Chat Socially
A Q&A with iPhonefreak and Red Herring
Questionnaire:
Regarding my site, what is the think about the design you think could be improved? And, you can't say because of the light theme or get a darker theme.
Get a darker theme. ...Kidding. Ta ha. Is that such a bad idea though? Although not a requirement, I always feel it best to include both a light theme and a dark theme in order to cater to both sides of the community; those that prefer dark and those that prefer light. However, that's beside the point. The primary issue I perceive in your theme's design here is that it seems to have been stripped down the barest essentials to the point where it has become a bleak and colorless wasteland
(no offense intended). It's not an issue with design structure itself, because aspects on that end feel quite sleek and modern. But the color has been completely and utterly drained from existence here, with the only non-monotone color coming from usergroups.
This is a forum that can be categorized mostly as a general discussion website yes? It's a very popular genre, but also one of the most difficult to build a stable community for. While websites of specific interest binds users together through that common ground, a general discussion forum
has no common ground. In the end, it really only has one appeal: the community and forum itself. If the community and forum are inviting enough, then you will find individuals willing to join. To use a successful example, have a look at
Wober. Its users are greeted with a soft vibrant array of blue hues, an interesting logo, a colorful array of forum icons and a lovely unique little logo. It's an all-around inviting atmosphere. Unfortunately, Chat Socially is on the opposite end of this spectrum in that the grey monotone environment generates a more...oppressive feeling. Even the logo seems a bit sapped of its will, and forum icons are phpBB default. Minimalism is fine, and some may prefer that, and I definitely believe you should keep it as an option. But a general discussion forum should really strive to offer, by default, a colorful, pleasant and unique environment that its users can bask within.
To summarize: I feel the best way to improve would be to drench it in a bit more color, in order to produce the relaxed environment that a general discussion forum sets out to create.
Regarding my site, are any of the ads intrusive?
Adblock Plus tells me "no." Ta ha. Again, kidding. In order to answer your question, I went ahead and disabled Adblock and braced for the impact of ads ready to swarm me. But really, there almost were none. I stumbled around a bit in confusion until I realized that there was a single advertisement space beneath the original poster in threads. That's certainly nothing to be concerned about. Most community members realize that websites cost money to host and will not hold it against you if you implement a few advertisements here and there. Heck, I'd even say you could add an index advertisement or two if you wanted. They're really no bother. If you really feel some cause for concern over the matter, you could instead seek to disable them for registered users or VIP members, leaving them there only for guests that browse your website.
Regarding my site, do you think we have snouty active members or members for a "Member of the Month"?
While I admit that I did not spend an extended period of time browsing the community, I certainly did not see anything out of the ordinary in regards to your members. Nothing beyond the occasional bit of snark, which is nothing unexpected and really serves to add to the feeling that things are not "artificial." However, I haven't seen any particularly notable member either, at least, not ones that weren't already "VIP's", anyway. Seems a bit too early in the game to say. Just continue to keep the discussion flowing and I'm certain you'll find your community "aces" and everything else will work out just fine.
Overall Satisfaction
[rt_qs]✓, , , , ✓, , , ✓, , ✓, , [/rt_qs]
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