What Upgrades Would You Like to See on Evolver?
posted by Jonathan Phillips | June 22, 2010
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IcerocketWhile E+SM membership has proved extremely helpful in keeping us afloat (thanks everyone!), we'd like to do a Kickstarter campaign to see if we can make some upgrades to Evolver in the near future. I'd love to see what recommendations fellow evolutionaries have as to how we can improve the site in the next few months (remember, tech takes time, even when you have the finances). Please tell us in the comments section what you'd like to see, so that we can prioritize. And remember there are some fixes and additions that can happen sooner, and some that may take more time for a full Evolver 2.0 revamp, which we may no be too far down the road.
Here some suggestions people have emailed or posted to Evolver so far:
Shorter Term Upgrades
*Improve overall speed and performance of site
*Make the add friend page easier/paginate the friends (for those who have a lot of them). Maybe add more to icon & name (as Joanne suggests below).
*To be able to search for Friends in a list of alphabetical order and “most recent”
*Have a feature so people can search for fellow Evolvers in their area
*Add an RSVP and invite friends feature to events
*Fix teaser for events so that it has longer limit than 150 characters (too small so far)
*Badge that goes next to profile indicating E+SM membership
*Make it so you can invite more than 50 people on Evolver
*Make it so that everyone can change location in profile (current bug)
*News feed that updates what friends are doing
*Archive area for former top blogs
*Mobile Evolver version for BB’s, iPhones (Maybe longer term)
*iPhone app that gives geo-location on Evolvers (Maybe longer term)
*Tag cloud on homepage with more popular topics appearing in bigger fonts (We had this but there is a tech bug and it disappeared)
* Homepage Wall (and newsfeed) that members can leave comments, links with ability for users to filter according to All Evolvers, Just Friends, Just E+SM members
Longer Term
*More built out community postings—event listings that can be added to Outlook or Google calendars
*Revamp of design of site, including look, structure, etc to better accommodate building a movement and a free flow of content & Ideas
*Possibility of dividing blogs into sections like Eco, Commons, Life (like on RS) -- Joanne's suggestion, or categories like "Topics: Art / Music / Writing / Sustainability / 2012 / ETC". This is an IA issue that would take some time to develop
*Make the system of tags available through the directory (Joanne' suggestion). Make a feature where we can type in the page number -- because it's a lot of clicking to get to the mid point between page 1 and page 280. Also, being able to search within the Evolver directory by location would be extremely useful.
*Design homepage so you can find your regional easier, learn how to start up a Spore, have regional Evolver kits, etc. See a map of the movement.
*A table of sorts; so we see more than just a thumbnail and a username. User / Location / Blog (if applicable) / Interests / Skills / ETC
*Enhancing blog editor, and profile editor so more choice in layouts
*Improve projects section so its easier to get people interested and involved
*Alternative Currency system
Comments
RSS, Google earth Map and Skype features
— Jun 22, 2010
There is this thing called earth api from google that it seems can be add to a website for free... maybe this could be used for locating evolvers, events, etc...
Please see link below
http://code.google.com/apis/earth/
As for the chat we can use Skype... it can be added as a button... and it's free =D
http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/tell-a-friend/get-a-skype-button/
also how about adding an RSS... see link below...
I think those are all my suggestions and they are free upgrades... of course there is the labor of putting them but it seems to be fairly easy LOL it's easy for me to say I don't know the first thing about programming...
Sincerely yours
Sergio el monkey
A community based
— Jun 22, 2010
A community based alternative currency system would be fantastic, I've actually heard there are cities in the U.S. that are doing this right now. Support the community and community based businesses, down with the corporations.
Dibspace
— Jun 22, 2010
There is a website that has a cool idea around alternative currencies. It's Called Dibspace. Check out www.dibspace.com
More suggestions =D
— Jun 22, 2010
how about a youtube channel =D is free too... and let say if anyone from evolver wants to film themselves doing a project, their garden or whatever they can post it in the Evolver youtube channel and this can be shared on the ESM facebook page etc...
I'll also suggest an Evolver blog... this can done in Blogger by Google there you can post other stuff that might not pertain to this site...
Let's also have online activities like... hum... all the artists on the site do some artwork... send it to youalls address at New York so it can be auction... it doesn't need to be paintings only it can digital, writing, architectural designs etc... this way you all can raise money for the site...
There is this user barto who posted a very compelling letter to president Obama... well... another activity could be let's all together formulate a letter... nominate a editor and when done send it to the congress or senators or whomever we want... to BP Lol... but no cursing please hahaha I know we all want to tell them to fuck off but hey let's keep it clean...
Ok that's for now I'll keep thinking of stuff that can be done at little or no cost...
Peace
Sergio
"ability for users to filter
— Jun 22, 2010
"ability for users to filter according to All Evolvers, Just Friends, Just E+SM members"
Hope that includes Evolers online Now.
Being able to track who has posted to your comments in other blogs.
"Seek not abroad, turn back into thyself, for in the inner man dwells the truth..."
Open Discussions
— Jun 22, 2010
Right now Evolver uses a forum based discussion system. I think this is a good way to share ideas, but I think there are better ways to facilitate dialogue and get ideas really bouncing around.
What if we had chat rooms dedicated to certain topics? (Eco/Psyche etc).
We could also have daily/weekly/monthly/ discussion topics or questions.
If we can get ideas bouncing around fast enough, I think Evolver can really accelerate the growth process.
Thoughts?
also a like and dislike
— Jun 22, 2010
also a like and dislike button for certain ideas so the votes can be counted
some thoughts
— Jun 22, 2010
although I kinda get used to how websites work/look etc and not bother/think too much about how to make them better it's great that we get the discussion started on WHAT you have in mind Jonathan, and include/listen to our ideas!
* a feature to search/find by location would defo be great - so we can know where we are at, who is close by etc (and maybe even got those involved more who so far are only "watching" ;)
* chat: Wind Fox just suggested a topic based chat possibility - think this is a great idea, chat in itself would be a good idea - not the video link think you already have in place but a typing one i.e. with written words (as suggested in another blog)
* "a library" i.e. where we can post video links, book links/info (have a bibliography/research list etc) - which can be updated and accessed by us all - so much great stuff gets buried in blogs right now - and if not favourite-ing them (or even if - too many and searching takes forever) these get lost - have them organised by topic and a search function maybe - something like this
* re-vamp the group section and make it more into discussion groups - there are always hot topics that are taken up in a blog and then disappear after 3 days/get silenced - not yet sure how to keep the "talking" & communicating going yet (as when taken off the front page it seems it dies all together) - guess we should talk/think about that one a bit more, don't you reckon
am sure there will be more I will think of come the time - but so far find above suggestions (all of them) great! - how about a layout/indication once we got a list together on what regarding when and how it will be put in place?
and also, how about another shout-out to the community for help on putting at least some changes into place (there must be someone round who could help FOC?) - wish I were better at the whole technical stuff (am just glad my comp does not die on me that often as it used to! - my aura is just not made for it, tech stuff always breaks down near me ;))
Searchable
— Jun 22, 2010
It would be great if this site was more intuitive to navigate. I find it takes me a long time to find my friends, and find articles and such. Some form of CMS or something to make it streamline would help.
An RSS feed seems really important. Also allowing RSS feeds to be imported as your blog would be great.
I agree with all of the
— Jun 23, 2010
I agree with all of the proposed changes, especially a chat function - even if it's only from one person to another, like Facebook's.
Overall navigating is my biggest concern. A notifier would help immensely, so we don't have to check our email to see if there are any comments or anything that we want to go read.
Maybe a forum? Is there already a forum for this or Reality Sandwich?
I think it would be a more organized way to have discussions.
The more sleek and the easier it is to navigate, the more people will be interested in joining up.
~Plant a garden. Eat capitalists.~
I think that covers my wish list and more
— Jun 23, 2010
Dear Jonathan, I think you and the comments from our fellow Evolvers here above pretty much covers my wish list and more, but I'll think about it!
Still I wonder: you write a whole list of things you will do, and more or less at the very end you write - and after doing all that we'll add features on how you all can help/get involved!
May I suggest you do the other way around, for your own sake =)?
Namaste to the whole admin team, and a great big warm THANKS and hugs for your incredible work!
Thanks Susan, I think you
— Jun 23, 2010
Thanks Susan,
I think you may have misread my last line talking about the "Projects" section. This is for people with individual projects (not specifically Evolver) and we hope to revamp those pages so that people can help each other out. That's going to take a lot of tech work as the pages aren't that functional right now. As for helping with Evolver, anyone can start up a regional, help on our digital street team, or with moderating the site. If you'd like to help, just shoot me an email.
ok =)
— Jun 23, 2010
Hey Jonathan,
aaaaaah, alright- thanks =)
where do I find your mail? Your profile page is just blank when I look at it... Or is there an admin contact info page here on Evolver that I have missed? I mean, besides the contact sheet under "contact" - btw - I used that to ask for flyer material about 2 months ago, that's when I got no reply, like I wrote in a post a couple of days ago.
I completely understand that I got no reply yet, I work in the film business, I know all about stress! But still, since the subject was up for discussion, I wanted to tell you about my experience.
Sorry, there's a tech issue
— Jun 24, 2010
Sorry, there's a tech issue with my profile as I have too many friends for it to load. You can reach me at jonathan((at))evoler((dot))net.
As for fliers, I'll see if our creative director can come up with some downloadable ones.
Best,
Jonathan
I was thinking of that too
— Jun 23, 2010
I was thinking of that too but i'm not so sure that being able to push articles down will deliver.
"Seek not abroad, turn back into thyself, for in the inner man dwells the truth..."
text-only chat
— Jun 23, 2010
Text-only chat in SynchLink please. I explain the value here: http://www.evolver.net/user/ndmeador/blog/call_text_only_chat_synch_link
And if you could pair me with someone based on a keyword or topic, that would be great as well.
I want a gold star next to my name for my Kickstarter donation!
— Jun 24, 2010
...and I want to be listed in the credits for the comic book edition of Evolver.
ok, seriously, that was the OLD me!
I do think a Kickstarter project is a good idea and I have successfully bootstrapped many businesses with this type of model.
I would love to help put together the Kickstarter page.
and it would personally inspire me to donate if I could see that a new feature set was to come out of the deal. Evolver is already great, and could be even greater!
Thanks Victoria, I'll
— Jun 24, 2010
Thanks Victoria,
I'll connect you with Jordan, who's heading up our Kickstarter campaign.
Hmm..
— Jun 24, 2010
I'll second (or third) that I'd love to see the library come into being. The riches of Alexandria are still couched in Babel at the moment. The collective observations of evolvers have turned me onto some incredible, yet hard to find, music, video, websites, and podcasts, etc. My bookmarks are getting overpopulated and hard to navigate. GodIAm's YouTube "library" of over 350 videos for awakening is a nice example of selective presentation, yet it's static, and requires maintenance I'm sure. Creating an evolver interface to existing channels like YouTube, the Podcast sites, blog sites and so on might open up a way to monetize the traffic going out from evolver. We are waking up the wires with our attention are we not? Google would surely share some operating and development revenue for that favor! ;) Even if not though, the grok system applied to hyperlinks in the library might be useful for bringing some of the most-sought resource material into view. The ability to add persistent comments to media in the library would also add an extra dimension.
I'm not sure here if the evolver development community is contemplating new features, or a new systemic architecture. If it's leaning toward the latter, I'd like to share some observations about community information systems. IT-wise, evolver started on the internet and moved into regionals, while the Transition movement started with regionals and moved slowly and reluctantly into IT. The community projects I work with locally all have a sore need for effective internet communication systems to keep everyone coordinated and informed. Each community project has had to solve the same communication problem in it's own way, according to it's own means. Webbies and techies are popular, often overworked, and not always available to help with new efforts. One of evolver's strengths is having this site and reality sandwich in place for the international sharing of ideas in the many to many sphere. Transition as a movement is growing into this ability, but still broadcasts in a few to many mode. The regionals in both communities, and I'm just using these two as an example to talk about issues that are far more widespread, are pretty much dependent on their own abilities for local communications infrastructure. Evolver does have the regional groups, which are great. But my point, if I could but find it :), is that the need for local project communications exists in symbiosis with evolver's development needs. If larger numbers of regional techies and webbies could participate in developing the architecture and features of evolver.net, it might serve the needs of both the locosphere and the globosphere, and generate evolution at both ends with the speed and agility of open source. Does that make sense? I guess I'm suggesting that the problem could be reframed. Instead of a small group of developers providing solutions to specific problems and ideas as they arise, interested developers and designers could focus on creating a process with a guiding structure that could be engaged by anyone with an idea and knowledge to implement it, anywhere. If such a shift were successful, there are scores of community organizations and projects out there in need of ever more advanced IT solutions than they have access to now. Evolver could theoretically deliver a helluva resource to many if the process for open source participation was elegant and well defined. And there's the rub. That ain't easy, but there are models out there to study.
And as long as we're talking to Santa here, I'd love an evolver wiki for "things that work." little-known african drumbeats, proper entheogen techniques, clever and inexpensive technologies for sustainable living, sacred geometry secrets, effective meditations for x, herbal remedies for ailment y, and on and on...
Hope that's not TMI! I like the above suggestions as well. Merry Christmas!
I like Evolver
— Jun 24, 2010
Those who take a moment to stop complaining and roll with the incredible, living, pulsating, growing, inspiring creature that is Evolver will soon realise that THERE IS MAGIC IN THESE PAGES. Find the group that has the magic for you or start one... or build a better site... no one is stopping you.
PS I know there are lots of positive comments and my comment above applies "nearly" exactly the same to you too with perhaps just the stop bit removed!!!
Color Text
— Jun 25, 2010
I would like a subconscious interface oh please oh please! At the least colored text would make a big difference to meta search bots...
Money-a symbol for the efficient distribution of human energy.
Interesting, like a split
— Jun 26, 2010
Interesting, like a split screen going down middle or something along those lines? One side for 'public' conscious expression and other for the 'private' unconsciousness.
"Seek not abroad, turn back into thyself, for in the inner man dwells the truth..."
Networking to Assist those in need
— Jul 01, 2010
I would like to see more community gathering amongst those of us that are currently unemployed due to the downturn/cutbacks in the depressed economy. Those not unlike myself that have alot of idle time on our hands getting together here in sacramento to plant small community gardens, get together for tea, discuss issues and just help each other out with knowledge and ideas to find gainful employment or volunteer our time to help out others in need. Once a month is not enough. I am willing to devote my time, effort and energy helping out. I have been helping those with mental illness for 18+ years and my gift is the ability to listen and act. C'mon Evolvers some of us are truly gifted and aren't we here to help? I am open to any and all brainstorming ideas. Hit me with em and lets put some beautiful minds together. Knowledge is power, love is super power, sharing makes us the Super Powers of the Universe. Idle hands and minds are the $*&@#$ playground. Lend a mind/hand and let us amaze the world and ourselves at what we can do as a team. LOVE AND LIGHT! Kevin C.
