JoelR

Well, the good news is that the public beta was announced today. When to upgrade is entirely a range of your own risk tolerance. Theoretically, 4.0 gold would be the first release for production once they go through all of the beta releases. Depending on your risk tolerance, you may want to wait even after that.

Opentype actually has several sites, and because his background is typography, the design and theming are always beautifully done. Pages is the "secret weapon" of the IPS suite of application. For some ideas of how to use Pages, you can check out the Resources section of this site. I've been quietly building several databases of content, from articles to dictionary to quotes.

https://preview.invisionalpha5.com/topic/202-alpha-16-released-beta-next-week/ Four months of alphas and 16 releases. IPS considers their beta release to be more like an early release candidate with the amount of work they've put in to alpha.

For the best inspiration, go check out the sites by @opentype and his use of Pages to build databases. Sites that are only forums won't really have much of a difference, but you can get very creative with Pages.

Do you mean for themes?

Custom enhancements to incorporate AI to smartly summarize posts would be fantastic. With that said, there are also some low tech ideas too. There could be links for new users to Common Questions, Start Guides, asking members to contribute to an annual Best Of, etc.

When we think about growing our online community, it’s easy to focus on individual contributions—like posts, likes, and badges. But what if we shifted our focus to building collective social memory instead? Collective social memory is the idea that a community's identity and strength come from shared experiences and knowledge, not just individual achievements. This means that instead of everyone seeking personal recognition, we create a space where the community remembers and grows together. Think of it like a group story, where everyone adds a chapter, and those chapters form the identity of the whole community. By focusing on collective memory, we can build a stronger, more connected space where past discussions, achievements, and shared knowledge shape future interactions. It helps create a sense of belonging that’s about more than just what each person contributes—it's about the value the group creates as a whole. How can we encourage more group collaboration and shared experiences within our community? Are there ways we can document and celebrate our community’s history to build a stronger collective memory?

IPS 5.0 comes packed with so many changes, from the new editor, dark mode theme, page builder, to Helpful. What one feature are you looking to use right away?

A story Have you ever noticed how sometimes less is more when it comes to communication? Edward Everett, once the greatest orator of his time, delivered a two-hour speech at Gettysburg in 1863. But it's Abraham Lincoln’s two-minute, 272-word Gettysburg Address that we all remember. This story highlights a key lesson: brevity matters. In building an online community, it's easy to think that more words or longer posts will make a greater impact. But in reality, carefully chosen, concise messages often resonate more deeply. How can we apply the lesson of brevity to our own forum and communications? Are there areas where we might be overwhelming our members with too much information instead of getting straight to the point? How can we encourage meaningful, concise contributions that still deliver value?

Those are some very neat features, a lot of inspiration from v5! Nice job @shahed

Pinging @Adriano Faria who may already have an existing app to give users the ability to choose what content items Otherwise, this is definitely something doable

Google's recent announcement to maintain third-party cookies in Chrome has left many marketers and community managers re-evaluating their strategies. While some see this as a win for the status quo, it's crucial to recognize that the digital landscape is still shifting towards a more privacy-conscious future. For online communities, this means that relying solely on third-party data for targeting and personalization will become increasingly unsustainable. Community managers need to leverage this period as an opportunity to strengthen first-party data strategies. Focus on building trust and fostering deeper connections with your community members to encourage them to share more meaningful data directly with you. Additionally, consider diversifying your engagement tactics. With uncertainty around the longevity of third-party cookies, investing in content that promotes organic interactions—like personalized newsletters, tailored community events, or exclusive content—is key. These strategies not only reduce dependency on third-party data but also enhance the overall user experience, driving loyalty and long-term engagement. Remember, Google's decision might give a temporary reprieve, but the industry’s shift towards privacy is inevitable. Adapting now will position your community to thrive, no matter how the landscape changes. Let's use this time to innovate and create meaningful, sustainable growth for our online communities. https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/preparing-for-the-cookie-free-future-in-digital-marketing

https://futuresocial.beehiiv.com/p/inside-white-house-creator-economy-conference The White House Creator Economy Conference (WHCEC) was the first-ever event hosted by the White House's Office of Digital Strategy that convened a group of digital creators and industry professionals. Imagine creators and government officials discussing everything from mental health to AI and fair pay—all in the White House. One interesting point that came up was how the conference flipped the usual script. Instead of just listening to experts talk, the government was there to hear from creators directly. They wanted to understand our struggles, needs, and how they can support the industry. It's clear that creators have a big voice now, but it also raises some questions. For example, should the government really be involved in how social media algorithms work, as some creators suggested? Is it fair for creators to want transparency or even regulation on these platforms? And what about mental health—can more be done to support creators in such a high-pressure, public-facing career? Do you think government involvement could help or hurt the creator economy? What role do you think brands and social platforms should play in supporting creators? And if you were at the White House, what would you have wanted to share with government officials?

Have you heard of the concept of a "nudge plus"? It's an interesting twist on the idea of a behavioral nudge—those subtle pushes we get towards making certain choices. But a "nudge plus" takes it a step further by not only steering us towards a particular behavior but also encouraging us to reflect on whether this behavior truly aligns with our personal values and goals. For example, In IPS, you can send out an Alert and require a response. A "nudge plus" design would ask the borrower if the alert gave them enough information, guidance, or instructions on the next time the user encountered the same scenario. In IPS, users earn badges, earn Helpful points, or appear on a Leaderboard. A "nudge plus" design would ask the user if it encourages them to post more or post in the right manner. We collect feedback all the time at a general level in our communities, but never do we collect feedback on the gamification and behavioral settings to ask whether it aligns. This concept can be quite powerful, especially in community setting like ours. It prompts users to think deeply about the choices we make and whether they contribute positively to our community environment. It's also a great tool for community managers who want to ensure that the structures or rules in place actually benefit its members in meaningful ways. How could we implement nudge plus strategies in our forum to promote more thoughtful engagement? What kind of nudge plus designs could help us foster a community that reflects our collective values and aids in achieving our shared goals?

Certainly in professional community management, there are several voices that offer their advice and thought leadership. These are people like Jono Bacon, Richard Millington, Rosie, etc. But they're not targeted to IPS (or the other legacy forum developers).