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

[Merlin]

1. Never make the board invisible to guests. They may think you're trying to hide someting embarrasing, like the admins and mods having a huge chunk of the posts, low ppm (posts per member), etc.

2. Never delete inactive accounts (except spambots.) How would you like it if you decided to come back to forum you left long ago, and found out your account was deleted?

 

[CyberFreak]

3) Never use the default skin/logo. This makes your forum look like you have not put much work in to it and people might think the admin don't care about it so it will probably close soon or the admin will hardly ever be on as he doesn't care much. It also doesn't look personalised and will be less attractive.

4) Don't have to many forums when you start. 5 forums with 5 posts in looks better then 25 forums with 1 post in.

 

[Merlin]

5. Never grant admin authority as a reward for being the first to join or something.

 

[CyberFreak]

6) Don't have any mods and especially admins that you don't trust. They can destroy your forum easily. For admins you need to be 100% sure you trust them as they can make the most damage and they can do it quickly. Deleting a whole forum is much quicker then mass deleting topics page by page. -😉-

7) Deal with all banning off the board (Pms or email) and don't have a hall of shame or whatever with all the banned members in. It keeps the board clear of arguments and disagreements.

 

[Merlin]

8. Never allow members to post HTML. They could run a malicious script that could wreck your forum.

9. Never accuse a user of having an alt. account without checking the IP addresses first.

10. Nevr spel lik dis if ur teh admin.

11. Never give away moderator authority in contests.

 

[CyberFreak]

12) If you have an attachment system ensure you only allow safe files to be uploaded and not attachments like php, php3, php4, phtml, pl, cgi, py, rb, asp, aspx as these could be a threat to your board.

 

[Tyria]

13] Do NOT use slang...

 

[CyberFreak]

14) Never use the same password as you use on any other forums as if your password gets found out from another forum (there is ways) then they can easily get access to your forum and destroy it then you want have anything left and it won't attract any members if you have empty boards -n-

 

[Ste]

15) Never stay logged on in a public place...

 

[xeno]

16)Don't be an idiot

 

[shevliaskovic]

17)do not make multiple accounts to vote for your own on competitions

 

[Damien]

18) Do not sent mass email's often to try and get members back (this just makes them mad that there getting spam and they will not comeback)

 

[deathbypie]

8. Never allow members to post HTML. They could run a malicious script that could wreck your forum.

9. Never accuse a user of having an alt. account without checking the IP addresses first.

10. Nevr spel lik dis if ur teh admin.

11. Never give away moderator authority in contests.

wow i never thought of this i realy need to change it

 

[sam1]

19) Never Have to many things on your portal

 

[Merlin]

20. Never use a common password. They include...

12345
password
letmein
(your first name)
(your last name)
(a pet's name)

Instead, use something like...
h4k6d444fgd
5849576943
5rednib

 

[CyberFreak]

Also you could use higher and lower case letters like Avtrn561DnfW which will make it a bit harder.

 

[cybermystery]

The worst thing I think you could do on a forum, is advertise it by saying please join, please come here.

 

[f199]

23) Don't load you forum with tons of ads people would like an ad free one or with just a simple banner at the bottom of the page than it being everywhere

 

[CyberFreak]

24) As admin ensure that you stay active and join in with discussions on the forum... many people prefer admins who join in and post then admins who just come on and don't post.

 

[CyberFreak]

25) Ensure that the people you make staff won't get big headed about being an admin or mod. I have recently got a PM from an admin on another forum saying


It doesn't encourage a member to want to post and stay active...

PS. The forum i received this on is the forum of a member here...