Upgrading Groups

[Adam Elmquist]

Would it be possible for in the future to have an option if all moderators, and owners of two or more groups if they wish to do so can merge groups into one. Or make a groups category "super groups" all groups of a certain subject can join the super group example trains, old buildings, bridges, people etc...  It would be sort of like tags for groups....  I've seen so many users reject offers now, all over Panoramio because of so many groups, myself included I get at least five invites a month...  So many of us can't keep up what group to apply the images to....   I know it is totally up to the user what photos to add to what group, and what group to join in the first place.  It seems with the growth of Panoramio groups the current system of group management needs to be upgraded, somehow...

[Adam Elmquist]

I would like to add to my request by updating to my thought:  I am liking the idea of Merging Groups, when it makes sense of course.  When an owner of group "A" thinks that group "B" is relatively the same concept, both owners can talk to each then initiate a merge proposal of both groups.  Both owners would have to be at least a member or moderator in the other group, first.  Once one owner goes to the settings page there could be a button or link to ask the other owner "to initiate" merge proposal.  Once both parties approve, it would be up to both owners what to decide to keep, or change the merged group name to.  Along with all the info from both groups' pages.  The newly merged group's rules and description would first be blank, then both owners can write down new rules or copy and paste from previous for what makes sense.  As for the members or users of the old groups:  Both current owners would be the new Co-owners of the merged group, all moderators and members would merge into the new group.  If any member(s) have same photos in either of the groups those photos would just appear once in the newly merged group.  The old group name, URL, group id number would just redirect to the new merge..  No one would be able to use/or create any of the old group names "already taken" just redirect to the new group...

[CliveM]

I think the idea of "super groups" is a good idea, perhaps with multilingual titles. There are probably lots of groups with similar subject matter that are separate groups only because the owners speak different languages; for example, I belong to "Church" groups in three different languages. Having a "super group" or multilingual group tag would allow people to explore similar groups that they wouldn't otherwise think of looking at because of language differences. I think the individual groups should however continue to exist, because I think people should only join a group if they understand the language the rules are written in (yes, I know I'm in a couple of Bulgarian groups, but that's because somebody invited me!).

However, since the beginning of groups there has not so far been much official response to suggested enhancements (like making it easier for a moderator to remove an offending picture without having to scroll through hundreds of pages to get there!); so we shouldn't hold our breath...

[Adam Elmquist]

Great point CliveM I never thought about the multilingual point, does make sense..  As you mentioned the group Church group, I have gotten requests for one related that I made my own Houses of Worship group to cover all, where is holy...  I've taken a variety of churches, mosques, temples, many houses of prayer.

[Adam Lasnik]

I don't believe we have a way to combine/merge forums currently, but I definitely understand and appreciate the request.

Communities aren't static things; they grow and change, and the needs change, and so I see how it could be helpful to have more flexibility in how forums are organized and such.

Anyway, thanks for the suggestion!

[JBTHEMILKER]

Several of the groups I am in could be grouped together.