What's a good response?

I've sent you a PM.

-Andrey

Stephen,

I haven't viewed your website yet - I have to limit my time online to get any work done!

Although I'm sure you are eager for feedback, may I suggest that badgering people might not be the best way to get it? The fact that no one has found the time to comment on your site, or use it, does not mean we're all "in McDonalds and Starbucks, using their wifi and digesting their products." It just means we have busy lives, and we prioritize.

Best wishes,

Valerie

Interesting. It seems Stephen was going for a reaction with that post. It also seems that he got one. :)

Stephen, why don't you tell us a little more about your site and what you are trying to do. At this point I won't be visiting without a little more information.

I think perhaps this is an example of the theory that electronic communications can be rife with opportunities for misunderstanding! Stephen, I certainly didn't mean to come across as wrathful - I definitely wasn't feeling that way, nor was I specifically feeling badgered. I did, however, interpret your post as being pointedly annoyed that people weren't responding to you, and using your site, like you wished they would. I also perceived that you made the McDonald's/Starbucks comment as an insult...rather than tongue in cheek. I really intended my post to be a "gentle correction" for what I thought some might find offensive. (How convoluted does that sound?!) Anywyas, for any misinterpretation there, or less-than-eloquent phrasing, I do apologize.

Whether you "condone" visiting a site/thread like this as a busy life is beside the point for me, however. Biznik has been an amazing tool for me since I joined in January, and Biztalk is something I make time for every day, unless it's just impossible with my schedule. I enjoy and benefit from connecting with the people here. I do hope you'll have the same experience in your interactions here.

Hi Stephen,

I actually did check your website out and just had not gotten around to posting.

I love the premise behind this. Years ago, we stayed at a delightful cottage in B.C., at Destiny Bay, and it's just the kind of remote place that would be a great entry on your website. Our breakfast tray was brought to our door in the mornings by Rolf and Hannah, a sweet old Norwegian couple, with their big black labrador padding along behind them. No phone, no TV, just the gorgeous lake, breathtaking scenery, and lots of board games. It's the kind of place you stumble upon and I suppose not many people would ever find.

Is this the kind of "tip" you're looking for people to share on unchainedworld?

I like your logo and I love the idea.

I don't like that I have to scroll down past your masthead to see anything outside of the logo and the login area and I really don't like having to register.

Unless I have a specific reason for registering, I don't register on a site unless I have something to contribute. Since I can't view anyone else's postings (and, yes, I viewed the "samples"), I have no idea whether it's worth my time.

Making your URL clickable may help get more visitors: Unchained World

Hmm. Measuring *is* different with "ideas" rather than stuff. I get how that could be frustrating or confusing. Seems as though it might still follow the same basic path though.

If you measure just what you have now (how many people who come to the site follow the call to action and register), then you can tweak the various elements (alter the copy, put content for people who haven't registered, work on making the concept more obvious, etc).

If your goal is getting people engaged, then the first thing to measure is going to be joining and the second thing to measure will be whether and how much they are contributing.

You will then be able to notice changes both in how many people want to connect with the idea, and, by their input, how much they really "get it" or identify with it.

Basic usability testing is a good idea as well. You can try watching people use the site. Do they know what to do? Where do they go? What are they looking for? Steve Krug's book "Don't Make Me Think" is a good resource for how to do this.

Also, it took me a while to get the concept. The copy on the hidden about page might actually be a more lively explanation than the intro, to my mind.

A super concise, compelling, electric explainer phrase would be a big help for impatient internet-ey people. And also: words will come in time. Words are magic, but sometimes they have to percolate a little.

Good luck with the project.

Aha, now I see your concept. Or at least I think I do. Unchained is a response to your years working in a chain restaurant trying to create repeatable and reliable experiences. The main problem with repeatable is that it can also be very unremarkable.

Unchained seems to be after the un-reapeatable and rather remarkable aspects of life whether they be a restaurant, a really great bed and breakfast or that little deserted island up in the San Juans that make a great afternoon of fun in the sun! I like it!