One/two tip(s) for forum owners

[Nathan]

Haha, these were more entertaining to read than I had expected. Thank you.

The only thing I really don't understand is the whole capital letters deal. Personally, I do it because I think it looks nice. An example:

Anime and manga discussion.
vs.
Anime And Manga Discussion.

In all, I guess it's just a matter of preference, but definitely not something I would leave a forum because of it.

That's true, which is why I only said for forum descriptions not the actual forum names 😛

As long as the name of each forum is simple enough, chances are I wont even read the description.

I have been on forums that have "creative" names for each forum and I am spending most of my time on the forum reading descriptions (which are also "creatively" worded) just to figure out what the hell kind of forum I am posting in. The reason I put the word "creative" in quotes is because it should really be "confusing." The forum owner probably thinks he/she is being unique and different than the rest but all he/she is doing is making the forum a headache to navigate.

Well that's true but by creative I don't mean over the top, I just mean something catchy, funny or smart because to most people that's entertaining and let's be honest, forums are the slightest bit entertaining, unless you like writing. At the end of the day, if everyone had the same forum names or descriptions everyone would bitch about how un-unique each of the forums is and they'd all be as boring as the other.

 

[Nebulous]

Well that's true but by creative I don't mean over the top, I just mean something catchy, funny or smart because to most people that's entertaining and let's be honest, forums are the slightest bit entertaining, unless you like writing. At the end of the day, if everyone had the same forum names or descriptions everyone would bitch about how un-unique each of the forums is and they'd all be as boring as the other.[/quote]
People trying to be overly catchy in their wording of everything may come off as being corny or lame. 😛

Its the content and the members/community (and how the members interact with each other) that makes a forum unique, entertaining ..or boring. Everyone should not have the same forum names and descriptions but they should be simple and understandable enough to ensure easy and quick navigation of the board itself.

 

[Nathan]

Yes that's true, but if your exactly like another board who seems way more active then you, which board do you think the members will go too? This way if you have some interesting names (and I don't mean every single name, just a few) then you might get them to be active at your board as they see you as a pleasant and creative forum owner.

 

[Nebulous]

Catchy names don't generate activity. There is lots of competition for forums out there and there is more active ones than others out there but members decide to stay on a individual forum because they like who they are interacting with and what type of discussions happen.

 

[Nathan]

Exactly the interesting discussion, which in turn having interesting forum names and descriptions (for the most part) leaves your forum open to more creative topics.

 

[Nebulous]

No it doesn't. They can happen anywhere no matter what the name and description of a forum happens to be. Creative members come up with creative topics.

 

[Nathan]

But why would you as a member provide your great, creative mind to a brainless admin? 😉

 

[Nebulous]

Members starting conversations aren't providing their creative minds to the admin's. They are starting conversations to have conversations with the community they are participating in. The purpose of a forum name or description is to let the members know what kind of forum they are posting in. An artist just needs a blank piece of paper to create art. They don’t need a flashy piece of paper to create art. Just like a creative member doesn’t need a flashy forum description to create creative topics.

 

[Nathan]

Well of course a flashy piece of paper will create a better piece of art 😉

 

[Nebulous]

Yeah, sure it will. :lol:

 

[Nathan]

Yeah, sure it will. :lol:

Alright well let me ask you this, why did you decide to use IPB instead of a free forum software such as phpBB (which you are experienced with) for Wober?

 

[Pirate234]

Thanks for the tips 🙂

 

[Nebulous]

Yeah, sure it will. :lol:

Alright well let me ask you this, why did you decide to use IPB instead of a free forum software such as phpBB (which you are experienced with) for Wober?

I dont see what that has to do with your tips but I went with it because phpBB is a headache. Installing mods, updating, things always going wrong, etc.. Its a nice software from a members standpoint but too much work for the admin.

 

[Nathan]

Yeah, sure it will. :lol:

Alright well let me ask you this, why did you decide to use IPB instead of a free forum software such as phpBB (which you are experienced with) for Wober?

I dont see what that has to do with your tips but I went with it because phpBB is a headache. Installing mods, updating, things always going wrong, etc.. Its a nice software from a members standpoint but too much work for the admin.

Im trying to state a point. So you find IPB better even though they are mostly the same thing except a few changes and cosmetic differences, both serve the same purpose although you decided to pay for one, which alternatively is the "better" one, thus meaning the better it is, the better the outcome will be, right? :shrug:

 

[Nebulous]

I didn't state cosmetic reasons. I stated functionality reasons. One functions better and makes my job as an admin easier. Which relates to my earlier point. Forum descriptions need to be worded simple enough to ensure easy navigation of the board for the member (better functionality).
People trying to be overly flashy and catchy with their forums are just using gimmicks to draw members in when the focus should be the content and community interaction (which is what really draws in members). I highly doubt someone will read a forum description think to themselves: "Well that was short and to the point, not all cutesy and clever. I'm not going to join this forum."
Chances are they are going to browse through the forum, see what type of content is on the forum and how the members are interacting with each other.. then make a decision on joining or not.

Anyway this is way too much debate over an relatively insignificant detail of a forum. :lol:

 

[Fergal]

Different things work on different forums. I've seen some very creative forum titles on a couple of huge forums (over 10 million posts) so it is obviously working for them. On other smaller forums with a different member profile the use of a creative name could annoy and confuse members.

 

[Nathan]

Anyway this is way too much debate over an relatively insignificant detail of a forum. :lol:

Very true, which is why im not going to continue, we both have different opinions so yeah.

Different things work on different forums. I've seen some very creative forum titles on a couple of huge forums (over 10 million posts) so it is obviously working for them. On other smaller forums with a different member profile the use of a creative name could annoy and confuse members.

Hence why their small 😛

 

[Renegader]

It's either 12 year olds who make forums or people with really bad English. (assuming the forum is intended to be English).

 

[Nathan]

It's either 12 year olds who make forums or people with really bad English. (assuming the forum is intended to be English).

So which category do you fall under? I think your a 12 year old with your wild and un-true assumptions :roll:

 

[Fait]

I agree if you own a forum you should have real grammar and act professional you can speak like dis on facebook but as a forum Admin you should act professional 😀

Agree 100%