Ask dotTechies: Should the current, limited forums be replaced by new, more advanced ones?
February 13, 2010 36
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Some while ago I introduced forums into dotTech. Since then the forums have been a second home to regular dotTechies that use it as a platform for the free-flow of ideas. When I setup the forums initially, chose to use Simple:Press Forum because of SPF’s ability to integrate so well with my blog. However, since then I have realized that SPF is still in its “baby stages” and does not have many simple – yet key – features of what a forum script should have.
I have to go credit where it is due: the developers of SPF are constantly improving it. The only problem is, there are not improving it fast enough (for my liking) and I am getting annoyed by its limitations. So, I figure I should throw the question out to the people who use it the most – dotTechies.
Now before I let everyone express their opinion, let me state a few things. If the current forums are replaced with new forums, chances of migrating current forum posts, post counts, ranks, etc. are little to none. In other words, if a new forum replaces the current forum, everyone will most likely be starting from scratch. I will, however, leave up the current forums for reference for a few months before removing them completely. Also, the new forums won’t integrate as well as the current forums with dotTech proper. In other words, you will probably have to register anew, and they may have a different look to them.
That all being said, cast your vote please!
[poll id="13"]
DAMN….. SORRY for the bad language…i WAS to say I am more than happy with the forums at it is!!
I THINK I voted “wrong”…….
In my opinion, it is ultimately your decision
(as the owner/operator of DotTech.org) to determine how you want this site to be designed.
The most important thing is that you are happy with your choice, and that the new forum meets your technical and functional needs.
I’m sure that I, as well as other Dot-Techies, will adapt well to whatever format you choose.
Keep up the excellent work & thanks for all you do..
I voted do what you think is best. Altho I do have an opinion.
I agree completely with Happy Person’s comment. No question, no doubt. What was said is dead-on accurate.
You have to set it up and run it, do it your way and know that the vast majority of us will be behind your choice. You give enough to this site already, don’t make it any harder or more work unless -you- want to.
Now, for my honest opinion (no what I’ve already said isn’t dishonest): I like the forums as they are. It’s nice the way they match up with the site so well. There are however a few little things that can get a little frustrating from time to time. But you know, I get a little frustrated with anything and everything in my life from time to time.
So go with your gut. I’ll be more than happy with whatever you decide to do.
I don’t really like the look of them… they look skinny. If you could have them adjust to wider screens (say 1280 or even 1366 or 1440) automatically that’d be nice. I’d say maybe 900 pixels wide maximum…
@Locutus: Good point. I’m using a 1080i screen…
Although I don’t always use the forums, maybe Ashraf could change to BBForums? They’re much more advanced.
@Everyone who is voting for “Yes – these current forums are much too limited”
You really need to say what is “limited” with it, and what new “features” you would like to see.
@GTiR: The ability to embed non-previews of images for one…
Ashraf,
Could you provide links to a couple of other forum examples, that are close to what you are considering.
I forgot to tick that flippin checkbox again.
Mutter, mutter.
PS Hopefully the new forum will be more idiot proof, in that area ?
@RobCr: Actually, that sounds like a good idea. Although I don’t know how much extra work that would mean for Ashraf, having to go through posts and create links. But I also agree with Happy Person, do what you think best and what works for you. It’s a great site and always will be.
Ashraf, your followers obviously trust you, so do what you think is best, but just remember to keep it as simple as possible. It always works best if you follow a balanced approach. Few people like complicated systems.
Oops, missed the forums!
Thanks for article posted info, saw it and joined it.
Tried a post and find it quite nice and simple.
I would suggest renaming the final submission to “post topic”, “post reply” instead of the present “post new topic”, “post new reply”. I was scared the contents I wrote would vanish and a new topic arrive. :)
Ashraf,
At this stage I believe this current format is fine. Indeed am of the opinion the current membership base does not warrant the expense of Invision PB or something similar.
Regards,
LC
+1 on Josh’s comment (#11).
Personally the current forum works fine for my needs.
I agree completely @11 Josh.But I also think you should do what is right for you Ashraf,all us dottechies will still be here no matter what you decide………… we know when we have a good thing :-)
In terms of “content” I wish the new forum is in addition to the existing forum.In terms of “functionality features” if there are features which could be added or improved it would be nice.
I was unable to click vote because this option was not offered. I might be wrong in my understanding. Do correct me if I am wrong in my understanding
Ramesh
couple of notes connected to the forum:
1)
The table on the right labeled “Recent Forum Posts” should have, if possible of course, more than 5 last posts. At least 10, otherwise we miss some replies with a first glance.
2) With the current view of the posts, if a thread has eg 50 replies you have to “page down” many many times to read all of them. I would prefer a wider space so that less “page down” are required.
I voted for the new system, just because I use forums all over around the internet and I like various extra options.
If this is a wordpress blog, there is a mod to integrate PhPBB with wordpress called WP United http://www.wp-united.com/
I’ve seen some of the examples, and they look pretty impressive.
I’ve used the forum for a couple of months and I have to agree with you – they’re very nice, but limited in scope/options. I certainly don’t mind re-registering. As to post counts, it’s not the amount, but the usefulness and relevancy that matters, imho.
A great inflection point; lots of joy & some suggestions :D
We took 15 mths (450 days) to build 1000 members; we only took 42 days to build the next 141. We were adding members at the rate of 2.2 members per day till we reached 1000. After that our buildup rate shot up to 3.4 members per day. OUR BUILDUP RATE INCREASED BY 55% IN THE LAST 42 DAYS! The last 6 weeks is a good inflection point. :D
Ashraf blogged when we reached 1000. I guess Ashraf is setting still higher standards now. Great days ahead.
OBVIOUSLY THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS THERE SOMEWHERE OVER THE LAST 42 DAYS. THEREFORE WE DO NOT HAVE TO SEARCH FOR THAT KEY ACROSS 492 DAYS. Our feedback regarding improvement has to spot only that one key. :)
Our forum stats, suggestions made by bloggers & my intuitions are as follows:-
1)No. of threads per day has increased
2)No. of posts per thread has increased
3)No. of posts per thread per day has increased
4)Average time per member spent inside forum has increased
5)Percentage defined as follows i.e. {(Forum Members/Total Members) x (100) has increased. The higher the percentage the better it is.
6)Therefore among other things we have been seeking:-
a.Wider column width for posting
b.Longer page length so that as many posts as possible can be read within a page without flipping the page
c.“Recent Posts List” are requested to be made as long as possible
Wow! This is exciting
Ramesh :D
Now let’s analyze the voting results:- :D
1) Let’s categorize the segments as “NEUTRALISTS”, “ADDITIONISTS”, “REPLACEMENTISTS” & “DELETISTS”. NEUTRALISTS do not mind if existing forum threads are added or replaced. ADDITIONISTS are particular it should only be added to (nothing should be deleted ever). REPLACEMENTISTS suggest replacement at least………eventually They may not even be able to tolerate the existing threads. DELETISTS say delete the forum itself if desired since it makes no difference. DELETISTS may dislike the forum or be indifferent to it or even choose to lapse out of forum usage.
2) Across 129 voters 53% are “neutralists”, 0% are “deletists”, 21% are “additionists” & 26 % are “replacementists”. From 129 when you subtract the “neutralists” & “deletists” it leaves you with your effective denominator of 61. The net result is – 44%(27/61) suggest addition & 56% suggest replacement (34/61). YMMV :)
3) THERE ARE SAMPLING ERRORS, THERE ARE NON SAMPLING ERRORS, & PERHAPS THE SAMPLE SIZE IS ALSO LOW SIMPLY BECAUSE NOT MANY ARE VOTING OR WORSE STILL NOT MANY ARE VOTING FAST ENOUGH. YMMV :(
4) Since the voting numbers are small & the voting rate slow this thread unfortunately has to run for many days which is very very very sad. It is in everyone’s interest if everyone votes quickly rather than eventually so that the momentum & immediacy is not lost. Slow voting may also give biased results. YMMV :(
5) Final decision can be taken in line with our votes or in spite of our votes – the good old seat-of-the-pant judgement which Ashraf would make. Statistics is not everything in life.
Ramesh :D
My view YMMV :D
1)We should not delete the older articles in the forum. Somewhere inside it is the KEY as to why our visitor addup rate increased. :D Like a game of tennis we’ve won both because our blogsite played well & also because perhaps other blogsites played badly :)
2)By adding to our existing forums we “do not” irritate people
3)By replacing our existing forum we “might” irritate people :(
4)So why should we replace it?
5)“Content” rather than “more feature buttons” and/or “sleeker feature buttons” is seen as more important in the feedback. I get the feeling that “not adding” a feature button “won’t” screw up things but “deleting” content “might”. :D
6)I feel strongly about one more thing. We must have feature buttons – Smilie, Bold, Italic etc on the main blog. When a new visitor lands he lands first on the main blog. At that stage his entire frame of reference is the main blog & he might compare it with other “main blogs” for a brief spell. Why should his first experience in our blog be “comparatively negative”. :( So why should the main blog be underfeatured versus the forum? Are these toys meant only for the forum but not for the main blog? Are forum blogs “necessarily” better & main blogs “definitely” worse? I mean what’s the point? :? Both should be good because each complements the other and also because each one serves a different purpose. YMMV :D Toys in the main blog might be one of the tools to increase {(No. of forum members/ No. of total members) x (100)}. First impressions are sometimes the last impression in life. Are blogs so very different? So why not offer that toy? :D
7)They are simple toys – Smilies, GUI buttons – bold, italic et all. The issue may not be hemmed in by copyright issues but only by scripting & a cost-benefit assessment. Naturally Ashraf decides. :D
Ramesh
I feel enthused both by our webmaster & also by our bloggers. :D
Analogically the webmaster is the “host” & the bloggers are the “guest”. The major stakeholder is the webmaster but the guest is not a “non-stakeholder” :D – minor maybe but not a non-stakeholder. :D Therefore a guest can “wishlist” while only the host can decide which wishlists to approve.
A party even if it is well organized jives only when both the host & guest jive & yet not overstep their limits. A grateful blogger offers his suggestion as a thank you note.
The greatness of this blogsite is that software is the freebie but the blogger is not “only” freebie minded.
Like the Harley Davidson motorcycle Ashraf has made us into a loyal tribe. He sure has great X factor / Mystique. A Harley Davidson is great because it is more than just a motorcycle.
My suggestions are offered as a “minor shareholder” without being presumptuous. Whatever he decides will turn out well.
Ramesh :)
Ashraf, I agree with Happy Person and many others, you do a wonderful job throughout the forum and I respect whatever direction you go in. I have read many post but rarely do I comment or question as someone usually speaks my mind. LOL “John Luke P.” for one, er Locutus. As well I appreciate the openness of you site, i.e. allowing other to write articles. Well got to go – you rock bro. Would like to see the emoticons in the response to article section and wider comment but no big. You are the man!!! ;-) Just want to ad I visit almost every day and when you post a review at GOTD I rarely read on – too many winers lately IMHO
Have you considered phpBB? I find it to be feature-packed and easy to install. You can also mod it.