The New TWF: What do you want to see?

I believe you already have this in your plans, but I think an actual home page, rather than just forums, would be a huge addition to the site and would get you much more publicity.

Also, I'm not sure exactly how you could do this, or what kind of prizes you could offer (perhaps hosting packages or domain names), but contests would be a neat way to draw people in and keep them around.

Just a few things that rolled off my tongue.

I know I already mentioned this, but I would like to see a section of the forums that search engine spiders can't index (mostly, website review forum.) So we can put a client's site up for review without fear of them finding the thread.

1. Are there any vBulletin features or add-ons you have used on other forums that you would like to see here?

   Yes, a portal would be great. I also have a cool feature for PMing, you can choose who it goes to through a search feature.

2. Fill in the blank: It would be nice if _________________.

   I have no idea!!
   

3. Do you like the pm/email/www buttons across the top of the posts or would you rather see that hidden in a drop-down menu next to the username?
   (you can see this at the vBulletin.com forums) Are there any other changes you'd like to see in the forum layout and functionality?

   It doesn't really matter to me where they are as long as I can find them!

4. Lurkers, new members, and ye with little posts: What can we do to make you a more active participant in our community? Is there any reason why you don't post more often?
   
   I just got back online here, so, you will see me more often.

I agree with teammatt33. A place spiders couldn't get to would be great.

Quote: Lurkers, new members, and ye with little posts: What can we do to make you a more active participant in our community? Is there any reason why you don't post more often?

Time Time Time...give me time! No really, this past year or longer my focus has been else where in my life, but I hope to become closer to my computer and there fore to my favorite forums in the very near future!

ps..I find it hard to believe I only have 89 posts in 5 years! That's is just pitifull

Hey Hi Sara..long time no see...

~bobbi

An IRC channel may be a good idea

Thanks for all your feedback so far. We are definitely going to do a members only forum (just a matter of deciding whether it shoudl be premium member sonly or just members only). We are also definitely going to do a chat of some sort - that's just a matter of deciding what form (IRC channel or a vBulletin plugin of some sort). An actual home page is in the works (eventually!) and contests sound good - what could we have contests for? I think we could get some prizes donated.

Thanks again, and keep it coming!!

dragonsjaw - glad to see you back! I think I remember you

Premium members?

http://www.webmaster-forums.net/showpost.php?p=183205

We could have contests for best overall site, articles, or whatever. It depends on what all you're planning to add to the main site...

hmmm pretty much all suggestions are in, I hope themes change every month so the eyes can be a bit more refreshed, hmmm... I hope current members become premium members incase you do put up a premium membership... so many more I cant think now, my heads focused on the bbq...

demonhale wrote: I hope themes change every month so the eyes can be a bit more refreshed

Well IMO it's important to keep some form of rolling update going, there's a particular "redesign day" if I remember correctly (Zeldman mentioned it). I don't believe we need to change the whole design - too confusing - but it would be nice to keep inline with trends, so we always look current.

A complete redesign every month though? Definately not, we haven't got the resource and it would be too confusing for users to have to re-learn how to use the site almost every time they visit... Not everyone's a TWF-a-holic so only appear once or twice a month, we don't want them to think they've come to the wrong site!

mscreashuns wrote: We could have contests for best overall ... articles, or whatever.

Well a lot of sites do this with articles, but only so they can gain content, keywords and ranking in Google.

We will - probably (not my decision) - be accepting articles, but I doubt there will be a general airing of any old rubbish bja might write ( ), we're not going to sacrifice useability to pander to the SE's needs - what's the point in getting traffic when your members have all left and new visitors don't stay?

Although it might work if the articles (same goes for sites and other stuff) were submitted to the mods and admins, then we could vet them and only let the best through.

Sorry, not meaning to degrade your suggestions at all mscreashuns, just trying to point out the pitfalls!

I know Dream in Code has a lot of consests so I'll talk to them and find out what they do. The Admin Zone might be helpful there too. Dream in Code gets really great prizes donated by sponsors so I'll look into that too.

About articles - I want this site to become really well known. I think there's a lot of opportunity to be one of the best general sites for web design help and info. The only way we're going to get there is by publishing top quality content. So contests might not be the right route to go there.

Keep the suggestions coming! We appreciate them

I was just trying to come up with something off the top of my head because Megan asked what we could have contests for. I'm not really sure, but I'm sure you people can find a way.

And thanks for that mscreashuns. Sorry, wasn't wishing to poo-poo your ideas, just wanted to explain the problems that are inherant in article contests, and why many sites use them.

Yeah, I understand your purpose.

It's okay. I really don't care to have my ideas shot down.