Huddler feedback bonanza - let us know what you think!

Hello Huddlers,

We're looking for some guidance on next steps for development of the site, and who better to ask than our users?

First, thanks for all of your contributions to the site thus far; we really think it has a tremendous amount of potential to contribute to the sustainablity movement and we'd like to ensure that we maximize that potential. To that end, I have a few questions. I think this could be a cool dialogue among all current users, but if you'd rather keep your thoughts private, please just Private Message me.

Thanks everyone!  Okay...here are the questions:

1) What about the site have you really been enjoying thus far? What contributed to you seeing the site, then deciding to actually participate? How can we better get the word out to get more people like you?

2) We've all used a myriad of other sites in the past - Yahoo Answers, other forums, reading blogs, etc. How does the current experience on Huddler compare to other sites you really enjoy? Where are we falling short? Where do we stand out?

3) What feature(s) are missing or would you like added?

4) What other "Huddles" would you like to see started? We've had requests for cycling, home theater equipment, cell phone/PDA information, and many others. What could you see yourself and others using?

We'd be happy to get into the specifics of features we're considering, but would like to get unpolluted feedback from you first. Please don't be shy.

Thanks again,

Cristina (Green Community Lead)

1) I like the product reviews (expanding the sections would be good, as you're planning)
and the discussion board.

You telling me about the site is what got me to come here, and I decided to participate because I like the layout and concept.  Contacting people on similar sites (i.e. Yahoo Answers Environment section) is a good way to attract new members.

2) The only shortcoming is that there aren't currently a lot of users (particularly on the discussion board), but I'm sure that will change with time.  I like the ability to discuss green products and see how other people liked them.  I haven't used any other websites with green product discussions.

3) You mentioned a 'karma' meter sort of thing.  I think that would help encourage people to participate more.  More product categories and/or Huddles would also be good.

4) Cycling, garden products, green product stores/dealers.

I am preparing a couple of reviews for this summer. Running your car on water, I just bought the plans on the NET. Realizing that water was used in the Spitfires during the war to increase speed at full throttle and having a Dad who heated his garage with oil and water motivates me. Right now I don't know. Second review will be on converting my cookstove to Finnish stove design using mass as heat storage for a once a day burn. I will also use Hemp Cement to build the stove. I have used it to chink the cabin, but more later.

One thing I have learned living in the country is that it is a steady rain that soaks. Just keep at it.

On the more practical side. Try to bring some of the old faithfulls in. Like Permaculture, they are a poorly funded bunch, but right on.  Or sift through old Mother Earth News magazines for organizations who may have databases of information to add. They may even be looking for harddrive space of bandwidth.

I built a log cabin in the wood thirty years ago without knowing how to drive a nail. Rough and not pretty, Now I am here with my pretty little home and mostly happy family. Keep plugging!

Best,

John Paul

1) What about the site have you really been enjoying thus far? The Product Line Up. What contributed to you seeing the site, then deciding to actually participate? I was invited and thought it was a great concept. Especially for people who are new to eco-fabulous living. I think it will help them not feel so "dumb" about a change in lifestyle.  How can we better get the word out to get more people like you? Ask the people who are already members to blog, post, email..do what they feel appropriate to reach a more broad (and free) group of people. Or, call Oprah. ;-)

2) We've all used a myriad of other sites in the past - Yahoo Answers, other forums, reading blogs, etc. How does the current experience on Huddler compare to other sites you really enjoy? Since I'm not too into the cyber world, most of it is all new to me. Heck, I just started a blog in July 2007...I'm a late comer to cyber-casting. Where are we falling short? N/A Where do we stand out? Your design and layout is pleasent and easy to understand.

3) What feature(s) are missing or would you like added? I would personally love to see product catagories for eco-furniture, eco-house wares (maybe a expansion on the appliances...like blenders and such...I mean I'm sure there are things like that that are more eco than others? Or maybe I"m wrong.)

4) What other "Huddles" would you like to see started? We've had requests for cycling, home theater equipment, cell phone/PDA information, and many others. What could you see yourself and others using? Those are good requests.

ps, i chose not to include a photo of myself for my profile. because i liked the icons you had. so that's another plus, you have groovy icons.

***1) What about the site have you really been enjoying thus far?

I pretty much like the set up. I really like the interaction.

***What contributed to you seeing the site, then deciding to actually participate?

I discovered the site because of a recommendation by Cristina in a Myspace group called Biodiesel.

***How can we better get the word out to get more people like you?

I also just posted a bulletin (which goes to all the people on my friends list) to advertise for her. The plethora of ideas about alternative energy are blossoming and this internet concept, in my opinion, is helping to further the development of ideas, not only here in our country, but especially, all over the world, even in remote areas that were once cut off from the rest of the world.

I think Myspace has become a valuable resource and will help to spread the word. There is plenty of mindless entertainment, which I also love, in addition to the real stuff, like the ASPCA profile or the presidential candidates profiles or Myspace-sponsored troop entertainment or debates or the bulletins I post or the reminders I give periodically of my Blogger blog.

2) We've all used a myriad of other sites in the past - Yahoo Answers, other forums, reading blogs, etc. How does the current experience on Huddler compare to other sites you really enjoy? Where are we falling short? Where do we stand out?

Since medically retiring from the Navy and the ex-wife-creature leaving, after being introduced by a friend, I have become addicted to Myspace. I like Huddler because it's like a 'green' Myspace.

3) What feature(s) are missing or would you like added?

On that note, this may be something I'm missing, but it's too hard to post a new thread. You have to dig down through a specific topic to get to the option. How about a general forum?

Also, how about a place to comment on Wikis. Not only may someone not be interested in editing it because they only have a comment, for example, but also, it's a good opportunity for more dialogue and for people to just express their opinions and read those of other people. For example, I wanted to comment on the one about Obama, how an interest in the environment doesn't make the economy or the issues in the world go away and it takes more than dreamy change ideas to roll up your sleeves and do the dirty work.

Supm else, I imagine you don't wanna be just another copycat, but the friends thing in Myspace is a good thing, in my opinion, because it's an easy link to someone's profile and
it shows what you are about. Who are you affiliated with? What's important to you?

***4) What other "Huddles" would you like to see started? We've had requests for cycling, home theater equipment, cell phone/PDA information, and many others. What could you see yourself and others using?

Sorry, I don't have enough of an understanding to offer anything on this one.

John

Thanks for the feedback thus far - please keep it coming! In response to NavyJohn's comment about a general forum, we're trying to find the right balance. It feels pretty sliced up right now (lots of categories) but as more posts are generated, I think it will be really helpful for finding what you're looking for. I would definitely encourage everyone to check out the Anything but Green section cause we can only stay on topic for so long, ha.

We'll post a lot more about your requests after our team meeting on Monday, so get in suggestions! Thanks

That 'Anything but Green' forum is just about what I was talking about. Like I said, I prolly hadn't looked around enough yet. The name is a bit exclusive, though. It kinda precludes a discussion that might be a general Green type topic, or do I just need to look some more still?

Oh yeah, I like the intro thing. I plan to write supm later, but I'm just not feeling like it right now.

Also, I discovered supm I didn't realize. Stins=Cristina (the Myspace person).

John

I like the interactivity of the site.  Seeding the product areas with facts will help, but as a potential buyer I'm most interested in the experiences of others.

I noticed there's a whole forum discussion about beauty products -- it would be great to include this as a separate category. People could dish about organic and "natural" makeup, organic salons and spas, etc.

As for engaging people, I think that eventually compiling something like Chowhound's CHOW Digest - Chowhound at Home weekly email that sums up discussions and points out good tips would be very helpful. Sometimes people don't think about logging into the site, but if they get a weekly email with the most interesting discussions, they might be motivated to click through and learn more.

Okay, folks.  So a little update.  Lots of you have asked us to expand our categories.  And your suggestions have not fallen on deaf ears.  We've been doing a lot of thinking (and working) to figure out how to best expand while keeping Green Home manageable.

So here's a question...when it comes to a personal care category, what would you like to see most?  These are the categories I've been thinking about:

• Hair care
• Bath & Shower (which will hold soap and body wash)
• Skin care (lotion, etc)
• Makeup
• Oral Hygiene
• Baby care

Initial reactions?

 Awesome!  Yes, those categories are great!!  Other things I use to "go green" include hand soap and deodorant -- maybe those fit into the categories you've already mentioned? 

Hi Stins,

these categories look great. A Bath and Body category could hold items like deodorant and hand cream as well. 

Also a "feminine hygiene" category would be great, I started using green pads and pantiliners this year.

And maybe a "men's grooming" category? They use some stuff that we don't, don't they?

Edited by eris - Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:28:28 GMT

Edited by eris - Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:29:07 GMT

Thanks for the feeback!  We went ahead with the category expansion and have deodorant and lotions/creams in Skin Care.  We haven't added feminine hygiene or men's grooming yet, but we'll definitely keep those on the list for a little bit down the road!

1) What about the site have you really been enjoying thus far? 
What contributed to you seeing the site, 
then deciding to actually participate? 
How can we better get the word out to get more people like you?

2)How does the current experience on Huddler compare to other sites you 
really enjoy? Where are we falling short? Where do we stand out?

3) What feature(s) are missing or would you like added?

4) What other "Huddles" would you like to see started? 

1)  a)I love the site overall. It is well laid out and organized and nice to see that you are growing 'organically' so to speak, by incorporating new categories as users need them.

b) I found it through an article on Digg which talked about the "Green My Ride" game.  The instant I saw the site - it's great content and user-friendliness - I was in love.

c) I think your users will probably spread the word and in time the site will be huge.  I wouldn't worry too much about it.  People like to see their friends on sites like these =)

2) I really like Digg.com and I think this site is on par with that in terms of ease of use and cool features.  I am a MySpacer too, but this is more purpose driven, which is excellent.

3)There is a movement towards locally produced goods for the lower-carbon footprint benefits, so a region drop-down for the manufacturing site(s) (and manufacturing site(s ) if that's not already and option) on a product description would be a nice option.  Perhaps that's more the type of info for a wiki though.

I haven't seen Fair Trade mentioned much.  For me, going organic/green is a stepping stone towards buying Fair Trade.  It would be awesome to have a box in the description section with radio buttons to choose icons to be added to products, such as USDA Certified Organic, ACO (Australian Certified Organic), Fair Trade, Made with Recycled Materials (and an extra box for % recycled).  This would standardize the user experience a little more so people would know where to find this info easily and there could, perhaps, be a filter for those different categories if someone was  to want to see all USDA certified or Fair Trade options in a category.

The rating system with stars is nice, but I think it's odd that the categories are value and overall, which to me seem to point to its price-point (value) and then my personal satisfaction with the product (overall).  I think another star rating for greenness is essential so we can get an idea for that as it relates to other options. People can revise their star rating on those as they learn more about their product and how it compares to others in its category green-wise. Or maybe this star rating could be auto-generated based on a formula using many inputs since users don't always know the greenness of thier products as it relates to the whole market of options.

Also, a green-washing warning icon and mandatory explaination field telling why someone chose to warn of green-washing for a particular product.  This is especially relevant in the personal care industry these days.

I made this suggestion in another post, but I will repeat it as it is a site improvment suggestion. In the PRODUCT PROFILE adding a second tier of tab options in addition to KITCHEN, BATHROOM, ect... that already exist.  Tab suggestions could be PERSONAL CARE, GREEN BUILDING, FOOD, ect... perhaps brainstorm all possible new tabs and get user feedback on which they would find most useful with an on-site survey.

4) This, I posted in another thread as well, but it answers this question so I'll repost it.

I like having all the sub-categories in one huddle as I'm not sure how much compartmentalization and isolation from other users would occur if there were distinct huddles.  I do, however, think perhaps a sub-huddle concept might be incorporated.  So, for example, a user could become a top user in a certain sub-huddle they had specific expertise or experience.  Also, I know this is a product site, but since you're on a roll with a revolutionary concept here, why not extend to green services (regionally sortable) as well??  Perhaps that could be a separate huddle or even site?  I know it's a big stretch, but green services are an equally important part of the green economy and very necessary to get others' feedback on.