Hello all
I just participated in a Gather workshop exploring the new group formats and how they can benefit us all.
There are some amazing changes coming up - we'll have nearly autonomous control over our group design and functionality. I'm really looking forward to it.
If you've ever searched through your group members (in vain) or tried to feature articles - this new change is definitely going to make you happy. From the color, to the background, to the different elements (called modules) and their placement on the page - everything (including RSS feeds) will be possible. It's almost as if each group will be a mini-gather on its own.
I don't know why that's a "good" thing, but it is the direction this upgrade will take us. So start a new group, add your exterior links, pull in your blog, create your own "happy place" and invite everyone over to visit!
See another article on the upgrade here
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Comments: 38
i was there too, looks exciting and intresting cant wait till tomm:)
Over 90% of all groups on Gather fail with a few weeks of creation. This update will do nothing to reverse that trend.
Consequently this is yet another half-baked idea. I'm designating the mascot for this update as a pig wearing lipstick. It looks pretty, but it's still a pig (no political reference intended).
However there are some positive aspects to this update, and benefits to be derived from its implementation.
Unfortunately there are some things that I really wanted like the ability to group your groups into groups( say that 3 times fast lol) so that it is more efficent when posting articles but it looks like this upgrade was mailny for actual group functions.
I think the features are 'cool', and will find a use within a segment of groups in the community. Moderating content should be easier as well. However, adding colors and drag and drop modules is really not that difficult. What is more challenging is making it work alongside other improvements that impact groups in the community. Gather didn't do this, so I think they took the easy way out.
For members with blogs or topical content published regularly (like yours), it will be a GREAT addition. I'm looking forward to adding the features to some of my groups as well. I'm just disappointed that Gather stopped short of hitting a home run, and didn't really address the major recommendations members have been asking for.
I'll take any improvements I can get though!
These new features were what I needed and asked for. No longer will I have to approve content that I publish to my own group. Removal of that annoyance alone is worth it.
I'm also excited about this update. I hope it makes people more serious about using groups with purpose.
This workshop actually gave me a better understanding of what groups are (rather - could be) and how to use them.
I've been on a group rampage for months, so I'm thrilled. I hope this encourages people to use groups sensibly instead of posting everything to every group (and accepting everything in every group). The group tab on our feed page can be very nice if group owners moderate their groups. I've been leaving groups where they owners accept anything and making mine work better for me.
I had my phone set to mute the entire time because the dogs wanted to play and someone showed up at the door five minutes into the session. I heard both of you though!
....and the baby :)
....I wonder just how many of us were in on that session.