Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Is HoL becoming Gumtree?
It seems to me that every time I log on to HoL these days there are loads of ads from people selling stuff, as though it were Gumtree. I've used the site myself to give away some old furniture, so clearly there is a need for this kind of local facility, but I wonder if it might be better on a separate page as it seems to be taking over from discussion and debate as the main reason for using the site.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Liz on
-
The architecture of the site (not determined by us) makes it difficult. They are in their own category but people can't post themselves to a 'page' and use of groups to do it proved to be confusing for people. We used to have latest activity centre stage but it was argued by users that it was could be off putting, so we swapped it to Latest Posts in the Forum.
-
Permalink Reply by Hugh on
-
I take the point. If I were commissioning a HoL platform there would be many things I'd do differently. Since this is not a revenue generating or commercial enterprise, however, I'm afraid I had to take what's on offer at the cheaper and more cheerful end of things.
Working at this end of the tech spectrum, with a customisable, but not tailor-made web platform, means our choices are severely limited. The only way to separate out the "For Sale" posts is through the categories.
I know the categories system on HoL isn't prefect. Ultimately, because Liz and I have limited time, categorisation is only as good as people make it. To reduce miscategorisations, some years back I set the default as 'No Category". The upside of this is that it has reduced miscategorisations, but not got rid of them. The only way to do that would be for Liz and I to check and recategorise every post.....always. Whilst we both can barely contain our enthusiasm for this task, we somehow manage to restrain ourselves. (But are open to offers from anyone with less self-control). The downside of the "No Category" default is that I have to categorise any conversations that are added without category. (It's not a task I enjoy and it's always helpful if people can categorise when they add a discussion).
Whilst I wish it were otherwise, I'm afraid the only way to filter out the "For Sale" posts would be to remove the latest activity feature from the front page and replace it with links to forum categories.
In summary, I agree that things could be organised better in many many ways on the site, and I'm always open to offers. In the meantime, I hope I've provide a little insight into the hurdles and barriers.
As far as content on local news and goings on is concerned, I'm afraid I've been even busier than usual of late, so it has rather tailed off. Any budding editors/contributors out there?
-
Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
-
Surely that keen young man from the Ham&High...
-
Permalink Reply by Maddy on
-
Gosh I didn't even know I was supposed to choose a category for my posts - sorry if I've been creating extra work for you both. I'll try and do that in future.
-
-
This seems a very good idea - specific and easy to use. I wonder if Hugh can flag it up somehow for people to post on. (I have joined - nothing to post about at the moment, but might have some bits and bobs to dispose of soon.)
-
Permalink Reply by John D on
-
I don't want yet another site to check. HOL is fine as it is although I don't need to know that Bloggs J has copied a discussion to Twitter / Facebook et al.
-
Permalink Reply by matt on
-
... then there's the need a nanny/cleaner/architect/builder for my loft conversion posts .... mixed in with the found/missing puddy cat ... dumped rubbish ... traffic ... bins not emptied ... posts. Pickles would be proud of our community activism. Surprised he hasn't visited for a tour of the kebab restaurants and HOL HQ - it's only up the road Eric (and it appears more & more Telegraph readers are moving into the area so there might be votes in it for you
).HOL is excellent for getting rid of stuff or acquiring things others don't want and also brilliant for finding out what's going on locally or even further afield. It is what it is - Hugh & Liz do a fine job.
-
Permalink Reply by Donna FT on
-
I see your point but as someone who has given away and sold a few things using HoL, I'd be loathe to see that possibility go. The benefits I've found are that by keeping things local, it's cutting down on travel to collect things, often meant same day or week collections and has meant I've met a few HoLers in real life!
-
Permalink Reply by Bethany on
-
I think all posts asking for recommendations, giving things away/selling things etc are what make this forum really good it creates a real community feel...Like asking your neighbour if you can borrow a cup of sugar in the olden days.
I'm not really interested in what the same people have to say about every single thing that's posted...It's usually the sound of their own voices...
So if anyone wants to borrow a lawnmower/cup of sugar etc, give away all their baby detritus, sell a sofa or recommend a plumber I say keep it coming!
It's what makes Harringay a great place to live!
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
© 2024 Created by Hugh.
Powered by
