT
I hear you William and so many of them have the same members and are for the same thing. I have to thin them out also. I wouldn't mind if it didn't take so long to check each box and it's over and over again. I hope some day we can put our groups in folders and just click on the folders we need. There is a way to do this and you can find the instructions here. I'm not good with real technical stuff and haven't taken the time to try and do it.

Gather Tip: Streamline Group Selection (Publishing)
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:32pm EDT
Thank you, Sammie.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:33pm EDT
Thanks, Tom.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:35pm EDT
I don't know anything about them, David. It might be worth the time to learn. Thanks.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:36pm EDT
I'll try to check it out, Nana. Thank you.
David Smith Sep 25, 2007, 6:38pm EDT
Here is the link about using macros
David Smith Sep 25, 2007, 6:39pm EDT
Well, I should have read comments after I left. Nana beat me to it. lol. Thanks Nana!
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:40pm EDT
I appreciate it, David. I'll have to check it out. You are a good man to go to the trouble you have to help.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:41pm EDT
It is to the same article, David?
Veronique AKA Zoe Sep 25, 2007, 6:47pm EDT
Excellent article!! Thank you David, Nana and William for leading me to this. I am so glad Kevin included Macs!
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:52pm EDT
Maybe we have found something that will help, Veronique.
Angela <:3---}~~~~ M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:57pm EDT
i join most groups i sent then i go threw them every so often and delete the ones im not seaming to use. Im about to delete a bunch of post everything groups because im being over ran with them i could not tell you how many i belong to. but its over kill. I honestly dont think comments come from how many groups we belong to unless they are moderated groups and the mod checks all stuff comming in, I think they come from connections and when someone just stumbles into something
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 6:59pm EDT
Thanks for sharing that with us, Angela.
Heather W. Sep 25, 2007, 7:00pm EDT
I am in a lot of groups, not all of them take everything, and some of them are only 'single topic groups' like my ferret groups or cat groups.
Lina :-p Sep 25, 2007, 7:04pm EDT
I always post things in the wrong places because I am trying to get through the groups selection quickly... It probably tick off the group owners and I feel bad but you are right all the groups are hard to keep up with and to post to correctly...
Elaine A. Sep 25, 2007, 7:05pm EDT
I have so many I have no clue....
JoAnne D. Sep 25, 2007, 7:05pm EDT
It is impossible to support each group individually if you have over a hundred. Just do the best you can, they urge you to join a lot if you want to succeed in the point area.
Sheila Deeth Sep 25, 2007, 7:12pm EDT
I picked my favorite groups and put them on explorer's favorites so I can get to them faster. But I only ever publish to a few groups.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 7:14pm EDT
That does make the difference on who to publish to, Heather.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 7:15pm EDT
That can happen so easy, Talina.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 7:17pm EDT
Maybe we can get something from the comments, Elaine.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 7:18pm EDT
Thanks for your input, JoAnne.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 7:20pm EDT
That is an idea, Sheila.
Lisa Frost Sep 25, 2007, 7:28pm EDT
i try to only accept groups that I would be interested in their content, or publishing to it. If I find I don't ever get to it, or don't like it, I will drop the group. Otherwise, i tend to sign up for all of them. I am like heather, can't say no easily...LOL
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 7:32pm EDT
I understand that, Lisa.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 7:33pm EDT
It can happen too easy, Lyla.
Adele G. Sep 25, 2007, 7:42pm EDT
I go through my groups every so often and delete the ones I'm not reading or publishing to. And I'm trying not to join any more groups.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 7:47pm EDT
That might be a good solution, Adele.
violentine n. Sep 25, 2007, 8:06pm EDT
i wish they had a button to choose all groups at once, then i can go and "uncheck" the ones i dont want it posted to.....or the groups that deny my posts.

i feel like it takes up too much time too...
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 8:18pm EDT
There should be some way to make it easier and less time consuming, Violentine. Your solution could help.
CyberGwen ! Sep 25, 2007, 8:20pm EDT
I have so many and it gets to be a challenge when it comes to publishing. I find it hard to say no to invites, but I have had to learn how to say no. I also go through my groups every few months and weed 'em out some.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 8:26pm EDT
I've done that some, Gwen. I guess I'll have to do more of it unless someone comes up with something better.
Brenda (square peg in a round hole) H. Sep 25, 2007, 8:28pm EDT
I belong to lots of groups too and it takes forever to go through and check the ones that I want to send it to. I wish there was an easier way.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 8:36pm EDT
If not we will just have to limit the number of groups we are in, Brenda.
Larry H. Sep 25, 2007, 9:08pm EDT
I am in a few groups, funny thing is very few of the leaders of the groups aren't even commenting on what I posted to their groups. So what is the since of being in their group or groups, some have several groups?
Amanda J. Sep 25, 2007, 9:10pm EDT
I haven't joined any new groups lately. I think I have enough already.
Pepsie J. Sep 25, 2007, 9:25pm EDT
It's okay, we still live you even if you quit our group. Thanks
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 9:28pm EDT
I don't know what the owners of different groups do, Larry. Some nothing.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 9:29pm EDT
That might be the smart thing to do, Amanda.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 9:30pm EDT
Maybe it won't come to that, Pepsie.
Janet "Jax" B. Sep 25, 2007, 9:32pm EDT
I publish only to certain groups also William. I guess I should go through and downsize also, but I just don't. I have over 40 invites also...
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 9:38pm EDT
So limiting the number of groups so far seems the best answer, Janet.
Lina :-p Sep 25, 2007, 9:41pm EDT
Why can't gather allow us to put our groups into categories... I have many gardening groups all with different names, what If we could sort our groups by posting category, then it would be easier!
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 9:49pm EDT
I think that was suggested to Gather before, Talina. I don't know if they will do anything like that or not.
Pepsie J. Sep 25, 2007, 10:10pm EDT
I meant love you William. Sorry for the typo. Must be getting late.
Angie O. Sep 25, 2007, 10:44pm EDT
I belong to a lot also, I write mostly poetry and there are so many groups I was lost as to which to join and so joined many that I know some do not comment or I even get articles from them. I also do not have too much time so I usually only receive articles from friends, I had switched it to alert me when a group posted a new article also but I was swamped with emails and had no time to read all the articles so it's kind of hit or miss with me. There are some writers that I like how they write and so I look for them or sometimes I go by article name and read what interests me.
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 11:06pm EDT
No sweat, Pepsie. Thanks.
Michael C. Sep 25, 2007, 11:46pm EDT
I agree with you, William, on many points...
I've got so many groups, it takes just as long to select the groups to post to as it does to write the article it feels like...
I'm at a loss for an easy solution myself...
William M. Sep 25, 2007, 11:58pm EDT
You do, Marianne. Thanks for sharing what you do.
William M. Sep 26, 2007, 12:00am EDT
Thanks for telling us, Angie.
William M. Sep 26, 2007, 12:29am EDT
We are in the same boat, Michael.
William M. Sep 26, 2007, 1:00am EDT
OK, Kirk.
William M. Sep 26, 2007, 9:02am EDT
Good, Kirk.
Ginger C. Sep 26, 2007, 12:52pm EDT
I have to admit I find the format of Gather confusing at times, but I muddle through. I spend alot of time here reading, will be reading the guide posted by David Smith.
golds g. Sep 26, 2007, 1:11pm EDT
I own 2 groups but the you dont send articles to either of them 1 is a soaps group the other one is I want points and so do you but you havent sent anything there in awhile
Heidianna "Coriander" T. Sep 26, 2007, 3:58pm EDT
Kirk's answer has cracked me up. I was going to say that I don't know what to do. I haven't had enough to worry about it... YET.
William M. Sep 26, 2007, 4:02pm EDT
Maybe it will help us, Ginger.
William M. Sep 26, 2007, 4:04pm EDT
My regular articles I publish to the group, Golds, unless I'm in a hurry and just put it in my group. Jokes I don't because I just publish them to humor groups. Freebies I just post to freebie groups.
William M. Sep 26, 2007, 4:05pm EDT
That is one way to handle them, Kirk.
William M. Sep 26, 2007, 4:06pm EDT
It can get to be a headache, Cori.
carmel m. Sep 26, 2007, 4:40pm EDT
I belong to several groups. I only contect with the groups that I have a genuine interest in though. The same can be said of people.
William M. Sep 26, 2007, 5:56pm EDT
I understand that, Carmel. You are wise to be that way.
Ellen B. Sep 26, 2007, 6:35pm EDT
I don't have all that many groups, and I just comment as I can; its so hard to keep up with sometimes :)
William M. Sep 26, 2007, 6:48pm EDT
It sure is, Ellen.
Bonnie S. Sep 26, 2007, 7:49pm EDT
I just went through and cleaned out my groups, I had so many that I don't have anything to contribute to. I mostly belong to post anything groups now, so that way I will be sure I am posting to the right groups. I have about 35 group invites I haven't decided if I want to join yet or not.
elizabeth e. Sep 26, 2007, 8:16pm EDT
William, I don't belong to many groups...just 2 pages so I believe that's 40 groups...that's about all I can handle if I want to be a good group member. Likewise with connections....I limit my number...otherwise I don't give everyone the attention they deserve.
William M. Sep 27, 2007, 12:32am EDT
That is one way to handle it, Bonnie. As long as it works well for you.
William M. Sep 27, 2007, 12:32am EDT
It sounds like it is working fine for you, Elizabeth.
K D. Sep 27, 2007, 11:42am EDT
I like that idea of categorizing our groups into folders. That would be a good idea with our email, also.
William M. Sep 27, 2007, 11:54am EDT
Thank you for your input, K D.

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