Suggestion.

Dan_Carter · 09-04-2004, 10:10 PM

The forums look a big cluttered... I understand what you're trying to do by separating the main sections into 3 ages groups, but will that really work for a brand new community? Just a thought.

Duke · 09-04-2004, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan_Carter

The forums look a big cluttered... I understand what you're trying to do by separating the main sections into 3 ages groups, but will that really work for a brand new community? Just a thought.

Good suggestion. I'll make it a poll if you don't mind and see what the community has to say on the topic. The only reason it was done was to not confuse people by combining all the age groups.

Paul · 09-05-2004, 01:06 AM

In my opinion, which just started with this post, they are pretty good but if you wanted to make it better then I have an idea, although I don't know if it's something we could actually do.

Where it says Lifesupporters.com: Forums at the top of the forums, it'd be nice if you had 3 boxes instead which said Adult Forums, Teen Forums and Kids Forums in different fonts and colors to make them stand out which would take you to the same layout of forums but just solely that individual forum on that page. Does that make sense?

You might even want to go as far as making the links take you to seperate sub-domains, like teens.lifesupporters and kids.lifesupporters with the adult site being the default one. Or leave it like it is, just suggestions.

Duke · 09-05-2004, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul C

Where it says Lifesupporters.com: Forums at the top of the forums, it'd be nice if you had 3 boxes instead which said Adult Forums, Teen Forums and Kids Forums in different fonts and colors to make them stand out which would take you to the same layout of forums but just solely that individual forum on that page. Does that make sense?

I think it's a great idea but I'm not sure how to do it. I can look into it a bit further but I'm not sure it's attainable withoug a major php re-write. I do have an idea on how to acheive what you're talking about by simply changing the link but I'll have to check and post back here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul C

You might even want to go as far as making the links take you to seperate sub-domains, like teens.lifesupporters and kids.lifesupporters with the adult site being the default one. Or leave it like it is, just suggestions.

I'm afraid that will likely never happen even though it's not a bad idea. I believe it seperates the age groups too much and I believe it would take away from the family format that I'm trying to create. The other reason, and most importantly, is that I would need seperate databases for each subdomain and that's a money issue. As it is, I'm paying for this site entirely out of my own pocket. I will not ask for donations because I don't want to make people feel obligated to do so. I will likely add a tiered membership program when the site gets lots of traffic and only if the members decide it's a good idea.

I hope I'm not coming across as a closed minded arse on the second idea. My biggest, most compelling reason for not wanting to try seperate databases is because KidZone.Lifesupporters.com has one database along with Lifesupporters.com. I will also be creating a BIG KidZone.Lifesupporters.com site so we can all brag about our toys on an adult forum. Even though all the forum support will likely run from this site only in a subforum configuration the main pages require database support simply to track stats, news, members, etc. I'm also interested in a "How to build websites" website to help out newbies such as myself and anyone interested in how to build and run a website.

Paul · 09-05-2004, 01:22 AM

Nope, not an arse at all, makes sense to me! I know what it's like to be paying out of my own pocket too.

Duke · 09-05-2004, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul C

Nope, not an arse at all, makes sense to me! I know what it's like to be paying out of my own pocket too.

Ya, it's not exactly cheap and a whole lot of work. This site has been live since early July and I bet that I've put in over 100 hours here at least.

Paul · 09-05-2004, 01:33 AM

It shows and it will pay off by helping people, plus it's nice to see people like Dan coming here and taking the time to make suggestions so we can improve the experience for everyone.

Duke · 09-05-2004, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul C

It shows and it will pay off by helping people, plus it's nice to see people like Dan coming here and taking the time to make suggestions so we can improve the experience for everyone.

I'm really glad to see a new member that I don't already know. Do you know who Dan is? If he's an idea guy like this then I can say I like him already. Of course I have to say I like everyone registered here already.

I'd love to see some more of the "over the ponders" though like Cpl punishment (notice the litte p?) and wapwap.

Paul · 09-05-2004, 01:41 AM

No I don't know Dan, yet

but it is great to see new peeps. I think Cpl. would be online more if he wasn't so busy wapwap'ing but hopefully we'll catch him online sometime in the near future and point him this way!

Duke · 09-05-2004, 01:44 AM

This is what I mean by changing the forum link when you click on the forums button in the main menu and quick browse menu bar.

Is this kind of what you mean? If so, it's extremely easy to make happen.

Paul · 09-05-2004, 01:46 AM

That isn't exactly what I meant but it does the job, perhaps we should get peoples opinion on whether or not they would prefer this format or, if the option is available, tell them how to do it themselves.

Duke · 09-05-2004, 01:49 AM

I think the only way that individual members can configure the forums in that manner is if they use their personal menu and add the quick link in there. Either that or I can make a slight change to this template and call it V Blue Baby personal or some other name. Not sure though.

Paul · 09-05-2004, 01:54 AM

I remember a mod somewhere, probably not for php-nuke, which enabled the user to do this themselves. The problem isn't changing the sections to look like that because you simply click on one section and the others will collapse, the problem was having the forum remember your settings for the next time you visited. At least I think that's what the problem was.

What do you think of this format?

Duke · 09-05-2004, 02:00 AM

I think that was a v-bulletin option only but I could be wrong. Problem is that v-bulletin isn't exactly free.