- Which groups here on Gather have you started.
- Why did you start them?
- Do you consider them to be successful?
- What are your favourite groups here on Gather?
- What type of group do you prefer to join on Gather, e.g., an anything group, fun group, serious group, moderated group, unmoderated group, topic-specific moderated group, etc.
- How do you manage your groups?
- Do you publish to groups when you publish your content? Why?
- Would you rather that we have groups, or rather that we not have them.
- Do you know of any ways to earn points with groups?
Here are my answers:
- State University of New York (SUNY) Students & Alums, Points to Ponder, Westchester County, New York, Gatherites for John McCain, Just Another Manic Monday, Everything Thai, [Edited 16 May 2008:] and Photos of Houses, Homes, Buildings, Offices, Commercial spaces, Residential spaces, etc.
- I started them because I saw a void in the content areas of some of the groups and thought it would be cool to have some groups where I would have some control over what goes into them. The one thing I'll add is that Scott L. beat me to creating the Gay New York group. I hate you, Scott!
For instance, back when I started it, there was a group for every 2008 US Presidential Candidate except John McCain, so I started a group for him.
I started a group for my locale, Westchester County, New York, because I couldn't find one for it (I can't remember if there's a NYC group or not but I started Westchester County, NY for living the life in the suburbs of NYC).
I started Points to Ponder because I thought that Gather could use a group for philosophical discourse. And I started the State University of New York (SUNY) Students & Alums group because I saw groups for the students/alum of other universities on Gather but not from the great State of New York.
Finally, I started the Everything Thai because I didn't really see any groups dedicated to the events, culture, people, and what not of Southeast Asia.
[Edited 16 May 2008:] I created Photos of Houses, Homes, Buildings, Offices, Commercial spaces, Residential spaces, etc. because I noticed some great looking homes while driving around the West Hartford/Bloomfield, CT area with my mother, and I snapped some quick shots of them with my camera phone (which didn't come out all that well I think) and I tried to find a photo group to post the images to but I didn't find one so I figured I might as well start one. - I think my Monday Sucks group has around 150+ members; the rest of them have kinda flopped. :( I just started the Everything Thai a day or so ago and so far it has four other members, other than myself, that is. That's kinda sucky. :( [Edited 16 May 2008:] I just started the Photos of Houses, Homes, Buildings, Offices, Commercial spaces, Residential spaces, etc. group so I can't really say how that's doing.
- I now belong to approximately 35 pages of around 25 groups per page, which is quite a lot--I think I belong to more groups than I have connections to people here! My favourites at the moment are the freebie groups, because of my distressed economic situation; they've really come in handy and I really appreciate all of the posts that are made there pointing us out to coupons and free samples and what-not.
- I prefer specific-content groups or moderated groups. When I join a group with a specific topic, I'd rather only see those topics in that group, not the games and what not that seem to be a bit prevalent here on Gather.
- I'm trying to figure that one out, actually. Any suggestions/ideas?
- Yes, absolutely. I publish to groups in order to give my content a wider readership and hopefully get people to engage in a discussion about what I'm commenting on.
- I think groups are a good way of organizing the content here on Gather. The only thing that we need to do is find a better way to organize our groups!
- I don't know, that's one of the reasons I created this article! Your suggestions are most welcomed. Also, I think that they changed the way that points are awarded when the "big upgrade" took place back in April 2008. Maybe Kevin (or someone else) can explain, in a nutshell, how the point-earning process has changed since before the "big upgrade."
Oh, and what do you think of the graphic I made up that I'm going to use whenever posting an article about questions relating to Gather and its operations/workings/etc.? I think I'll state right now that while I created the final image, it's really just a composite of two different images that I took off the web, the Gather logo being one of them, but I believe that even in the event that I'm using copyrighted material that my creation falls under the fair use doctrine, as I've created this for artistic and educational purposes, not commercial purposes.
Please check out my content.
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Comments: 31
Only one of the groups is moderated right now and that is the Drawing Challenge Group though I have considered moderating the Dog Lovers group too but for now I just delete NON-dog topic material.
I created the groups because it seemed like a fun thing to do, at least in the beginning. That's when I created the two post anything groups. Later on, I thought that I wanted some topic specific groups for things that I was interested in that I hoped others would be interested in too so I created the Dog Lovers group. Now the last group I created was the Drawing Challenge Art Theme of the Week group and that is by far my special baby. I created it because I LOVE drawing and just in the last year started drawing again for the first time since I was in my late teens. So I hoped that others would be as pleased to draw just for fun so that's why I made that group.
I don't know how to measure the success of a group, people post to them so that seems to be a good thing. My only wish would be for more people to draw pictures and submit them to the Drawing Challenge group but that's because I find that totally fun and relaxing.
My favorite group on gather would have to be my own Drawing Challenge group for the reasons that I've already listed. I do like topic specific groups the best so sometimes I will join those. I usually don't join a lot of groups though and I do un-join from groups quite frequently because I go through these OCD stages where I want to trim down everything to the bare bones. Sometimes later I have to go re-join groups!
That's all I can think of for now. This is a good article and I like your questions.
I agree that organizing the groups better would help, its hard to have to scroll through them all to find the one that fits the best. I have no idea to even go about organizing the groups, so I will be checking back here for some answers on something I'm clearly not doing.
As for the points, I have no idea. I just like being surprised when my little counter goes up after I post stuff. I'm just getting a feel for what I like doing on the site, and the points will be an added bonus(although I will admit to perusing the Omaha Steaks website nightly picking out what I'm going to get with my gift card) :)
http://naturevideos.gather.com/
Why did you start them?
I found I was missing so many great nature and pet articles because I wasn't, of course, connected to everyone and this way I get to see many more. I've also gained some new connections with people who also love nature.
Do you consider them to be successful?
Yes I have 363 members.
What are your favourite groups here on Gather?
photo groups and nature groups
What type of group do you prefer to join on Gather, e.g., an anything group, fun group, serious group, moderated group, unmoderated group, topic-specific moderated group, etc.
moderated but if it is about photos or nature I join anyway.
How do you manage your groups?
It is moderated so I go in several times a day and approve what belongs in the group and decline the others.
Do you publish to groups when you publish your content?
Yes
Why?
So the people who are interested in the subject will get to read/see it.
Would you rather that we have groups, or rather that we not have them.
I like the groups
Do you know of any ways to earn points with groups?
I'm not sure we get points for our groups but it is a nice way to see everything in one place. If you enjoyed nature for instance, you can go to my group and see hundreds of photos, articles and videos all in one place without searching for them. This is a great convenience.
I do have my own perspective about Gather Groups, and I'll be back later to add to the collection here. I'm looking forward to reading everyone's responses.
The group: We Comment Back
Do you get points for maintaining a group? I am not sure why to operate a group unless you do.
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Not really any specific favorites. Sorry! I like them all. :)
I might join that group about houses and architecture.
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2) The Self-Directed Investor at http://selfdirectedinfo.gather.com
3) D.I.Y. Decorating Forum at http://diydecorating.gather.com
4) gBusiness at http://gbusiness.gather.com
5) Consumer Finance News/Advice on Gather at http://gconsumerfinance.gather.com/
6) Affiliate Central at >http://affiliatecentral.gather.com
I love running my groups. Perhaps the two most rewarding are Frugal Eats and the D.I.Y. Decorating Forum. Those groups get so many amazing hands-on posts that I just find it an honor to be involved. The other groups are still in development, though it's a start.
I devote enough time each day to review all items submitted to the groups, and rank or comment on each. That doesn't take so long. I have yet to get around to actively promoting my groups, which may be the next step for me. I'll keep you posted Peter! Meanwhile, I'll definately have to join in "the house of fun" ; )
I have several groups for different topics, and i have to moderate them because people just dont seam to know what groups are about before they join and start posting. I wish members would take the time to learn about the groups they join. But a lot just dont bother and just dont seam to care. so it makes more work for me and takes time that i could be commenting on the stuff submitted to the groups, which is not fair to those who submit the correct stuff. I hate to delete members but when they just can not keep on topic its necessary from time to time
I started one group Casino Gambling-Views, Reviews and More
2. Why did you start them?
I enjoy casino gambling and thought we could generate some interesting discussions.
3. Do you consider them to be successful?
No, not yet.
4. What are your favourite groups here on Gather?
Post anything type groups (for the points) Travel type groups for enjoyment.
5. What type of group do you prefer to join on Gather, e.g., an anything group, fun group, serious group, moderated group, unmoderated group, topic-specific moderated group, etc.
I have joined them all. Enjoyed most of them.
6. How do you manage your groups?
Easy. One group - eight members.
7. Do you publish to groups when you publish your content? Why?
Yes. For points and affirmation, I suppose.
8. Would you rather that we have groups, or rather that we not have them.
I like groups. Helps separate interests.
9. Do you know of any ways to earn points with groups?
Other than posting content and commenting on others?
Gardens Galore.
Things That Make You Go Eeew!
Moon Light
Into The Night
Photo Fun - Variations on a Theme - Or VOAT
By The Sea
Patterns in Nature
I'll be lucky to get all the above links to work.
All except Gardens Galore and Things That Make You Go Eeew! are moderated to keep on topic.
My favorite is VOAT. My friend Gayle and I run it. It's a challenge group for members to use a posted photo and change it up in a photo program and then repost it. We have no prizes or places - just the challenge to see what we all can come up with.
Things That Make You Go Eeew? Is for posting poems stories and photos of creepy crawlers and critters that would make SOME people cringe.
Visit the others to get an idea of what they are about.
I created them because there were no others just like them at the time, with the exception of the Gardens Galore. I even have a few more ideas but I've got my hands full as it is.
I love to post photos - especially to theme related groups.
I also enjoy any of the photo challenge groups and a couple of the writing challenges but I haven't had the time lately to participate.
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Why did you start them? Each for different reasons, really
Do you consider them to be successful? Yes. All but 2 of my groups have more than 100 members, and 4 have over 300 members, one of them having 521 members.
What are your favourite groups here on Gather? I LOVE all the groups I'm a member of. That's why I'm a member of them.
What type of group do you prefer to join on Gather, e.g., an anything group, fun group, serious group, moderated group, unmoderated group, topic-specific moderated group, etc.
I only join groups that are relevant to me. I get several group requests each day, but only join the ones that apply to me. For instance, I don't have pets, so I wouldn't join groups about pets.
How do you manage your groups?
Only 3 of my groups are moderated, so those are the ones that take time to go thru the content and approve or reject content.
Do you publish to groups when you publish your content? Why? Yep I do. I think about what I'm publishing and if it's in the same topic as the group, I'll publish it there so people with similar interests can see it.
Would you rather that we have groups, or rather that we not have them. I like the groups.
Do you know of any ways to earn points with groups?
Nope. I don't think you get points for the groups, but I could be wrong
Which groups here on Gather have you started. Single Parents Gathering and
ABC'S Lost
Why did you start them? I started Single Parents to get to know other single parents and to share day to day "adventures". I wanted to start ABC's Lost to get others opinions and start discussions.
Do you consider them to be successful? Yes
What are your favourite groups here on Gather? OH, my that is a hard one. I know there are still more out there that I have not discovered. LOL
What type of group do you prefer to join on Gather, e.g., an anything group, fun group, serious group, moderated group, unmoderated group, topic-specific moderated group, etc. I like it all!
How do you manage your groups? I take out the articles that don't fit the group. There are times when people click on the group to submit there article and it doesn't fit. I usually take it as an accident. But when it happens for the third time I email them. It is touchy because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
Do you publish to groups when you publish your content? Yes. Why? To get it out there and get more points!
Would you rather that we have groups, or rather that we not have them. I like the groups it keeps things organized.
Do you know of any ways to earn points with groups? Post, post and post some more! LOL
Thanks for the article!