A question, what are social groups?

[putrid]

This is a question I've been meaning to ask ever sense Larry added these options to the forum.

What is a social group?
What is a social group tread?
Subscribed discussions?

Yes I'm an old fart and I don't get around much. LOL
Thanks,
putrid.

[bethene]

well. on halloweenforum, there is a gardening group, a health and fitness, pets, props builders, european haunters, etc. you can join them, and they have their own sections and threads going. for example the health and fitness, people post hints, or their stuggles, how things are going with them, and get encouragement back, not sure about the subscribed discussions.

[Sickie Ickie]

I believe subscribed will send e-mails to your box letting you know when new posts have arrived in a thread you are subscribed to.

[putrid]

So it's more or less other interests besides the main theme of the forum. Or a sub group dedicated to one theme within the main theme of the forum. Like prop builders on the Halloween forum. Thanks Bethene and Sickie Ickie. But now i have more questions. I'm a geek, never have enough info. LOL

Are social groups moderated by their creator and forum mediators? Is the creator of a social group souly responsible for regulations? Can a creator moderate a social group's posts and members? Such as imposing qualifications for posts and members not mentioned within the parent forums guidelines? Things like 'on topic only'. skill or experience' ?
These three categories "public, moderated and invite only." Am I right in thinking public is open to anyone?.
Moderated the creator can pic and choose?
Invite is only folks you want in?

Once these questions are answered I'll more than likely have more. LOL
Thanks again folks.

[larry]

Social Groups are great.

From FAQ Section:

What is a social group?
A social group is a group of people usually with a particular interest or something else in common. It provides a way of communicating between members as well as sharing photos or other images.
You can get to the list through 'Group Memberships' section on your public profile (?).
The Social Groups list page displays all groups that have been created. You can list the groups by the number of members, messages or pictures, the group name, when the group was created or by the date of the most recent message posted. You can use the controls provided to search for a group.

How do I join a group?
To join a group, click the group title then click 'Join Group'. When you have joined a group, its name will be shown in your public profile. You must be a logged-in, registered member to join groups.

Can I create my own social group?
As a registered member, you can create your own social group (providing the administrator allows this). Go to the groups page and click 'Create A New Group'. Complete the title and description for your group then select the type. There are three types of groups:
Public - open to everyone. There is no restriction on who can join or who can post messages to it
Invite Only - require an invitation to be sent to join them. Invitations can only be sent by the group creator or forum moderators and administrators. Invitations are sent by clicking 'Pending & Invited Members' at the bottom of the page for that individual group
Moderated - open to everyone to join but messages need to be moderated before they will appear. They are moderated by the group creator and the site moderators and administrators.


The creator can create and operate any group as long as it does not break any rules of the forum (e.g. a group for sharing porn is against the rules). The forum moderators (myself and S.I.) do not really do anything with a group unless problems are brought to our attention. Or of course if we want to be members of the group :)

You should be careful about imposing too much qualifications about joining a group as people's feelings are delicate. You do not want to be the cause of drama. But you can do something like an advanced widget group where they should have certain required experience with widgets in order to join.

But...to make it short. If you create a social group, it is YOUR group and your responsibility. All rules of the forum is automatically imposed on all groups as they still are part of the forum.
Feel free to experiment and create a test/invite only group to get the feel and understanding of the group functions.

[Just Whisper]

Wow, that answered a lot of good questions. Sometimes we don't remember all the stuff we read when we first joined a forum, at least I don't. Then I forget it's there. thanks larry.

[Sickie Ickie]

Putrid, you may want to form a Halloween prop social group for people here?

While Edward may want to form a holiday prop social group for instance.

[putrid]

Thanks Larry! Totally cool dude! I guess you know me to well. Told me everything at once so you wouldn't have to answer another 2 weeks of questions. JK LOL Of all the options 'moderated' seams like a lot of work. Thinking 'public' would the best unrestricted flow for creativity and questions. I think that'd be the way I'd go. Thanks again Larry.

So Larry, if I completely ignore all the wisdom and common sense in your post I could control everyones thoughts!! I could control who joins! Control how they post! I'd keep telling them to re write the post till it says something really cool about me!!! I feel so POWERFUL!!!! I'm looking to be a problem!!! JK LOL I've been on a few forums that were ran that way. It got old quick. Guess my social group entitled,
"People who want be controlled by a long haired freak"
isn't a good idea after all. LOL

Yes Sickie Ickie, I was thinking about making a group. But not for Halloween projects. However that would be cool.

Just Whisper, people actually read the rules? JK LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

what kind of group were you looking to create, P?

[Just Whisper]

I think he said something about forming a poetry group. LOL

[putrid]

Toying with the idea of a group for folks who make Santas. Everything from painting to sculpting. Ornaments to art dolls. Either that are going back to my original idea. As long as I get to be the hairy freak. LOL Still thinking about it. It's that commitment thing......LOL

[putrid]

LMAO Just Whisper. I think my last attempt at poetry was at the Halloween forum. "Poems to wet the bed by".

I do have one question. If I make a social group just to experiment with will this thing be stuck in limbo or can I delete it? Even if other members have posted?

[Just Whisper]

Bed wetting, experiments, and Limbo....
(just whisper sighs, smiles and again, breaks into song) These are a few of my favorite things... when the dog bites, when the bee stings...

[Sickie Ickie]

Good one, JW

[bethene]

a santa making group sounds cool , Putrid, and from the ones I am on at HF, the person who started the group doesn't need to make that big of a commitment, check in every so often, they seem to kinda run them selves, at least the ones I am on at HF seem to be that way!
JW, LMAO!!