Reinvigorate ASF as a stock forum

[explod]

I think that general discussion threads are okay up to a point but the big one killing a lot of interest is the subject of politics.

It was an adage when I was a youth that religion and politics was taboo and it is for good reason I can see in retrospct.

Not sure how this can be controlled but an emphasis back to stock market stuff needs to be to the fore. Maybe the Web page can have some type of division.

Of course as someone has already pointed out, a lot of investors are north in warmer climes for the winter and the US are on summer vocation. The markets too are in fact doom and gloom now and as most of us are half cup full people this is a turn off as well.

 

[overhang]

What if perhaps the general chat threads weren't displayed in the recent threads, that way general chat wouldn't be so in the face but could still be found. Hope that made sense

 

[springhill]

Nioka, i support you 100%.
In the past i have been reticint to post my thoughts on some stocks i have been watching, or purchasing, out of a sense of inferiority to some members on here. Hence viewing my own posts as inadequete.
My strategy is simple, look for stocks that are near cash value and have a drlling program in place, or are being restructured with good management.
Your thread has encouraged me to do more on ASF.

 

[Julia]

What if perhaps the general chat threads weren't displayed in the recent threads, that way general chat wouldn't be so in the face but could still be found. Hope that made sense

What is so difficult about just ignoring the threads which don't interest you?
I never read the threads on sport or conspiracy theories, plus many of those on small, speccie stocks, but I'm quite happy to just pass them by.

I think Basilio made a good point very well. There are fewer stock threads because many are deterred from participating at present.

If enough people are genuinely interested in discussing stocks, then obviously those threads are the ones which will dominate the list of threads, so why not just get on with it instead of criticising e.g. political discussion which I'd have thought was pretty relevant at present.

 

[overhang]

I’d hardly call a mere suggestion to be criticism Julia. So if you’d like to put it that way, what is so difficult about using the sub forums to access the general chat?
The point is when new comers first visit this site for investment purposes it will be judged on recent participation and relevant topics, whilst you will argue that politics is relevant most the political discussion is nothing more than banter.

 

[professor_frink]

I’d hardly call a mere suggestion to be criticism Julia. So if you’d like to put it that way, what is so difficult about using the sub forums to access the general chat?
The point is when new comers first visit this site for investment purposes it will be judged on recent participation and relevant topics, whilst you will argue that politics is relevant most the political discussion is nothing more than banter.

This one of quite a few things that has been discussed between the mods and Joe. Obviously hasn't been implemented, but hasn't been ruled out as an option in the future either

 

[Timmy]

I’d hardly call a mere suggestion to be criticism Julia. So if you’d like to put it that way, what is so difficult about using the sub forums to access the general chat?
The point is when new comers first visit this site for investment purposes it will be judged on recent participation and relevant topics, whilst you will argue that politics is relevant most the political discussion is nothing more than banter.

I agree - get the emphasis back on stocks and financial topics by making them the focus, easiest to find, highlighted etc..
Nothing wrong with sports/politics/hot chicks D) etc., and these can be ignored easily enough, just get the emphasis right.

 

[moXJO]

People will be back posting shares once the market picks up. The same thing happens on certain property forums when the housing market comes off the boil. People usually post when its doom or boom and not much in-between.

Posters have been dropping out of general chat as well, and imo it's just a reflection of current market sentiment and trading conditions. Interest in the market is coming a distant second.

The ones that are still trading are gravitating to another forum.

 

[springhill]

As a suggestion, would it be possible to implement the option of ignoring/blocking entire Forums or Sub-Forums? As you can with particular members.
Eg. If you were on here for Stock chat only, you could block/ignore the General Chat Forum.
Or if you weren't interested in Forex, you could block that.

Otherwise, have General Chat broken down further to Politics/Sport/Social? From there you could ignore any or all of the above?

 

[Ruby]

As a suggestion, would it be possible to implement the option of ignoring/blocking entire Forums or Sub-Forums? As you can with particular members.
Eg. If you were on here for Stock chat only, you could block/ignore the General Chat Forum.
Or if you weren't interested in Forex, you could block that.

Otherwise, have General Chat broken down further to Politics/Sport/Social? From there you could ignore any or all of the above?

We already have the option of ignoring forums that don't interest us - just don't go there. There are some which I have never visited, and I am sure other members do the same.

If General Chat was broken down into sub-forums it raises other problems, because you could theoretically have an infinite number of topics to choose from.

It is good that this subject has been raised and that people are coming forward with ideas, but perhaps the responsibility lies with us, the members, to put more effort into making the forum more market topical.

 

[Julia]

I’d hardly call a mere suggestion to be criticism Julia. So if you’d like to put it that way, what is so difficult about using the sub forums to access the general chat?

I was referring to the overall criticism of the content of political threads, Overhang, not specifically your suggestion.

People will be back posting shares once the market picks up. The same thing happens on certain property forums when the housing market comes off the boil. People usually post when its doom or boom and not much in-between.

We already have the option of ignoring forums that don't interest us - just don't go there. There are some which I have never visited, and I am sure other members do the same.

If General Chat was broken down into sub-forums it raises other problems, because you could theoretically have an infinite number of topics to choose from.

Agree. It would be unreasonably complicated.

As I suggested earlier, surely if real interest exists in various stock threads, then the whole question of what appears first is self-selecting. If there are continuous and enthusiastic discussions about any/all stocks, then those threads are what will dominate the Home Page which is what I'm assuming the problem is for those who are unhappy with the status quo.

Am I missing something here in thinking this is logical?

But if it will make the unhappy people happy, then by all means ban "General Chat" from ever appearing on the Home Page. It's not too hard to access it via the "Forums" link.

 

[Timmy]

Am I missing something

Yes.
We are talking about active intervention to highlight posts that are not "General Chat" related.
So, not just 'self-selecting', actually putting the focus onto non-"General Chat" topics.
You don't have to agree BTW, just generating ideas.

As overhang said:

Quote:
Originally Posted by overhang
The point is when new comers first visit this site for investment purposes it will be judged on recent participation and relevant topics,

This will help us, and working families, in Moving Forward, Together :

 

[Surly]

I have seen a forum with two new posts buttons. One was All New Posts and to rephrase relevant to this forum All New Stocks Posts perhaps.

I enjoy the banter but agree the stock relevant content has fallen too.

cheers
Surly

 

[nioka]

I've never thought of changing any format. All I would like to see/get is more information on stocks. I'm working on the assumption that the forum is for an EXCHANGE of ideas. General chat is OK by me. If the stock chat isn't there then it doesn't matter what the format is. IT just hasn't been there lately.

Lately you wouldn't need a section for new posts. Mostly they are all on the home page, unless you are not tuned in for a day or so.

 

[gordon2007]

I shall make a suggestion. For those of you have for whatever reason cannot stand seeing the 'recent thread' on asf, why not just change your favorites to 'https://www.aussiestockforums.com/forums/ '. This way you see a list of all available threads and don't have to even click into the general threads.

 

[Joe Blow]

Firstly let me say that I appreciate everyone's feedback. That's why I let this thread run. I'm interested in people's peceptions of ASF and how they think it could be improved. I'm a collaborative person by nature and I like to hear the honest opinions of others.

Most discussions of trading ideas get lost in the Q&A which follows.
I suggest that if something is being demonstrated to follow as in say the Volume thread that it can be locked by the person showing the ideas with a separate thread for questions.
That way you can at least follow it.
I know moderation status has to go with that capability but if its abused just take it away.

Unfortunately there is no way to make it so that only one person can post in a thread. I think the Q&A is an important part of any discussion and although there's obviously nothing we can do about genuine questions, the moderators and I certainly don't mind keeping troublemakers and serial pests out of any useful discussion.

Surely the mods could come up with a piece of code that would block out the political banter. So that the helpful contributors could be focused on!

Threads in the General Chat forum can be removed from the "Recent Threads" section on the front page, but that's about all I can do. It is not possible to ignore individual threads or entire forums.

I do wonder sometimes if potentially valuable new members may be put off when they post a newbie query, or question a strategy put up by an existing member and are met with arrogant and dismissive responses. Don't think I'd be hanging around for more of the same.

This is also a concern of mine and I would like to urge everyone to be as understanding as possible with newcomers so they're not put off from contributing. We all have to start somewehere and silly questions go with the territory when you're a beginner.

Can it be made easier to insert a chart into a stock discussion? "that other place" lets us upload and insert images into the post itself, rather than finding another website to upload, then inserting a picture by URL to that location.

This is actually a very simple process and I notice that Professor Frink has been kind enough to answer your question. If you have any additional queries about the process please don't hesitate to ask.

What if perhaps the general chat threads weren't displayed in the recent threads, that way general chat wouldn't be so in the face but could still be found. Hope that made sense

This can be done easily and if a lot of ASF members would like me to do this then I will be more than happy to. If you support this idea then please let me know in this thread.

On the topic of more stock related chat, I would like to see more too. However, I can't force ASF members to post in stock threads. It has to be something people do of their own volition. So if you're following a stock and there's been a major announcement or you have some relevant information to share, why not post in the thread for that company and let us know about it? You don't have to be an experienced trader/investor to post in stock threads. Perhaps you just have a couple of questions you'd like to ask? All I ask is that people don't ramp/downramp and that they contribute some meaningful content. Apart from that, please post away and lets get more stock chat happening!

Also, don't forget to invite your stock market interested friends and acquaintances so they can register at ASF and contribute also. The more active members we have the more stock discussion we will have!

 

[Aussiejeff]

I agree with your sentiment, however I don't really think it's the boards fault per se. Look how many people are actually out of the market full stop at the current time. What else are they to talk about if they're not actually investing\trading.

You smashed the nail on the head, gordon....

In the case of small investors (most ASF'ers - under $1,000,000?),

Very Conservative "investors" - definitely OUT
Moderately Conservative "investors" - mostly OUT
Slightly Conservative "investors" - probably mostly OUT
Slightly Speculative "investors" - large proportion OUT
Moderately Speculative "investors" - 1/3 OUT?
Very Speculative "Investors" - mostly IN.

I think right now, the OUTS have it?

IMO most share activity in world markets is being driven (some may say "manipulated") by big speculative funds, banks etc. Easy to do when specs are the big drivers?

Good luck & Happy Punting for those still IN ...


aj

 

[pixel]

To attach a chart in a post,

click here:

View attachment 37966

This will open up a new window. From there click on the browse button:

View attachment 37967

Find the file on your computer and then hit upload.

Simple

Thanks Professor.

Is there a "Stupid Hat" you could hand me?
I honestly didn't see that paperclip

 

[pixel]

If it will make the unhappy people happy, then by all means ban "General Chat" from ever appearing on the Home Page. It's not too hard to access it via the "Forums" link.

Yet another alternative, which I always use:
Click on "New Posts".

As a result, my list only contains threads where new contributions have been added since my last visit. Stuff that I chose to ignore previously won't show up again. Too easy.

 

[nulla nulla]

Hi Joe

At this point in time I am midfull of the old addage "If it isn't broken, then don't fix it".

To me ,as a member of nearly 2 years, I have had no problems differentitaing between "General" topic threads and "Stock" specific threads. I have had to ask questions in respect of posting graphs and youtube video's, but in general it has been really easy to "search" for a thread I am interested in or start one myself.

IMO this is a good forum, runs in an easy to understand format and doesn't need changing. In respect of posts about topics some members would rather not see, without restricting freedom of speech, they have the open of ignoring those posts and proceeding to the threads they are interested in.

Keep up the good work (and your moderators as well)

thanks & regards

nulla