Ways to Make The Forum Better - Suggestions

[TheVeganAtheist]

Since this is my first foray into forum creation and moderating, please provide me with any suggestions that would improve your experience.

Things to consider:

New Categories
New Forum sub categories
Missing functions
Missing permissions
etc.

[TheAgnosticAtheist]

The realm of a forums success depends on the administrator running it. Yes we all have lives to live, but if the Admin (in this case creator) isn’t active the forum will likely die and collect internet dust. Just a friendly tip (and fact) from one who has ran and help ran many forums.

I would suggest increasing the Avatar file size to greater then 10kb (30 or 25kb), 10kb is small and would make a nice looking avatar look bad when optimized to 10kb or less.

[Neptual]

A cooking category would be a great way for vegans/non-vegans to share different and delicious recipes

[TheVeganAtheist]

The realm of a forums success depends on the administrator running it. Yes we all have lives to live, but if the Admin (in this case creator) isn’t active the forum will likely die and collect internet dust. Just a friendly tip (and fact) from one who has ran and help ran many forums.

I would suggest increasing the Avatar file size to greater then 10kb (30 or 25kb), 10kb is small and would make a nice looking avatar look bad when optimized to 10kb or less.

great suggestions. I will make those changes immediately.

[TheVeganAtheist]

A cooking category would be a great way for vegans/non-vegans to share different and delicious recipes

another great suggestion. I will get it up and running today.

[Neptual]

Perhaps an easier way to see unread posts without having to go to the menu option? Here's a side by side comparison

VA Forums.png

[TheVeganAtheist]

Perhaps an easier way to see unread posts without having to go to the menu option? Here's a side by side comparison

Are you talking about the document graphic on the left hand side?

[Masculine]

If not now, I would say look into possible staff. People to help when you cants. Many forums have a simply yet efficient layout.

Admin/administrator (does not have to be owner or creator)
Global Mod (mods all areas)
Moderator (Mods specific areas)

However it is also good to have one set of mods who watch other areas but have powers to mod everywhere. This in being effective when it needs to be done.

Other Then that, I would not expand on categories far to much. It would look dead. Use things relevant and needed, after that if it comes to it or needed and or alder, then more could be considered.

Some forums that start with lots of categories or forums tend to look dead as they are so spread out.

I have been on 5-8 forums, moded 2 and owned 1. As one said, an admin, regardless if owner or not, never on after a while will kill it.

This is why a staff is important, even a small group of quasi admins if needed to do the work for you when you are busy.

[Neptual]

Perhaps an easier way to see unread posts without having to go to the menu option? Here's a side by side comparison

Are you talking about the document graphic on the left hand side?

Yes

[TheVeganAtheist]

Perhaps an easier way to see unread posts without having to go to the menu option? Here's a side by side comparison

Are you talking about the document graphic on the left hand side?

Yes

Ive made the change so that unread is a lot darker. Better?