Hi everyone!

I'm very sorry for the confusion that has been going on lately, about the usage of the new forums, I will try my best to explain the situation.

The Forums were created to allow both the users and the Moderators a better experience in sharing codes and asking for questions.

As I have repeated many times, there are countless advantages of using the Forums.


Let us look at this situation reasonably.

I am a person that rathers to think analytically, and make the decisions based upon the current situation and the future effects.

This group has been a great help for everyone, and I like helping others.
That is why I have spent so much time, just like our moderators at helping people in need.

But please let us think reasonably...

1 year from now, will the rate of questions every decrease?
Will we finally reach a point where people can easily find the codes they are looking for?

No,

The rate of questions are only increasing, and it will continue to increase as more members join this group.

Right now, we have 685 topics in this group, and we have 673 members.

We have more topics and more questions being asked, than there are members here.

People ask the same questions over and over every day.

And I really don't blame them.

Let's please be realistic...

I don't expect Anyone to search through 685 topics! to see if the question has been asked already.

They will ask, and ask and ask, the same questions over and over, without end.

Why?

Because hi5 Groups are designed for simple conversations and discussions.

It is NOT a wise place to try to make a database of codes.

The work of the Moderators and helpers will never cease.

If you've even noticed, Nuno Peralta (one of our Moderators who most did not know), a very smart guy and thinks analytically also.

He has also realized from long ago that it makes no sense answering the same questions over and over, because it will never end.

Hence, you do not see him at this group again...

Our life is not hi5.


I have NEVER commanded anyone what to do or what not to do!

I have Asked the moderators, Irene, and Jeenifar to please try to get the users to use the forums instead, by directing them to the forum, from where we will immediately answer their question.

It is up to them if they want to help me do this or not. I will not be angry at them, not remove their Moderator status if they don't share the same ideas as me.

I am not that type of person.

With the new forums, we will be able to establish a proper database and community where we can share hi5 codes, graphics and any other stuff.

I'm sure everyone here is experiencing the issues we all face in hi5 with their poor service.
So why not take things into our own hand and make a community that we can actually have full control of?


Searching for a code at the Forums is as simple as ever.

Just type in the search box what you are looking for, and if the code has been already posted, of the question already asked, the relevant results will show up.


I have spend many long hours compiling a very very long list of almost every single code on hi5!

Why not just check the codes out at the forums instead of causing more work for the helpers of the group?

We will continue to add more codes, as more questions are asked.

Untill we have virtually every possible code on hi5, which is well organized into sub-forums and categories so that everyone can find and use them at their will in a flash.



Allot of people asking questions here are not showing concern for others.

They ask their question, get a reply, then go their merry way.
Then some time in the future, someone will ask the same question again, the previous question being now buried in the pile of topics, and the cycle continues.

If you want to show concern for others, then please post your questions in the forums, where people can actually find the question asked already, and save everyone the drama of repeating the questions.


You guys need to communicate with me here.

I alone do not own this group, but everyone who is a member of this group.

You guys are not giving me any feedback what so ever.

So how can you expect me to make decisions that you like, if I don't know what you want?

You just ask your question, get your answer, a thanks, and that's it.

Where is our community and togetherness?

I try my best to let you guys know why I am not around when it happens,
and what next I am planning on releasing.

You are putting all the pressure on me to make such big decisions, then you want to get angry at me...

What am I to do?
I'm am working my hardest to provide of all these new things for hi5 and our Group.

But it seems to be a problem for everyone...

I really need some feedback people.

Please tell me what is the problem in using the forums,

Why it is a bad idea, weather or not you think is will help ease the work of the helpers, and so on...

I will try to be around often today to reply your questions and answers.

-Andrew

wow! congratulations andrew and to the whole hi5 customization crew guys! excellent job! but, i went through the forum,and it is kinda complicated... :/ well, i dont know much about computers and stuff, so that might be it, but they are not THAT clear :/ well, is the forumm finished or more and more things will be added to it???

No the forum is actually far from finished.

But yes the CSS part is mostly completed.
So that is I released that part.

And yes, allot of new things will be added to it.

It really isn't very hard to use.
The Codes are well organized.

I'll show an Example,

Say I wanted to find out how to change the font type of my Links in my Journal.

1) I visit the CSS forums:
http://forums.hi5-world.com/viewforum.php?f=4

2) I go to the sub-forum "Main Body":
http://forums.hi5-world.com/viewforum.php?f=22

The Journal is in the Main Body section, so that is why I check there.

Next, you will find a long list of topics for codes for the Main Body:

Journal Entries
Contact Info
Vanity Bars
User Info
User Url
About-Left
About-Center
Online now Icon
Today’s Topic
User Links
Profile Picture
About-Right
User Details (Body)
Main Navigation (Profile Nav)
Main Header (Profile Name)


I then enter the Topic "Journal Entries"
Because that is the section I wish to edit.

When the new Journal Entries Topic loads, you will find a very long list of almost every possible code you can use on your Journal Entries.

You then simply scroll down the first post and find: Link Options.

And there, you will find all the code you need!

Your question:
"how to change the font type of my Links in my Journal"
is now answered!



Alternatively, you can simply use the search, and type something like: "journal entries link"

And you the very same topic will show up in the search results.

It's as simple as that.

I know that forums are new to allot of you, but it will be better for everyone if you guys learn how to use them.

It will be a major step for us all.

Thanks for the feedback!

well, indeed, its not that hard using it... i just went through them, read them carefully, used some, and it is not that hard.... well done guys! i dont know how to thank you about it... it is so helpful! now we dont have to look through the topics...:) congratzulations, thats all i can say :D

Hey thanks John John MAO MAO!
And no problem! It's all a part to make our group community better!

I'm glad you are getting the hang of the forums.

It is really simple to use.
I hope others see this soon as well.

"Bump"

Hi Andrew, I haven't been around this group much because there have been so many fundamental problem with hi5 that customization hasn'y been high on my list. I only now found the links to the forums and think that's a great idea.

May I suggest something? If Andrew or one of the other knowledgable code specilist have answred your question, then think about helping by passing that information on to the next person who asks, or giving them a link to where the information is found. This alone would save the moderators a lot of time. just as importantly, this is the kind of action that builds community!

It shouldn't be just *ask the question, give a quick thanks and leave* each time. This only exhausts the few that respond and makes them feel like they are being taken for granted. Give and take is a good guiding principle and community building is very important for a number of reasons. In reality, we all need each other, but some people only take while others give, give and give.

Hi Andrew, I've only written to you twice since the day I joined this group. The first was to congratulate you. So far, no response on either. Are you finding these? Was there something in this post you didn't like? If so, please accept my apologies in advance. Your friend, James

Hi James!
No, not at all!
You don't need to apologize for anything.
But rather I...

Actually, you may have noticed I was just answering some questions in this Group when you wrote this last reply.

I was just about to reply your Answer when I saw you posted your last message.
(A case of unlucky timing)

I passed by earlier today, but I was to busy to reply everyone.
So now tonight, I'm trying to clear up my outstanding questions.

I apologize dearly if I made you feel offended.

And I didn't quite remember the first incident you told me about.
I do remember when you congratulated me, yes.
But I thought I had replied to everyone who posted to me on that topic.
I guess maybe I did not.
My apologies.
It definitely was not intentional.


My Profile Comments, Photo Comments, and Friend requests are often 'jacked up' to the hundreds.
And I know allot of people get annoyed with my late replies.
But I usually try to tackle them periodically all at once, because I am always very busy.

I will try better to be more prompt on replying my messages.
It is not a nice thing to have people waiting.

I will re-read and reply you above message now.

Your friend,
-Andrew