How can we improve the forums? Your suggestions and comments please

[Chris_B]

Hi all, this thread is a running commentary for all members on things for improvements to the forums. This can be anything from how it looks, the categories, to moderation, community rules etc.

While we might not be able to implement everything straightaway, or keep everyone happy all of the time, we'd like to hear about what you think we can do better.

This is not a thread for discussing the moderation or editing of individual posts - if you have questions about this please contact the team offline via email modsupport@beyondblue.org.au

To avoid repeating suggestions already received, below are some results from our last user survey giving an indication of which new features people would like to see on the forums. This survey was answered by 1,597 users:

44% - Email notification when I have a reply on the forum
39% - Access to the forums via an app
27% - Ability to block seeing posts by specific users
25% - Ability to contact users privately
25% - Ability to use emoticons
25% - Ability to follow posts by specific users
24% - Ability to share links
23% - Forum posts visible only to registered users
22% - A profile, viewable by others users, where I can introduce myself
21% - Ability to quickly access all posts by a particular user
15% - Ability to tag users in a conversation
10% - Ability to share images
6% - Ability to share videos
17% - None of these

Update July 2022 - This discussion has now been closed. Please go to the updated version below to share feedback and follow our updates:

How can we improve the Forums?

[demonblaster]

Hi bb peeps and all ☺

Sorry if this has been mentioned.

Wondering if there'd be a way to mark/highlight a thread in "My threads" to go back to later to reply to.

Thanks ☺

[Guest_1643]

it would help a lot deebs. Not sure if possible aatm, though. Happy for the mods to help further!

[Sophie_M]

Hey Demonblaster,

Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, this feature is not currently available. It certainly would be helpful though!

We'll pass your comment along to the forum developments team. 

 

[demonblaster]

Thanks darl ☺

[Guest_1643]

hi all ,

I have at times been offered chances to reword my posts, and have also noted that posts sometimes are edited.

Not sure if Hanna is referencing a specific post and situation, but if yu are unhappy with the decision and contact the mods they may be able to assist, or if you believe an error has been made and ur post didn't mention moderation.

Errors do happen and the mods are open to hearing regarding that if it distresses you to see a post unfairly removed. That said, I understand that most mod decisions are final, although you can always try again and seek guidance from the mods about what part of ur post is not allowed.

[Guest_1643]

hey deebi that would be on my list as well, and in addition, the search function is, (i'm sorry to say) kinda useless.

It seems to only search titles of threads, not conent.
Sometimes I remember someone posting somthing specific and want to return to the thread but I have absolutely no chance of finding it, unless I remember the threads title.
I think the search function should search all the threds etc, to help u find posts by user name, comments etc and not ust by title. Even if you remeber parts of the title, unless you can remember it word-for-word, the search function won't find it for you!

It's very specific and stuck on finding the full title.

[Croix]

Dear Sleepy21~

The Beyond Blue search function is terrible. I rarely use it instead I use Google (pardon me if I'm telling you something you know already)

to search for a user -say me - they use this search string in Google

Croix beyondblue forum

To search for a string of adjacent words use rabbit ears- say when search for exactly lettuce is good type

"lettuce is good" beyondblue forum

To search for a couple of words use AND

rabbit AND hutch beyondblue forum

You can look up more in advanced Google search syntax on the web

Hope this helps

Croix

[Guest_1643]

amazing tips Mr Croix!
I didn't know about that! it is great to be able to find threads as i often remember everything about them - the username, topic, even whole sentences written, but nevertheless cannot find them using bb search function. thank u so much.

[quirkywords]

thanks Croix for those search tips

[blondguy]

Hi everyone...just a quick note if I may...11:47pm Wednesday

Beyond Blue forum management have a lot to deal with with operating a National Mental Health forum...no worries there

The forums are due for a brief period of maintenance in approx 12 minutes and I have bumped up the 'official' thread so members are aware

Community Champions are given notice re system maintenance as I used to be (not just in the Welcome & Orientation section)

Common courtesy is free....Can people be made aware of upcoming forum maintenance even with a reminder a few hours prior to system maintenance?

Maybe a 'Community Champion' can take the initiative and provide members with a notification prior

my kindest always

Paul