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Topic:
Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
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DVeditor
Title: Evil Overlord (manager)
Fan Films & Icons
Registered:
Dec '01
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Date Posted:
1/7/06 10:20am
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
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I'm not opposed to that suggestion - sounds like a pretty good way to get some visitors.  Right now I'm trying to use a lot of these ideas as they are presented to help this place grow gradually. If anyone is interested in fleshing out some of the details for an "adoption" program we may be able to give it a shot. Worst thing that can happen is have too few people to participate so I don't see the harm in giving it a go. 
Thanks for the suggestions!
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Sara_Kenobi
Registered:
Sep '00
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Date Posted:
1/7/06 6:49pm
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
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Thanks, DV. Over the next day I'll get it set-up.
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jedimasterbac
Title: Fan Sites Manager
Registered:
Jun '04
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Date Posted:
1/7/06 9:03pm
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
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Let me know if you need any help with it, Sara.
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Star Wars: Episode I - The Chosen One (Star Wars Saga Reboot/Re-Imagining) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/27764984/p1/?1 Chronicles of the Great War: Aftermath http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/28417488/p1/?1 John McCain 2008
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emimar
Registered:
Apr '03
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Date Posted:
1/11/06 3:37am
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
- Date Edited:
1/11/06 3:56am (2 edits total)
Edited By:
emimar
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I was just about to suggest the contest idea, but it seems you beat me to it! Perhaps you could do one with a range of categories, for example, best design, most original site, best RPG site, best fan fiction site etc. like they do over in the fan fiction forums with the story categories)
I kind of like the adopt a site idea, as well. My site runs an affilliates and link exchange program, where you link to sites that you like, or where the owner of a site has done a favour for me by helping out with graphics etc.
My forum is hosted at Jedi Girl, which links a range of sites together that otherwise I would never have visited or even known about, as they each have a forum hosted with them. I have thought about doing something similar like this myself for just fan fiction sites, but at the moment, I don't want to leave Jedi Girl, as I've put a lot into my forum there. (the thing is, I would like to attract a wider range of users who have an interest in Star Wars, instead of just a bunch of Obi-Wan/Ewan McGreger fans! I have nothing against them, but it would be nice to have some visitors who were more on my wavelength.)
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YodaJeff
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Oct '01
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Date Posted:
1/27/06 8:22pm
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
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Honestly, I'd like to see less sugarcoating, and more actual (constructive) criticism. If someone's site needs work, say that. Sure, it's nice to point out something good or encourage someone, but it doesn't help anyone if the only comments received are "looks interesting!" or "I like it". Every single website could use some sort of improvement. Even if it is just something small, there's no harm in suggesting it. People who post links to their websites here should realize that they will be getting honest feedback, and should be able to handle any critical comments.
I obviously don't mean comments like "this page sucks", or "why are you even trying?", but simple things such as "the text is hard to read - try using a darker color" or "the banner doesn't flow well, there are rough edges between Anakin and Luke", etc.
This forum should exist to help people make better websites, not soley to inflate their egos or make them feel good about themselves. If they want people to just say "nice site, I like it!", they can show it to family members. If they want helpful comments, they can post a link to their site here. Saying "nice site" doesn't help anyone. Saying "I like the content and idea, but the style needs some work, as the colors are hard on my eyes" is infinitely more helpful.
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The JC can't be everything for everyone.
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jedimasterbac
Title: Fan Sites Manager
Registered:
Jun '04
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Date Posted:
2/14/06 4:18pm
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
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I agree. If a site sucks and all you say is "I really like your banner. Nice work on that!" then the site will continue to suck. Now, I'm not proposing that you say "Your site sucks. You're a failure", but what Jeff and I are trying to say is that you need to give them real criticsm, not "soley to inflate their egos or make them feel good about themselves. If they want people to just say "nice site, I like it!", they can show it to family members."
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Star Wars: Episode I - The Chosen One (Star Wars Saga Reboot/Re-Imagining) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/27764984/p1/?1 Chronicles of the Great War: Aftermath http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/28417488/p1/?1 John McCain 2008
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YodaJeff
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Oct '01
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Date Posted:
4/23/06 10:59am
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
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The purpose of this forum should be to get comments about how to make a website better, not to simply advertise the site and hope for more visitors. I'm wondering if that purpose has been lost somewhere along the way, possibly when the rules were changed so that individual site promotion threads were allowed.
Criticism is necessary, but it should be constructive criticism. That means, that even though there might not be a great description of the site in the opening post, you should still visit the site and leave feedback, and you can mention in the feedback that a specific description on what is found at the website could help drive more visitors to the site. There is no need to rudely chastise the author of the thread for making such a common mistake.
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The JC can't be everything for everyone.
"It gives me a headache just trying to think down to your level."
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jedimasterbac
Title: Fan Sites Manager
Registered:
Jun '04
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Date Posted:
4/23/06 4:08pm
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
- Date Edited:
4/23/06 4:10pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
jedimasterbac
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Yet, if someone cannot properly give information about their site, it gives the impression that they do not care enough about it to properly tell us about it. Besides, I've already PMd DV about creating a Fan Sites Guide to Better Posting, so after that there is no excuse.
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Star Wars: Episode I - The Chosen One (Star Wars Saga Reboot/Re-Imagining) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/27764984/p1/?1 Chronicles of the Great War: Aftermath http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/28417488/p1/?1 John McCain 2008
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YodaJeff
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Oct '01
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Date Posted:
4/24/06 10:19am
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
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If you don't think someone cares enough, then don't bother commenting at all. There is some truth in the old "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" statement. When someone pretty much gets yelled at as the first reply to their first post in the forum, they aren't going to be very likely to stick around and become a productive member of this forum. It's more likely that they are going to think this forum is just full of rude and arrogant people who like to belittle others to make themselves (and their sites) seem better.
There are only a handful of regular posters in this forum, and I have a feeling that part of that is because new members don't feel welcome. I can't blame them.
Even a "Guide to Better Posting" won't necessarily help, since most people don't read those when they first visit a new forum. The easiest solution is to STOP BEING RUDE to new members - help them feel welcome by kindly giving them constructive comments and suggestions. I think it's extremely poor style to make new members read a thread on how to post to keep YOU happy. I think a better solution is for the regular users to be helpful to new members, kindly pointing out when they may not have given enough information in their opening post, or other innocent mistakes that people make. Nobody wants to post in a forum that is "ruled" by a few arrogant and rude posters who have the attitude that you need to do things how they want, or else you will get yelled at. Rather, people prefer an open community that is willing to help new members learn the ropes, even if there are common mistakes that are made. This forum isn't nearly as active as 3SA was, or as the JCC is. There is no excuse for treating new members so poorly, especially since there is, at most, one per day.
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The JC can't be everything for everyone.
"It gives me a headache just trying to think down to your level."
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jedimasterbac
Title: Fan Sites Manager
Registered:
Jun '04
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Date Posted:
4/24/06 10:53am
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
- Date Edited:
4/24/06 10:53am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
jedimasterbac
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Okay, listen. I said "gives the impression", not that they don't care enough, so don't put words in my mouth. I'll point something like that out to people because it gets through to them and makes them realize "Oh, geeze, I better post some information here that way it will make me look more professional".
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Star Wars: Episode I - The Chosen One (Star Wars Saga Reboot/Re-Imagining) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/27764984/p1/?1 Chronicles of the Great War: Aftermath http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/28417488/p1/?1 John McCain 2008
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YodaJeff
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Oct '01
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Date Posted:
4/24/06 9:34pm
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
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Yes, you said "gives the impression", and I said, "you think". I didn't put any words in your mouth.
Again, my issue isn't that you pointed out, it was the manner in which you pointed it out. There's a difference between kindly pointing something out, and practically yelling at someone for making a common mistake. I'll let you figure out which one of those two options looks "more professional".
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The JC can't be everything for everyone.
"It gives me a headache just trying to think down to your level."
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jedimasterbac
Title: Fan Sites Manager
Registered:
Jun '04
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Date Posted:
4/25/06 1:50pm
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
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Would you rather me fluff it up by saying "Oh, I love your design even though it's done with HTML on Angelfire and your forums are made from ProBoards, yet I think you need to tell us more. Oh, but the banner on the top....just lovely, even though it was done in Microsoft Paint!" (note, I have never seen a banner done in MS Paint, so that was purely an example)
I will tell you that when people only pointed out the good things and then threw in that "Oh, you need to show more of..." I didn't pay much attention to that, as I felt my ego being boosted due to praise from people that don't really know how to give critiscm.
But, alas, I see where you are coming from, and I guess I'll be more...liberal (probably not the best word) when I post.
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Star Wars: Episode I - The Chosen One (Star Wars Saga Reboot/Re-Imagining) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/27764984/p1/?1 Chronicles of the Great War: Aftermath http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/28417488/p1/?1 John McCain 2008
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DVeditor
Title: Evil Overlord (manager)
Fan Films & Icons
Registered:
Dec '01
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Date Posted:
4/25/06 11:24pm
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
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Okay, I've been thinking about this one for a while now and I think this is a good time to address the issues that have been brought up so far. Sorry I wasn't able to comment sooner but my internet connection has (ironically) been horrid lately and I can barely do anything online right now.
Jeff, I think you're spot on about the impression that some of the users probably get based on the first few replies to their threads. In any online environment like this it's hard to judge what people mean unless explicitly stated in their posts. So I think everyone (myself included) needs to make a positive effort to give good solid feedback that will help make people feel welcome and try to help them at the same time.
bac - I told you the other day that I thought the guide to better posting was a good idea. I still think that it'll be good to have something that new people can look over to get an idea on what not to do, but I think it should be called something like a better guide to promoting instead of posting. The only thing that is concrete as far as posting habits go on these forums are the rules and guidelines that are set in stone across the board. Technically speaking, if a user posts a certain way it's not anyone's place to step in the way unless it goes against the rules. However, I do see
the possible benefits of a simple "hey here's what has worked for other people in the past" note that could help them get started on the right foot.
Also, I want to try and make sure people know that this forum is so much more than just a promotional hangout - the new and improved resources thread is a great start in that direction and if anyone has ideas on how we can make this a more helpful environment please let me know.
I also wanted to say that I appreciate those who do post here right now being willing to talk this stuff out. I think it's important to welcome people and offer them constructive feedback on their sites. I think we need to make sure they understand the rules at the same time, but not try to make it seem as though they need our approval either.  I'm not pointing fingers or anything here, just being honest. This forum has been slow for a looooong time now and I want
to try and pull out all the skeletons (so to speak) so we can have more people posting here. It'll take time, but this sort of discussion is what needs to happen to make those changes. I'm perfectly willing to try new things and think about the current standards to try and make this a better place to visit, and that's why I appreciate the input and feedback on just about anything related to this forum. Doesn't always mean a change will be made, but those that are active here are the first people I'll refer to for any and all suggestions.
Feel free to voice your thoughts and such - let's get this figured out and make this a more inviting place for new members.
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darth_nemisis
Title: Host:
Acolytes of Darkness
Registered:
May '04
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Date Posted:
4/8 9:59pm
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
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If you have a suggestions thread, shouldn't it be unlocked in order to post. 
Anyway, I have a suggestion. I PMed it to DVeditor, but figured I'd post it here as well to see if other users like it.
My idea is a poll. Here it is:
Which type of bulletin board (message board) system is your favorite?
phpBB
Invision Power Board
Invisionfree
Zetaboards
vBulletin
Other (Hailboards, any other variants)
Those were the major ones I could think of. If anyone else has any more, please feel free to post them here.
Perhaps we could have a series of polls here, asking "What do you know?" as in HTML, PHP, MySQL, All of the above, etc. Or maybe, "Which Webhost do you prefer?" something like that. Those could not only bring in activity, but at the same time, help users decide certain things, you know?
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 ~Dark Lord - Acolytes of Darkness (SWC)~ My new homepage! http://www.aaronnemisis.com !~!~stormBoards now available~!~! http://stormboards.aaronnemisis.com/
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darth_nemisis
Title: Host:
Acolytes of Darkness
Registered:
May '04
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Date Posted:
4/12 8:14am
Subject:
RE: Have suggestions and/or ideas for the Fan Sites forum? Post them here!
- Date Edited:
4/15 10:01pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
darth_nemisis
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Sorry to double post, but I just got another good idea. It involves theforce.net. I would like to PM this to DVeditor, but you haven't been on lately, so just let me know when you are back and I will PM this idea to you.
I was wondering if there was a way that we could integrate the Fan Sites forum with the Fan Film forums. Not combine them or anything, but build a strong relationship with the forum, similar to what the EUC and the RPF have, perhaps even a more tightly held bond. I mean, many of the Fan Film goers who make movies most likely have a fan site of some sorts to host their film, so why not collaborate with the forum?
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~Dark Lord - Acolytes of Darkness (SWC)~ My new homepage! http://www.aaronnemisis.com !~!~stormBoards now available~!~! http://stormboards.aaronnemisis.com/
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