Is it time to grow?

[–] TheRedArmy 6 points (+6|-0)

It's a legitimate question. I am not sure what kind of timetable the admins (@polsaker @pembo210) have in mind for growing.

It's something they (and really, all of us), want to do, but there are a lot of factors to consider. I know a couple - increased costs from more traffic coming in, potato servers possibly being overloaded, and some kind of "takeover" where a number of people (maybe like 30+ is enough, not really sure) come in and kind of "take over" the whole place (a la Voat some years ago, in a way).

I think for right now, the best is likely to continue what we've been doing, in keeping it small and being selective in who we invite. More activity from many of us (myself included) should also help.

And as always, coding/monetary donations are good too.

[–] Skyrock 6 points (+6|-0)

There's also the current hoster's restrictive TOS. The first Sanegoat that comes here would either try to dump a lot of hatespeech here, then report it to pull our hosting, or cry to the heavens when the admins remove it to save our hosting.

Before moving to a different hoster, Phuks would be much too vulnerable to such tactics.

[–] smallpond 1 points (+1|-0)

Whether you're using an enlightened host or not, maybe that type of risk is the same? Regardless of whether hatespeech is in your TOS, you could randomly annoy a vindictive individual and suffer nagging, malicious spamming or website attacks.

I'm not sure what technically qualifies as hatespeech - but practically I suspect people can express almost any opinion without crossing those lines? I think the restrictive TOS does keep voat at arms length, and that could be a good thing.

Of course I'm personally quite interested in how strongly people feel about free speech as an ideal, but that should become clearer in time if the site survives.

[–] smallpond 6 points (+6|-0)

Off topic: but I think voat has a long way to go in terms of free speech, it's more a safespace for particular groups.

[–] Polsaker 4 points (+4|-0)

Edited

The site (code-wise) is a huge mess, and I've been working on some improvements, which of course take their time since I'm the only one working on it

A new theme/layout/interface is coming soon™
After that I should start optimizing the code a bit
And really have to replace this markdown editor (used when submitting comments/posts), it's preview function is horrible.

We've discussed with @pembo210 about moving to a different hosting that is not so restrictive, but given our current traffic levels it's just not really worth it.

[–] smallpond 4 points (+4|-0)

How do you old-timers feel about progress: is it an effort to keep up site activity and content? I feel some obligation to post things despite it not being my natural mode: but that's probably just me metaphorically adjusting to the pace of country life.

From memory you guys are mentioned on /r/RedditAlternatives/ but not many travellers will stick around while the place is so small.

[–] TheRedArmy 2 points (+2|-0)

I'm an early invite, but not the earliest invite, but I personally see a noticeable uptick in traffic and the number of people, and it's pleasing to see.

I also post here fairly regularly, while on Reddit I think I've posted maybe 2 things total ever. I much prefer it here, for a number of reasons, most notably that I like almost everyone here and feel like I won't get my head bitten off if I start talking about actual important stuff and I don't have the "right" opinion on it.

Threads like this one, where we generate actual discussion between each other, are the best ones. We can all find something funny/interesting to us and link dump it here, and I certainly do that a good percentage of the time. But the best threads are the ones that get us talking to each other, where we start to actually learn and discuss things. Like a real community.

Certain topics, politics and religion in particular, I personally feel I can post here, mostly without fear. I feel I can post here, expressing my thoughts, and the person on the other end who reads it will realize that these are not random or arbitrary; these are carefully considered positions that have not been reached lightly. Likewise, I disagree with many people on some of the things posted here along those same lines, but I respect nearly all of them. They use legitimate points and arguments. It is clear they have spent a good deal of time and effort considering their own positions; if I expect to refute them, I will not be able to do so trivially.

I don't often get into those kinds of discussions, and it's more common on our IRC channel than on here (which is no good, I should post on here), but it's nice to know I always have that option if it becomes important to me that I speak up, and I can mostly do so without both my inbox exploding and my self-esteem remaining intact. :p

[–] smallpond 1 points (+1|-0)

I feel the same concerning discussions on here. When we can log in and see a good variety of new conversations each day I think the website will become much more appealing and viable (and no doubt bring new problems through growing pains).

[–] Ventus 1 points (+1|-0)

Cheers for the concern and thinking with us.

Currently the team is working hard on a new theme/layout/interface and this is mainly the marker for getting our "recruitment campaign" started. The site will look smoother and we can finally implement some CSS on a lot of subs. Like @polsaker replied there is still a lot of technical work being done.

How we will recruit is still being debated and we value help or input from anyone, easiest way to contact Admins and developers directly: https://kiwiirc.com/client/irc.goat.chat:+6697#throat

There are people online almost 24/7 and It's also a fun place to hangout with many regulars. Either way we are glad you want to be involved and thank you for it!

[–] [Deleted] 0 points (+0|-0)

voat's freer speech is nice but there's no rule that says you can't use both sites, i still use voat now and again when i am too lazy to submit or create some content for phuks.

Is it time to grow?

10 comments

/s/AskPhuks