Word of the Day!

Hi guys,

It's become increasingly common for me to miss posts of late, and I haven't been able to pay much attention to the daily maintenance of the community. Truth is, I have a lot on my plate at the moment, and LiveJournal just isn't a part of my daily routine any more, and with everything else I'm concentrating on at the moment, I just don't have the time or will to try and force myself to include the community in my routines.

For a while, I had no issues with it, but now it's become clear that I have to force myself, which means it will become a chore. It's not that I don't enjoy the prospect, it's just that I've realised I just can't incorporate maintenance, posting, and chasing after people into my daily hither and thither - the idea of forcing myself to do it, and therefore turning it into a chore, doesn't sound appealing. My work is already a chore which I hate, and I have to do that for nine hours a day, five days a week. I really don't want to turn this into something I 'have' to do, rather than love to do.

That said, I'm looking at stepping down as a poster and maintainer of the community, and would like someone to take over. Naturally, it can't be just anyone - I'd prefer someone who can do the place justice, and do for it now what I did for it a while back: really invigorate the place and make it a fun place again.

Anyone who is interested in taking over should email me at shirosenshi at gmail dot com with their expression of interest. I'd like to know what plans you have for the community, how much time you can spare, and what your next steps will be following taking over.

I'd like to thank everyone for their support while I ran the place, and apologise for my lack of posting of late. As I said, it's better to step out gracefully than just disappear and leave you all wondering what's happening.

Thanks all.

Hello, folks! It's been a crazy long while since I've posted, and all due to a Series of Unfortunate Events that made posting a bitch. Don't worry, Jim Carrey wasn't involved. First, there was that whooping cough. Then, LJ borked my account, then they borked my maintainer access and I couldn't post, and then LJ wasn't able to be accessed for ages from my computer. Still don't know why, and they maintain it was likely my fault. I tried to post from work, but LJ was flagged as a 'dangerous' site. I guess it IS owned by the Russians now.

But! Good news is I AM alive, and I should resume posting again from this Sunday. Ironically, just as I get all this sorted out, I get a cold - but only a little one.

So, what's up, Word Nerds? Anything I need to know about? I haven't been able to keep up with the comm for a while because of all these issues, so I'm probably way behind.

Good to be back!

To my dearest Word Nerds,

I have owned, moderated and ran a number of communities over the years, and none of them have been nearly as special as this one. While we're not the most active - in terms of commenting - it is definitely the most polite and tolerant I have ever experienced.

Years ago, I made the mistake of offering a Happy Christmas to a community I ran, and got practically run out of town under accusations of bigotry and racism by a collection of non-Christians. As an Atheist myself, I vowed to never try and do it again.

You guys are all amazing, so for the first time in a long time, I'd like to offer a 'Festive' message.

No matter who you are, where you are from; no matter your race or nationality; no matter your culture, religion or creed - Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Ashura, Posadas Navidenas, Yule, Litha, the Death of the Prophet Zarathushtra, Watch Night, Holy Innocents, Solstice, Festivus, Giftmas, Noworkmas or Bah-Humbugmas, I would like to wish each and every one of you and your families happy holidays.

Last year I posted a poem for you all, written by myself. This year, it's joined by a brilliant illustration by our very own brbplayingchess*.

Hi guys!

Apologies for missing my word for the last few Sundays - I've been sick, unfortunately. Small excuse, but I can't think about awesome words when I'm sick! Instead, however, I've got another few things to look into.


Sub roles and themed posters
A few people have expressed an interest in one, the other, or both, but haven't yet contacted me with any more details - I've been waiting for your emails!

Anyone who is interested in a substitute role or themed posting is welcome to apply! Substitute roles are for anyone that would like to post when regular posters won't be available, when regular posters no longer want to post, or when regular posters lax in duties. Themed posters are people who do regular themed posts on an area they're interested in or study, or anything at all - as long as it holds a theme. This could be anything from 'science words' and 'words derived from Latin' to more specific topics like 'words from games' or 'words that rhyme with purple and orange.'

Anyone interested, please send an email to 1word1day@nerd-fury.net with a sample or two of what youcan do!


Spam
I've been advised by brbplayingchess that some cheeky buggers have somehow bypassed the restriction on posters. The posts have been deleted, and apologies for it. I've emailed LJ to ask how it could have happened, and am awaiting their reply. I have considered making the community invite-only/approved members only, but I think it might be too tight a restriction. I guess we'll just keep a close eye on the spam, and keep banning as needed. Once again, I ask for my posters to keep an eye on their replies and delete spam as necessary.


Twitter and iPhone
A little while ago, I broached the subject of manning a Twitter feed and a Facebook feed. The lovely brbplayingchess is looking after our Facebook feed, and I have just set up 1word_1day on Twitter. I still need to work out how to go about crossposting, or even if my legendarily poor short-term memory will result in me forgetting to update it (I may need a trusted volunteer!), but feel free to follow now!

I also raised the idea of having an iPhone app to essentially crosspost from here to an RSS feed, in app form. With the new group of people following our little community, it might be an idea to raise it again. If anyone here has any experience in creating apps, or knows someone who would like to, can you please comment or email me at 1word1day@nerd-fury.net?


Opening the Gates!
Finally, I'm thinking of running a month where I open the gates and let everyone post their favourite words. Some people have previously expressed concerns about their FList being spammed. Others didn't want to open the comm to potentially harmful aspects. I like the idea of a Bring Your Word To Work Day, but am interested in feedback about how we can best ensure quality and no spam.


Thanks everyone for being such great members, and apologies again for the lack of wordy action on my behalf - I'm starting to feel better, and look forward to resuming my posts likely by nest week!

Some of you might have seen a few spammy posts dotted about here and there. I've deleted four from the same spammer, and marked them for the appropriate group to check into.

I suppose it's the price you pay when you get spotlighted, but I have a favour to ask you: whenever any of you (posters especially - you guys should get notifications of all comments!) see any spam, please let me know by PM or comment in one of my posts tagged 'nerdfury' or 'maintenance.' That way, I can remove them and flag them as spam as soon as possible.

Thanks guys!

Hi guys!

A little while ago, I mentioned a couple of ideas about having a Facebook, Twitter and iPhone feed of the community. A few of you mentioned interest in the Facebook option, so I created a new 1word1day Facebook group!

Click here to visit!

As I'm sure you've noticed, there's nothing in there yet, but I don't quite know how to go about posting. I considered just copy/pasting everything in each day, then considered if I should start it from January onwards or from today onwards, then considered if I should see if any of the posters would mind copying their posts over if I make you mods of there, too?

Anyway, feel free to weigh in with opinions and feedback. Right now, it's off to bed!

Oh, and so no one panics, the Facebook page will generally be a mirror of here, and in no way a replacement. ;)

 Hi guys!

I'm the mod of a couple of other communities, but those are all really, really dead. Like the deadest thing to ever stink up the joint, really. My point is, this is the first place I've looked after which has a user base above a handful, and an amount of activity above none, so I really have no idea if there's anything more I should be doing or if I'm doing okay. So, here's your chance to let me know what you guys want! I've been looking after this place for around six months now, so I think it's time for a checkpoint.

If you have any feedback, please comment. If you think there's something this place needs, or if you have any suggestions for ways to improve the place, or suggestions for anything else at all, please take a few moments to make your voice heard.

As always, criticisms that aren't constructive or just generally mean will be mocked and deleted, but I'm fairly certain that there'll be nothing but good vibes and constructive suggestions!

Also, I've had some ideas in the last couple of days that I think you might be interested in, and wanted your feedback. Firstly, how would you guys feel about theme weeks/months? A whole week or two (or more, but I don't see that happening) with themes? They could be words, terms or phrases that themed to science, internet terms, obsolete words, foreign terms that have made their way into English, animal kingdom, botany - whatever you guys like!

Secondly, I was considering having a period (again, one or two weeks, or even a month) where I open the gates to all posters to post their favourite words - any time they like! 

So, guys, let me know what you think my my two ideas, and if you have any suggestions or feedback on anything else to do with this place. please comment!

Hi folks!

So I was thinking today, and came up with a few ideas of varying difficulties that may or may not be awesome, and I'd like your ideas and feedback on three things I considered making up!

- A Twitter group for here. Do many of you fine folks have Twitter? Would you Follow a 1word1day Twitter feed? If so, what do you think is the best way to run it? Add the word each day followed by a link back to here?

- A Facebook group. Now, come on, all of you have Facebook, I'm sure! Facebook does more than 140 characters, so I guess posting the whole word would be suitable - but would that mean none of you will bother coming here any more if it's there?

- Finally, and this is the hardest suggestion, but potentially the most awesome - an iPhone app. A lot of people have iPhones, but I don't know how to write apps, and don't have the SDK for it. So, does anyone here have the ability to make, or know anyone who has the ability to make an iPhone app? Let me know!

Feedback appreciated!

*flings mod hat gracefully back onto the hat rack*