Organization of this site...

[Karen Huffman]

I've noticed many people posting to forums (left sidebar and tab) rather than the blog (center of home page). When we originally set up this new site, we thought the blog would be used more frequently by our collectors who wanted to buy, sell, general information, etc. about NG products and publications. The forums area was set up as a way to host more in-depth discussions around a particular topic (e.g., Preservation of NG Products and Publications). So, let me know how you would like us to structure this site to best meet your needs as collectors and to facilitate discussion among each other.

1) Is it confusing having both a blog and forums?
2) Would you prefer to just have a blog OR just forums?

Thank you for your time.

[Scott T. Shier]

Kindly Greetings to you Karen!

First, let me say thank you for your attention to this page, and for bringing this up.

I think it's true, I noticed it too; but I hadn't said anything yet, I feel like a revised collector's page should have a bit of time before somone "complains" (aka raises constructive criticism).

So, my opinion, I think it would be easier to RENAME one or both, to facilitate a newcomer's seeing "obvious" distinction. Perhaps have the side column be the Buy/Trade/Sell/Advice business. And then, have the center Blog area be renamed (Forum), as it comes across as just that - a roundtable so to speak for "in-depth discussions around a particular topic"

I DO think it is nicer to have the 2 intended purposes (Discussions & Sell/Buy) separated. Referring back to the previous page, it was tedious and cluttered if you were wanting to see just the ads Vs. the running conversation threads.

If the Buy/Sell/Trade was in the middle and the Forum was the sidebar, it doesn't really make a difference. Personally, I feel that the term "blog" is ill-suited to N.G.S. I have NGS in my heart and mind, and it should be always presented as dignified, authoritative, and classy (I know, I know, this is the Net and age of streamlining, ha ha).

I hope I haven't said too much, or if I seem picky, I do not mean it that way. I too, would love read/consider what others think about this.

- Warmly,
Scott T. Shier

[Andy]

Karen I feel comfortable with the "forum" layout. Other pgs I'm still trying to manuver around. Still experiencing difficulty uploading a personal/member photo.Not that it is a deal breaker 4 me. Photo's section in my humble opinion should be restricted/limited to national geographic collectables and or related topical memorablia.Seems like we should have have more user friendly way to communicate directly with other members.
just a few thoughts >>>>>>>>>> Respectfully Andy

[Karen Huffman]

To upload a photo of yourself, go to My Settings (upper left) >> Account >> Your photo >> click on picture icon >> browse to and select a picture of yourself to upload (make sure it's a JPG, GIF, or PNG; JPG is probably preferred) >> hit "Save" at the bottom of your account page once you see your photo uploaded.

[Paul Crist]

As one of the hold-overs from the start of the old Bulletin Board, I concur with Scott that Karen and her team have greatly improved both facility for use and eye-appeal. I also strongly agree that the buy-sell "forum" which invokes a market place should be completely separate from what I'd term "topical discussions" rather than blog. What ever name(s) the two are assigned, the purposes ought to more clearly be differentiated than they are now.

Completely separately, I have two "inquiries" that may already be in the works or possible (either way unknown to me):

First, on an appropriate topical discussion (such as the recent "Inconsistencies" thread on which I have participated) is it, will it, could it be possible for a poster such as Andy to scan and include images of the items involved for side-by-side comparison. While this particular verbal description in our exchanges is completely clear, there may be others where a picture would be worth a thousand words quite literally. For instance, I could have scanned the "invitation" blurb from various books to include in the recent posting I made on hardback varieties with no difference than the inclusion of the blurb on the non-subscription copies of the title and edition. Similarly, I could have included the masthead varieties for a particular title in the posting I made on that topic.

Second, is the Society going to start the Collectible of the Month again. Before it got stuck on the good, but stale, posting on George Shiras 3d and his Stalking Wildlife, I found it an enjoyable and often very informative feature. As we gear up for 2013 commemorations, I'd think there will be traffic to justify it. Also, the feature could be printed in each magazine with a teaser line to generate subscriber/reader traffic to the website and perhaps other NGS pages.

If the staff time is unavailable to generate content for a renewed Collectible of the Month, I and I am sure other collectors would happily submit images and text for your consideration..... again, potentially to have an "archive" of collectible materials to choose from, perhaps again, to link the webpage to some particular newsworth or timely article in NGM or its sister publications or to some breaking event. Say linking to the Machu Picchu book to the discovery of, or article covering, recently discovered Andean ice mummies, or the Nathan and Buxbaum compilations to coincide with the 125th anniversary.

I simply think these two suggestions would dramatically enliven a little publicized and so far underutilized bulleting board.

Paul Crist

[Karen Huffman]

Thank you for your thoughtful post. Let me think a bit about your first request. I'll talk to our archivist about your second request about "Collectible of the Month." Karen

[Karen Huffman]

I will ask to see what traction there may be on your ideas/suggestions.

[Scott T. Shier]

oops, is there any way to salvage my post? I was going to make a typo correction (the 15 minutes to edit option), and I deleted it : (

- Scott

[Karen Huffman]

Paul, I've looked at a few options to define spaces, or groups, related to specific topics vs. the discussion forums that are more focused around buy, sell, and trade. I'll see about working through the details and adding to this community next week.

Scott, I was hoping to have a "cache" in my browser of what you said, but unfortunately it was not saved. Sorry.

[Cathy Hunter]

Paul, I apologize for just now getting back to you about one of your questions: "... is the Society going to start the Collectible of the Month again?" We are considering this, have some ideas in mind for it, and are just hoping to be given the green light to do so.
Thanks,
Cathy