PSBeyond follow-up

[Rav]

Name of Forum: PlayStation Beyond
Forum Link: http://www.psbeyond.com/forums
Type of Review ( Quick Review / Forum Review ): Follow-up
Date Forum Opened: September 07 - revived June 09
Account for reviewer (Optional):
Additional Notes:
I'd like a follow-up on the full review I got recently. I've implemented changes to everything except the spelling issue on the descriptions, mainly cos I've been busy and it didn't seem important. 😛

Also, if only quickly, I'd like the reviewer to address the potential for hooking random guests and turning them into members, as mentioned in the feedback post:

I did want to know what the reviewer thought of our guest retention methods. Using Facebook Connect and how well it works or doesn't, the personalised welcome message (does it compel you to register?), the reminder to sign up being above every thread after the first two you read, not being able to see the chatbox until you've made 10 posts, etc, and if there are any other methods you'd suggest to get guests to sign up.

 

[hcfwesker]

I'll get this, and I'll try and focus on what you have requested for, bud!

But, I might not be able to get this until tomorrow though. But shouldn't be too long of a wait.

 

[Rav]

Just a note about the staff: I think it isn't listed because the forums and main site are an integrated CMS. So site staff/admins will also be staff/admins on the forums.

At the moment there is a community leader, a site manager (moi), and the owner (who is hardly ever there haha). There are other staff, but there's no need for them to actively moderate yet. The worst thing for activity would be for every new member to be put under scrutiny. 😛 That's why there's no rules thread yet, either. We don't need one yet.

 

[hcfwesker]

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Your Quick Review​

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Forum Pros:

The new Board lay-out looks great, a perfect score. Glad you took the suggestions I offered.

The member to ratio count does look more active, now. I'm sure it was tough to get that number down; but it wasn't looking good for the forum's overall statictics, with 100's of 0 posts accounts.

And I noticed the top osters, and top reputation members have been replaced. Looks much better, and more informative on the most recently discussed topics.


Forum Cons:

The inactive staff is a very big eyesore for members to see. It would be OK for a business type forum, like if this was the official site fron Sony. But the inactive staff really shows that they're not dedicated to the progree of the forum, and so why should they even be on staff. They're just sitting back and being lazy, waiting for someone else to get it off the ground, then once it becomes popular, they'll magically appear, because know they can be popular, since they're on staff. Honestly, dump them; it's your best option. They may be your friends, and thats cool. but, thet're not what's bet for the forum at the moment.

The absense of Rules is another problem. Because, if a rule is broken; you can't really do much in puniching that member. for example; i could join, and just spam my forum url on every topic on every page. There wasn't a rule not saying I couldn't. So, you need some ground work so members know what not to do; even just basic rules.

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Final/General Thoughts:

The problem isn't with getting guests to join, I'm sure once they find the actual forum, they'd be more than willing. The problem is; the website generates plenty of traffic, but, they might not be linking to the forums. You need to place some kinda banner, that makes it loud and clear you have a discussion forum. A little text link "Forum" isn't much redirecting. I have no idea on the facebook angle of advertising; cause I'm not familiar with social sites.


What was most liked about the website/forums:

The look and layout. And the improvements make it that much better, and organized.

What was disliked most about the website/forums:

The inactive staff. There's just really no place for them. And when a community sees inactive staff, it makes them wonder if the forum is worth it ... since the staff won't even be active themself.

Final Score : 8 - (Out of 10)


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