maeve@ebay.com
06/14/07 10:40 AM
New look / new feel
• We’ve moved things around on all of the groups pages (my groups and personal information on the left instead of the right) Your My Groups area will have a menu to reach some of the new tools
• New content areas on the right hand side of the page for polls, member profiles, document files etc.
• New drop down menus specialized for each page – found in the utility bar across the top
• Expanded the announcements areas (both global announcements an inside groups) Announcements are more visible now.
• New color scheme (but we aren’t positive what those colors will be yet)
• Ability for members to have a personal avatar. You can choose a photo of yourself, your favorite pet, a flower or whatever suits your fancy. Or you can use the default avatar
• Group leaders can upload an icon for their group (the group logo is 240 x 240 on the group welcome page and smaller on the category pages)
• “Skins” to create personalized group pages (change the color of headers, text boxes etc.) (more skins will become available soon)
• Signature files – like those found on the discussion boards
• Posts from “open groups” will show as rotating content on eBay Groups Hub page
• Polls on your group’s home page so your poll will show up with results on your home page as well as the ability to vote from that placement
• New format for browse groups’ page – shows your group icon / logo (thumbnail size) next to group name – default group icon if group leader doesn’t create one.
• Smilies, bold, italic underline, spell check, etc buttons in post box.
• Easy to add photos from albums to discussion posts.
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maeve@ebay.com
06/14/07 10:55 AM
New Tools
We now have two ways to send a message to individual members from inside groups
Skype integration (Skype member can choose to show their online status via their profile – Skype members can use the instant messenger service)
Email member tool – allows members to email each other while maintaining privacy of email address (this email tool only works on the groups platform and between members who share groups in common – you will see a little envelope icon next to your my Groups area when you have a new message)
You can manage your email messages and store up to 100 messages in your folder.
Members can create an address book of individual group members so they can mail one or more members at the same time.
Ability to block messages
Enhanced photo albums – more stable – recent photos appear on groups’ home page – ability to feature photos on the groups’ home page just by clicking on the “feature” tool. Albums look much nicer.
Creating new boards in your group. Each group leader will be able to create new discussion areas (forums) within the group. (all groups have one discussion board right now). When members click on thee discussion link the new boards will be available. Just click on the one you want, to read the discussions on that board.
Documents files – allows group members to upload and store documents such as tutorials, information pages or important threads (up to five megabytes of data per document)
Personal preferences allow the sort order as newest first or oldest first.
Member profiles are updated and allow the member greater freedom to express themselves – member profiles appear on your group home page (only accessible to other members of your group)
My content area contains, update profile, tags, my groups, my watches, subscriptions, messages, content (your own list of your posts, announcements photos, etc.)
Feature posts or a thread on your group home page.
You can also feature a member on the group home page.
Open Groups –
gives the group leader the choice to let potential new members read their group prior to joining –
To assure that we keep spam to a minimum there is no posting without joining the group. Its read only
All open groups are public (anyone can join at any time) but not all public groups are open.
Non members visiting open groups will not be able to access personal profiles or use member tools.
Content from open groups will be rotated on the group hub page to give visitors a glimpse of what our groups are all about.
Story boards – like albums but members can join in and show the progression of the story whether it’s everyone working on a similar project or showing slides from their last meet up and more.
Tags –
Group leaders asked for a way to list their group in two categories to receive more attention and easier for potential members to find. We had some difficulties trying to implement this so we are using “tags”. We’ve allocated up to five tags for each group. For example a sellers group could use the following tags “stores” “selling help” “share your wares” etc. (“tags” are searchable by all major search engines)
Threads, photos and other group data can also be tagged to assist members in finding specific comments in threads or photos etc.
Improved search with use of tags – plus search is more stable and reliable
Easier to use Events Calendar – nicer presentation
Search for similar group on “start group” page. We are going to ask people if they want to search for a group sharing their interests before opening a new one and provide a search field on the start group page.
Design fields options on start group page – select skin or upload group icon – or image for group home page.
For group leaders the edit tools are now located under group management. I found them really easy to use.
Group leaders notified when a member leaves the group. An automatic email is generated with the ID of the person leaving the group.
Members can edit or delete their own posts.
Group leaders and moderators can also edit and delete any post.
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maeve@ebay.com
06/14/07 10:59 AM
Other Enhancements
• You all asked for a way to open a slot for a co-leader. We weren’t able to do that in this round of enhancements but I think we have a solution for you. Moving forward group leaders can be changed quickly via an automated system. So if a group leader has to be away for awhile, the group leader can appoint a new leader who will receive all the group communication.
• New date time stamp shows time of last visit.
• More stable environment and fix for ongoing glitches.
I sure hope I've covered everything. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to ask me.
Maeve *tickled pink*
