It's not perfect, but it's not deeply flawed either; the biggest drawback is probably that it's only up for one day, but with 150 votes I'm not sure how big a factor that is. It would be better if weren't possible to vote once while logged out and again when logged in (perhaps Quick Poll voting should, like posting, require a login to ensure no one gets more than one vote). I doubt that's a huge factor though 'cos I can't imagine an attempt at mass Quick Poll rigging (conspiracy111 ). I'm not privy to all the site traffic stats, but unless a lot of unregistered non-members are voting 150 votes is about 25% of the people who've ever posted on the CMB. That includes wotmaniacs who left in the first weeks, those who've left since, newbs who didn't stay, and the odd half dozen snoops. If there's site traffic showing that many registered users logging in on any average day maybe those 150 people aren't a representative sample, but I suspect that's not the case, though of course I can't be certain.
Ultimately, your premise boils down to whether you think WoT fans are disproportionately more likely than wotmaniacs and RAFOlk to vote in the Quick Poll, and my bet is the reverse is true. The logic holds either way: TODAY, WoT has a big footprint in the world of speculative fiction, and RAFO has uncommon access to resources for exploiting that current trend to its benefit. Down the road RAFO will need a primary focus that is NOT WoT, just as WoT sites will, but WoT offers what ought to be a welcome opportunity to develop the sustainable, uniquely RAFO (i.e. not former wotmania) community to reach that point in the road as well as progress beyond it. That the opportunity window will close in a year or two is reason to seize it while it still exists, not marginalize it as we watch it close.
EDIT: This question made me consider doing something Stephens question below convinced me to do: Use each MBs search page to get a count of how the total number of posters on each. Results are as follows, in descending order of unique posters:
WoTMB: 689
CMB: 624
BMB: 526
TV/FMB: 391
GMB: 217
RPMB: 54 (!)
Still not precise or a smoking gun, and it does indicate the Quick Poll underestimated participation in the BMB, but unless one MB is getting spammed a lot more than the others it's pretty clear the BMB is a distant third to the WoTMB and CMB in terms of popularity. Popularity doesn't necessarily correspond to merit (rarely, in fact) but it's very relevant to growth potential.
I don't see anything there but more assumptions to support your initial assumption - it boils down to us not knowing if one group is more likely than another to reply to the quickpolls.
As for the posters posted on each board, again it can be misleading - you pointed out that it is on the Comm board because people also have mulitple SNs but it doesn't account for people coming to make a one off comment on the other boards which I'd think WoT is more likely to attract. People who are bored and go to see when the next book is due, end up here, read a couple of posts and reply to one of them then never return. There are a lot of ways to skew the data which makes it really unreliable.
*MySmiley*
Robert Graves "There is no money in poetry, but then there is no poetry in money, either."
Henning Mankell "We must defend the open society, because if we start locking our doors, if we let fear decide, the person who committed the act of terror will win"
Robert Graves "There is no money in poetry, but then there is no poetry in money, either."
Henning Mankell "We must defend the open society, because if we start locking our doors, if we let fear decide, the person who committed the act of terror will win"
Wishlist
09/05/2011 08:26:23 AM
- 5810 Views
I thought we already had one
09/05/2011 11:45:34 AM
- 1507 Views
That is essentially Goodreads. *NM*
09/05/2011 02:42:06 PM
- 783 Views
I specifically noted I do not want it to become a Librarything/Goodreads copy.
09/05/2011 09:16:27 PM
- 1454 Views
Wotmania content (FAQ, Theory post, personality test, etc.) and Chat *NM*
09/05/2011 02:53:08 PM
- 860 Views
Also agree here, at least where intellectual property isn't an issue.
09/05/2011 06:41:27 PM
- 1427 Views
The Books MB, for example, has had more posts than the WoTMB in the past while.
09/05/2011 08:20:04 PM
- 1361 Views
I think the BMB is the future, but am not convinced it's the present, or the road to the future.
09/05/2011 09:58:01 PM
- 1690 Views
Or there is just a link between WoT fans and answering the quick poll.
09/05/2011 10:27:18 PM
- 1408 Views
I did consider that possibility, yes.
10/05/2011 02:24:02 AM
- 1396 Views
Re: I did consider that possibility, yes.
10/05/2011 11:11:37 AM
- 1315 Views
Like I say, the data doesn't allow for certainty, but I've seen no data contrary to my premise.
11/05/2011 08:49:28 AM
- 1386 Views
Re: Wotmania content (FAQ, Theory post, personality test, etc.) and Chat
22/07/2011 05:35:32 AM
- 1340 Views
A new messageboard style
09/05/2011 06:49:10 PM
- 1688 Views
I hate other bulletin board styles. Hate.
09/05/2011 06:55:31 PM
- 1595 Views
09/05/2011 07:14:56 PM
- 1481 Views
Well. I half agree with that.
09/05/2011 08:35:41 PM
- 1519 Views
Help thing?
09/05/2011 09:55:18 PM
- 1446 Views
Yes. The Help link on every page which currently goes nowhere. *NM*
09/05/2011 10:21:09 PM
- 835 Views
phpBB has an "ignore" option
09/05/2011 10:50:39 PM
- 2553 Views
The thing is its the fun awesome people who do the tangents
09/05/2011 10:58:42 PM
- 1485 Views
1996 is over
09/05/2011 11:52:48 PM
- 1355 Views
THe option to show posts with newest replies first allows for that
09/05/2011 11:57:57 PM
- 1372 Views
a few things
10/05/2011 12:05:50 AM
- 1337 Views
I'm surprised to have gotten this strong of a reaction
10/05/2011 12:30:21 AM
- 1370 Views
For what it's worth
10/05/2011 12:45:45 AM
- 1576 Views
Re: For what it's worth
10/05/2011 08:29:08 AM
- 1399 Views
It's possible
10/05/2011 11:45:26 AM
- 1485 Views
Re: It's possible
10/05/2011 12:02:51 PM
- 1414 Views
No, I got it
10/05/2011 01:03:59 PM
- 1373 Views
Re: No, I got it
10/05/2011 01:14:01 PM
- 1505 Views
Re: No, I got it
10/05/2011 04:42:57 PM
- 1374 Views
Re: No, I got it
10/05/2011 04:52:06 PM
- 1376 Views
Yes
10/05/2011 05:10:07 PM
- 1409 Views
There's a firefox extension "interclue" that allows you to preview webpages before clicking links
10/05/2011 05:18:05 PM
- 1299 Views
This site has what, 10% or so percent of wotmania's activity in its heyday?
10/05/2011 10:45:51 PM
- 1578 Views
I used to spend quite a lot of time on other sites.
10/05/2011 12:14:09 PM
- 1401 Views
Which type of sites?
10/05/2011 01:06:32 PM
- 1261 Views
*NM*
11/05/2011 06:36:55 AM
- 737 Views
I actually had no idea to whom this response was directed.
11/05/2011 07:10:32 PM
- 1320 Views
I agree with everything Rebakah and F&R said. I loathe the bulletin board style. *NM*
09/05/2011 07:12:53 PM
- 785 Views
I think forcing either style on anyone tends to discourage membership from those who want the other.
09/05/2011 08:23:13 PM
- 1493 Views
This is a good alternative,
09/05/2011 08:39:07 PM
- 1494 Views
Thanks; you can't please everyone, but this seems like the closest we'll get.
09/05/2011 10:25:00 PM
- 1754 Views
Nice assumption
09/05/2011 10:32:35 PM
- 1369 Views
If it became a habit it would be annoying, yeah, but is there reason to think it would?
10/05/2011 01:33:50 AM
- 1431 Views
Human nature
10/05/2011 11:21:05 AM
- 1472 Views
Human nature is to learn from mistakes, and that's not significantly less likely under either system
11/05/2011 08:58:06 AM
- 1419 Views
If RAFO wants to attract new members....
09/05/2011 10:55:36 PM
- 1471 Views
You can guarantee a large amount of people will leave if that vile phpBB type board is introduced
09/05/2011 11:01:43 PM
- 1483 Views
I see it the opposite way
10/05/2011 12:04:42 AM
- 1530 Views
It shouldn't be an either/or, a choice between retaining wotmaniacs or welcoming new members.
10/05/2011 02:00:04 AM
- 1333 Views
While I agree with everyone who hates BB boards...
16/05/2011 06:26:04 AM
- 1533 Views
I like the slider from nested to pages, yeah, thanks.
16/05/2011 06:54:02 AM
- 1466 Views
Oh, my
16/05/2011 07:10:17 AM
- 1556 Views
They're dumping the blue jerseys for home games.
16/05/2011 07:49:04 AM
- 1453 Views
Re: They're dumping the blue jerseys for home games.
16/05/2011 07:58:55 AM
- 1384 Views
Re: They're dumping the blue jerseys for home games.
16/05/2011 09:22:44 PM
- 1506 Views
Re: They're dumping the blue jerseys for home games.
18/05/2011 09:21:13 AM
- 1380 Views
I'd probably like it better if I weren't such an awful hitter.
18/05/2011 11:20:06 PM
- 1422 Views
I adore our set up.
09/05/2011 11:05:34 PM
- 1442 Views
Explanation, please.
10/05/2011 05:50:20 PM
- 1446 Views
I love that there are many examples of why this board style is a good thing in this thread.
10/05/2011 10:59:03 PM
- 1398 Views
There are also many counterexamples; depends on your perspective.
11/05/2011 09:08:19 AM
- 1350 Views
it's a bug, not a feature
11/05/2011 06:45:29 PM
- 1428 Views
I may be misinterpreting, and maybe this is the catch 22 (you don't read my posts.)
11/05/2011 08:18:32 PM
- 1324 Views
I believe the way of counting active visitors has changed, though.
11/05/2011 08:25:27 PM
- 1347 Views
He did say something like that, yes; wotmania counted people active for AGES after the logout.
11/05/2011 10:01:56 PM
- 1303 Views
No, it's very much a feature, and that's coming from someone who shares your preference and reasons.
11/05/2011 09:44:51 PM
- 1453 Views
It's so much a feature to me, that I'd leave if it went to BB. Also, tangents.
12/05/2011 05:40:45 PM
- 1485 Views
I agree, I hate this old MBstyle. Its time to leave the dark ages. *NM*
13/05/2011 03:01:50 PM
- 769 Views
Your brain is just addled by hormones.
13/05/2011 03:14:27 PM
- 1368 Views
Hva addled hjernen min?
13/05/2011 04:36:14 PM
- 1381 Views
Acknowledgement of me as your ruler *NM*
09/05/2011 07:12:31 PM
- 728 Views
"JESUS is our only ruler!"
10/05/2011 03:00:01 AM
- 1213 Views
IRV is terrible, and is the worst option other than FPTP
10/05/2011 06:07:27 PM
- 1321 Views
But Borda isn't Condorcet complete either.
11/05/2011 08:45:05 AM
- 1459 Views
Smiley Reduction/Alteration?
09/05/2011 07:30:25 PM
- 1168 Views
Also with quotes and close brackets. <---- This is WEIRD.
09/05/2011 07:34:13 PM
- 1329 Views
That is quite possibly my biggest annoyance with the whole site.
09/05/2011 07:40:48 PM
- 1285 Views
Nothing really big, apart from what others have said, and less that's new.
09/05/2011 07:54:03 PM
- 1487 Views
How about a music MB?
09/05/2011 08:00:33 PM
- 1423 Views
I think it wouldn't be used much.
09/05/2011 08:08:52 PM
- 1366 Views
Yeah a post on the Com MB every other week works just fine. *NM*
09/05/2011 08:16:49 PM
- 773 Views
Or turn the TV & Movie board into a pop culture board we'd just need to get rid of the rubbish admin
09/05/2011 09:13:41 PM
- 1476 Views
Stop being a brat!
09/05/2011 09:57:35 PM
- 1489 Views
But it is Jens!
09/05/2011 10:16:23 PM
- 1432 Views
Re: I think it wouldn't be used much.
09/05/2011 08:36:05 PM
- 1396 Views
collapsing of extended thread nests
09/05/2011 11:09:23 PM
- 1364 Views
pfft. get a wider screen. problem solved. *NM*
10/05/2011 04:06:51 PM
- 765 Views
Nah, it would also be nice to not have to go past all of that to get to part of a post you actually
15/05/2011 04:37:48 PM
- 1348 Views
Quick question, how many users are registered here? *NM*
10/05/2011 01:38:37 AM
- 1569 Views
I think the search page User List gives a good estimate (~725 total, counts/MB inside).
10/05/2011 02:44:50 AM
- 1465 Views
It doesn't
13/05/2011 10:29:32 AM
- 1470 Views
That surprises me, but I'm glad to have a (much) more accurate number, thanks.
13/05/2011 04:16:14 PM
- 1413 Views
Now that I'm thinking of Quick Polls: Maybe require voters to login during the feedback phase?
10/05/2011 03:05:51 AM
- 1364 Views
Anyone else notice that everyone replying participates on the book, tv + movies and comm boards
10/05/2011 02:18:08 PM
- 1414 Views
It doesn't help that we make them feel like a blemish on the RAFO scene.
10/05/2011 04:45:33 PM
- 1393 Views
Yeah, I don't get why the WOTlers aren't interested in saying something anywhere else
11/05/2011 09:54:50 AM
- 1346 Views
I think it's as simple as a lot of them just being WoT fans (which is not a crime. )
11/05/2011 06:20:08 PM
- 1448 Views
I can agree to that. Provided of course, being a dan brown fan is still punishable by a severe...
11/05/2011 06:30:08 PM
- 1198 Views
You put me in a difficult position, caught between two important principles.
11/05/2011 08:22:33 PM
- 1491 Views
Hey, reply to the right post
11/05/2011 08:58:30 PM
- 1417 Views
I did, I just merged another one; I usually do, but can't with nesting.
11/05/2011 11:01:16 PM
- 1537 Views
You put me in a difficult position, caught between two important principles.
11/05/2011 08:52:04 PM
- 1333 Views
I've seen most people who've replied post on the WoTMB at least occasionally.
11/05/2011 11:26:44 PM
- 1410 Views
You are clearly wrong.
12/05/2011 04:58:34 PM
- 1181 Views
Its prime ended before the split? Bah, you old geezers always hassle us kids for livin' our life!
12/05/2011 07:32:02 PM
- 1392 Views
Report post, moderation powers to all boards, spoiler tags, NM bug, bug submitter's name displayed.
10/05/2011 05:59:58 PM
- 1199 Views
Re: your suggestions
10/05/2011 11:03:00 PM
- 1255 Views
Re: your suggestions
11/05/2011 08:24:38 AM
- 1218 Views
It's just that...
11/05/2011 06:04:46 PM
- 1343 Views
hahaha that's understandable. Well, leave me off the upgraded powers list, then.
11/05/2011 07:46:01 PM
- 1423 Views
Whoa. You can change quote styles? News to me. *NM*
11/05/2011 10:02:10 PM
- 717 Views
It's all there, in the help section at the top of the board.
12/05/2011 04:50:44 PM
- 1293 Views
Shush, you. *NM*
13/05/2011 08:56:05 AM
- 742 Views
Regarding the forum style
10/05/2011 11:17:50 PM
- 1711 Views
I support any improvement that won't impair functionality for others.
11/05/2011 05:26:02 PM
- 1359 Views
Just an observation/question about post-clicking
11/05/2011 05:42:30 PM
- 1398 Views
It's a real pain in the ass when the site's running slow.
11/05/2011 07:14:20 PM
- 1262 Views
Or your internet is; I've spent about 4 hours now reading and responding to less than a dozen posts.
11/05/2011 07:31:17 PM
- 1384 Views
It's more than laziness, yes.
11/05/2011 07:53:52 PM
- 1370 Views
Active Users: 51
11/05/2011 01:19:25 AM
- 1387 Views
Also
11/05/2011 04:36:17 AM
- 1426 Views
Who asked to be added to the Skype thing and was completely ignored?
12/05/2011 06:32:00 AM
- 1410 Views
I wonder if there is a way to make the Search function work...
11/05/2011 09:56:54 AM
- 1287 Views
There is an easy fix for that.
11/05/2011 06:09:10 PM
- 1387 Views
Links in posts - can they not take us to a new page but to a new tab/window, please?
12/05/2011 05:49:23 PM
- 1405 Views
It's not, but a simple right-click and select "Open in new tab" does the job in FF, at least.
12/05/2011 10:40:27 PM
- 1405 Views
Clicking links with your scroll wheel opens them in a new tab. *NM*
12/05/2011 11:32:29 PM
- 763 Views
some kind of "reply all" feature?
13/05/2011 06:35:15 AM
- 1387 Views
Not sure about implementation, but I like this; I wouldn't want pages as much with this.
13/05/2011 04:21:27 PM
- 1423 Views
Two things: facebook and searching within a post
13/05/2011 03:07:37 PM
- 1396 Views
I can add a comment for Facebook liking.
13/05/2011 06:48:16 PM
- 1621 Views
Maybe it's another IE vs. Firefox thing.
13/05/2011 08:52:53 PM
- 1479 Views
I use chrome
13/05/2011 09:47:06 PM
- 1299 Views
Works now, looks like; thanks to Bekah (or apologies to Ben if I missed it earlier).
21/05/2011 10:29:26 PM
- 1358 Views
Make me an Admin!
13/05/2011 04:17:59 PM
- 1417 Views
Of what, exactly? You have no discernible skills beside account corruption. *NM*
13/05/2011 06:27:51 PM
- 809 Views
I demand silence from the peanut gallery! *NM*
15/05/2011 02:25:52 AM
- 711 Views
Since I don't think anyone else has mentioned it here - HTML
15/05/2011 09:00:39 PM
- 1502 Views
The email alerts for NBs option is coming (I think).
15/05/2011 11:22:58 PM
- 1458 Views
I hope so. I hate going onto the forum and replying "check noteboard" so they get an alert *NM*
25/06/2011 04:39:43 PM
- 807 Views
WYSIWYG! *NM*
27/05/2011 02:25:49 PM
- 746 Views
is inherently evil. *NM*
27/05/2011 02:40:51 PM
- 659 Views
...and yet inherently accessible to the non-geek masses
30/05/2011 02:34:58 AM
- 1347 Views
As I said...
30/05/2011 08:55:32 AM
- 1367 Views
We could always just put a banner on the home page that says, "no non-geeks need apply".
26/06/2011 12:00:31 AM
- 1327 Views
A redesigned home page!
22/05/2011 04:26:27 AM
- 1379 Views
Unhh... Privacy statement?
19/07/2011 06:14:49 PM
- 1264 Views
"Rules" would be a better place, IMHO; we're told at least one of those links should soon work.
22/07/2011 04:08:54 PM
- 1300 Views
Thanks for the response / comment, Josh
23/07/2011 08:59:02 AM
- 1226 Views
I assume it just means people are too busy working on the site to answer immediately.
23/07/2011 02:06:48 PM
- 1265 Views
Admins should be able to move Posts into an already existing thread
20/07/2011 02:52:05 PM
- 1310 Views
since most of us are science fiction fans as well as fantasy fans...
22/07/2011 07:56:29 PM
- 1578 Views
Feel free to use the Science category on this (the Community) MB *NM*
23/07/2011 04:35:06 AM
- 714 Views