When to Confine Content? - Forums Help - vBulletin, IPB, phpBB, SMF skins and community

purplefdu · 09-20-2007, 01:03 PM

The forum I frequent is based around an online SIM game. When it was first started we talked mostly about the game, and things related to the game and our pets (the SIM is about horses and dogs) and very little other content. We gradually broadened to include graphics and HTML used on the game and some more general content. As many of the members quit the game, however, we have evolved to having almost as much general content as we do about the game. As long time members and administrators we worry about where the forum is going. While we like the members to have a say, we don't want to have a forum which is completely general content in another couple years with no content about the game. The forum creator left almost a year ago because the current administrators told her the ideas she had were dumb and refused to implement them because the general members didn't like them because they were too restrictive. At what point do you put your foot down without having a revolt?

Saaverda · 09-20-2007, 06:31 PM

I think its important to have user input on the forums, but I also think the spirit of the forum is more important.

I think all forums need general chatter areas. Its nice to get to know the other members.

I don't think you have to compromise the spirit of the forum though.

As for revolts, I think all boards go though them here and there, what is important is how you let it affect the board.

surfer · 09-23-2007, 06:20 AM

Forums are a place where people say whatever they have in their mind. A strict but considerate forum will attract lots of people to join and say what they are thinking.

There is always a boundary of everything, including to members of a forum and the owners of the forum. The members must post more to the topic of the forum while the owners and administrators of the forum must be lenient enough to allow members to talk on other things by having a general discussions section. Now if members will just post on the general section then the purpose of the forum will be forfeited. On the other hand, if the owners will not allow members to talk about other things, members might get bored and go to other forums that allows talking of general things.

09-20-2007, 01:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
User Profile purplefdu Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 51 Total Points: 745 Donate My Zoints Profile My Photos: (0)	When to Confine Content? The forum I frequent is based around an online SIM game. When it was first started we talked mostly about the game, and things related to the game and our pets (the SIM is about horses and dogs) and very little other content. We gradually broadened to include graphics and HTML used on the game and some more general content. As many of the members quit the game, however, we have evolved to having almost as much general content as we do about the game. As long time members and administrators we worry about where the forum is going. While we like the members to have a say, we don't want to have a forum which is completely general content in another couple years with no content about the game. The forum creator left almost a year ago because the current administrators told her the ideas she had were dumb and refused to implement them because the general members didn't like them because they were too restrictive. At what point do you put your foot down without having a revolt?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Articles as Forum Content	encoder	Forum Content	5	09-04-2007 07:25 AM
Professional Content / Search Engine Optimization Writing Services	LogosArea	Advertising & Marketing	0	08-04-2007 04:15 AM
New forum's content!	ForumsHelp	VB Content Talk	22	04-18-2007 11:38 PM
Add content within Posts.	BotMan	vBulletin News Feeds	0	11-26-2006 12:19 AM
Rich Content, Good Job	ForumsHelp	Forums Help E-Cards	0	10-29-2006 08:13 PM

09-20-2007, 06:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
User Profile Saaverda Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 25 Total Points: 474 Donate My Zoints Profile My Photos: (0)	I think its important to have user input on the forums, but I also think the spirit of the forum is more important. I think all forums need general chatter areas. Its nice to get to know the other members. I don't think you have to compromise the spirit of the forum though. As for revolts, I think all boards go though them here and there, what is important is how you let it affect the board.

09-23-2007, 06:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
User Profile surfer Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 25 Total Points: 536 Donate My Zoints Profile My Photos: (0)	Forums are a place where people say whatever they have in their mind. A strict but considerate forum will attract lots of people to join and say what they are thinking. There is always a boundary of everything, including to members of a forum and the owners of the forum. The members must post more to the topic of the forum while the owners and administrators of the forum must be lenient enough to allow members to talk on other things by having a general discussions section. Now if members will just post on the general section then the purpose of the forum will be forfeited. On the other hand, if the owners will not allow members to talk about other things, members might get bored and go to other forums that allows talking of general things.