Freegle Tech Report 18-07-31 - Revision history

Dorothyjeanquinn: /* Direct. */ a

2018-10-03T09:57:40Z

Direct.: a

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:57, 3 October 2018
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	On the subject of the Newsfeed I have been thinking whether to alert local mods when people in their area post on it. Sometimes they are requests for help, some are interesting to see, and it is an opportunity for volunteers to engage with our members. The fact that we have real people is a big plus for us, and we know that a) our members appreciate it when it happens and b) they often don't realise it. There are probably also volunteers who either haven't noticed the Newsfeed section, or don't look at it regularly, but who would want to engage in this way.		On the subject of the Newsfeed I have been thinking whether to alert local mods when people in their area post on it. Sometimes they are requests for help, some are interesting to see, and it is an opportunity for volunteers to engage with our members. The fact that we have real people is a big plus for us, and we know that a) our members appreciate it when it happens and b) they often don't realise it. There are probably also volunteers who either haven't noticed the Newsfeed section, or don't look at it regularly, but who would want to engage in this way.
	I will probably add an alert to group volunteers (not backup ones). There might be some volunteers who for whatever reason don't want to receive these, so there would be a setting to turn them off.		I will probably add an alert to group volunteers (not backup ones). There might be some volunteers who for whatever reason don't want to receive these, so there would be a setting to turn them off.
			'''No Shows'''
			These are the bugbear of those giving stuff away, and the main cause of disillusionment with Freegle. <Br>
			Edward has been thinking about what use the data we have could help fight this. <Br> We get some info from the Promise/unpromise function though not everyone uses this. <Br>
			Analyzing the length of first replies shows those later unpromised were a third shorter than the successful transactions, so suggests people who give short replies are less likely to be reliable. I will dig a bit deeper to see if this info could be use to identify as leading to less successful outcomes. <Br>
			We know that after a while people learn by experience, but only if they stick with us - what some people will learn if their first experience is a no show is to give up. <Br>
			This has been discussed this with some tech ethics people. The consensus is that we should be transparent, i.e. flag this in some way to the person making the reply as well as to the offerer/wanter and we should give them a chance to resolve this (but not unlimited chances). <Br>
			Therefore we will be adding some prediction which does this. <Br>

	~~'''''Bold text''''No Shows'''~~
	~~These are the bugbear of those giving stuff away, and the main cause of disillusionment with Freegle.~~
	~~Edward has been thinking about what use the data we have could help fight this.~~
	~~What does this show?~~
	~~We get some info from the Promise/unpromise function though not everyone uses this.~~
	Analyzing the length of first replies shows those later unpromised were a third shorter than the successful transactions, so suggests people who give short replies are less likely to be reliable. I will dig a bit deeper to see if this info could be use to identify as leading to less successful outcomes.
	~~We know that after a while people learn by experience, but only if they stick with us - what some people will learn if their first experience is a no show is to give up. <Br>~~
	~~This has been discussed this with some tech ethics people. The consensus is that~~
	~~We should be transparent, i.e. flag this in some way to the person making the reply as well as to the offerer/wanter and we should give them a chance to resolve this (but not unlimited chances).~~
	~~Therefore we will be adding some prediction which does this.~~
	For the offerer/wanter, add some text similar to "Warning - replies like this one sometimes indicate that things won't work out smoothly. Please take extra care in making very clear arrangements. Read more..."		For the offerer/wanter, add some text similar to "Warning - replies like this one sometimes indicate that things won't work out smoothly. Please take extra care in making very clear arrangements. Read more..."
	For the replier, add some text similar to: "Warning - replies like this one sometimes don't lead to things working out." They'll have a few chances to improve the reply, and then we'll send it as is (so they can't keep trying).		For the replier, add some text similar to: "Warning - replies like this one sometimes don't lead to things working out." They'll have a few chances to improve the reply, and then we'll send it as is (so they can't keep trying). <Br>
	'''Ratings'''		'''Ratings'''

	At the moment this is being trained on slightly indirect methods (i.e. whether someone is unpromised), and then using that to predict. It will now give a chance to give a thumbs up / thumbs down to another freegler. This leads to a "rating" system, which people often ask for. I've avoided having that mostly because it's hard to get people to use it enough for it to be useful. But adding a predictive element would mean that we can use the ratings that people give to train the system to identify other people who reply in similar ways, which makes it much more useful. <Br>		At the moment this is being trained on slightly indirect methods (i.e. whether someone is unpromised), and then using that to predict. It will now give a chance to give a thumbs up / thumbs down to another freegler. This leads to a "rating" system, which people often ask for. I've avoided having that mostly because it's hard to get people to use it enough for it to be useful. But adding a predictive element would mean that we can use the ratings that people give to train the system to identify other people who reply in similar ways, which makes it much more useful. <Br>
	Some of this will start to appear this week. It'll doubtless change - it's an experiment.		Some of this will start to appear this week. It'll doubtless change - it's an experiment. <Br>

	'''Questions.'''		'''Questions.'''

	Q. What I don’t like about giving on Freegle, is the fact that you have to go through 6 pages/next buttons/pop-ups to complete one 'offered' item. TN is all on one page, so much easier and quicker.		Q. What I don’t like about giving on Freegle, is the fact that you have to go through 6 pages/next buttons/pop-ups to complete one 'offered' item. TN is all on one page, so much easier and quicker. <Br>
	I think this is necessary with new members, but it probably can skip some steps once a member has used it and been joined to a group. I will look at it.		A.I think this is necessary with new members, but it probably can skip some steps once a member has used it and been joined to a group. I will look at it. <Br>
	Q. I have just placed three items on the Group list. One of the items has two images. I went to check on My Posts and I thought only one image had arrived. I left the web page open and a little while later the other image appeared! Could I suggest that it states somewhere in the posting that more than one image is present?		Q. I have just placed three items on the Group list. One of the items has two images. I went to check on My Posts and I thought only one image had arrived. I left the web page open and a little while later the other image appeared! Could I suggest that it states somewhere in the posting that more than one image is present? <Br>
	On my to do list now.		A. On my to do list now. <Br>
	Q. A member just wants to check wanted posts but says she can’t.		Q. A member just wants to check wanted posts but says she can’t. <Br>
	A. She needs to click on the Find button and she can put a keyword in or select Wanteds and scroll through.		A. She needs to click on the Find button and she can put a keyword in or select Wanteds and scroll through. <Br>
	Q. I put a postcode into the search to find the location, popped it into the Location box and it sent me to a different group.		Q. I put a postcode into the search to find the location, popped it into the Location box and it sent me to a different group. <Br>
	A. If you are logged in, then it shows the last group you used by default. If you use an incognito tab then it is a better reflection of what a user would see.		A. If you are logged in, then it shows the last group you used by default. If you use an incognito tab then it is a better reflection of what a user would see. <Br>
	Q. The text in your Stories email is far too small to read on my iPad mini. Please could you make it larger?		Q. The text in your Stories email is far too small to read on my iPad mini. Please could you make it larger? <Br>
	A. The Stories mail hasn't yet moved over to the new format, so it will improve when that is done.		A. The Stories mail hasn't yet moved over to the new format, so it will improve when that is done. <Br>

	== Facebook ==		== Facebook ==

Dorothyjeanquinn: /* Chat */ a

2018-10-03T09:53:44Z

Chat: a

Dorothyjeanquinn: /* Direct. */ a

2018-10-03T09:52:24Z

Direct.: a

Dorothyjeanquinn: a

2018-10-03T09:49:07Z

Show changes

Dorothyjeanquinn: a

2018-10-03T09:38:45Z

New page

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-<br>Back to [[Freegle Tech Report 18-06-30|Freegle Tech Report 18-06-30]] Forward to [[Freegle Tech Report 18-08-31]]

<br>

[[Category:Tech_Group_Reports]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:53, 3 October 2018
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	== Chat ==		== Chat ==

	We didn’t accept photos by email, because of concerns that they might contain inappropriate images (spam replies) or signature images (corporate footer logos). Now we have mostly got spam under control, and because one of the common reasons why chat messages pop up for review is people saying "The photos didn't get through, can you mail me direct at X", which is a pain, we have now added support for photos in emails - they should now get put into the chats.		We didn’t accept photos by email, because of concerns that they might contain inappropriate images (spam replies) or signature images (corporate footer logos). Now we have mostly got spam under control, and because one of the common reasons why chat messages pop up for review is people saying "The photos didn't get through, can you mail me direct at X", which is a pain, we have now added support for photos in emails - they should now get put into the chats. <Br>
	To help with the signature images:		To help with the signature images: <Br>
	If the image is too small (less than 150px width or height) then we won't include it. This helps with typical logo footers.		If the image is too small (less than 150px width or height) then we won't include it. This helps with typical logo footers. <Br>
	If the aspect ratio of the image is less than 0.5 or more than 1.5, then we won't include it. Most photos are fairly close to square, so this helps spot banner images in emails.		If the aspect ratio of the image is less than 0.5 or more than 1.5, then we won't include it. Most photos are fairly close to square, so this helps spot banner images in emails. <Br>
	Please let us know if you see any problems with images (in chat, chat review, in posts on the groups, member complaints).		Please let us know if you see any problems with images (in chat, chat review, in posts on the groups, member complaints). <Br>


	Q. I saw a message in spam and it was the same message I had just read on my Chat. How can I have spam mail to check in modtools, if i already received and read the message in freegle chat		Q. I saw a message in spam and it was the same message I had just read on my Chat. How can I have spam mail to check in modtools, if i already received and read the message in freegle chat <Br>
	A. Because you're a mod you would see it even though it was held for review. It's the same code that grants you access to the message when you're looking to review it.		A. Because you're a mod you would see it even though it was held for review. It's the same code that grants you access to the message when you're looking to review it. <Br>
	Q. I have received a spam message in my chat how do I report it?		Q. I have received a spam message in my chat how do I report it? <Br>
	There is an option to report a chat - inside the dropdown. There's a rash of spam at the moment which is including links without http: so I'll be doing something to try and spot those.		A.There is an option to report a chat - inside the dropdown. There's a rash of spam at the moment which is including links without http: so I'll be doing something to try and spot those. <Br>
	Q. A member tried to block a member. She selected the drop down and blocked them on the message page, but the person is now responding to her offer posts. The member is a little upset that she is not able to stop the other member from contacting her even though he is blocked. Can it be made so that once blocked, a person replying to a post won't get through?		Q. A member tried to block a member. She selected the drop down and blocked them on the message page, but the person is now responding to her offer posts. The member is a little upset that she is not able to stop the other member from contacting her even though he is blocked. Can it be made so that once blocked, a person replying to a post won't get through? <Br>
	You can search Wanteds from the find option.		A You can search Wanteds from the find option. <Br>


	== Direct. ==		== Direct. ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:52, 3 October 2018
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	There are various ways we can try to spot whether emails have been read. Some are sneaky, and used by marketeers or spammers, and could cause more of our mail getting trapped.		There are various ways we can try to spot whether emails have been read. Some are sneaky, and used by marketeers or spammers, and could cause more of our mail getting trapped.
	"Read receipts" (aka MDN). Generally nowadays your email client/provider will tell you that the sender has asked for a read report and then you can choose whether to send them. I've made our chat notification emails request read receipts, and then handle them by marking the message as seen (with the green tick). I am not optimistic about what proportion of people will choose to send these, but it can't hurt.		"Read receipts" (aka MDN). Generally nowadays your email client/provider will tell you that the sender has asked for a read report and then you can choose whether to send them. I've made our chat notification emails request read receipts, and then handle them by marking the message as seen (with the green tick). I am not optimistic about what proportion of people will choose to send these, but it can't hurt.
	I'm talking to ReturnPath. These people have a near-monopoly on working with the big email providers to ensure mails are delivered properly. If we can get certified by ReturnPath then posts are much more likely to appear in the Inbox . I have tried talking to them before but it was unaffordable for us, just checking whether the situation has changed, or if we can find anything cheaper.		I'm talking to ReturnPath. These people have a near-monopoly on working with the big email providers to ensure mails are delivered properly. If we can get certified by ReturnPath then posts are much more likely to appear in the Inbox . I have tried talking to them before but it was unaffordable for us, just checking whether the situation has changed, or if we can find anything cheaper. <Br>
	.		.
	'''Humanising.'''		'''Humanising.'''
	Focus has been on making our website easily maintainable, but has resulted in one which could be considered a bit “dry" and transactional. The consequences of that can be that members are now aware they are dealing with human beings. If members do feel this at an emotional level then, they're more likely to be nice. That can feed into things like no shows. It also makes freegling more enjoyable, so likely people will use it more.		Focus has been on making our website easily maintainable, but has resulted in one which could be considered a bit “dry" and transactional. The consequences of that can be that members are now aware they are dealing with human beings. If members do feel this at an emotional level then, they're more likely to be nice. That can feed into things like no shows. It also makes freegling more enjoyable, so likely people will use it more.
	We will be doing a variety of things to humanise the site.		We will be doing a variety of things to humanise the site.
	First of these is a bit of a revamp of some of the About pages. The links are to the dev site as it's not live yet.		First of these is a bit of a revamp of some of the About pages. The links are to the dev site as it's not live yet. <Br>
	https://dev.ilovefreegle.org/about . I've put a bit more structure on this so that it's less of a long page of text, and revamped the "Who Are We" section.		https://dev.ilovefreegle.org/about . I've put a bit more structure on this so that it's less of a long page of text, and revamped the "Who Are We" section. <Br>
	https://dev.ilovefreegle.org/volunteers . This is the same as the "Who Are We" section, but it's useful to be able to send a link when we're talking about volunteering.		https://dev.ilovefreegle.org/volunteers . This is the same as the "Who Are We" section, but it's useful to be able to send a link when we're talking about volunteering. <Br>
	https://dev.ilovefreegle.org/board . This is useful when Board members are making contact with other organisations, or vice versa.		https://dev.ilovefreegle.org/board . This is useful when Board members are making contact with other organisations, or vice versa. <Br>
	To make it easier for people to see that there's another real person at the other side of the screen you can now write a little bit about yourself in your settings. When you do this it will appear in the Newsfeed. Once you've written this, it will appear when you reply to an offer/wanted post too. One we have already received says "I am a full-time carer so sometimes I will be slow to respond to messages." which is ideal if anyone is offering to them.		To make it easier for people to see that there's another real person at the other side of the screen you can now write a little bit about yourself in your settings. When you do this it will appear in the Newsfeed. Once you've written this, it will appear when you reply to an offer/wanted post too. One we have already received says "I am a full-time carer so sometimes I will be slow to respond to messages." which is ideal if anyone is offering to them. <Br>;


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	In response to a moderator who though Chat had cut down on the Chattiness which emails provided it was found that		In response to a moderator who though Chat had cut down on the Chattiness which emails provided it was found that
	For messages sent on the website the median length was 99 characters, and by email was 98 characters. So across the whole system there's no significant difference.		For messages sent on the website the median length was 99 characters, and by email was 98 characters. So across the whole system there's no significant difference.
	A few other things:		A few other things: <Br>
	The default newsfeed settings mean this will only show to people nearby, where "nearby" is partly determined by how busy the newsfeed is. Still, it's possible that this might swamp the newsfeed if lots of people do it. If so then that's a nice problem to have and I'll do something, e.g. "Edward and 5 others introduced themselves...".		The default newsfeed settings mean this will only show to people nearby, where "nearby" is partly determined by how busy the newsfeed is. Still, it's possible that this might swamp the newsfeed if lots of people do it. If so then that's a nice problem to have and I'll do something, e.g. "Edward and 5 others introduced themselves...".
	The green button on the right of the newsfeed item allows/encourages other people to do it. This wouldn't ever be compulsory.		The green button on the right of the newsfeed item allows/encourages other people to do it. This wouldn't ever be compulsory.
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	We get some info from the Promise/unpromise function though not everyone uses this.		We get some info from the Promise/unpromise function though not everyone uses this.
	Analyzing the length of first replies shows those later unpromised were a third shorter than the successful transactions, so suggests people who give short replies are less likely to be reliable. I will dig a bit deeper to see if this info could be use to identify as leading to less successful outcomes.		Analyzing the length of first replies shows those later unpromised were a third shorter than the successful transactions, so suggests people who give short replies are less likely to be reliable. I will dig a bit deeper to see if this info could be use to identify as leading to less successful outcomes.
	We know that after a while people learn by experience, but only if they stick with us - what some people will learn if their first experience is a no show is to give up.		We know that after a while people learn by experience, but only if they stick with us - what some people will learn if their first experience is a no show is to give up. <Br>
	This has been discussed this with some tech ethics people. The consensus is that		This has been discussed this with some tech ethics people. The consensus is that
	We should be transparent, i.e. flag this in some way to the person making the reply as well as to the offerer/wanter and we should give them a chance to resolve this (but not unlimited chances).		We should be transparent, i.e. flag this in some way to the person making the reply as well as to the offerer/wanter and we should give them a chance to resolve this (but not unlimited chances).
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	'''Ratings'''		'''Ratings'''

	At the moment this is being trained on slightly indirect methods (i.e. whether someone is unpromised), and then using that to predict. It will now give a chance to give a thumbs up / thumbs down to another freegler. This leads to a "rating" system, which people often ask for. I've avoided having that mostly because it's hard to get people to use it enough for it to be useful. But adding a predictive element would mean that we can use the ratings that people give to train the system to identify other people who reply in similar ways, which makes it much more useful.		At the moment this is being trained on slightly indirect methods (i.e. whether someone is unpromised), and then using that to predict. It will now give a chance to give a thumbs up / thumbs down to another freegler. This leads to a "rating" system, which people often ask for. I've avoided having that mostly because it's hard to get people to use it enough for it to be useful. But adding a predictive element would mean that we can use the ratings that people give to train the system to identify other people who reply in similar ways, which makes it much more useful. <Br>
	Some of this will start to appear this week. It'll doubtless change - it's an experiment.		Some of this will start to appear this week. It'll doubtless change - it's an experiment.

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	Q. The text in your Stories email is far too small to read on my iPad mini. Please could you make it larger?		Q. The text in your Stories email is far too small to read on my iPad mini. Please could you make it larger?
	A. The Stories mail hasn't yet moved over to the new format, so it will improve when that is done.		A. The Stories mail hasn't yet moved over to the new format, so it will improve when that is done.


	== Facebook ==		== Facebook ==