The one mod that I would really like to see is an option to opt out of posts that I've commented on in the past.

My typical day starts with showing "Show new replies to your posts", and then filtering through those posts to the ones that I actually care about. 

Then I sort through the new information that I feel compelled to read.

If we could 'opt out' or 'un-follow" certain threads that we commented on, it would be a nice upgrade to my general experience.

Edit:
Just saw this.  I guess that means that I am +1 to Keith-N-Jax

Quote from: Keith-N-Jax on August 10, 2014, 11:09:21 AM
Most sites have a unread post button, I miss that.

Otherwise I love this site.

Is there an ability to Ignore Posts by specific people?  I have also seen this feature in some forums.

Great comments. Keep them coming! How does everyone feel about the banner ads? Are there too many? Do they overpower the content or are they fine "as is"?

Advertising is beautiful, man. ;-)

Quote from: thelakelander on August 10, 2014, 03:26:22 PM
Great comments. Keep them coming! How does everyone feel about the banner ads? Are there too many? Do they overpower the content or are they fine "as is"?

I don't see a problem with them.

Quote from: thelakelander on August 09, 2014, 12:22:28 PM
In an effort to improve the quality of content being produced by Metro Jacksonville, I'd like to get readers opinions on the following:

1. What do you believe sets us a part from other sites in Jacksonville?

Focus on urban development and transportation.

Quote2. What are the strong and weak points with the articles we currently write?

Strong - The urban and transportation focus, several experts and others who know what they are talking about.
Weak - As others have said, threads sometimes devolve into personal back and forth between members, or (most disappointingly) a member and a moderator.  And a Pet Peeve - reprinting articles from other sources without attribution, or even setting off in a quote box (or other means).

Quote3. What areas of focus would you like to see more in-depth coverage on?

Again, as others have said, digging into the workings of City Hall.  Also, as elections approach, looking at the candidates and the propositions on the ballot.

Quote4. What areas of focus would you like to see less coverage on?

Nothing comes to mind right now.

Quote5. What topics do we currently cover that you see as most unique and compelling?

Neighborhood profiles.

Quote6. Should we attempt to focus on specific niches or be more general-interest with our articles?

I think your urban development / transportation focus is quite a niche you have carved out quite well.

Quote7. Do you believe the content we produce is being strained by the site's current design?

For the most part, it seems OK.  I tend to like how vBulletin boards work - for posting images, font appearance, and so on.

QuoteFeel free to take off the boxing gloves and be raw and honest in your assessment. That's the only way we can improve our content production strategy.

And about the banner ads - I have Adblock, so I don't see them.  But when I look at work (no one heard me say that), the ads aren't too annoying.

Adds are fine.  I do have problems getting the site on my phone.  Although, my phone is 4 years old. 

Maybe you could expand and add more coverage for some surrounding towns. Like make an area for Fernandina or St. Augustine issues and coverage.

Otherwise maybe the UI and layout could be updated. The site doesn't feel as modern and clean as some other sites.

Many people including me love the great informational aspect of MJ, but also think that MJ encourages many of the overly negative aspects about everything in the city. When Jax deserves the negativity fine, but many times that not the case. People including myself mentioned the negativity, but the are always others in high places that don't like hearing that, and tactics will be used against us that critique MJ, saying that it's alot negative like the TU. That will usually lead to....Your posts being deleted without any explanation,  you may be lambasted, and some will say the old 'you are being complacent' for some absurd reason...

The people that are negative on here rises up through the ranks (member status) faster than the ones that are more even keeled and less negative (excluding myself). I've seen negative stuff on many threads, even when the city is doing something positive (For instance, the San Jose bike path thread, and the incessant video board disapproval talk). I like MJ, but sometimes I have to take a hiatus, because it gets alot like the TU with the very predictable negativity. Hopefully my post will not be deleted on a freaking 'feedback & suggestions' thread, who knows....

I love MJ but I'm not bragging about you as much as I used to. I remember when JaxOutLoud and this forum was around at the same time. For me to want to share with everyone a meeting of our local government and a decision that is being made even if it is in a remote subcommittee  that then gets advanced through the legislative process that effects each and every one of us to be pulled, moved, or edited is censorship and that is not positive.
Fair and balanced is not happening on this forum or as much as it used to.
I love the history and the stories of Jacksonville and the neighborhoods.
Would love to see the immediate follow up with MJ photo ops and checks to the groups that are raising the money. Whatever the amount.
There is a lot of talent on this forum and I enjoy reading about other cities and Simms with his analysis. The Springfield team with Sheclown, Kim, strider.
This forum use to take its gloves off but has retracted to a position like all are Departments and Authorities in our city and it's Backroom deals.
Have more to say but let's see if this makes it.
I know. Stay positive.

- For the most part I love the site.  I find the layout and design perfect and easy to navigate.  The ads are not a problem at all. 

-  I, too, would love to see a more in depth discussion of local politics and political races.  Maybe a MJ endorsement.  Or a more detailed breakdown of where candidates stand on the issues the site focuses on.  Historic Preservation?  Mobility Plan(s)? Downtown and urban core revitalization?  Human Rights Ordinance?  Food Trucks?  Hemming Plaza and Parks?  Etc. 
   A lot of candidates have their own sites and "stances" on issues that are just too broad (e.g. taxes and pensions) with boiler plate answers "stop government waste, fix pensions, blah blah blah"

-  Sometimes the discussions on here turn into an insider conversation.  A lot of people visit this site, and a lot don't have the background or knowledge to hang in a technical conversation on planning.  It can be intimidating for some, and when they ask for an explanation they're either ignored or shrugged off. 
   If people are visiting this site, it means they've already taken an interest in Jacksonville beyond general news.  That's a powerful audience and one that is ripe for good engagement. 

-  The forum moderation is tricky.  By definition it should be an open arena for conversation.  I don't mind the posts about national or world issues.  At least I know what I am getting if I click on it.  But the threads about Historic Preservation or neighborhoods can quickly dissolve into back and forths with little information.  Soon you find yourself hunting for good info in an increasingly difficult thread.

-  Keep up the great work.  You're the only place in this city that does what you do.   

Quote from: Sonic101 on August 10, 2014, 05:41:00 PM
Maybe you could expand and add more coverage for some surrounding towns. Like make an area for Fernandina or St. Augustine issues and coverage.

Otherwise maybe the UI and layout could be updated. The site doesn't feel as modern and clean as some other sites.

Thanks. We're definitely looking to improve with our coverage of NE Florida communities such as Fernandina Beach and St. Augustine. What are some examples of sites that are viewed as clean and modern?

Quote from: Gamblor on August 10, 2014, 01:48:52 PM

Quote from: Tacachale on August 09, 2014, 11:46:40 PM

4. What areas of focus would you like to see less coverage on?
In the articles, I often find myself skipping the ones on other cities.

I agree with the general sentiments already being discussed, but I do want to counter this. While others may not enjoy them, the articles on other cities are some of my favorites

Since I'm the guy normally sharing what's taking place in other communities, I can do a better job of relating those scenes (both good and bad) to issues and ideas currently being considered (or not) locally. For example, a "Learning From" article showcasing Baltimore's Inner Harbor can be written to highlight how certain investments over time have led to that city's waterfront becoming a national success story and while investment in similar uses over the same time period has not created similar results locally.

Quote from: jcjohnpaint on August 10, 2014, 05:18:17 PM
Adds are fine.  I do have problems getting the site on my phone.  Although, my phone is 4 years old. 

It definitely sounds like our mobile site needs some work.

1. What do you believe sets us a part from other sites in Jacksonville?
    The insites into local issues and information about Jacksonville history. Sometimes this insite comes from the banter in the comments. I also don't like it when comments come down to the "you're an idiot" level, but sometimes they are amusing. If the comments were more heavily narrated I wouldn't have found out so much about what makes this city tick.

2. What are the strong and weak points with the articles we currently write?
     Some articles only touch the surface of a subject, such as the recent one about Fortune 500 companies in Jax. Those kinds of articles seem to be just notations on photographs. I've seen this style of article in any number of online publications and it always leaves me wanting more information.

3. What areas of focus would you like to see more in-depth coverage on?
     Even though I don't participate in the forums much, I've been reading MetroJacksonville daily for the past 3 years.  I rely on it and the Jacksonville Business News to understand what's really happening around here. Having a Jacksonville Politician scoreboard - who voted for what, who said what, who's backing what..etc would be a good reference for me.

4. What areas of focus would you like to see less coverage on?
    Comparisons to other cities. I never read those articles. I understand why they are written, and I think a comparison is good to find out about what WON'T work in Jax because it failed so miserably in other cities, but finding out what will work in this city depends too much on the unique factors involved in Jacksonville.

5. What topics do we currently cover that you see as most unique and compelling?
     I tend to focus on the articles on subjects I have the greatest interest in; current events, local history, the individual neighborhoods, problems Jax faces.


6. Should we attempt to focus on specific niches or be more general-interest with our articles?
I read MetroJax because of the current article niches.

7. Do you believe the content we produce is being strained by the site's current design?
The design is ok.