What type of dailyish do you like + Apple Poll!

All I have to say is that you and Karen have been just AWESOME with the dailyish.  I'm jealous of your tenacity and organization.   Thank you, and thanks to all that contribute to the dailyish.  It's a great read.

I like this! one thing that I would recommend for the dailyish emails is being consistent on the types from week to week. That way people know what to expect and might be more likely to open them. Could be something like this:

Monday: Related to starting the work week - light and funny.
Tuesday: Highlight some items for sell on the digital market and link to helpful threads for how it all works.
Wednesday: Highlight a kickstart, blog, podcast, etc. Community day!
Thursday: Throwback Thursday! Highlight old posts with good info that have not been active in a while.
Friday: Top threads of the week.
Saturday: Pick some projects to highlight - projects shared on permies.
Sunday: Just goofy stuff.

Could easily repeat themes over several days to simplify it. Just a thought!

more

"don't fix it if it ain't broke!"  like it just the way it is, even the links to ads I can easily ignore (and occasionally follow when I have spare change!)  respectfully disagree about a pattern,  'cause the unexpected brings smiles.  thanks for all ALL of you do!  (and happy holidays to all, whatever yours is wherever you are...)

Laura, and anyone else wondering, you can actually turn off the tiny ads in the daily-ish if you have PIE. In your profile, under "Pie-only Preferences" there's a box you can
select that says "Remove Banner Ads" and that should--I think--get rid of the ads in the emails, too.

Sometimes a better description of what is the topic of the link would be nice, but in general it works fine :)

Richard Gorny wrote:Sometimes a better description of what is the topic of the link would be nice, but in general it works fine :)

I know how you feel! I hate clicking on links when I don't know where they go. Sometimes the writing lends itself to being fun and not as descriptive of the thread, and it feels clunky to add in a description of the link...and it might make the dailyish longer, and it looks like most people like it short and sweet.

I'm wondering if, in these circumstances, it would be better to do the whole html like https://permies.com/t/73443/type-dailyish-Apple-Poll rather than the shorter https://permies.com/t/73443/. I honestly like the longer htmls, as they give me a clue as to what I'm clicking, but the shorter ones do look cleaner. But, then, would it look funny if some of the links in a given dailyish were the long ones, and others were the short ones?  

Nicole Alderman wrote:

Richard Gorny wrote:Sometimes a better description of what is the topic of the link would be nice, but in general it works fine :)

I know how you feel! I hate clicking on links when I don't know where they go. Sometimes the writing lends itself to being fun and not as descriptive of the thread, and it feels clunky to add in a description of the link...and it might make the dailyish longer, and it looks like most people like it short and sweet.

I'm wondering if, in these circumstances, it would be better to do the whole html like https://permies.com/t/73443/type-dailyish-Apple-Poll rather than the shorter https://permies.com/t/73443/. I honestly like the longer htmls, as they give me a clue as to what I'm clicking, but the shorter ones do look cleaner. But, then, would it look funny if some of the links in a given dailyish were the long ones, and others were the short ones?  

Is there the option of doing it like we can in a post...with just the title of the link and no code showing at all? I guess that you generate the dailyishes in email so that bit isn't available?  

I really enjoyed the 12 Days of Christmas ... thanks Nicole, Karen and everyone!

I think the dailyish is a great way to find threads that I somehow missed.  

I might not click on every link because I'm not interested in some topics  but I know there will be folks that are.

Judith Browning wrote: "Is there the option of doing it like we can in a post...with just the title of the link and no code showing at all? I guess that you generate the dailyishes in email so that bit isn't available?"  

Not that I know of! I tried doing the Recent Topics thingy-ma-bipper, but it didn't turn it into a pretty title, just the whole code thingy. Maybe I need to do HTML code, not BB code? *Goes off to find out how to do HTML code...*

I like the current format.  Threads pop up that I probably wouldn't have noticed, and often seem totally kismet. I like the humor, too.

Nicole Alderman wrote:

Richard Gorny wrote:Sometimes a better description of what is the topic of the link would be nice, but in general it works fine :)

I know how you feel! I hate clicking on links when I don't know where they go. Sometimes the writing lends itself to being fun and not as descriptive of the thread, and it feels clunky to add in a description of the link...and it might make the dailyish longer, and it looks like most people like it short and sweet.

I'm wondering if, in these circumstances, it would be better to do the whole html like https://permies.com/t/73443/type-dailyish-Apple-Poll rather than the shorter https://permies.com/t/73443/. I honestly like the longer htmls, as they give me a clue as to what I'm clicking, but the shorter ones do look cleaner. But, then, would it look funny if some of the links in a given dailyish were the long ones, and others were the short ones?  

For me, it would be enough if I knew the forum category the link leads to. For instance, if I knew that https://permies.com/t/67542/ leads to the meaningless drivel section of the forums, and https://permies.com/t/74047/ leads to critters, I would have been able to make more informed choice - to follow the link or not.

Richard Gorny wrote:For me, it would be enough if I knew the forum category the link leads to. For instance, if I knew that https://permies.com/t/67542/ leads to the meaningless drivel section of the forums, and https://permies.com/t/74047/ leads to critters, I would have been able to make more informed choice - to follow the link or not

Hmm, but how to phrase it? Currently, the thread addresses have no correlation--that I know of--to the forums that they are in. In fact, they are in numerical order of when the thread was made. So, this thread was the 615,777th thread made on permies. Once I realized that, I had a bit of fun going down the rabbit hole of typing in random numbers and seeing what threads popped up. Like, https://permies.com/t/3/ appears to be the first thread on permies. So, if you see a small number, it's an older thread. If it's a big number, it's a newer thread.

I guess we could write something like:

https://permies.com/t/74047/ (Critters forum)

But, that looks a little clunky, doesn't it?

I going to see if I can make HTML code work....

EDIT: Okay, I have no idea how HTML code works, or if it works with our email program I tried just substituting <> for the [] that BB code uses. It no workey. I think I need to take a course or something...

see if I can make HTML code work....

I always wondered just what that was...in my head I turn it into the word 'HOTMAIL'...what happens if I enable it in this post? ...and BB code?
so I did....

Pretty sure HTML code is the code programmers use to make things, like this website. BB code is the [i] [/i] and other spiffy code that makes our words in italics or in pretty colors or embeds videos. It just seems to impact the words, not the format of the forum. Sometimes I see them put in spiffy tables or lines in a post, like in this (https://permies.com/forums/forums/wikiBacklink/list/73877) thread. Pretty sure that's HTML code. But really, I have no idea what I'm talking about.

I'm pretty sure Devaka is shaking his head if he's reading this...

I'm pretty sure Devaka is shaking his head if he's reading this...

haha...that's how you get him here to explain

There are at least two types of URL's on permies forums:

Short one: https://permies.com/t/74047/
A bit longer one: https://permies.com/t/74047/critters/Goat-rejects-baby

Both lead to the same post, but the second contains information about forum section it belongs to. Maybe that helps?

Sometimes the long form of the address has the forum that it's in, and sometimes it doesn't.

For example, in the dailyish that went out today, we had three links:

https://permies.com/t/73191/permaculture-projects/Introducing-projects

https://permies.com/t/9790/Puss-ugliest-chicken-world

https://permies.com/t/74042/Heating-wood-part

https://permies.com/wiki/73798/Catch-Rain-rainwater-catchment-book

Only the first one has the forum name in it. The rest do not. And I don't know why! I found that if I type https://permies.com/t/73191/permaculture-projects it gets me to the same place as https://permies.com/t/73191/permaculture-projects/Introducing-projects, and it's shorter, which is great! But, the other ones don't have forums listed. I don't know if it's because they're older, or because they are listed in multiple forums, or what. Clicking through various threads in decision making and meaningless drivel, none of them have forum names in the address. Would it look weird if only one link in a dailyish was the long form--or even just had the forum in it--and the rest of the links in the dailyish did not?

I'm one of those annoying types who like everything to fit in some sort of category so I can decide at a glance whether I want to check it out or I can safely ignore it. For example, as a vegetarian, I would never want to read an article about how to kill and dress chickens, but as a plant person (and puzzle-nut) and environmentalist I would jump on the chance to ID some mystery plant or help come up with ideas for ways to recycle something. For me, listing categories above links -- like Raising Animals for Meat; Plant Identification; or Recycling would help immensely. Otherwise, I'm pretty much fine with the dailyish as is and heartily commend everyone involved in producing it!

I look forward to these posts.  Each days post may point my mind in a direction I haven't gone before.  I enjoy it when that happens.  

I for one, also appreciate an occasional joke thrown into the discussion.  My lovely wife, SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED, has often thanked me when my little jokes broke the tension at critical moments and allowed us to breath and think properly.

The only complaint I have with the current system is that occasionally there is a break of a few days with no emails and I'm left wondering, "What!  Did I finally piss someone off enough that they've kicked me off the mailing list?  Has there been a death, a birth, a hawaiian vacation? "   So far, the emails have resumed, restoring one of my little daily pleasures to me.  I would ask that if there's going to be a break for a few days, send an email saying something like "We're not going to e-mail you for a few days  because we have more important things going on right now."  Or something to that effect.  It's ok, I will understand and I won't have to wonder if the bank has finally repossessed y'alls computer.

Deb Stephens wrote:I'm one of those annoying types who like everything to fit in some sort of category so I can decide at a glance whether I want to check it out or I can safely ignore it. For example, as a vegetarian, I would never want to read an article about how to kill and dress chickens, but as a plant person (and puzzle-nut) and environmentalist I would jump on the chance to ID some mystery plant or help come up with ideas for ways to recycle something. For me, listing categories above links -- like Raising Animals for Meat; Plant Identification; or Recycling would help immensely. Otherwise, I'm pretty much fine with the dailyish as is and heartily commend everyone involved in producing it!

This is something I worry about, too. I recall I was once writing a dailyish about ducks, and decided against on of the links because I didn't want someone to be reading the dailyish to stumble upon posts about preparing animals for food. If there were a link to such a thread, would you want to see it in the email's subject title? Like "incubating duck eggs; harvesting ducks; egg colors" or would that be uncomortable to encounter when scrolling through your emails? I'm hoping that doing something like that would allow you to know ahead of time whether or not it's  a dailyish you want to read.

I know Paul wants to keep the links short (permies.com/t/245 vs permies.com/t/245/email-title), but I'm seeing a lot of people liking the longer links because it gives you an idea of what the title of the thread is, and what the thread is about. Our email system doesn't support hyperlinks like random thread title, but perhaps Paul would be okay with something like

Bla-bla bla, here's where I insert spiffy/funny/informative words about a thread.

Title of the Thread (permies.com/t/245)

or just using the long url.

The only complaint I have with the current system is that occasionally there is a break of a few days with no emails and I'm left wondering, "What!  Did I finally piss someone off enough that they've kicked me off the mailing list?  Has there been a death, a birth, a Hawaiian vacation? "   So far, the emails have resumed, restoring one of my little daily pleasures to me.  I would ask that if there's going to be a break for a few days, send an email saying something like "We're not going to e-mail you for a few days  because we have more important things going on right now."  Or something to that effect.  It's ok, I will understand and I won't have to wonder if the bank has finally repossessed y'alls computer.

This sounds great in theory, but generally if there's no dailyish going out, it's because

(A) For some reason we're unable to send them. Like, if my power and internet went out due to a snow storm, or because the emailer program is being wonky.

or,

(B) We haven't had time to write one...like today. Right now it's pretty much just me writing the dailyish, though any one who's got pie or is a pollinator is more than welcome to both submit threads or even whole dailyishes. And really, that would be SUPER helpful...and you'd get to have your words sent to something like 30,000 email inboxes!


Pretty much, if there's a break in the dailyishes, it's not in intentional!

I've noticed I've gotten rather wordy in my last few dailyishes. Is that a good or bad thing for you guys? I love to ramble and explain, but this dailyish is about YOU readers, not me! What do you like to see?

I've been sending them out about every 1.5 days. Does that fell like a good timespan to you?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the dailyish!!!


EDIT: Oh! And I forgot to tell you all the reason we do the short URLs rather than the long ones. It's because the long ones sometimes get cut off by mobile phone screens, and then the links don't work! So, I've been trying to be more informative in my writing so you know what the thread is about, even without the title. Is that working well for you?

I confess, I skip most of the text. I look at description of URL, and if the topic is of my interest, I follow the link. If not, I'm done with dailish in 2-3 seconds. I'd love to sit and read the whole thing, I'm sure I'd enjoy it, unfortunately I'm constantly in a hurry, short of time, behind a schedule. I hope that when winter comes I will have more time to fully appreciate all the content.

Ramble away!  If I'm too busy to read it, I won't, but I enjoy a little chatiness.  I often, maybe usually, don't read them right off, especially if the title looks boring.  Later, over the next few days I get a few minutes and wander through your posts, just in case there is a nugget hiding.  Sometimes there is, and I get a free spoon!

I enjoy the chattiness as it feels like an email from a friend! Also like the variety of sometimes informative, sometimes fun and then the themes. Thanks for all the effort to make it something I'm happy to see in the inbox.

I usually never even look at the url codes unless I was hooked by the writing.  It's like I don't even see them and I never realized that until now. Permies always helps me learn stuff😄

BUMP! I'm always wanting to know what people like and don't like in the dailyish. The dailyish is for YOU!

Oooh, I just realized that our new apple poll system allows people with PIE to give a thumbs down! So, if there's something you HATE about the dailyish, tell me!

The dailyish is for YOU. We want it to be full of lovely, helpful stuff that you like getting in your email box.

Nicole I think you do an awesome job with the daily-ish.

I like the variety - informative, funny, poignant, positive, humanistic, themed.

I think it might be helpful if I understood what is behind the vote, what is to be accomplished by the change?

The other thing I think might be useful is if you sent out a sample daily-ish, one as it has been and the exact same material in the html format so it can be experienced. Maybe even just a thumbnail next to each link. Too much change can be too much of a shock.

What do you think?

Thank you for all you do, and the care you put into it.

Yes Burra is awesome too.

Keep it mixed!  If it's the same every day it gets boring.  

I prefer not to know what I am getting for christmas, or in my daily email.   I generally glance at it first thing in the morning and then read it as time permits.  

Lee Gee wrote:
The other thing I think might be useful is if you sent out a sample daily-ish, one as it has been and the exact same material in the html format so it can be experienced. Maybe even just a thumbnail next to each link. Too much change can be too much of a shock.

What do you think?

From what I understand, we don't currently have the ability to send out HTML emails. So, it'd be good to know if it's worth it to spend all that time developing the ability

I appreciate the effort put into the dailish but I usually click on more links in the 12 interesting posts on topics you may be interested in email    

since you asked again, I'll say it again, "don't fix it if it ain't broke!"  like it just the way it is... less IS really more - if it were a long read, i'd have to save it for later, and then most likely NOT get back to it.  As short as it is, I can easily skim, and click on topics of interest right away or MARK the email as important so I DO get back to it later.  AND always, it generates a quick smile.  THANKS.

The question on the table right now is:   should we convert some/most/all of our emails to html.  This will take time to develop - time away from other possible projects.  

I can see two perks:

PERK1 - the daily-ish and the email featuring the dozen new things, could sport the thumbnail if there is one

PERK2 - it seems that a few email readers do not convert an html url to be a live link.   It's just plain text.  You can't click it or tap it.   You have to copy and paste it to a browser.  This seems pretty uncommon, but maybe this is the way things are going.

I much prefer the dailyish the way it is.  Plain and direct is exactly how I like it.

I would not mind if we could get just a bit more information with each link. Pictures are lovely but not necessary. However, I also am appreciative for the daily as it is too. Like everyone else, I just need more hours in the day.

It's been a few years since I've bumped this thread, and I'd love to see what you all are looking for in your inboxes. The dailyish is for YOU!