2016 PF Betterment Survey

[Greg Bernhardt]

Physics Forums is a diverse community consisting of many age groups, nationalities, education backgrounds and professions. To improve, it's important for the community to communicate its frustrations and needs. It is your duty as a member to provide such feedback. After all we're all in this together. Let's all do our part in making PF the best it can be. Now is your time with this easy 3 question survey. Do not hold back and feel free to list all those little things you've thought about when using the community.

To help provide more incentive than just helping make PF better, if you provide your username you'll be put into a drawing. 5 members will be chosen to receive a PF t-shirt and 5 members will receive gold membership. The drawing will occur on Jan 26th.

Fill out the survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SFKV7NX

 

[Drakkith]

My only complaint is that the last batch of PF T-shirts only came in sizes Small, XXL, and Corgi.
Greg, you should give away free gold memberships to all members who put their corgis in PF shirts. For science!

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

My only complaint is that the last batch of PF T-shirts only came in sizes Small, XXL, and Corgi.
Greg, you should give away free gold memberships to all members who put their corgis in PF shirts. For science!

Truth be told half our members are actually Corgi's

 

[Drakkith]

Truth be told half our members are actually Corgi's

@phinds, did you sign your extended family up?

 

[phinds]

@phinds, did you sign your extended family up?

Nah, my only litter of two has flown the coop and the wife refuses to have another. Says we're too old. My daughter's in Laos, which is not too bad, but my son is living in another culture entirely. He's in Brooklyn.

 

[Drakkith]

My daughter's in Laos, which is not too bad, but my son is living in another culture entirely. He's in Brooklyn.

Oh! The horror!

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Already some really great feedback is coming in!

 

[davenn]

OK , voiced my complaints ... the list is a mile long haha

 

[Isaac0427]

I didn't put this in my submission but just out of curiosity, why do we have a relationship forum?

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I didn't put this in my submission but just out of curiosity, why do we have a relationship forum?

General Discussion was being overrun by such threads. We thought it better they be stored in a subforum.

 

[argus733]

Predictable.

 

[UncertaintyAjay]

why do we have a relationship forum?

You're kidding. Who would ask about that on a physics forum?

 

[haushofer]

When your marriage is suffering under your PhD, to name one thing. :P

 

[UncertaintyAjay]

Haha

 

[Jerry sanka]

I think it's good have just joined

 

[Isaac0427]

You're kidding. Who would ask about that on a physics forum?

That was my point. I didn't get why we have one.

 

[Drakkith]

That was my point. I didn't get why we have one.

Well, why have a general discussion subforum at all? Who would want that on a forum for physics?

The answer is that this site may focus on physics, but people enjoy discussing other things too.

 

[UncertaintyAjay]

The answer is that this site may focus on physics, but people enjoy discussing other things too

Hmmmm. Touche.

 

[Jenny Sumler]

Nice

 

[Yashbhatt]

My complaint is that users shouldn't be awarded points on each and every post. The points should somehow reflect the quality of the posts of the individual.

 

[phinds]

My complaint is that users shouldn't be awarded points on each and every post. The points should somehow reflect the quality of the posts of the individual.

So, fill out the survey and say that.

 

[EJC]

Suggestion based on personal experience:

PF is a great place to get career/school guidance. I know because it worked wonders for me. However, the one issue I remember having is there being a proper forum to start one of these threads in. It seems like a small issue, and it probably is, but adding a forum that was specific to this sort of discussion would probably result in fewer threads started in improper forums.

Overall, PF =

 

[phinds]

Suggestion based on personal experience:

PF is a great place to get career/school guidance. I know because it worked wonders for me. However, the one issue I remember having is there being a proper forum to start one of these threads in. It seems like a small issue, and it probably is, but adding a forum that was specific to this sort of discussion would probably result in fewer threads started in improper forums.

Overall, PF =

It seems like people are missing the point of this thread. Greg did not start this thread so people would put their suggestion HERE, but so they would go to the survey and put their suggestions THERE.

 

[Ygggdrasil]

My complaint is that users shouldn't be awarded points on each and every post. The points should somehow reflect the quality of the posts of the individual.

In some ways, the "Likes received" functions in this way. Maybe this could be displayed alongside the post count.

 

[Drakkith]

Points? What points?

 

[Borg]

Points? What points?

I think that he's referring to the post count. I have no idea how posts would be rated for quality - or who would be responsible for rating all of the posts each day.

 

[Yashbhatt]

So, fill out the survey and say that.

My apologies. I failed to notice the link in the original post.

Points? What points?

I mean the number that is displayed alongside the profile photo. That seems like the most obvious way to interpret it.

 

[phinds]

My apologies. I failed to notice the link in the original post.I mean the number that is displayed alongside the profile photo. That seems like the most obvious way to interpret it.

That's not "points" it's just the number of posts a person has made, whether they are jewels of wisdom like Drakkith's or crap like mine. See, if we rated for quality, he'd have tens of thousands and I'd have about 3.

 

[OmCheeto]

That's not "points" it's just the number of posts a person has made, whether they are jewels of wisdom like Drakkith's or crap like mine. See, if we rated for quality, he'd have tens of thousands and I'd have about 3.

3 times more than I would award myself.
Can't remember the post, but I'm sure it's in here somewhere.

 

[DPQ007]

Physics Forums is a diverse community consisting of many age groups, nationalities, education backgrounds and professions. To improve, it's important for the community to communicate its frustrations and needs. It is your duty as a member to provide such feedback. After all we're all in this together. Let's all do our part in making PF the best it can be. Now is your time with this easy 3 question survey. Do not hold back and feel free to list all those little things you've thought about when using the community.

To help provide more incentive than just helping make PF better, if you provide your username you'll be put into a drawing. 5 members will be chosen to receive a PF t-shirt and 5 members will receive gold membership. The drawing will occur on Jan 26th.

Fill out the survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SFKV7NX

I don't understand why threads are closed.
I have something to add to
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/spaceships-utilize-hydrogen-as-fuel.112291/#post-922957

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I don't understand why threads are closed.

That thread is closed because it is 10 years old :)

 

[dlgoff]

The answer is that this site may focus on physics, but people enjoy discussing other things too.

Yep. We're a family here and it's just like sharing thoughts around the dinner table.

 

[phinds]

Yep. We're a family here and it's just like sharing thoughts around the dinner table.

Well, not quite. At the family dinner table if the crazy uncle goes overboard with the craziness, he's still an uncle and you can't throw him out. Here they get thrown out.

 

[Yashbhatt]

That's not "points" it's just the number of posts a person has made, whether they are jewels of wisdom like Drakkith's or crap like mine. See, if we rated for quality, he'd have tens of thousands and I'd have about 3.

Okay. Then alternatively, some kind of reputation score should be displayed alongside the profile picture instead of the post count.

 

[phinds]

Okay. Then alternatively, some kind of reputation score should be displayed alongside the profile picture instead of the post count.

I agree w/ you.

"likes" used to be "thanks" and was, I believe, much more indicative of reputation for helpfulness but Greg decided he wanted to be more like Facebook so changed it to "like".

For example, I've got a whole ton of "likes" but that's just because I make smart ass remarks that are sometimes funny whereas the people here who really know what they are talking about and are very helpful in providing solid answers don't always get as much credit as they deserve. I argued w/ Greg about that change when it happened but I lost. I doubt if he's going to re-open that whole can of worms for you.

Deciding what "reputation" is and how it gets determined is a tricky and touchy subject, so I can't entirely blame Greg* for not wanting to complicate it.
* Actually, I COULD blame him but he's a nice guy so I don't

 

[Yashbhatt]

I agree w/ you.

"likes" used to be "thanks" and was, I believe, much more indicative of reputation for helpfulness but Greg decided he wanted to be more like Facebook so changed it to "like".

For example, I've got a whole ton of "likes" but that's just because I make smart ass remarks that are sometimes funny whereas the people here who really know what they are talking about and are very helpful in providing solid answers don't always get as much credit as they deserve. I argued w/ Greg about that change when it happened but I lost. I doubt if he's going to re-open that whole can of worms for you.

Deciding what "reputation" is and how it gets determined is a tricky and touchy subject, so I can't entirely blame Greg* for not wanting to complicate it.
* Actually, I COULD blame him but he's a nice guy so I don't

I get your point. But I feel likes or upvotes are a good way to measure because if someone writes something correct and insightful, he/she will get his share of upvotes.(After all this is a physics community and people will definitely like good answers better than kickass replies.)

 

[Drakkith]

I get your point. But I feel likes or upvotes are a good way to measure because if someone writes something correct and insightful, he/she will get his share of upvotes.(After all this is a physics community and people will definitely like good answers better than kickass replies.)

Unfortunately it doesn't work like this. Other websites use this system and they have problems with incorrect/inaccurate answers being upvoted because people think they are correct.

 

[OmCheeto]

Unfortunately it doesn't work like this. Other websites use this system and they have problems with incorrect/inaccurate answers being upvoted because people think they are correct.

hmmmm...
Perhaps a "qualitative" scorecard star ranking would work.
I'm sure that Greg has all the data. It just requires some "mining".

Based on, of course, who's opinions matter the most:

Admin: 33%
Mentors: 33%
Science Advisors: 33%
HW Helpers: 33%
Librarian/janitor: 1%
Riff-raff: .0001%
​

And vote count:

Likes from admin: 4
Dislikes from admin: 1
Likes from mentors: 12
Dislikes from mentors(including infractions, which count for 100): 896
Likes from SAs: 1
Dislikes from SAs: 7
Likes from HWHs: 0
Dislikes from HWHs: 143
Likes from the Lib/jan: 1000
Dislikes from the Lib/Jan: 2 or 3. I'll call it 2.5
Likes from Riff-raff: 147
Dislikes from Riff-raff: 1380​

Not doing the maths, I come up with...

 

[davenn]

My complaint is that users shouldn't be awarded points on each and every post.

specifically ... what points are you referring to ? ... not the post count I hope ? ... as that is all it is a post count

The points should somehow reflect the quality of the posts of the individual.

There are other systems in place that award ta member for good contributions and other activities on the forum
eg
Science advisor nomination for those that continue to make long term good scientifically sound posts
Homework Helper nomination for those that continue to make good help response posts in the homework section
Being pro-active in answering unanswered posts to help people out
The annual awards for all the different sections ... engineering, maths, physics, humour, community spirit etc

just to name a fewDave

 

[phinds]

specifically ... what points are you referring to ? ... not the post count I hope ? ... as that is all it is a post count
There are other systems in place that award ta member for good contributions and other activities on the forum
eg
Science advisor nomination for those that continue to make long term good scientifically sound posts
Homework Helper nomination for those that continue to make good help response posts in the homework section
Being pro-active in answering unanswered posts to help people out
The annual awards for all the different sections ... engineering, maths, physics, humour, community spirit etc

just to name a fewDave

Yeah, and they STILL won't give me an award for being the grumpiest. Blatant discrimination against us niceness-challenged, I call it.!

 

[davenn]

Yeah, and they STILL won't give me an award for being the grumpiest.

haha, that's because you are just a big cute and cuddly ball of fur, we all can't help by luv you regardless

 

[phinds]

Growl, growl, growl, ARF !

 

[OmCheeto]

Yeah, and they STILL won't give me an award for being the grumpiest. Blatant discrimination against us niceness-challenged, I call it.!

I'm also scrounging for a new badge.
That "Admin" and I are still arguing about how long it will take me to clean up this place, IF I get the job.
I kind of inferred; "You get what you pay for..."

 

[S.G. Janssens]

In addition to what I already indicated in the survey, I think it would be nice if those contemplating a response to a thread (especially when it involves a (technical) question) take notice of replies that are already there.

 

[phinds]

In addition to what I already indicated in the survey, I think it would be nice if those contemplating a response to a thread (especially when it involves a (technical) question) take notice of replies that are already there.

Boy howdy, do I ever agree w/ that. CLEARLY not going to happen, though. Over and over I see people adding answers that add absolutely nothing to what has already been said, and giving no acknowledgment to the previous answers. I hate it but as I said, I don't think there's any way it's going to change.

 

[S.G. Janssens]

I hate it but as I said, I don't think there's any way it's going to change.

I might start pointing this out politely every now and then. Maybe it will not be appreciated, but I really don't like it either.

 

[phinds]

I might start pointing this out politely every now and then. Maybe it will not be appreciated, but I really don't like it either.

I have pointed it out on occasion and more than once the answer has been either literally or effectively "yeah, I know I didn't add anything but I just wanted to say it my own way". There are even occasions where it might be helpful to the OP to see things expressed in slightly different ways, but not usually.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Still plenty of time to help make PF better and get a t-shirt!

Fill out the survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SFKV7NX

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Thanks everyone for filling out the survey! Already we've implemented a few suggestions.

Here are the contest winners! I will be contacting each of you shortly.

PF T-Shirt
@Choppy
@fresh_42
@enorbet
@nasu
@boneh3ad

Gold Membership
@Grinkle
@ElijahRockers
@meBigGuy
@RaulTheUCSCSlug
@Merlin3189

 

[ElijahRockers]

Whoop!