stdClass Object ( [nid] => 229510 [vid] => 230494 [type] => task_discussion [status] => 1 [created] => 1249679681 [changed] => 1249679681 [comment] => 0 [promote] => 1 [sticky] => 0 [revision_timestamp] => 1249679681 [title] => Networking [body] => Hi everyone, It's true that networking is very important and I agree if you want to adapt the site so that it will be easier for communities/local reps to network - as long as it does not impede the work of active villages and volunteers. But I'm afraid it is not the case here. I see Nabuur as a place where villages can find help to solve their issues, so besides networking, they need dedicated volunteers to work with them on different tasks. Adding more features to the site makes it too complicated and hard to navigate, especially for those who don’t use Internet regularly. Let's try to keep things as simple as possible - easier said than done, but something to keep in mind all the time. The biggest problem I have seen here (many times discussed but not solved) is the problem with best practices and reinventing the wheel over and over; finding resources and finding solutions to similar problems by many villages who are not aware of each others. So if you create the site to cater to networking, I strongly believe that we should first find ways to direct LRs to places and people with similar issues, so they can learn from each others. A lot of them now are just wandering around. To me it seems better to try to find ways to gather LRs/villages around a common issue and/or region. That will also increase their chances to connect with people who are most important for them, and then I am sure they will have no problems with networking. Finally, I believe that you should first think of ways to solve the existing issues and how to guide people (both LRs and volunteers) that are coming, and when you solve that, start lowering barriers and let more and more people in. But you started the other way around and made people confused and frustrated... Sonja [teaser] => Hi everyone, It's true that networking is very important and I agree if you want to adapt the site so that it will be easier for communities/local reps to network - as long as it does not impede the work of active villages and volunteers. But I'm afraid it is not the case here. [log] => [format] => 1 [uid] => 11288 [name] => vuzzello [picture] => [data] => a:7:{s:8:"og_email";s:1:"1";s:16:"privatemsg_allow";i:1;s:28:"privatemsg_setmessage_notify";i:1;s:17:"messaging_default";s:4:"mail";s:7:"contact";i:0;s:16:"nodecomment_sort";s:1:"2";s:8:"sms_user";a:1:{i:0;N;}} [path] => group/resource-team/project/task/discussion/networking [field_embedded_video] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [embed] => [value] => [provider] => [data] => Array ( ) ) ) [field_external_link] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [url] => [title] => [attributes] => N; ) [1] => Array ( [url] => [title] => [attributes] => N; ) ) [comment_type] => task_discussion [og_groups] => Array ( [0] => 208923 ) [og_groups_both] => Array ( [208923] => NABUUR Support and Resources Team ) [og_public] => 1 [tags] => [nodewords] => Array ( ) [trid] => 0 [language] => en [i18n_status] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( ) [translation] => Array ( ) [cid] => 229510 [pid] => 0 [hostname] => 127.0.0.1 [thread] => 04/ [mail] => [homepage] => [comment_target_nid] => 225035 [depth] => 0 )

stdClass Object ( [nid] => 231090 [vid] => 232103 [type] => task_discussion [status] => 1 [created] => 1250174087 [changed] => 1250174520 [comment] => 0 [promote] => 1 [sticky] => 0 [revision_timestamp] => 1250174520 [title] => Re: Define Expectations for Individual (Neighbour) Sign-up [body] => Dear all, I’ve tried to summarise what’s been said in this thread. Next to expectations of new neighbours, quite a few other subjects were discussed. I’ve gathered the expectations underneath. The other subjects: - Redesign process and Testing – second half of this message - Concerns regarding NABUUR vision, networking site, catering for the 90% ‘lurkers’ – will be addressed in a separate message - Ideas about project definition for Local Reps, how to validate projects etc. – I’ll include those in the discussion about ‘Defining a project’ / ‘Running a project’ (upcoming, see also Redesign process below) - Input for the functionality of groups – saved for later use, when Groups are defined What new neighbours expect • a Nabuur website where active villages and projects are more easily found, accessed and navigated • Activity level of any village/project should be clear • If I take ownership of a task and put forth a lot of time and effort: Is my contribution going to be used? If so, how and when? • to communicate easily with neighbours, local representative and facilitators using Nabuur's chat and personal messaging system, may be even integrated skype function • to choose between "observer" and "contributor" status, and define a commitment level; • an easy to follow, comprehensive, interactive "how to" tutorial defining Nabuur's terminology and workflow; Some proposed content for the how to: Glossary: definitions of terms such as Village, project, task, neighbour, etc. Help section with: • who they can contact if they have questions and have a realistic expectation of getting a reply in a timely manner. • What do you do if you've contacted a village facilitator and never get a response back? • What if you try to contact the local representative and never get a response back? This kind of information should be kept up to date and located in a clear and easy accessible place. Not only as a help guide but also in logical places during the sign up process or as part of someone’s first steps on NABUUR. Expectations of facs: • Easily find neighbours defined by commitment level/time, which villages they visited, activity • Easily accessible help/tutorial section • move to and round my villages quickly, • chat with neighbours/LRs • find real, active (defined by their promised level of time and commitment) volunteers for tasks. • the active part needs to be relatively simple Redesign process Concerning the process, indeed you’ve been asked to comment on wireframes without seeing the overall picture. The reason is simple: Roy started the redesign with the basic functions ‘Sign up as a neighbour’ and ‘Sign up a village’. And from there the discussion indeed moved on to ‘What do new neighbours need to know’. Consider these functions that should be there at the bottom of the pyramid. We’re now moving up the pyramid, defining what needs to be in place for ‘Defining a project’ and ‘Participate in/Running a project’. I’ve collected the suggestions for the projects & project definition separately and will make sure they become part of that discussion. Testing It’s true that after the last website change a lot of bugs & change requests came up. That’s why this site will be tested more thoroughly. In short we’ve defined the following steps: - design & development of the user stories - in-house test (NABUUR staff) - face-to-face usability testing, (also) by strangers - online testing by neighbours, facilitators, local reps This series of tests is done per so called ‘user story’, testing if neighbours actually find their way clicking through the site. It also enables our team to develop parts of the site and get immediate feedback (before the whole site is ready for testing). For these testing purposes a demo site is being set up. Roy is currently working on the visuals of the first functions that Kester and Frans built. You’ll be invited to run through them as soon as it’s up and running. Of course we’ll make sure to get some Local Reps involved as well, to see if the site is easily understood by all and runs on slower connections. Pelle [teaser] => Dear all, I’ve tried to summarise what’s been said in this thread. Next to expectations of new neighbours, quite a few other subjects were discussed. I’ve gathered the expectations underneath. The other subjects: - Redesign process and Testing – second half of this message - Concerns regarding NABUUR vision, networking site, catering for the 90% ‘lurkers’ – will be addressed in a separate message [log] => [format] => 1 [uid] => 4883 [name] => pelle [picture] => [data] => a:9:{s:29:"taxonomy_image_disable_images";i:0;s:16:"nodecomment_sort";s:1:"2";s:16:"privatemsg_allow";i:1;s:28:"privatemsg_setmessage_notify";i:1;s:8:"og_email";s:1:"1";s:17:"messaging_default";s:10:"privatemsg";s:7:"contact";i:1;s:14:"tinymce_status";s:4:"true";s:8:"sms_user";a:1:{i:0;N;}} [path] => group/resource-team/project/task/discussion/re-define-expectations-individual-neighbour-sign-15 [field_embedded_video] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [embed] => [value] => [provider] => [data] => Array ( ) ) ) [field_external_link] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [url] => [title] => [attributes] => N; ) [1] => Array ( [url] => [title] => [attributes] => N; ) ) [comment_type] => task_discussion [og_groups] => Array ( [0] => 208923 ) [og_groups_both] => Array ( [208923] => NABUUR Support and Resources Team ) [og_public] => 1 [tags] => [nodewords] => Array ( ) [trid] => 0 [language] => en [i18n_status] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( ) [translation] => Array ( ) [cid] => 231090 [pid] => 0 [hostname] => 82.204.30.154 [thread] => 05/ [mail] => [homepage] => [comment_target_nid] => 225035 [depth] => 0 )