What a difference the lack of P&R makes, not just from a traffic standpoint, but also looking at it from a moderation side of things.
A typical work week here usually consists of anywhere from 1,380 to 1,580 unique visitors per day. This past week, with P&R turned off, we saw a range of 1,470 to 1,640 unique visitors per day. A pretty decent increase, especially when you consider that the only thing we did different was turn P&R off.
This past week pushed us over the magical 20,000 unique visitors goal we've been waiting for all summer. Imagine how that number might look after an entire month of similar performance. We did hit 20,000 last year during the winter season with P&R on, so I'd be curious to see what we could do to that number if P&R stayed off all winter.
The number of new surveying-related threads started in a work week is typically around 50. This past work week, with P&R off, 68 new surveying-related threads were started. As you can see, it's a pretty significant increase (about 26%).
From a moderation standpoint, I have to admit that it's been pretty nice. While I did receive one negative email, I didn't get pelted with the usual accusations of choosing sides, favoritism, etc. All in all, a great week.
With all of that in mind, we haven't decided for sure how we will handle P&R in the future. We figure we've got until November 7, 2012 or so to decide whether or not to turn P&R back on. We really want to give surveyors everywhere the opportunity to discuss nearly any subject they want here, but past experiences have definitely jaded our opinion of that category. But we're still keeping the idea open for the time being.
My vote is to get rid of P&R forever.
I'm not sure how ....
you can relate P&R off to any of the increased traffic issues you mention. I say this because to see P&R you have to be a registered user and you have to have P&R turned on. You have a total of approximately 2200 registered users so that means 18,000 people can't see it anyways.
I'm sure it is less headache for you with it turned off, but the problem is you take it all too seriously. You ought to just ignore it and emails you get and tell people to grow up. Anyone who complains about P&R should have P&R turned off by you. Some of us do enjoy it for the laughs it gives us.
I can see why you'd want to relegate P&R to the dustbin of Beer Leg/Surveyor Connect history; but I can't help but think that, for me at least, it lessens the site substantially.
It's not the fact that the category is gone, per se, that "bothers" me. It's that I always saw rpls.com and this site, its logical successor, as a community of surveyors rather than a resource of any sort; and at times I question whether I want to be part of a community where all the members can't be trusted to behave as I believe adults should in all subjects of discourse. One always hears the admonishment that you shouldn't discuss politics or religion in "polite company"; but to my way of thinking if you can't, then you're not among polite company in the first place.
Sounds to me like you have your own answer in you own ruminations.
Leave it turned off.
Might also be a selling point to potential advertisers on your side - in that "we do actively moderate the board and 'BS' won't be tolerated".
Just a thought.
Eric is probably right.
Nate
> Eric is probably right.
>
> Nate
Thanks Nate.
As they say in Southernism: "even a blind can get a nut once in a while". 🙂
As a regular P&R user, I don't care if it stays or goes. I'll use this site either way. In fact, one of my first posts to this board was a suggestion to "[msg=542]Dump P&R[/msg]".
Pig. You forgot the pig.
No P/R will result in the site being more informative but less entertaining.
That solely depends on what it takes to entertain you.
It had gotten FAR to vile and ignorant to be entertaining. I see no entertainment in watching supposed adults act stupid. That's just not funny.
Leave it turned off permanently.
I'll miss it, as between the mudslinging there was the occasional astute observation that gave me food for thought, but will continue to come here whatever is decided.
I frequent a number of P&R sites, and always found the level of discussion was far more civil and thought provoking here. For the most part, there are some smart cookies here on both sides of the spectrum.
Another musician's site I follow turned off P&R several years ago with no loss of traffic. Yet another turned their P&R into a no holds barred unmoderated pit and whining to the mods fell on deaf ears. You had to be a registered member to get in, and had to take your lumps like a man if you chose to post there. When the attacks became personal and threatening, I quit going there.
I can see the wisdom of leaving it off, but I'll be the first to say I'll mourn the loss.
Pig??? I thought it was a squirrel?
Hell, I always thought it was "Even a blind nut finds a squirrel once in a while"
I learned that here!
Have a great Sunday!B-)
Hey Target, you busy by you?
while it could lead down that path of good intentions, political humor could be a category to consider. of course, given the strong commitments some have to their political heroes, i could see it being a total failure.
do as you will. if someone does not like it, they can create the SurveyorsTalkingPolitics.com website.
I never really went to P&R much anyways. I wouldnt miss it if its gone permanently
I have never seen a reason to edit, censor or shut down P&R. I suggest a single rule, "If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. 🙂
> When the attacks became personal and threatening, I quit going there.
Exactly. That is what we want to avoid, although we were getting them in private quite a bit from certain "bullies". ( And they call themselves "Professionals??!!" :-@ )
When someone tells you "turn it on or else!!" well, that just makes ME want to keep it off longer. There's NO reason for ANY kind of threats against us or ANYONE else. Period!!
> I can see the wisdom of leaving it off, but I'll be the first to say I'll mourn the loss.
I wish there was a way to turn it back on and not worry about what I mentioned above but...every time we turn it back on, yeah it starts off nice...But sooner or later it escalates into trouble. *sigh* :-/
I thought it was, "even a blind retriever can find a lame duck".
I predict it will be back on shortly after the election.
