š SW Group & Category Re-Structuring (Feedback Appreciated) š©
[b]Hello SW Members! :)
We are looking forward to Re-Structuring our Group and Category format, as well as improving the list of Topics that will be available to post in, on Similar Worlds.[/b]
To be able to launch Similar Worlds and develop many of the urgently needed features in a timely manner, we imported mostly all of the Groups (as is) that were already available on Experience Project.
We also needed time to familiarize ourselves with the members here, their likes, dislikes, interests, habits, etcā¦
Now that we have a much better understanding of our audience, [b]we would like to soon proceed with the re-structuring and consolidation of our many Group and Category topics that are available for members to post in.[/b]
[sep]
[b]A major problem we recognized with the original EP group structuring, was lack of relevance or inter-linking between topics, as well as redundancy.[/b]
For example:
If one types "Animals" in the Group search box, here are some of the results that may currently appear:
[quote]ā¢ I Love Animals
ā¢ I Love Animal Animals
ā¢ I Love Animals Also People That Loves Animal
ā¢ I Love Animals On All Farm, Nature Animals, and Out Door Life
ā¦
ā¢ I Hate It When People Feed Animals To Other Animals
ā¢ I Hate Animals Abusers Alot Because Im A Animal Lover
ā¢ I Im An Animal Lover And Hate Cruelty To Animals
ā¢ I Love Animals And I Am Against Animal Cruelty[/quote]
As we can see, there are two major issues here:
1) Redundancy between groups. That many groups are not needed, when many are repeating the exact same topic/title, with only minor changes to wording.
2) These similar groups are not inter-linked/inter-related.
This means that two persons could each join one of these two groups:
[i]ā¢ I Love Animals
ā¢ I Love Animals Also People That Loves Animal[/i]
ā¦ and have no connection/relevance to each other whatsoever.
They would not be able to as easily find related posts or questions without joining EACH of the very many duplicate groups about the same topic.
This is not well organized at all. It makes the site confusing and less relevant when it comes to the posts appearing in feeds, recommendations, searches, etcā¦
[b]To resolve the two problems highlighted above, we would like to "Consolidate" all SW Groups, whereby [u]we will be merging relevant groups, as well as trimming out groups[/u] that have no relevance or interest in being on Similar Worlds.
We will also be working on a feature which allows members to submit/suggest new topic category suggestions.[/b]
[sep]
[c=#004A59][big]Groups? Categories? Topics?[/big][/c]
At this time, we are considering to reduce the separation between "Stories" and "Questions" on Similar Worlds.
Stories and Questions will indeed remain as separate features each having their own feed.
However, they will be more similar in format and options, as well as Topic (Group/Category) selection.
(For example, at the moment, you can only attach Polls to Questions, however, you will be able to do the same on Stories, if/when this change is implemented)
During the post creation process, the user will be able to select whether the new post will be marked as a Story or a Question (and it will appear in the appropriate feeds).
At the moment, on Similar Worlds.
[b]Groups => Stories
Categories => Questions
[/b]
We find that this adds to the "redundancy" and "lack of relevance" issues, as explained before with duplicate groups.
For example,
Currently there is both:
a) A Group called "I Love Animals On All Farm, Nature Animals, and Out Door Life"
b) A Category Called: Life > Pets, Animals and Nature
These "Topics" are currently not connected algorithmically in any way, on SW.
Therefore, joining the category "Pets, Animals and Nature" doesn't help in any way to see stories about Animals, Nature, etcā¦
[b]To improve this, and also improve the user experience, we would like to merge the selection of Group and Categories under one umbrella called "Topics".
In this way, you can much more easily select what type of Stories and Questions you are interested (or not interested) in seeing on SW, and they will finally be relevantly filtered per your preferences.[/b]
[sep]
[c=#004A59][big]Example of SW Topics Structure[/big][/c]
I will attempt to draft an example below on how the proposed Topics structure may look like.
[c=#BF0000]Please Note that these examples being used below:
[b]1) Do NOT in any way suggest our endorsement, approval or opinion on any of these topics.
2) Are being used because I feel they are easier examples to understand/relate to (being polarizing topics).
3) Are topics/ideas people discuss in real life, and has no indication on what is True or False, Good or Bad. We are a platform for sharing opinions and experiences. regardless how incorrect, inaccurate or false an opinion may seem.[/b][/c]
Our aim is to create a HUGE "Tree" like structure of all relevant topics of discussion.
They will branch from "Parent" Topics/Categories, down to more specific Topics.
This will help greatly for organization, relevance and filtering.
Examples:
[quote]Identity -> Politics -> Democracy - > News & Events
Identity -> Politics -> Democracy - > Politicians
Identity -> Politics -> Democracy - > Ideology
Identity -> Religion -> Democracy -> Terrorism
ā¦
Identity -> Politics -> Republic - > News & Events
Identity -> Politics -> Republic - > Politicians
Identity -> Politics -> Republic - > Ideology
Identity -> Religion -> Republic-> Terrorism
ā¦
Identity -> Religion -> Islam -> Praying
Identity -> Religion -> Islam -> Quran
Identity -> Religion -> Islam -> Fasting
Identity -> Religion -> Islam -> Terrorism
ā¦
Identity -> Religion -> Christianity -> Catholicism
Identity -> Religion -> Christianity -> God
Identity -> Religion -> Christianity -> Satan
Identity -> Religion -> Christianity -> Terrorism
Identity -> Religion -> Christianity -> Homosexuality
ā¦
Relationship -> Homosexuality -> Dating
Relationship -> Homosexuality -> Marriage
Relationship -> Homosexuality -> Divorce
Relationship -> Homosexuality -> Affairs
Relationship -> Homosexuality -> Legality
ā¦[/quote]
As is observable all across the internet, such conflicting topics do appear very often on Similar Worlds as well.
People will have different opinions, points and things to say about varying topics.
[b]Our hope is to better categorized these posts, so that they can be shared between the correct (relevant) audiences.
Conversely, we can use such groups as filters also, whereby users don't have to see posts about certain topics they dislike.[/b]
For example, if you are tired of seeing "posts about Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton", and no longer wish to see those posts on SW.
[b]You will easily be able to filter (block) topically:[/b]
Identity -> Politics -> Democracy - > Politicians
&
Identity -> Politics -> Republic - > Politicians
or simply:
Identity -> Politics -> * - > Politicians
If feasible also, we will allow block filters by specific Keywords as well, such as "Trump", "Diaper", "ISIS", etcā¦
[sep]
[b]Another dimension we would like to add to these SW Topics, is your "Stance/Preference" on each Topic.
This can also act as a filter as well.[/b]
[big][c=#005E2F]Like[/c], [c=#665D00]Opinion[/c] (Neutral), [c=#800000]Dislike[/c][/big] - Something along these lines
For example, someone can
[c=#005E2F][b]Like:[/b][/c] Identity -> Religion -> Islam -> Quran
[c=#665D00][b]Opinion:[/b][/c] Identity -> Religion -> Islam -> Quran
[c=#800000][b]Dislike:[/b][/c] Identity -> Religion -> Islam -> Quran
For the topic Titles, we are planning to allow them to be flexible, as Question Titles are at the moment.
However, the linked topic or sub-title may appear as: [b][u]I have an Opinion about the Quran[/u][/b]
[sep]
There is still much to discuss and share with everyone, still more planning to be done (the topics are still to be chosen, so those examples are not necessarily official yet).
As I discussed a lot of new things already, I'll pause for now, and give a chance to members to provide some feedback and suggestions.
Features such as the "Like, Opinion, Dislike" need to be thought out very well in order to be seamless with the site, user-friendly, and not too confusing/complex.
We have some ideas on how this and the other features could be implemented, but more planning is still to be done.
Thanks for your attention and support!
[c=#005E2F][i]-The SW Team[/i][/c]
We are looking forward to Re-Structuring our Group and Category format, as well as improving the list of Topics that will be available to post in, on Similar Worlds.[/b]
To be able to launch Similar Worlds and develop many of the urgently needed features in a timely manner, we imported mostly all of the Groups (as is) that were already available on Experience Project.
We also needed time to familiarize ourselves with the members here, their likes, dislikes, interests, habits, etcā¦
Now that we have a much better understanding of our audience, [b]we would like to soon proceed with the re-structuring and consolidation of our many Group and Category topics that are available for members to post in.[/b]
[sep]
[b]A major problem we recognized with the original EP group structuring, was lack of relevance or inter-linking between topics, as well as redundancy.[/b]
For example:
If one types "Animals" in the Group search box, here are some of the results that may currently appear:
[quote]ā¢ I Love Animals
ā¢ I Love Animal Animals
ā¢ I Love Animals Also People That Loves Animal
ā¢ I Love Animals On All Farm, Nature Animals, and Out Door Life
ā¦
ā¢ I Hate It When People Feed Animals To Other Animals
ā¢ I Hate Animals Abusers Alot Because Im A Animal Lover
ā¢ I Im An Animal Lover And Hate Cruelty To Animals
ā¢ I Love Animals And I Am Against Animal Cruelty[/quote]
As we can see, there are two major issues here:
1) Redundancy between groups. That many groups are not needed, when many are repeating the exact same topic/title, with only minor changes to wording.
2) These similar groups are not inter-linked/inter-related.
This means that two persons could each join one of these two groups:
[i]ā¢ I Love Animals
ā¢ I Love Animals Also People That Loves Animal[/i]
ā¦ and have no connection/relevance to each other whatsoever.
They would not be able to as easily find related posts or questions without joining EACH of the very many duplicate groups about the same topic.
This is not well organized at all. It makes the site confusing and less relevant when it comes to the posts appearing in feeds, recommendations, searches, etcā¦
[b]To resolve the two problems highlighted above, we would like to "Consolidate" all SW Groups, whereby [u]we will be merging relevant groups, as well as trimming out groups[/u] that have no relevance or interest in being on Similar Worlds.
We will also be working on a feature which allows members to submit/suggest new topic category suggestions.[/b]
[sep]
[c=#004A59][big]Groups? Categories? Topics?[/big][/c]
At this time, we are considering to reduce the separation between "Stories" and "Questions" on Similar Worlds.
Stories and Questions will indeed remain as separate features each having their own feed.
However, they will be more similar in format and options, as well as Topic (Group/Category) selection.
(For example, at the moment, you can only attach Polls to Questions, however, you will be able to do the same on Stories, if/when this change is implemented)
During the post creation process, the user will be able to select whether the new post will be marked as a Story or a Question (and it will appear in the appropriate feeds).
At the moment, on Similar Worlds.
[b]Groups => Stories
Categories => Questions
[/b]
We find that this adds to the "redundancy" and "lack of relevance" issues, as explained before with duplicate groups.
For example,
Currently there is both:
a) A Group called "I Love Animals On All Farm, Nature Animals, and Out Door Life"
b) A Category Called: Life > Pets, Animals and Nature
These "Topics" are currently not connected algorithmically in any way, on SW.
Therefore, joining the category "Pets, Animals and Nature" doesn't help in any way to see stories about Animals, Nature, etcā¦
[b]To improve this, and also improve the user experience, we would like to merge the selection of Group and Categories under one umbrella called "Topics".
In this way, you can much more easily select what type of Stories and Questions you are interested (or not interested) in seeing on SW, and they will finally be relevantly filtered per your preferences.[/b]
[sep]
[c=#004A59][big]Example of SW Topics Structure[/big][/c]
I will attempt to draft an example below on how the proposed Topics structure may look like.
[c=#BF0000]Please Note that these examples being used below:
[b]1) Do NOT in any way suggest our endorsement, approval or opinion on any of these topics.
2) Are being used because I feel they are easier examples to understand/relate to (being polarizing topics).
3) Are topics/ideas people discuss in real life, and has no indication on what is True or False, Good or Bad. We are a platform for sharing opinions and experiences. regardless how incorrect, inaccurate or false an opinion may seem.[/b][/c]
Our aim is to create a HUGE "Tree" like structure of all relevant topics of discussion.
They will branch from "Parent" Topics/Categories, down to more specific Topics.
This will help greatly for organization, relevance and filtering.
Examples:
[quote]Identity -> Politics -> Democracy - > News & Events
Identity -> Politics -> Democracy - > Politicians
Identity -> Politics -> Democracy - > Ideology
Identity -> Religion -> Democracy -> Terrorism
ā¦
Identity -> Politics -> Republic - > News & Events
Identity -> Politics -> Republic - > Politicians
Identity -> Politics -> Republic - > Ideology
Identity -> Religion -> Republic-> Terrorism
ā¦
Identity -> Religion -> Islam -> Praying
Identity -> Religion -> Islam -> Quran
Identity -> Religion -> Islam -> Fasting
Identity -> Religion -> Islam -> Terrorism
ā¦
Identity -> Religion -> Christianity -> Catholicism
Identity -> Religion -> Christianity -> God
Identity -> Religion -> Christianity -> Satan
Identity -> Religion -> Christianity -> Terrorism
Identity -> Religion -> Christianity -> Homosexuality
ā¦
Relationship -> Homosexuality -> Dating
Relationship -> Homosexuality -> Marriage
Relationship -> Homosexuality -> Divorce
Relationship -> Homosexuality -> Affairs
Relationship -> Homosexuality -> Legality
ā¦[/quote]
As is observable all across the internet, such conflicting topics do appear very often on Similar Worlds as well.
People will have different opinions, points and things to say about varying topics.
[b]Our hope is to better categorized these posts, so that they can be shared between the correct (relevant) audiences.
Conversely, we can use such groups as filters also, whereby users don't have to see posts about certain topics they dislike.[/b]
For example, if you are tired of seeing "posts about Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton", and no longer wish to see those posts on SW.
[b]You will easily be able to filter (block) topically:[/b]
Identity -> Politics -> Democracy - > Politicians
&
Identity -> Politics -> Republic - > Politicians
or simply:
Identity -> Politics -> * - > Politicians
If feasible also, we will allow block filters by specific Keywords as well, such as "Trump", "Diaper", "ISIS", etcā¦
[sep]
[b]Another dimension we would like to add to these SW Topics, is your "Stance/Preference" on each Topic.
This can also act as a filter as well.[/b]
[big][c=#005E2F]Like[/c], [c=#665D00]Opinion[/c] (Neutral), [c=#800000]Dislike[/c][/big] - Something along these lines
For example, someone can
[c=#005E2F][b]Like:[/b][/c] Identity -> Religion -> Islam -> Quran
[c=#665D00][b]Opinion:[/b][/c] Identity -> Religion -> Islam -> Quran
[c=#800000][b]Dislike:[/b][/c] Identity -> Religion -> Islam -> Quran
For the topic Titles, we are planning to allow them to be flexible, as Question Titles are at the moment.
However, the linked topic or sub-title may appear as: [b][u]I have an Opinion about the Quran[/u][/b]
[sep]
There is still much to discuss and share with everyone, still more planning to be done (the topics are still to be chosen, so those examples are not necessarily official yet).
As I discussed a lot of new things already, I'll pause for now, and give a chance to members to provide some feedback and suggestions.
Features such as the "Like, Opinion, Dislike" need to be thought out very well in order to be seamless with the site, user-friendly, and not too confusing/complex.
We have some ideas on how this and the other features could be implemented, but more planning is still to be done.
Thanks for your attention and support!
[c=#005E2F][i]-The SW Team[/i][/c]
