Forums are outdated. The software is, and every forum is pretty much the same; as far as features go. Sure, some sites have additional features, but they are pretty common.
Some ways that I am revolutionizing GF is by taking away standard forum features, and adding new ones of my own. I am following Apple's way of control (of the user experience) and Facebook's simplicity.
Here's some ways I am doing that...
-Thread form above the thread listing on forum pages. This means that users can post a thread from the forum display, instead of clicking a 'new thread' button. This makes it easy to make a new thread and will encourage thread creation as it seems simple and quick!
> Furthermore, users are not taken to their thread after posting a thread, they just go straight back to their thread.
> Soon you will go back to the forum you were looking at after replying as in most cases if you are replying; you have already read the thread. Also, with the removal of bbcode (see below) there's no need to see if your post came out correctly, as it will show just like it does in the reply form.
-Removal of signatures. What's the point of signatures? My forum is a general forum and I don't want advertisements and all that. If users have something to say they can make a reply or a thread. The signatures take up space, and take away from people's focus on comments.
-Removal of post count. This encourages users to focus on quality instead of the number of posts they have. However, it does not discourage them to post! We use a level system. To reach the next level you may have to have a certain amount of posts, but for higher levels you need referrals, reputation (which we call 'Credit'), and X posts. Levels bring you extra privileges.
-Removal of bbcode. This replicate's Facebook's simplicity, and Apple's control of their product. You can't customize stuff as much. You don't see giant red coloring on Facebook posts. No. Content is not based on its beauty; it is based on the words and what is actually being said. This brings up a focus of quality and again focuses the users on the actual content. Furthermore, by taking away bbcode (colors, bolded text, etc) users can spend less time constructing a nice post, which means they will be more active 🙂
-Removal of log out button. What's the point? Most users these days have their own computer. It's also uncommon for a whole family to be on one forum, using the same computer. This also means they are always logged in, unless they clear their cache or something and this means they can just start browsing/posting without having to log in each time! (Users are not logged out after a short period of inactivity)
-Removal of thread stats, and individual forum stats. Who cares!? A forum is based on new content coming in each day, not old stuff that could be sitting their idle for weeks. Stats can't portray that. We have overall forum stats, but eventually those will go away too. At the moment you can see your individual post count in the sidebar (the user dashboard), but that will go away as well soon and be replaced by your current Level.
-Private messaging is currently enabled, but soon that will disappear. This will be a change that will piss many people off. However, it will bring their focus to the forums. We will replace the private messaging with contact forms for the staff if users have questions. However, we want all of our content to be public so anybody can reply.
-Unique forum names. Why should every general forum use 'Movies & TV' as a forum title? It's boring and common. We use something like... "The couch is my preferred area of relaxation" as the section title for Movies & TV. However, for all of our wacky section titles, we have a description that gives users the old, boring titles if they are confused.
-Staff and Users are on equal levels. There's no need for bolded usernames, colored usernames, etc. Staff have a job to do and yes they put in hard work. But being staff isn't about being in a constant parade where everyone knows you're staff because of your username color. We are all equal, but the staff just have some extra permissions. If all goes right, staff will be treated just as any member is treated; equal.
-Spread. Spread is how many posts your threads bring in. If you make 10 threads, and each thread gets 3 replies then you've brought in a total of 30 posts, or 40 including your threads. We take 30 (the # of replies) and divide it by your thread count; 10. An average of 3; so 3 is your 'Spread #'. Spread is used to represent how useful a user is. This is currently in development.
Some ways that I am revolutionizing GF is by taking away standard forum features, and adding new ones of my own. I am following Apple's way of control (of the user experience) and Facebook's simplicity.
Here's some ways I am doing that...
-Thread form above the thread listing on forum pages. This means that users can post a thread from the forum display, instead of clicking a 'new thread' button. This makes it easy to make a new thread and will encourage thread creation as it seems simple and quick!
> Furthermore, users are not taken to their thread after posting a thread, they just go straight back to their thread.
> Soon you will go back to the forum you were looking at after replying as in most cases if you are replying; you have already read the thread. Also, with the removal of bbcode (see below) there's no need to see if your post came out correctly, as it will show just like it does in the reply form.
-Removal of signatures. What's the point of signatures? My forum is a general forum and I don't want advertisements and all that. If users have something to say they can make a reply or a thread. The signatures take up space, and take away from people's focus on comments.
-Removal of post count. This encourages users to focus on quality instead of the number of posts they have. However, it does not discourage them to post! We use a level system. To reach the next level you may have to have a certain amount of posts, but for higher levels you need referrals, reputation (which we call 'Credit'), and X posts. Levels bring you extra privileges.
-Removal of bbcode. This replicate's Facebook's simplicity, and Apple's control of their product. You can't customize stuff as much. You don't see giant red coloring on Facebook posts. No. Content is not based on its beauty; it is based on the words and what is actually being said. This brings up a focus of quality and again focuses the users on the actual content. Furthermore, by taking away bbcode (colors, bolded text, etc) users can spend less time constructing a nice post, which means they will be more active 🙂
-Removal of log out button. What's the point? Most users these days have their own computer. It's also uncommon for a whole family to be on one forum, using the same computer. This also means they are always logged in, unless they clear their cache or something and this means they can just start browsing/posting without having to log in each time! (Users are not logged out after a short period of inactivity)
-Removal of thread stats, and individual forum stats. Who cares!? A forum is based on new content coming in each day, not old stuff that could be sitting their idle for weeks. Stats can't portray that. We have overall forum stats, but eventually those will go away too. At the moment you can see your individual post count in the sidebar (the user dashboard), but that will go away as well soon and be replaced by your current Level.
-Private messaging is currently enabled, but soon that will disappear. This will be a change that will piss many people off. However, it will bring their focus to the forums. We will replace the private messaging with contact forms for the staff if users have questions. However, we want all of our content to be public so anybody can reply.
-Unique forum names. Why should every general forum use 'Movies & TV' as a forum title? It's boring and common. We use something like... "The couch is my preferred area of relaxation" as the section title for Movies & TV. However, for all of our wacky section titles, we have a description that gives users the old, boring titles if they are confused.
-Staff and Users are on equal levels. There's no need for bolded usernames, colored usernames, etc. Staff have a job to do and yes they put in hard work. But being staff isn't about being in a constant parade where everyone knows you're staff because of your username color. We are all equal, but the staff just have some extra permissions. If all goes right, staff will be treated just as any member is treated; equal.
-Spread. Spread is how many posts your threads bring in. If you make 10 threads, and each thread gets 3 replies then you've brought in a total of 30 posts, or 40 including your threads. We take 30 (the # of replies) and divide it by your thread count; 10. An average of 3; so 3 is your 'Spread #'. Spread is used to represent how useful a user is. This is currently in development.
