More easily locating groups and setting threads/ new questions

[Jane]

This question is about making it easier to find groups, post a new topic OR add to a thread. And thereafter, to be able to access the groups you need direct from a dedicated area on the author dashboard.

There are so many groups each having a lot of threads. As someone with autism I find the diversions confusing even when I get to the required page and this I find frustrating!

SUGGESTIONS:
1a. a hyperlinked, alphabetical index of all groups. A clear link to this list being automatically set on every author dashboard
1b. when you find the group, a single or max 2 lines saying what the group is for
1c. a 'post new thread' button easily visible ie top of page, rather than hidden in explanatory text
2a. when you find what you need, an easy one click to hyperlink it back to your author dashboard
2b, an area on the dashboard for your preferred links eg at the bottom of the dash
2c. the ability to rename each link AND put them in alphabetical order
3. a direct link on the dashboard to someone who can quickly direct you to the page you need ie without having to go through a group

Hope this is useful and not too pedantic!
Marianne

[Jaclyn]

Hi Marianna!

1a. a hyperlinked, alphabetical index of all groups. A clear link to this list being automatically set on every author dashboard

Can you please clarify for me what list of groups it is that you're looking to see? A list of all the groups on the site, or are you referring to the groups you've joined? If it's the latter, please note you can see these here.

1b. when you find the group, a single or max 2 lines saying what the group is for

The groups you're a part of won't be listed on your dashboard, but you can scroll down on your author profile to see these listed with a description (click "more" by the text of each to view the full description).

1c. a 'post new thread' button easily visible ie top of page, rather than hidden in explanatory text.

To post a new topic in a group you can simply open the group page, and click "new" to the right of the Discussion Board heading. We prefer to use this method as it encourages users to check that they're not duplicating an existing thread and makes it harder to spam multiple channels at the same time.

2a. when you find what you need, an easy one click to hyperlink it back to your author dashboard

2b, an area on the dashboard for your preferred links eg at the bottom of the dash

2c. the ability to rename each link AND put them in alphabetical order

Interesting suggestions! I'm happy to put them forward, but these probably won't be features we'll be working on in the near future.

3. a direct link on the dashboard to someone who can quickly direct you to the page you need ie without having to go through a group

Do you mean like a link to our email support? Or who would this link to?

[Jane]

Hi Jacklyn and thanks for the zippy response!

1. No, I meant, a link from your author profile to a list of all the groups - each with a max 2 line 'explanation' of what they are for. Thus, it would be easier to access everything from the dashboard. I have been thinking, otherwise, maybe you could add a separate, simplified list [in alpha order] of subjects commonly asked for, hyperlinked to the relevant group. This listing also to appear on the dashboard e.g.
'book - missing'
'book - wrongly attributed'
'covers - add new'
'covers - incorrect cover'
'pen names'

As you can see, I am a big fan of the dashboard. :-))


2. can you make the 'new button more prominent - I couldn't see it [ie I have autism and distracted when there is a lot on the page.

3. yes, do put these forward, please!

4. about situations when you can't easily find the required list,
eg I had difficulty finding which group dealt with new covers, and later, which dealt with adding a pen name. I was suggesting maybe a librarian [or, librarians 'hot desking' this issue] could monitor a new button labelled 'Unsure which group? Click here.'

[Jaclyn]

Hi Jane! I just wanted to reply here and confirm that I put your suggestion forward to make the 'new' button more prominent when posting a group topic. :)

Unfortunately, it would be unpractical to have a working list of all groups on the site, as there is a massive amount. Instead, I'd recommend using the search box on the groups page to minimize the results, and these will also show a brief description of each group.

It does sound like most of your questions are relating to Librarian edits, all of which should be posted in the Librarians Group. Once there, you can search by keywords in the search box on the top right-hand side to find the right discussion thread for your issue.