Message from GR : Let's discuss this together as a Group

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

I saw the Reddit posts. I stopped reading them because they were a waste of time. I feel my time is better used preparing for what we can control. That is any possible outcome of these changes.

[Claire]

Maybe all groups need to start a second group in another platform? It could be necessary in the future if nothing can be exchanged from outside GR?

As to the harassment: i get them quite regularly and just block them. How difficult is that as a solution?

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

Claire wrote: "Maybe all groups need to start a second group in another platform? It could be necessary in the future if nothing can be exchanged from outside GR?

As to the harassment: i get them quite regularl..."

We have a paused sister group in LibraryThing. I won't go there right now because I know there is at least one mod that doesn't like the organization over there. It does NOT have the DM feature, but neither will this soon. It is the only platform capable of running challenges like this. The other platforms are basically book trackers.

As for blocking harassers, I agree. It isn't hard to use the tools provided.

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

Not to mention that we used to run sprints on Discord way back before my moderating days but I think we've outgrown that. I don't think Discord is made for the types of challenges that we run now.

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Donna wrote: "Claire wrote: "Maybe all groups need to start a second group in another platform? It could be necessary in the future if nothing can be exchanged from outside GR?

As to the harassment: i get them..."

It's me ✋ I'm a hater. LT is ew. 🤣 But, I do things I don't like all the time, so if we have to, we have to!

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

But you aren’t wrong. It is disorganized. I agree that there are things they could improve like they really need folders. Does it have potential, yes. That is where I get stuck because I don’t think they will fix their issues. When you suggest folders to them they flat out tell you no.

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

Also on the hate train for LT...choo choo. 🚂

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Donna wrote: "But you aren’t wrong. It is disorganized. I agree that there are things they could improve like they really need folders. Does it have potential, yes. That is where I get stuck because I don’t thin..."

At least they are CLEAR with their answers....

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

Oh they are very clear with answers at LT. They don’t mince words.

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

Let's say that I don't hate LT, but I can understand why they do. I can live with its flaws. LT does have some interesting features that we could use in challenges, which is what drew me toward it as a sister site in the first place.

[Claire]

Wat does LT stands for

[Kelly (Maybedog)]

If anyone has someone they DM on Goodreads regularly, or if there is someone you want to be able to privately talk to in the future, exchange email addresses ASAP.

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

Besides, there is still hope that GR will grow a heart this Christmas season and give us our Christmas wish!

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

Claire wrote: "Wat does LT stands for"

LibraryThing

[Amanda]

I just posted the peititon link on the official Goodreads discord lol I haven't seen it posted anywhere on there yet.

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

Our Solution list has been updated

1. Someone suggested Google Forms for signups. We are implementing that and requiring email addresses.
2. We are going to do broken links with asterisks (*) followed by a space. You will have to copy the link, paste it in a browser and remove those to unbreak the link. You will then have the unbroken Google Form (or Spreadsheet)
3. Mod-run badge SS with view access for all members. All badges will be labeled with who earned each badge.
4. GR Private groups for strategizing on team challenges with mod invite / personal private spaces for member use

[Vicki]

For those of us who are mostly tech inept, where can we get help to do what we need to make those changes? Will there be clear examples/directions how to do things on Google forms, etc.?

[Kelly (Maybedog)]

Great solutions!

[Amanda]

Donna wrote: "Our Solution list has been updated

1. Someone suggested Google Forms for signups. We are implementing that and requiring email addresses.
2. We are going to do broken links with asterisks (*) foll..."

Those are great solutions, Donna! I'm happy to send my email whenever you need it.

Google docs/folders could also be useful for certain challenges

[Amanda]

I'm also happy to help with anything to make the process less tedious for you all. Just lmk :)

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

Vicki wrote: "For those of us who are mostly tech inept, where can we get help to do what we need to make those changes? Will there be clear examples/directions how to do things on Google forms, etc.?"

We are going to provide directions, as needed. We know some of you are not as technically knowledgeable as others. Heck, I am not 100% tech knowledgeable. I need help sometimes. We all do.

[Vicki]

Thank you, Donna. 😊

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

There are still mods asking tech support for clarification, which has NOT been going well. We are getting conflicting answers. The important thing is to remember that we have a plan. We will keep you updated on what we find out in the meantime.

[Benedicte, Bookmark First, Ask Later]

Michelle's Empty Nest wrote: "Also on the hate train for LT...choo choo. 🚂"

I'm adding another wagon to that train 😅

I wouldn't say I HATE it, just... strongly dislike it?

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

Question is... how bad will GR get with the changes they are making? Will it be usable? This remains to be seen.

[Amanda]

WTF they deleted my message with the petition on Discord 😂

[Amanda]

That's so messed up though. So it's confirmed, they really don't care about how we feel lol

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

Some of the mods are still asking questions since they have gotten different answers. Ashley, herself, has questioned the fact that she got a different answer than another mod. She took the other mod's answer and put it in her latest question to tech support.

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

It is also annoying getting the red error every time I post something.

[Benedicte, Bookmark First, Ask Later]

Donna wrote: "It is also annoying getting the red error every time I post something."

Yes, what's up with that?

[Amanda]

I didn't know I needed permission to post a link? They're so rude for what

https://imgur.com/a/4mInFmJ

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

ROFL! They don't want anyone showing anything that changes their narrative, I guess.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Donna wrote: "It is also annoying getting the red error every time I post something."

Goodreads has been really glitchy today.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Amanda wrote: "I didn't know I needed permission to post a link? They're so rude for what

https://imgur.com/a/4mInFmJ"

I wasn't even aware Goodreads Discord existed. Is it an official one or a fan-created one like the Reddit?

[Amanda]

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Amanda wrote: "I didn't know I needed permission to post a link? They're so rude for what

https://imgur.com/a/4mInFmJ"

I wasn't even aware Goodreads Discord existed. Is it an official one or a f..."

I just checked, it is fan-created lol I thought it was an official one - but now I'm even more confused why they were so offended by me sharing the petition? lol

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Amanda wrote: "I just checked, it is fan-created lol I thought it was an official one - but now I'm even more confused why they were so offended by me sharing the petition? lol
."

Dunno, the person replying to you didn't seem that friendly, that's for sure. You'd think a petition ABOUT Goodreads would be fine to link to...

[Amanda]

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Amanda wrote: "I just checked, it is fan-created lol I thought it was an official one - but now I'm even more confused why they were so offended by me sharing the petition? lol
."

Dunno, the perso..."

right lol

[Sarah]

I collect all my badges. I guess the point is that I like a little reward for the books I read/challenges I finish? I think it's fun to collect them.

[Kelly (Maybedog)]

There's at least one place that hosts images for free (https://postimages.org/). we could use Google docs to have a central location for posting them.

[Amanda]

Kelly (Maybedog) wrote: "There's at least one place that hosts images for free (https://postimages.org/). we could use Google docs to have a central location for posting them."

Good idea! same with https://imgur.com/upload

I think it's the same?

[Kelly (Maybedog)]

Amanda wrote: "Kelly (Maybedog) wrote: "There's at least one place that hosts images for free (https://postimages.org/). we could use Google docs to have a central location for posting them."

Good idea! same wit..."

It's different but it's great to get a different option. My virus software sees it as a threat though.

[Trisha]

also, could we use the bottom part of people's profile page as a way to communicate? it's not private, but might work for nudging them if they forget about the start date of a challenge. . .

I think you still have to be friends in order to write on "their wall" kind of thing. . but it's a thought. . .

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

When I first saw the news about member to member messaging being done away with my first thought was this:

Well, members aren't stupid. For years, GR has slowly taken things away that we've all been used to doing and we found work arounds.

So, when direct "member to member" messaging is gone--give GR what they asked for on a silver platter.

Create a private group to interact with EVERY SINGLE member you want to communicate with privately and let's sit back and see how GR handles millions of groups being created every day.🤣 🤷‍♀

Now, I get that this post is called a "message"--BUT it's in a group, in a folder that's in a thread. I really don't think they are referring to these messages as being the ones that are currently being affected by external links and images.

I say that because GR is SPECIFICALLY addressing messages that go to your inbox. NOTHING is mentioned about group folders, threads, and posts(aka message). The term "message" is used interchangeably for various functions within the site.

I feel like if they were referring to "THREAD messages" it would specifically say--In Group Threads "MESSAGE POSTS will no longer support external links and images--it doesn't say that.

External links in "message posts" in the threads has already been monitored and limited--that change happened eons ago and is nothing new--something we've dealt with for a long time.

I feel like we are jumping the gun on some of this stuff and reading way to deep into it. BUT I could be wrong--I usually am 🤣

I don't feel like GR is shutting down. When Amazon took over, a lot of changes were made. One of the first things we all noticed was on the book's home page. On that page, the BUY button was enlarged and the only seller listed was AMAZON--where previously we had multiple options.

With this new change, I think they are trying to make it difficult to socialize-- slow down a lot of the "social" aspects of GR- deter socialization--so that they can some how combine/ incorporate Audible, GR, KU, and all media/electronics from the main AMAZON site to make ONE MEDIA/ELECTRONIC SITE for buying ONLY.

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

See message 123 where one tech support person specifically said otherwise, Robin. This is the problem. We can speculate all we want, and GR will still do what they want. The best we can do is prepare for any possible outcome. I would rather be prepared than unprepared and have to catch up later. You do you, though. We will be prepared here.

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Donna wrote: "See message 123 where one tech support person specifically said otherwise, Robin. This is the problem. We can speculate all we want, and GR will still do what they want. The best we can do is prepa..."

I understand what you are saying--pertaining to message 123--it's sketchy and still not clarifying what EXACT types of messages is being involved. That term "message/s" is used interchangeably across the site for different things/functions. 🤞 🙏 that it's only referring to inbox messages.

Glad you are getting prepared.🥰

PFFTTT as for me--I'm not/ can't do me--but thanks for the encouragement. 😂 I'm a badge collector and technology challenged. All my treasured badges are saved here on GR in my private group that I use for tracking challenges etc. I don't know how to move them to another source/website for safekeeping🤷‍♀

[Vicki]

Robin, I am with you — tech challenged with no idea how to move my Badge Swag or I would. I am really sad about that!

[Kelly (Maybedog)]

I don't have a lot of badges so it's no big deal for me to lose them. I won't be able to collect more after all. But I fell for you all. I'd tell you how but it appears they're hosted by GR so the images themselves might be deleted.

Here's an idea, though it's stop gap. Msg 123 says that responding to reviews is not changing. So write a review for something no one looks at, one that has no reviews, then respond to it and move your badges to those comments.

[Margret Melissa (ladybug)]

I plan to move my badges to pinterest.

[Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors]

Robin! Seriously! I meant you do what you are gonna do, NOT that! Wow, you took it there... You dirty-minded thing.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

A member who has been asking in Goodreads Librarian Group and the Help area said she finally got more of a response that this is just for the inbox changes and will NOT affect groups

Here is a Goodreads moderator response in the official Librarian group:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

"Hi all. Sorry for any confusion caused here - we will not be removing the ability to post external links in group comments."

So this is just changes with Private Messages in the inbox and should not change anything in groups or elsewhere on the site when this change takes place.