What is the Main Deterrent to Participation?

Feels like the community is turning more into a top member hang out then the wider community it used to be. Just my 2c

Sometimes this is the case. Initiatives like the recent Bit by the Bug generate a lot of fresh member activity, but how do we motivate new members to stick around and enjoy other benefits?

Well put. I agree with this analysis. There are other perspectives, but this is a common one and an important one - as the poll shows. One of the reasons for this poll is to air this type of perspective and explore ways to address the deterrents. Your collaboration idea is great, maybe all it needs is a method of administration that doesn't burden staff.

I'm not sure why it should burden staff. It could be the same as the current format, but the team choose who gets what part of the kit from E14 the rest goes as usual. The final product comes from one location if shipping is required (like safe wearables) and it should be a team effort to complete the project. I'm not saying this is the best solution but it's another solution.

Input from members was requested, I am therefore participating by giving my input.

dougw The recent "TI Wireless IoT Blutooth Digital Multimeter" is one of these top member things that make the community feel like it's all about the top member. Apparently the winner was selected even before it was opened to everyone else. This means in 24 hours some people hurried to learn about a product, write a proposal and post it without knowing they had no chance.

Kas

Why would you make that comment. ?

I can only presume that because element14 asked one of the TM's to apply, it was assummed that it would be they who got selected.

I have to admit it was a short time between opening and closing ....

Mark

Hi kas.lewis

I agree as I think most members do that that particular Road Test was rolled out without enough clarity on who was really eligible. I am still confused by it - the explanations of why it was done don't explain why the directed nature of the road test wasn't made obvious. I assume it was just an oversight. Fortunately I didn't spend precious time working on a proposal, but I can certainly relate to the frustrations that would arise from doing so. If there were no Top Members and a road test was directed at some chosen members but rolled out the same way, it would have been just as confusing and frustrating. I sure hope if they roll another directed road test out it will be clear up front that this is what is going on.

When you become a Top Member, look up their discussions on what it means to be a Top Member.

mcb1 wrote:

 

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I have to admit it was a short time between opening and closing ....

 

 

Mark

Yes, that's certainly not to be repeated. Not respectful.

Why would I make that comment... It simple I work hard to research a product understand what makes it unique and what the manufacturer is trying to show off with their product. None of this is made clear from teh road test or the documentation right there, you need to dig for it. So to go through all that only to find out it was for nothing is hurtful. If it's for a specific member state that, don't open a RT for 24 hours, have people scramble to write a good proposal then extended teh deadline and then after all that say the winner was preselected.

I used to be a lot more involved around here but getting side lined and just feeling like nothing you say in relation to the community means anything does make you less interested in getting involved. Seeing some people win a few top RT one after the other doesn't help either. So in short when you put your time in only to be told you didn't stand a chance to begin with... you can figure out the rest.

Looking at that RT, it does appear that it was already decided.

Have you sent a PM to the element14 community (ie Randall).

I understand their email address is in their profile.

Collaboration as a requirement hasn't caught on, but it isn't disallowed either, so I think I will try to collaborate on a project and see if I can make it work out and also find out how well it is received. It seems the only way to move beyond discussion is to actually try it.

Personally I would love to collaborate with one of the more senior (read as much smarter) members of the community. The opportunity to learn from someone with much more skill and understanding than myself is invaluable.

Kas

Personally I would love to collaborate with one of the more senior (read as much smarter) members of the community. The opportunity to learn from someone with much more skill and understanding than myself is invaluable.

Kas

I don't know about smarter, but I almost qualify as a senior.

I have already submitted a collaboration proposal with a new member. When that one is done I will likely be looking around for another project and co-conspirator.

If you wish to try collaboration on a particular contest, let us know. If I am not available or capable there may be smarter members who would also like to collaborate.

Maybe we could make a group for finding collaborators, or at least have some mechanism if people are really interested in this concept.

Kas

if you’re going for a collaboration, a Document is a better tool than a Blog here on element14.

you can grant your team members update rights, and it’s versioned.