Feedback on Feature Articles

[Sex in Words]

Hi Everyone!
Jon, your dedicated Feature Articles editor here, and I'm hoping you all might do me the favour of offering a little feedback on the articles we've been posting here.
Do you like the topics? The writing styles?
Are there topics you'd like to see covered?
Do you read the articles? What could be improved? What do you enjoy about them?
Do you have ideas for articles? Are you a writer?
Thanks for taking the time everyone. Drew has given us a great space here, and I want us all to take advantage of it! So, I'd like to make sure I'm bringing you Feature Articles you want to read.
best,
jon

[Flounder1967]

I would like say that i have read all the articles and like the writing styles. although I may not comment on them. I do enjoy reading them.

[wanderingrichard]

jon,

yep, i read some of the articles, and probably like most other members , it's usually the ones that are less didactic and least boring to me.. some of the featured writers, in my opinion anyways, well they have to hone their skills a bit more to make things more appealing to their prospective audiences....and this comes from a failed former english lit major who has only a very slight interest in writing for public consumption...

too, i'd like to see a broader range of features and subjects if possible.. pull writers in from other countries /regions rather than solely north america to give us a broader view of , say, issues in brazil or new zealand or europe.

and, i wonder; how many of our members are established writers of repute and would be interested in submitting a relevant article for us?? and, sorry i'm not talking about the rantings of rabid bloggers here, but articulate, knowledgeable people with a range of background experience.

just my thots, and thank you for asking . i know this could be opening a can of worms for you and staff at the office, but i'm glad you've done it.

Rich

[ambi53mm]

Hi Jon,
The Featured Article section is the first thing one notices when coming to Bisexual.Com. First impressions are always important and I would say that the Feature Articles posted really set the general tone for this particular site. The articles offer more than just a generic introduction both in the subject matter, scope and appeal to thought, as it pertains to bisexuality. The topics are both interesting and informative, and there is enough variation in the writing styles to appeal to a wide variety of readers.
Unique also is the added feature of being able to offer feedback or commentary to the individual pieces. It sets a stage for discussion and thereby allows the reader to participate in the exchange of ideals with both the author and the readership, which I believe for many of us, is enjoyable and thought provocative. I know that many times posts will show up in the forums that may not be directly related to the article but perhaps inspired and thereby indirectly related. I do not know of any other bisexual site that offers this feature
I have no ideal of what’s involved in putting together a Feature Article, but as a regular visitor I would love to see more frequency in the Featured Articles section on a variety of topics because there is so much to be said on the subject of Bisexuality. I enjoy the polls as well for the same reasons.
One possible suggestion that might be helpful in contributing to the Featured Articles section would be to allow some of the people who write and post in the forums submit pieces on subjects. There are many talented writers that I’m sure that would love to contribute and participate in the process.

Ambi :)

[ambi53mm]

Since we're into "bumping" these days this I feel deserves another crack

Ambi :)

[Avocado]

That ice cream one is BRILLIANT!

[twodelta]

I look forward to each new Feature article! It's like unwrapping a gift. I like the fact that they are, for the most part, on different subjects. My only suggestion would be to make then more frequent. Maybe a new one every two to three weeks? - Dave

[Brian]

Hi Jon,

Why am I posting here rather than just emailing you? I have no idea. :tong:

I have two specific thoughts for future articles...

One, I would love to see an article re-examining the Bailey Study and it's conclusions (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/05/health/05sex.html?ex=1278216000&en=5a82f18cadf2ad83&ei=5088). I mean a really detailed article, biased to the bisexual perspective perhaps, but very scientific and thorough.

There are many simplifications that the Bailey study assumed to be true in order to draw the conclusions that it did, which is fine to an extent. Simplifying and limitting a study within controllable parameters is basic scientific method, but then drawing broad conclusions from that kind of study is NOT valid scientific method. I'd love to see the data collected by the Bailey study re-interpretted without the preconception that bisexual men are lying, or that all types of "attraction" in men can be measured directly by an erection meter.

Two, I would love to see a very detailed and practical examination of the complexities and challenges of bisexuality within a hetero marriage - perhaps limitting it just to male bisexuality within marriage, since that can be a particular challenge. The topic has been approached from a specific perspective in a few articles and threads here, but I would love to see a big comprehensive exploration of the topic, with practical advice and all the major issues/considerations discussed. Poor Pastor Ted Haggard is in brainwashing on the topic as we speak - I'd love to have a guide for the rest of us.

Both of these would be big articles (multi-part perhaps), but I picture each being "the definitive guide" on the respective topic. Getting the right author for each article would be key.

That's my :2cents:. If anyone thinks they might be up to the job or have someone to recommend, then let Jon know.

- Drew :paw:

[12voltman59]

I do lilke the articles that have been posted on here in the time I have been here---I seem to not post comments on them as much as I tend to do with those done by fellow members for some reason----

I am a writer and would consider doing something for the site--my experience in this "bisexual thing" is not that great---but I will ponder upon some possible essay ideas and get back to you all--or if you wish---send me a message with some ideas on some things---that is the way I mostly tend to get stories assigned from the newspapers I write for from time to time----

I do like Drew's idea for the story he speaks about in the above posting----but even though I had started to work on a Master's degree some years back in Chemical Depency Counciling----I am afraid such an article is a bit out of my league.....I am sure someone with the proper background can be found for such a piece----I look forward to reading it when it gets done---

[12voltman59]

It would be great if more people did contribute to the formal article section of the site----the one critique I have is that the articles stay up too long--with web sites---they need to be a bit more dynamic---

So--I hope that there will be more contributions in order that the feature article section can be updated on a more regular basis---say once every four or five days instead of the 30 or so it is now-----make it more like a magazine or such----

I don't know what Drew and company have planned for the web site but it woluld be kind of cool if we could have a dynamic "magazine" type of section on this site--even though it would require some expense--it might help in generating more advertising revenue for the site---

[ScifiBiJen]

Hello Jon. Sorry for a delayed response to your post... I haven't been checking here as frequently lately.... college finals and all...

I am very pleased with the variety of articles that have appeared on this site. The inclusion of articles on movie selections, health care issues, families and so on show a lot of the depth that could easily remain overlooked by other bi resources. While several topics really don't apply to me at all (poly relationships, threesomes, porn), that really can't be avoided. It's best to cover as many topics as possible to reach out to many different people.

To be honest, I tend to see the articles as much better resources for me than the forums are. I've slowly stopped looking at the forums, not only because I don't have as much time to check there frequently, but because I tire of 300 versions of "how much do u love (insert sex act) / anatomy preferences / dating problems". Those are valid concerns for those posting, but I am not interested, wanting to contribute or able to get anything out of those. Just my :2cents:

My only semi-complaint is that around early October, someone in charge (not sure if Drew or not), had said that the next article would focus on coming out to parents. As someone who 1. is still trying to figure if or how to do that and 2. was organizing college events for National Coming Out Day I had been looking forward to such an article, which was never posted. Only a small issue, but wanted to mention.

Please, keep up the great work. I truly enjoy the articles on this website.
:flag1:

[The Cheshire Cat]

bump :bigrin: