*What would you want to see in a specialized online community?
*What, if anything, does your social network(s) of choice not provide to you in terms of resources, connection, workshop/feedback/critique, inspiration, or whatever?
*What would interest you enough to establish membership on an online community?
*What would you like to contribute to a group, if a group of open- and (generally) like-minded people existed in a dynamic community?
jodotha A playlist! We could update it! Like an online writing room. With white noise option. And a timer. And bunnies. And chocolate.
-Playlist is a can-do with a variety of technologies. I'll look into what I can do in a forum or on WP but if anyone has any more suggestions that a rather novice web-designer would be able to build/configure, please let me know!
-I don't think I have access to the kind of technology to create us a 'writing room' application exclusive to Halflit, but I will definitely compile a list of similar things online for members to reference.
sycamores someplace lacking censorship. most social networks freak out about anything sexual
-Guaranteed, though I may create certain place or (more likely) some kind of site-wide consistent flag for mature subjects, primarily in interest of 'NSFW' and people who might have children/sensitive spouses ambiently present. As much as I wish to accomodate people who are (situationally or generally) uncomfortable with certain subjects, I am more interested in a community open for 'all ratings' of material.
berickcookHows about a chat room? It'd be like 24/7 #writeclub but not as awesome.
-This I should be able to do. Again, if anyone knows of any good platforms let me know but I'll look around.
eachdayaflower I think real-life meet-ups are a great thing to promote/organize, but of course actual physical distance often makes that impossible. But I think things like mail exchanges and two-person projects through the mail and such could be fun, and emphasize the "real people" aspect of things. For example, you were talking about combining artists and writers -- I think it would be fun to do something like have a writer write something, send it to an artist partner, and have the artist draw it, and then post it in a group? It just seems like online communities often work best when the people have a real attachment to each other and a real sense of each other as human beings. It adds a depth to the community.
-Definitely. Do we have any caveats re: privacy or system for people who don't want to share their addresses?
nimsay Be honest with yourself. What do you want halflit to be, and are you perfectly ok with controlling what it will become. Have rules and stick to them. Also, realize because it's going to be a creative community not everyone is going to appreciate each others' "creativity".
It's your domain. Look at what others have done and go from there.
-True. Coming up with a solid set of guildelines - both to govern conduct and direct the flow of energy toward what the community aims to accomplish - is easier said than done. Nonetheless, I hope to continue gathering ideas because god knows there's plenty I don't think of myself.
vayleen I think the forums should be opened up again, but for general discussion. It's a fantastic way to get to know each other. 44
-I am currently devising plans for an open forum and resource hub.
shardangel Critiquing online is always troublesome and when it comes to comments or threads in a forum or article format things tend to get jumbled. So I was thinking of a dual comment type system or one that allows for a separation of general commentary and full on critiques.
I'm not really sure what I'm getting at here since my brain hasn't really grasped what a possible solution could be. I just find that most critiquing that I've encountered in an online format tends to leave a lot wanting. Either not enough to actually aid a person, or not limited enough to keep things on track.
I was going to say some form of secret ballot type situation for peoples works that are approved of by others in the community. Like a top ten deal. But that might have the reverse effect of making folk feel less or outclassed or something. But what about a system which puts up a persons writing from what they've submitted to the site as the first thing we see as we log in. A way to randomly allow for everyones work to be seen and critiqued. (limited of course by whether or not the writing was set to be viewed publicly or not) or some such.