Let's compile a list of things NEVER to do on forums!

Re: Let\'s compile a list of things NEVER to do on forums!

Don\'t give your password out to other people, if you admin a forum. I know from experience. 🙁
 
If you aren't an admin: Don't join a forum then never post. Admins (and mods) hate that.
 
blocking members , i know sometimes its good to get rid of some trouble makers but dont let that power get to your head as getting rid of people you might not like may be keeping the forums alive.
 
Don't run your site like a Nazi--making all kinds of rules usually make people uncomfortable so they won't join. I went to a couple of sites that looked interesting, but they had so many rules in the welcome post, that I didn't bother to join. Pictures can only be this big--1 mistake and you're banned. Smilies can't be downloaded from anywhere else, you must use the ones here or you're banned....etc, etc, etc--went on for about a half page. And they all ended with "or you'll be banned"
 
Wow guys, I wish every admin would read this. Some really need to. I have a few to add:

A.
If you're an admin, make sure you are active. Yes, I know, duh. But what I mean here is, if someone makes a topic on your forum about dogs, and you hate dogs, still post a simple but nice post in it. Something like" I'm not a big dog fan, but they are cute, what kind of dog would you want if you could have any?" This sparks conversation among other members, and shows that the admin has an intrest in the enitire forum.

Admins (and mods) should post in 90% of the topics on their forums. Not useless or spam posts, but good replies. If you don't know about the topic at hand, post a question about it. This will make poeple reply to tell you about it.

I'm a member at a forum where the admin doesn't post in hardly any member made topics. They really should as the admin themself (and their mods) are the best way to spark conversation among the regular members.

B.
Make sure you post a few new topics a day, or at least every other day. Even three new topics a day, scattered between different boards, can really help. Just make sure they are worthwhile topics that will spark conversation.

C.
And never send emails saying the forum is going slowly, in fact never say that anywhere. People need to think your forum is a happening place, and that there's a reason to come back there. Instead if you must mass email them, say something like "Look at what's going at the "Your Forum Name" forums, come and share your views too!" And highlight a newer and popular topic.

If you say it's not active why would they think they'd wanna come back if nothings going on?

C.
Greet new members warmly. I signed up at a forum recently and the welcome message I got was "Welcome and please read the rules." I was a little insulted to say the least. Yes, some members may need to read the rules, but I don't think that was a good welcome. Maybe something like "Welcome, enjoy your stay, have fun posting, and if you have any questions please read the rules or feel free to PM me." Just blatently telling me to read the rules made me feel like they thought I personally didn't know how to behave, even though I saw they said that to other introduction posts also.

D.
Someone said this before, don't be rule heavy. I agree. Yes, there are times when posts should be deleted or modified for bad content, or blatant spam, but members need freedom. If they go a little off topic it's not the end of the world, and it is still activity, and if they are going off topic between a few members, it's a sign they're becoming friends in your community, which is great for activity.

E.
Don't ever have it so admins can read all the PM's between members. I saw this at a site I was at and it had a disclaimer "Please be aware that the admin can read all PM between members." What!? Buh-bye privacy. Instead, have a "Report PM to admin" feature, so if a member is being harassed they can report it and it can be taken care of.
 
--Don't be too strict.
--Don't install too many modifications.
--Don't make friends staff just because they're your friends. They should be active enough on your board to be of some use as moderators.
--Don't have too many moderators.
--Don't make more than 10-13 forum sections when you first start out. It makes your site look empty when you have more, and it takes too long to scroll though.
 
Lil_Mermaid_Girl said:
Wow guys, I wish every admin would read this. Some really need to. I have a few to add:

A.
If you're an admin, make sure you are active. Yes, I know, duh. But what I mean here is, if someone makes a topic on your forum about dogs, and you hate dogs, still post a simple but nice post in it. Something like" I'm not a big dog fan, but they are cute, what kind of dog would you want if you could have any?" This sparks conversation among other members, and shows that the admin has an intrest in the enitire forum.

Admins (and mods) should post in 90% of the topics on their forums. Not useless or spam posts, but good replies. If you don't know about the topic at hand, post a question about it. This will make poeple reply to tell you about it.

I'm a member at a forum where the admin doesn't post in hardly any member made topics. They really should as the admin themself (and their mods) are the best way to spark conversation among the regular members.

B.
Make sure you post a few new topics a day, or at least every other day. Even three new topics a day, scattered between different boards, can really help. Just make sure they are worthwhile topics that will spark conversation.

C.
And never send emails saying the forum is going slowly, in fact never say that anywhere. People need to think your forum is a happening place, and that there's a reason to come back there. Instead if you must mass email them, say something like "Look at what's going at the "Your Forum Name" forums, come and share your views too!" And highlight a newer and popular topic.

If you say it's not active why would they think they'd wanna come back if nothings going on?

C.
Greet new members warmly. I signed up at a forum recently and the welcome message I got was "Welcome and please read the rules." I was a little insulted to say the least. Yes, some members may need to read the rules, but I don't think that was a good welcome. Maybe something like "Welcome, enjoy your stay, have fun posting, and if you have any questions please read the rules or feel free to PM me." Just blatently telling me to read the rules made me feel like they thought I personally didn't know how to behave, even though I saw they said that to other introduction posts also.

D.
Someone said this before, don't be rule heavy. I agree. Yes, there are times when posts should be deleted or modified for bad content, or blatant spam, but members need freedom. If they go a little off topic it's not the end of the world, and it is still activity, and if they are going off topic between a few members, it's a sign they're becoming friends in your community, which is great for activity.

E.
Don't ever have it so admins can read all the PM's between members. I saw this at a site I was at and it had a disclaimer "Please be aware that the admin can read all PM between members." What!? Buh-bye privacy. Instead, have a "Report PM to admin" feature, so if a member is being harassed they can report it and it can be taken care of.
Click to expand...
Really good points... especially point C as not many people think of it that way.
 
Use proper grammar. No one like a mod or admin who cant type. Besides me of course. 😛
 
Delete the CSS and you will still have a board. Just text though. I once saw a forum who was very very active and had no template.
 
It looks pretty rubbish though... the worst thing to do would be to delete the database -lol-
 
Fowler said:
It looks pretty rubbish though... the worst thing to do would be to delete the database -lol-
Click to expand...
-lol- -lol- Yeah, that'd be pretty bad.
 
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