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Post by Rajiv on Dec 2, 2012 12:14:34 GMT 8
A new "Team Selectors Table" board has been added under the "Men's Games" category. I suppose it will really only take off in the new year. As there is no longer a separate "Women's & All-comers' Games" category, I have re-named the "Men's Games" category as GIFFA-defined Games", to distinguish it from the games, activities and events organised under "OPSAGE". The "Regular & Extra Games" board under the "GIFFA-defined Games" category has been renamed as "Games Schedule", with the following description: The "Discussion" board under the "General" category has been re-named "Discussion & Stand-Alone Polls" to include reference to the Stand-Alone Polls" sub-board. .... Each month seems to pass faster, and getting the monthly Update out by e-mail has been proving to be more effort than it's worth. .... I'll try a quarterly e-mail Update from this quarter onwards, so no Update for October 2012, just one for the fourth quarter of 2012. I'll try to get it out by the middle of each quarter. .... to giffa.totalworlds.com/update.html. I will continue to do so. As the Updates are no longer monthly, the PDF copy of the Update will be archived on this thread, instead of on the corresponding monthly thread under the "Players & Monthly Updates" board. I've simplified the Approved Players List. Only approved players can put names down for GIFFA-defined games. To allow new and non-approved players to request to play, I have extended the "Introductions" sub-board under the "Players & Monthly Updates" board to "Introductions & Requests From New & Non-Approved Players". I've moved Jon L's thread from the general "Chat" board to the said sub-board. In the light of the above changes, I've re-named the "Players & Monthly Updates" board as "Player Lists Updates, Playing Records Plus Non-Approved Players Sub-Board", and simplified the description as follows: The following threads on the "Discussion" board have been re-named: * "Payments" as "Payments & credits". * "Line ups" as "Team selectors & line ups"* "Scheduling", as "Scheduling & games per week/month" The number of games per month were previously under "Players & records". In the light of the above, the following threads on the "Discussion" board will also be re-named: * "Regular & other men's games" as "GIFFA-defined & other men's games". * "Players & records" as "Player lists & playing records". I've modified the lists on the Overview board to reflect the name changes for the discussion threads. I came across a thread on the "Games Schedule" board under the "GIFFA-Defined Games" category entitled "Scheduling", started on 27 November 2009 with a message stating "Scheduling issues can be raised below." I would ordinarily have merged this thread with the "Scheduling & games per week/month" thread on the Discussion board, but as all the other posts on that thread relate to scheduling issues at Sports Planet @ East Coast, I will move those posts to the "Sports Planet @ East Coast" thread on the Discussion board, and delete the starting post. |
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Post by Rajiv on Dec 15, 2012 10:52:14 GMT 8
Since I started using WhatsApp in late September 2012, I've been creating a WhatsApp group in conjunction with the team selector poll. When I put up the team selector poll 60 to 30 hours before the game, I create a WhatsApp group chat with everyone down for the game who has WhatsApp. The target is 48 hours before the game, but it may be delayed if not all the places for the game have been filled. I inform the group that the team selector poll is up, and provide them with the link to the thread with the poll. I no longer use bitly.com to shorten the URL, as it is an additional step for me to take, with no real benefit. I SMS players who don't have WhatsApp. If an approved player puts down a guest for the game, I now ask for the contact number of the guest, if I don't already have it. If the guest is on WhatsApp, I add him to the group. If players withdraw, I add the replacements to the group chat, provided they have WhatsApp. When the poll closes, I announce the result on the group chat. Again, I SMS those who aren't on WhatsApp. If players leave the group chat before the result is announced, I add them back to the group before announcing the result. I may also create a sub-group to allow the two team selectors to discuss players before agreeing on the line ups. A lot more of the chat and banter before each game now takes place on the WhatsApp group chat rather than on the schedule thread. It is easier now to use each schedule thread strictly for what it is intended for - players to put their names down for a game or withdraw, and to post line ups. The WhatsApp group chat is also used in the period immediately before the game to provide updates on rain, and traffic conditions. Babs even canvassed a lift from Adam Road on the WhatsApp group chat last Sunday when it was raining heavily and he couldn't get a taxi. Although Foo Cheong offered a lift, Babs finally managed to get a taxi. The WhatsApp group chat remains until the game starts. .... From today onwards, I will put up the report thread as soon as I can after the game kicks off. This will allow any player to add a report/comment while the game is still fresh. Of course, it may be delayed if I am playing, or at the game, or otherwise engaged at the time. Once the report thread is up, I will post the link on the WhatsApp group, and delete the group. All further banter and chat can take place on the report thread. That's what the report threads are for. Currently, I only delete each group chat before creating a new one for the following week's game. Again, I will re-add any player who leaves the group before posting the link, and SMS those who aren't on WhatsApp. The WhatsApp group chat will also help players to get to know each other sooner, and better. |
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Post by Rajiv on Dec 18, 2012 15:34:09 GMT 8
Hi Rajiv, I actually submitted a write-up yesterday but then got a message from Giffas Proboard that it could not be posted because a 'Bear' had attacked the Server.. .... .... Usually only last a few minutes. I think going back and pressing post again works. No need to type it out again. .... More seriously: Over the past few weeks, several of my users have told me they cannot access the forum, whether from their computer or mobile. It doesn't seem to matter which browser they use, or which smartphone. However, for computers, the problem arises only with Windows 7 OS. I had the problem for a while from certain computers. I cleared the history/cookie several times. After a while, the problem just resolved itself. A couple of my users with the same problem have also had the problem resolve itself. I have an older Samsung Galaxy Mini - never had a problem on there. Or on old PC with XP or my new PC with Windows 7. Had the problem on several other Windows 7 based PCs. All just resolved themselves after several days. For two of the computers, I repeatedly cleared cookies/history. No idea what is going on. . I've switched from tinyurl.com to bitly.com to shorten URLs in WhatsApp and SMS messages. The latter is shorter, saving me a few characters. .... On the other hand, it requires extra steps, so I've stopped shortening URLs in my messages. I now use the full URL from the message board. For SMSes, I copy and paste it from the browser on my computer onto WhatsApp on my computer, and forward the URL to WhatsApp on my handphone. I then copy the URL from WhatsApp on my handphone to my SMS messages. I suppose I could do it directly from the browser on my phone, but having already copied it for the WhatsApp group, I find the former method easier. If you follow the link from a mobile device, it will ask you if you want to download the Proboards App. You need to pay for the full version. Cancel, and use the browser on your mobile device instead. You can do everything through the browser, including putting your name down for games. |
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Post by Rajiv on Dec 26, 2012 17:33:53 GMT 8
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Post by Rajiv on Feb 10, 2013 12:28:43 GMT 8
Only approved players can post on the schedule board for GIFFA games. However, there are no restrictions on posting on the report board for GIFFA games, so guest players can comment on the games they play in. While only approved players can start a thread on OPSAGE, again, guests can post on the thread. Although only I can create a thread on the Discussion board, I haven't created a new one in a while. In fact, over the past year, I have been merging threads on the Discussion board: .... The number of threads on the "Discussion" board used to run into three pages (with 20 on the first two pages and about 10 on the third page). This has now been reduced to less than two pages. This is in keeping with: .... In time, I will merge threads on the "Discussion & Introductions" board which deal with the same subject matter, or overlap to a large degree. .... .... Approved players can post on the threads on the Discussion board. Approved players can also create polls on the Stand-Alone Polls sub-board. Again, while I create the monthly threads on the Payment Information and Player Lists Updates & Playing Records boards, approved players can post on the current threads. Earlier threads are locked. Both approved players and guests can start a thread on the "Chat" board. Guests can also start a thread on the "Introductions & Requests" sub-board. The above summarizes the boards and sub-boards on which approved players and guests can post. Currently, there is a separate thread on the Discussion board for "Post-game reports & polls". Originally, "polls" were a reference to the player polls included in the report threads. Player polls are no longer included in the report threads. I left it open for other polls to be included if the report thread was started by an approved player. I think this has only been done once or twice. The "Post-game reports & polls" thread now covers "stand-alone polls" on the sub-board to the "Discussion" board generally. Reports, discussion, chat and polls are the boards and sub-boards where approved players and guests can post generally. I will rename the "Post-game reports & polls" board accordingly. Discussion relating to those areas will be posted on that thread instead of this one.
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Post by Rajiv on Feb 10, 2013 22:13:49 GMT 8
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Post by Rajiv on Mar 10, 2013 9:06:14 GMT 8
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Post by Rajiv on May 3, 2013 10:44:24 GMT 8
I try to minimize the amount of work I need to do to maintain the system. As I've said before: ... The message board is meant to spare me work, not create more work.  This message board and the WhatsApp group chat are used primarily to streamline the work I do. .... A lot more of the chat and banter before each game now takes place on the WhatsApp group chat rather than on the schedule thread. It is easier now to use each schedule thread strictly for what it is intended for - players to put their names down for a game or withdraw, and to post line ups. .... Once the report thread is up, I will post the link on the WhatsApp group, and delete the group. All further banter and chat can take place on the report thread. That's what the report threads are for. .... On the other hand, banter can go overboard. Nevertheless, I'll only delete posts in the most extreme cases. Also: .... ..., there are a total of 26 threads on the Discussion board covering all matters relating to our games. Although there is some degree of overlap between threads, wherever this is the case, the threads cover different aspects of an issue. I do not envisage the need for anymore threads. .... More troublesome for me is when an issue previously discussed is raised again without reference to the earlier discussion. If it has already been discussed before, I will refer the player the the earlier discussion. Even more troublesome is the same player raising the same issue from time to time without regard to the previous discussion on the issue. And I am likely to respond more severely if it is framed as a criticism of me. If you're going to criticize me over an issue, the least you can do is try to remember our previous discussion on the same issue. If a player is more trouble than he is worth, I will be minded to disable his account.
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Post by Rajiv on Jun 30, 2013 18:41:51 GMT 8
.... I'll try a quarterly e-mail Update from this quarter onwards, so no Update for October 2012, just one for the fourth quarter of 2012. I'll try to get it out by the middle of each quarter. .... This quarter's has just gone out, very late. Just about within the quarter. A PDF copy is archived below. Online version at giffa.totalworlds.com/update.html . Also, quarterly is too long an interval between updates. I will try bi-monthly from July/August 2013 onwards. The aim will be to send it out in the first of the two months, but looking at the recent trend, I guess I'll be lucky to get it out before the end of the second month.  Attachments:
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Post by Rajiv on Aug 21, 2013 8:44:46 GMT 8
I was away from 28 July to 1 August 2013 and then again from 15 to 20 August 2013. .... PS: Rajiv, some of us feel that you cannot go for holidays  hehe For the period from 28 July to 1 August 2013, and the games went ahead as usual without any difficulty (other than that I did not schedule the Tuesday game on 30 July 2013). This time around I had very limited access to Wi-Fi/internet, so it made it a bit difficult to remind players of the usual stuff, but every game went on without a hitch over the entire period I was away - 15 to 20 August 2013 - so my being away doesn't seem to be a problem at all.  I don't have roaming, so I can't take phone calls or receive SMSes while I am away, and I don't have access to my 6401xxxx number, but with WiFi, I can use WhatsApp from my 9853xxxx number and also update the message board. |
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Post by Rainer on Aug 21, 2013 10:37:27 GMT 8
u expanding in north korea?
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Post by Rajiv on Oct 5, 2013 18:50:55 GMT 8
If an approved player puts his name down for a game, he should remember to turn up. The WhatsApp group chat acts as a reminder, but it doesn't help if a player is not on WhatsApp. The onus shouldn't fall on me to separately SMS reminders to those who don't have WhatsApp, but this is not the first time a player has forgotten he was down for a game. So if I don't SMS those not on WhatsApp, there is a very small risk of one of them forgetting and not showing. I don't know if team selectors/captains would be prepared to remind those not on WhatsApp. When I announce the team selectors/captains, I can list the players not on WhatsApp. If they have any concerns about the reliability of any of those listed, they can SMS them (asking me for the number if they don't have it themselves). One alternative is for me to introduce a monthly membership fee (say $2) for those who don't have WhatsApp. I will then take on the responsibility of SMSing those who are not on WhatsApp. To avoid the membership fee, install WhatsApp on your smartphone or tablet. You can even install WhatsApp on your computer using an Android emulator such as BlueStacks. I'll give this further consideration until the end of the year. Any change will only be made in the new year. The risk of players putting their names down, then forgetting about it, could be reduced if players participated more in the pre-match build up, including making themselves available for the WhatsApp group chat and voting in the team selector poll. The WhatsApp group chat also allows some amount of pre-match discussion, which allows team selectors and other players to get to know newer players faster, which aids with line ups and formations, and generally keeps our games social. Nevertheless, if I do introduce a $2 monthly membership fee for those who are not on WhatsApp, I am likely to waive it for players who consistently voted in the team selector poll in the previous month. |
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Post by Rajiv on Oct 5, 2013 18:55:43 GMT 8
.... ..., quarterly is too long an interval between updates. I will try bi-monthly from July/August 2013 onwards. The aim will be to send it out in the first of the two months, but looking at the recent trend, I guess I'll be lucky to get it out before the end of the second month. I've been particularly busy since April, so there was no e-mail update for the third quarter. I don't see it easing up before the end of the year, so the best we can hope for is an Update for the second half of 2013, if at all. |
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Post by Rajiv on Oct 23, 2013 17:18:28 GMT 8
Under the admin section of the message board, there is an "Email all" option. This allows me to email everyone registered on the message board through the message board. I carried out a test on Sunday night. What went out was as follows: I am not sure everyone received it. I got a couple of replies from recipients, and a couple of automated out of office replies. The e-mail address used is that linked with each account. I am fairly sure some e-mails are out of date, but I did not receive any undeliverable notifications. Also, each account has a feature to opt-out of e-mails. I would need to check how many registered players have opted out of receiving -mails. I could use this feature to send out short monthly updates. Only those who are registered, whose e-mail address is up to date, and who have not opted out, will receive it. Please ensure the e-mail address linked to your account is a valid and current one, and you have not opted out. You can go to your profile after you log in, then go to "Modify Profile", and change your e-mail address and other settings. |
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Post by Rajiv on Dec 28, 2013 9:23:01 GMT 8
I have made the following changes to streamline the message board:
* I have moved the "Discussion & Stand-Alone Polls" and the "Player Lists Updates & Playing Records" boards from the "General" category to the "Administration" category. I have re-named the "General Information" post under the "Overview" board under the Administration category as "Overview". I have added a bit more information, (on the GIFFA system, playing rules and principles and player lists), and re-worked the rest of the post. I have moved the other posts on the "Overview board" (listing of topics under broad areas) to the "Overview" thread. I have moved the "Overview" thread to the Discussion board, and deleted the existing "General Information" post under the "Discussion" board, which only touched upon new players posting on the "Introductions & Requests" sub-board under the "Player Lists" board (which is now included in the "Overview" thread. I have re-named the Discussion board as "Overview, Discussion & Stand-Alone Polls". I have deleted the "Overview" board.
* I have moved all the threads from the "Women's Schedule Archive" sub-board of the "Proposals/Details" board under the "OPSAGE" category to the "Post-Game Reports & Comments (Archive)" sub-board of the "Post-Event Reports & Comments" board under the "OPSAGE" category. I've deleted the "Women's Schedule Archive" sub-board and re-named the "Post-Game Reports & Comments (Archive)" as "Women's & All-Comers/Mixed Games Archive".
* I have re-named the Proposals/Details" board under the "OPSAGE" category as "OPSAGE". I have moved all threads from the "Post-Event Reports & Comments" board to the "OPSAGE" board. I have moved the "Women's & All-Comers/Mixed Games Archive" as a sub-board to the "Post-Event Reports & Comments" board to a sub-board of the "OPSAGE" board. I have deleted the "Post-Event Reports & Comments" board.
I have moved the "OPSAGE" board from the "OPSAGE" category to the "General" category. I have deleted the "OPSAGE" category.
10 boards in 4 categories are now 8 boards in 3 categories.
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Post by Rajiv on Jan 1, 2014 15:43:45 GMT 8
From early on, I've only been asking for the number if the guest is on WhatsApp. If I am provided with the contact number of a new player who is on WhatsApp, I add him to the group chat for that game, and then introduce myself and the message board as follows: If the introducer does not provide me with a number, or the guest is not on WhatsApp, it remains the primary responsibility of the introducer to draw his guest's attention to the system and rules, especially the more important aspects. Increasingly, new players are introduced by approved players who have friends/colleagues who want to try out our game, or to make up numbers when we are short of players. Players finding us through the message board is rare. More recently, I've been adding: Even those who have played before need to be aware of this. As stated earlier in this thread: I don't want players to be deterred from accessing the message board on smartphones or tablets because they mistakenly think that they must buy the Proboards App. Since about a week ago, I have been repeating this in every WhatsApp group chat or broadcast in which I provide a link to this message board. |
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Post by Rajiv on Jan 17, 2014 18:25:30 GMT 8
I've noticed that WhatsApp broadcasts don't get through to everyone on the list. In fact, maybe less than 50% of those on the list. And it's difficult to check who has received the broadcast message and who hasn't it. Generally, when a message goes from your device, there is one tick against the message. When it is received on the recipient's device, there is two ticks against the message. Useful. The new format of the broadcast list doesn't show the ticks in the list itself, so you have to go into each name to see whether the message has one tick or two ticks. When I am sending out broadcasts to more than 100 contacts, it is too time consuming. Also, after the WhatsApp group chat is created, all updates should be on the group chat, especially after I add both my numbers to the group chat. I may only be available on one of the two numbers at any time, so if you message me directly rather than on the group chat, I may not see it until much later. For those who are not on WhatsApp, continue to SMS me on my mobile number. |
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Post by Rajiv on Jan 25, 2014 8:06:41 GMT 8
The beta for Proboards v5 was rolled out early last year. I signed up for it, then decided that I didn't want to change the appearance of the message board, so I stuck with with the old version.
For several weeks now, I have been getting the following message:
It has finally happened!
I will need some time to see how it affects the functionality and usage of the message board. May be just a matter of getting used to the new appearance!
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Post by Rajiv on Jan 27, 2014 22:39:41 GMT 8
.... I will need some time to see how it affects the functionality and usage of the message board. May be just a matter of getting used to the new appearance! Some of the changes in functionality are useful, for example, I can now delete a poll from an existing thread. Please note that when you try to log in for the first time since the upgrade to Version 5, you will be taken to this page:  Don't forget to click on "Upgrade Account"! |
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Post by Rajiv on Feb 11, 2014 9:13:45 GMT 8
Yesterday: The message board was down for about four hours from about 10.30 am to 2.30 pm. .... And on the ProBoards Support Forum: Apologies for the issues that some of you have been experiencing. We had some issues with some caching systems which is now resolved. While the current issues are no longer presenting themselves, the underlying cause has not yet been identified. We are continuing to investigate the cause at this time. Contrary to some statements by some members, this issue had nothing to do with the v5 upgrade, and if v4 were still running, would have rendered those forums inaccessible too. To coin the popular expression, correlation does not imply causation. With v4 out of the way, one of our highest priorities at the moment is adding additional system redundancies and improving the performance of existing systems to ensure that issues such as this one do not occur. If the GIFFA message board is down, you can check for information on the Support board of the ProBoards forum. There were two earlier posts on the FIFFA blog about ProBoards issues: I have deleted both posts, and changed the GIFFA Info page on the FIFFA blog to allow comments. I've renamed the page "GIFFA" and revised the contents as follows: I've also revised the Overview post on this board to remove reference to the latter of the two deleted posts, and replaced it with a reference to the GIFFA page on the blog. |
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....
hehe
