[Lowell Goudge]

Would it not be possible to ask Pentax to "officially" monitor the forums? It could be a market research goldmine for them. Pentax products could become even better if there was a tangible conduit between themselves and the people who use them. Everyone would win.

It would be a nice idea, but the only question I have is what do they do with the data.

I'm sure they already monitor the site, and they also monitor the "contact us" mail that goes to pentax through the service website, where many people including myself have offered suggestions, reported problems, etc.

If they officially acknowledge the site, does that leave them officially acknowledging problems exist? Do they have the right or obligation to respond in the forums? SHould they? In some ways I would really like them to, to either refute incorrect assumptions, or to set an official company line when people raise issues. Ideally, it should be thier director of R&D, Product development, Quality, or even the President, such that they can see first hand some of the issues we raise, and some of the frustration we share with easily fixable things that are the source of major irretations.

The problem I see, from their point of view, is that official recognition might be interpreted by some as an obligation to actually do something. The present approach they take is a standard response to every issue and suggestion "This has been forwarded to our product development / R&D" or to not respond at all. This is done individually, one person at a time, and while people may rant and rave (like I have been known to do on occasion) about the responses a little, usually this dies down quickly. Imagine the PR nightmare if they do so publically

It would be a nice idea, but the only question I have is what do they do with the data.

I'm sure they already monitor the site, and they also monitor the "contact us" mail that goes to pentax through the service website, where many people including myself have offered suggestions, reported problems, etc.

If they officially acknowledge the site, does that leave them officially acknowledging problems exist? Do they have the right or obligation to respond in the forums? SHould they? In some ways I would really like them to, to either refute incorrect assumptions, or to set an official company line when people raise issues. Ideally, it should be thier director of R&D, Product development, Quality, or even the President, such that they can see first hand some of the issues we raise, and some of the frustration we share with easily fixable things that are the source of major irretations.

The problem I see, from their point of view, is that official recognition might be interpreted by some as an obligation to actually do something. The present approach they take is a standard response to every issue and suggestion "This has been forwarded to our product development / R&D" or to not respond at all. This is done individually, one person at a time, and while people may rant and rave (like I have been known to do on occasion) about the responses a little, usually this dies down quickly. Imagine the PR nightmare if they do so publically

I guess I miss the days when customer loyalty was important to a company. I remember one company had a slogan "you talk, we listen". Such a shame.
But who knows, the right person might read this thread and think it's a good idea.

[mattdm]

The "dear pentax" thread is getting a long and unwieldy. Any chance of the forum?

Again, I'd really suggest this not be a subforum of "news and rumors", because it nothing to do with either of those. Maybe a subforum of "General Pentax Photography", but making it top-level seems even better for getting it noticed.

If there's anything I can do to help (writing up forum rules, for example) let me know.

[Adam]

I might be able to place it underneath the "welcomes and introductions" forum as a top-level category. However, as with most suggested forums, I fear that it may not receive the expected level of attention or activity.

Please remind me of this in a couple weeks and I'll make my decision. Thanks!

Adam
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[mattdm]

I might be able to place it underneath the "welcomes and introductions" forum as a top-level category. However, as with most suggested forums, I fear that it may not receive the expected level of attention or activity.

Hmmm. I must not be communicating the idea well enough.

The idea here is for it to actually receive a relatively low level of activity, consisting solely of suggestions and "open letters to Pentax". Low level, but high-quality. That way, someone from Pentax can come and read that forum directly for community ideas, rather than wading through everything in the forums.

I'm a bit perplexed by the suggestion of "welcomes and introductions", since it seems to have even less to do with that. If it has to be a sub-forum of something, I'd suggest "Pentax DSLR Discussion" — but it really would work best as a top-level, because burying it is directly contrary to the purpose.

[Adam]

I meant I'd put it as a top-level category underneath "Welcomes and Introductions", not as a sub-forum of it.

But if you'd like it to be a low-activity, high-quality area, why not just have a page on the homepage dedicated to user's thoughs and suggestions to Pentax?

[mattdm]

I meant I'd put it as a top-level category underneath "Welcomes and Introductions", not as a sub-forum of it.

Oh, see. In that case, yeah, sure.

But if you'd like it to be a low-activity, high-quality area, why not just have a page on the homepage dedicated to user's thoughs and suggestions to Pentax?

I dunno. I never look at the home page.

[Adam]

I dunno. I never look at the home page.

You will soon - I'll leave it at that

[Adam]

Now that the new homepage is in place, would you still like a page dedicated to "Dear Pentax"?

[mattdm]

Now that the new homepage is in place, would you still like a page dedicated to "Dear Pentax"?

Yes, definitely. How would you envision such a page working?

[Adam]

I'd either have it managed by a particular forum memeber, or accept submissions via PM that I would then post on the page. What do you think would work best?

[mattdm]

I'd either have it managed by a particular forum memeber, or accept submissions via PM that I would then post on the page. What do you think would work best?

Well, I'd volunteer for the former if I had any time to spare. Either way can work.

One thing that'd be nice is if forum members could vote particular suggestions up or down, perhaps changing their position on the page. Kind of like this:

Wikidot.com Community Portal: Wishlist

(But hopefully not so ugly.)

[Adam]

The voting would have to be done via threads in the rumors/news forum, or perhaps via a social group.

If you PMed or e-mailed me updated page content on a regular basis (a doc or text file would do) I'd see to uploading it to the homepage.

[mattdm]

The voting would have to be done via threads in the rumors/news forum, or perhaps via a social group.

If you PMed or e-mailed me updated page content on a regular basis (a doc or text file would do) I'd see to uploading it to the homepage.

Hmmm. Would there be a possibility of sub-pages?

Maybe it could be a section like the Articles database?

[Adam]

Sub-pages would definitely be possible, but I'd like to stay away from having it integrated with the forum.