What is Round Table? Well, concisely stated, Round Table is a discrete portion of the website accessible by only a select few members of PackersHome for the purpose of expanding and improving the website with their valued thoughts, concerns, suggestions and opinions.

The motivation for such a group was sparked from comments I read recently on other fan websites where folks were blindly proclaiming said site to be “the best Packers website on the internet, hands down”. Sure, this is petty, but this irked me a little bit and made me realize, PackersHome is essentially the best kept Packers site secret on the internet. This has to change. But how? This is where your participation is necessary.

I have no problems spending a little money on promoting the website, if results are promising. However, I am stern on the website having absolutely zero pay per click advertisements. PackersHome is for entertainment purposes only.

With that said, welcome to the group, your participation an insight is valued and if you feel others should be included, do not hesitate to mention them.

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BTW, nothing said, mentioned or referred in this section called Round Table is to be discussed outside of the Round Table. This is serious shit yo! But really, keep it here, okay, thank you.

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Kevin,

I can not imagine what else you can do to draw a bigger crowd. People have to sort of stumble in on their own. You are on facebook. I see people post over there but not here. Why the post in one place and not the other I don't understand.

In one respect I like a smaller group that we can get to know better. One the other hand if we don't have an infusion of newbies the site will fade. We have already lost a few of the active members in the past year.

I have given the website address to many people over the past year or two but not one of them signed up and participate.

Other than having links from other Packer related sites to this board I can not think of any other way to attract people.

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I appreciate you passing out the link. I hope more do the same.

The smaller group is nice, yes, however, as you indicated, without an infusing replacements for the site, it will eventually be just me talking to me. Let me tell you, that is kind of boring. For every member we gain, we're losing about 8.

I'd like to spend 99% of my PH time reading, instead of spending 60% posting trying to create discussions. Basically, I just want to be the geek behind the scenes who contributes a good thought every leap year.

There are several features and a slightly tweaked design in store. The problem is I don't have much time and every second you're not getting the site name out there, is more members lost. That's why I'm seeking others assistance. This is difficult to admit, but I can't do it alone. I need help.

You all know none of this profits me a nickel as I've never accepted many of the donation offers. The purpose of this site is to give Packers fans the best possible place to talk Packers and whatever else. We just need more people.

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Pretty much anywhere I hit the web in terms of talking sports.. I generally have a link back to here.

So I apologize in advance if I provide a bad influence.. Example as attached.


** edit ** Hmmm can't attach graphics in this subforum.. just noting it.  PHAdvertising.JPG You have insufficient rights to see the content.

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My fault. Please, try again.

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No fault.. just was notating it as I noticed it.. future use purpose.

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I do appreciate the links, thank you. I am considering merging with another Packers forum. I haven't inquired upon it at all, but have been asking myself ... is this what is best for PH? And I know it is, then the next question, can I relinquish some control? I am also confident that I can do this appropriately as well.

I'm feeling this idea out yet before making any kind of suggestion. It would perfect to have other moderators here so I can just sit back an watch. If this were to actually happen, I'd have to explain my understanding of moderators first and clearly. I failed to do that previously. And I've also learned I'm desiring to DO things, than constantly be the one who comes up with them, does them and implement them.

The thought of writing code that brings posts and members from another database into this one is really exciting to me.

Two good forums comprise to make one gooder forum. And neither site is insanely popular so the wartheads won't be in abundance either.

Ugh, I have to focus on work with all these ideas going through my head ...

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I am going to tread somewhat lightly here, but at the same time try to give some feedback that may help, more of the outside looking in type.

1. Merging with another forum is going to require compromise, unless you are acquiring it. It is also going to require consistency in vision, direction and implementation. Not saying that isn't doable.

2. I have had the pleasure of seeing both the great side of working in teamwork with you, but I also have seen some of the trials as well. I think via life experience and growth, I think you are more ready today to tackle some of the delegation and trust of allowing others to assist. I also think others might have a better understanding today of your personality and expectations after a couple years of observation. But it is still going to require patience.

3. Other sites might have some return expectations vs for the love of the subject and conversation.

4. Is bigger really "gooder"? I guess it comes down to where the ultimate target for the site is? I know at one time you wished to have articles and more exclusive content. My opinion, there is a ton of original and valuable content here already, it is just chopped up into bits and pieces within threads. Articles, good articles take time and energy to develop, construct and relay quality. I think most here us this as an escape from the work of life.. committing to articles is somewhat defeating.

Another thing I notice here, the short posts generally outperform the larger posts with more content and complete thoughts. Example would be Wade's completeness in thoughts.. how many people really read the content thoroughly verse the concise posts of a single line or two? At times there were some very good articles on the site.. but got very little interaction. So to the writer, the question is why bother? Over the years I have played with both opening posts and rebuttals within the threads.. more content is often bypassed whereas the more one sided posts generate responses in support or rebuttal.

I guess what I am saying, is this venue here is a good start to define what the user base truly wants to help shape the ultimate direction. What is really going to spur activity? Over the past 5 years, I can say a "villain" or two on the boards truly sparks conversation. But it also sparks drama and pettiness... so there has to be a balance of some sort.

5. Most people here truly want you and the site to succeed.. sometimes it is lost in jest, emotion or inconsistency. But the root is most of the members here want this to continue to be a positive and fun place to converse.

I have to run.. but that is a start of thoughts... take them for what they are worth.

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Excellent insight, thank you.


The compromising thing is something I was alluding to that I have to lay out. What and where and how much can I compromise? I know I want a much more scaled back role on the site and I know clearly what that role is. It's finding people to take the other roles that I struggle with.

The articles thing would have been great and I think would still be a great addition. I have an idea on how to make that work for both writers and members and PH in general. I know how difficult it is to write an original piece too as I used to do it for about seven weeks, lol. I found myself writing notes down during the game, thus missing parts of the game. Then, the most the post received was ... 'good write up'. I remember thinking, what... three words ? that's like one word per 10 minutes I put into that, not counting the research time.

I wouldn't consider merging with another site that was expecting some financial gain, if that's what you're saying.

I've noticed a trend with the site that more members are leaving than are coming in. So, do I want PH to be ungodly big? No. But I think averaging over 400'ish posts during the season would be very ideal. Our villains have left after the Super Bowl win. And actually shortly before that. We all pretty much agree on most everything. To me, that is boring. There's a reason there are no large set of rules. I crave different opinions. Sometimes, I try to play the villain role, but it usually backfires on me.

I guess I just fear the site going into oblivion without new members to replace the old members. Can you believe this site has been around for six years? That blows my mind. I want another six years, but I want the next six years to better than the last six. And to do that, I have to ask for help and allow others to help. I want a PH way, not a my way, if that makes sense.

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