Using Alfa Vedic Platform

[Kev]

I saw Mike recently say that this site would eventually get an upgrade (or ongoing upgrades), so I thought I’d start a thread dedicated to suggestions we all might have for features or functions that could be added, or how anything specifically might be tweeked or improved..

I’ll start in the first comment below..

And I’ll go ahead and tag @alfawarrior so he knows this thread exists..

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Discussion

[Kev]

My first suggestions is about following posts/threads.. Someone else mentioned this in another discussion thread here..

If someone posts something (say in a group), and you comment on it, you will receive a notification is someone responds to you.. Otherwise, it’s difficult to go back and find the thread and follow the greater discussion that goes on with everyone else that comments.. (You have to remember where it was, or go back through your notifications to try to find it)..

As an example, I commented on something recently, and there was a response, and I received a notification.. But a few days later I remembered it and went searching and found the thread again, to discover there were over 20 comments and a whole conversation that was missed..

So my suggestion is this — whenever someone posts something, there should/could be an option in the 3-dot pull-down menu that says “Follow this post”.. When you choose that, you would receive a notification whenever anyone posts anything in that thread.. This would make following and participating easier and more engaging.. (And of course, you could always choose “Unfollow this post” afterwards, to stop the notifications)..

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[Mike]

This is already designed to do this in Discussions like here. There is a Subscribe option. And a Favorite option. So if people want to have a discussion thread they can follow they should use discussions and not posts 🙂 To develop that functionality in general posts will take a great deal of time and won’t be high on the list given that we already have this functionality in Discussions.

[Kev]

Ah, okay, got it.. I found all of that under “Forums” on the profile page, and see now how I can go back and track my activity.. (The Timeline tab wasn’t showing everything, and I didn’t know where I could find it).. Thanks Mike, very helpful!.. Got it now.. (And I understand what you say about adding that feature to general posts is not viable)..

[Mike]

Oh yeah we need to change that from Forums to Discussions, thanks

[Mike]

See screenshot here as well…

[Mike]

In your profile under My Discussions you can see your Discussions, Your Replies and Your Favorites! I will say that the desktop version is much better for finding this stuff. We will continue to improve mobile and in time have a native app as well…

[Eliza]

Cool idea Kev to start a thread like this – my suggestion just stems from a question I mulled over a while ago. It is about transparency and understanding more about the terrain of the platform in contrast to a less organically grown community like Facebook…

I’d wondered how many private / hidden groups there are. How many people are on the platform and how many are just operating mostly in perhaps private groups that they started. I assumed that there weren’t too many…but without knowing the ratio I wondered if I was just sort of oblivious to the underwater ecosystem and looking at the top of the lake. When I’d had issues accessing the exec content for a few weeks, it magnified the perspective of how different it feels to be operating only on one tier of the site.

I *definitely* regret not joining the patreon originally. It had to do with not wanting to consent to that company – not because I wasn’t a die hard Alfa-obsessed newbie. Once I attended a few exec calls I couldn’t imagine how much I’d missed out on…getting to really “get to know” the wonderful people dedicated to walking the walk.

I think perhaps this interests me because I put in a lot of effort to be “social” but wasn’t sure of the overall vibe and goals – and how to really fit in and what to focus on – from a goals and involvement perspective.

All this to explain my reasoning: a feature with some kind of a counter with number of members and groups / kinds of groups? If suddenly most people transition to operating in / focusing on smaller more private communities (like your Friday meetings you mentioned) I guess I’d rather know / keep an eye on the evolution and ebbs and flows of the terrain and sort of focus my online time accordingly – perhaps start my own project or something. Hopefully that makes sense. I suppose since most of us are trying to get a lot done IRL and minimize our time on the computer – putting more intention into the content we share on the site isn’t so weird of a goal.

[Mike]

I think you are way over-thinking this. There are basically zero user-created private groups as of now and no hidden ones. We are already in the private in that this is a private server using encryption and content blocking that no one on the outside can see. As of now no one has seen the need to silo into private groups. The idea here is to share and grow as a private community, not use this platform for secret groups… plus you will see any private groups in the main group directory. Nothing is hidden here except for our testing developer groups. Hope this clears up any anxieties you have around this topic.

[Eliza]

I was mostly worried that I was so active in the general area…that maybe…people would find it annoying…that’s all. And wondered if there were like a 5 thousand members and lots of people were getting a notification from someone named Eliza who is actually fairly new to the Alfa Vedic information.

since so many here have been awake for so many decades – maybe there are big goals and projects using this platform functionality. so I just wanted to be sensitive to the right way to contribute or interact. That’s all.

I’d not had Facebook or Instagram for many years so I was hilariously excited to post an update when I first joined and then I felt silly…because i realized that re-creating the old social media paradigm may be comfortable but probably isn’t the awakened Alfa Vedic veteran’s goal.

[illia]

Hi Eliza,

When i joined last week, you were one on the first to greet me and i appreciate that. Thank you for your open heart and generosity of spirit. Wonderful to know you are here.

illia

[Kev]

Ditto on all these words!..

[maryschurr]

Eliza, ditto…you are NOT annoying and I am so happy you are here. Love your posts! I’m not always on here as much as I would like for the same reason you mentioned. I try not to spend too much time on the computer outside of work if possible. But, I love the way you share! ❤ ❤❤

[Eliza]

❤❤❤❤❤<div>To you most inspired artist, goddesss…thank you and Sir gracious Mike Winner and brother Kev – love you!!!</div><div>I’m always double checking-things – it’s just my personality plus..the machine has a way of causing mischief…or maybe I just make it! Thanks for clearing it up Mike! Wow. Love you ? and I love your artwork!!!!! It’s truly magnificent and inspired! </div>

[Sonya]

Hey @ew you’re not at all annoying, the way you express yourself is vibrant and magical, don’t ever change! I think I assumed I might be missing out a tiny bit on some aspects or on getting to know people cos I can’t afford exec. membership at the moment and because I only joined late last year but compared to other online and in real life communities this one is so adult, kind, intelligent and fun, and with no sniping. I can overthink things sometimes too, plus we have to negotiate both our physical and online lives nowadays but I think we’re all in a good place in Alfa Vedic land ♥️

[Steven]

Hey @ew I know how you feel with the idea that people may find you annoying. It’s a problem I’ve wrestled with myself many a time in the past. However, I think this is among the last places you should have to worry about that! We’re all here to learn and share and grow and there’s nothing at all wrong being the being the inquisitive, positive person that you are, so keep being you! Don’t let that little voice in your head tell you otherwise. I had to tell my little voice to take a hike too lol. I appreciate the things you share, I’m not on here enough to keep up with everything you share unfortunately. I work on the computer so I do my best to stay away from it when I’m not working. But I do eventually see it all! I do need to remember to drop a like at least when I read people’s posts Haha. Anyway, I didnt have a suggestion for the site. I just saw Eliza’s comment and had to throw in my 2 cents.

[Kev]

Well put, Steven, and I concur!.. I’ve been thinking of this very thing since Eliza posted here a couple days ago.. I too have struggled with that voice that criticizes and puts me down, largely born out of experience and a track record of how people have treated me and torn me down over the years, or just found me annoying for my various traits — honest, inquisitive, forthright, wanting to understand things, thoughtfulness, willing to share whatever, a sense of humour that few seem to relate to, a tad-bit subversive.. Lol.. etc..etc..

Straight out the gate, I realized this community has been the only place I’ve found where I genuinely feel like I can fully be myself, without all the division, sniping, and contentiousness you find everywhere else in society/life.. It’s like a refreshing door has begun to open up for me, and my true self wants to have a field day.. Lol.. (But also, been keeping my f-bombs in check, just to be respectful).. Ha!.. ?

[Steven]

It’s an absolute tragedy that society beats those happy qualities out of us, then replaces it with those mean little condescending voices! Then we have to re-learn how to be our original selves and boy, is that a struggle ? I’m glad everyone here is on that same path, and no matter how far along each person is, they’re all so accomodating to those who haven’t quite gotten there yet. it’s awesome! Hahaha yeah I know what you mean with the cursing. I spent so many years in the trades, I’ve developed quite the foul mouth. For whatever reason though, I don’t feel the need to drop those bombs here. Not sure what it is that makes me not do it?

[Elin]

Personally, I thank you both for keeping it “clean” and there would seem to be a higher spiritual reason for that! Hmm…. A prominent pundit I followed for years referred to profanity as word pollution, which is an apt description. Those expressions also come with lower emotional frequencies for sure and I love that this community is actively raising those frequencies. $.02

[Kev]

I was gonna say about the same thing!.. It’s one thing to drop bombs when you speak in person (sometimes you gotta let that energy out).. but online with the written word, such expressions are more pointed, direct, and specific, and so carry those energies that can be harsh, negative, angry, scathing, whatever.. And things get lost in translation, and I’d prefer not to spew that out on other people.. So, light & bright is the preferred way.. ?

(But no guarantees I might not have one of those “moments”).. Lol..

[Steven]

I agree completely! There’s a time and place for bombs and that’s usually by the fire with a few friends haha. In public discourse, civility is key. I’ve always been of the opinion that swearing happens more when people are unable to find anything else to say. Like when writing lyrics, I’ve always been more interested in lyricists who can put down an entire song without resorting to cursing (This is hilarious considering I’m really into death metal?) It’s definitely correlated with a lower vibration!

[Mike]

I’m a huge proponent of clean language in public discourse. Not sure if you’ve noticed but Barre and I rarely if ever swear on the show. It’s a mark of intelligence and class, I was raised that way by my parents. It also allows for the occasional swear word to carry a lot more weight and really mean something when used! My fav comedians have always been clean comedians as well…that takes true talent 🙂

[abram]

in using the site so far, the one thing i find that gets in the way for me is the pop-out window for replies, it makes it difficult to reference the material one is responding to, especially with more complex topics and interaction when nuance is needed

[Kev]

@admin Hey Mr. Alfa!.. You said to me quite some time ago that if I/we see glitches on this website, we should let you know about them.. I’ve drawn up a short list of some of the things I’ve been seeing (especially since after the major site update a few months ago)..

1) The Edit and Delete buttons.. These are almost never offered after you post something (though sometimes, rarely, they do appear, but not as a rule).. Whether it’s a new discussion thread you’ve created, or an original post, or a comment in a thread – once you hit enter, it’s usually permanent.. Sometimes, I get the option to edit or delete, or sometimes the option to just delete.. But, it’s not guaranteed, and usually not the case, and I’ve seen no regular pattern; it just seems random as to whether edit or delete will be available..

2) The Reply button isn’t always available.. This started happening right after the last site update.. Specifically what I’m talking about is that back & forth conversations are getting cut off, or cut short.. Say someone posts something and you make a comment, and then they reply to you, and you reply to them, and then after that the reply button disappears.. A lot of us have taken to looking for a reply button wherever we see one, and sticking responses in wherever we can.. Conversational threads get mixed up and discombobulated or broken up.. it’s kind of a mess..

3) Emojis have turned into question marks.. (I know, right?.. There’s bigger problems in this world than emoji.. Lol).. But, most emojis posted before the site update turned into question marks, and so now it looks like everyone’s asking questions, or is a bit confused.. Ha!

4) Photos are not showing up, or displaying if someone comments on them.. Specifically, what I mean is this – I post a lot of photos, and if someone comments on one, and I open the notification, the photo they’re commenting on doesn’t display on my screen, just the comments.. So I have to go through all my photo albums and flip through the photos and look for the comments there, to see what they’re referencing.. This started happening after the site update..

5) The Autocorrect is just plain annoying.. Ha!.. Sometimes it’s a random word being changed into something else, and if I retype what I want to type, it’ll change it again, and back & forth.. I’ve battled autocorrect a few times, and it’s unrelenting.. If I had a suggestion – just turn that off.. It’s annoying and we’re all more intelligent than needing AI to write our papers for us.. Lol.. What is this, a woke online degree program employing Grammarly?.. Hahahahaha..

Thanks, Mr. Alfa.. I’m sure there’s some other glitches, but this is what I’ve jotted down.. I’m sure others have seen some thangs.. 🕺

[Mike]

Ok thanks. Are you on mobile or desktop? Reply button in post comments or in discussion?

[Kev]

I’m on a laptop.. And the Reply button gets cut off in all contexts — discussion threads and original posts.. From what I’ve seen it disappears about 3 layers into a conversation (3 exchanges of comments), or thereabouts..

[Author]

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