How to improve activity on Zelaron (vote, discuss and ideate)

[Chruser]

Lately, I feel that Zelaron has slowed down significantly, almost to the point of stagnation. Sometimes we get quite a few posts per day, but on other days, the forum is a virtual ghost town.

New posts almost exclusively originate from old-time members who still believe in this forum ("The Forum that never dies" has survived for more than five years thanks to all of you; our dedicated members and our staff, save tacoX). We get around 1000 unique visitors per day, but only an average of 7 of these guests decide sign up. Most of our sparse, new members never post anything at all. This needs to change ASAP, and this thread will help us ensure it happens.

!King_Amazon!, Lenny and I have listed some ways to make Zelaron a more active (and awesome) forum. Discuss the ideas listed, suggest new ones, and vote for your favorites:


Quick Signup
This should exist both in the archived section on the forum (where most guests end up thanks to search engines) and on the regular forum. All you'd have to do is to enter a preferred user name, and click an OK button. Then you're taken to a confirmation page which says something like "Thank you for registering, CreativeUsername. Your temporary password is: kr52. Please change your password and set up an e-mail in the fields below, or [Go back to the thread] to post right away."


Archive Quick Reply for guests
A quick reply in archived (search-engine friendly) threads, for guests. Posts would still appear moderated, which means more work for the staff, and easier for spambots to flood the forum, but in return, it becomes significantly easier for everyone to post. Lenny adds that we could "put a five post limit on a guest's IP, with a message after five posts inviting them to quick/full sign up."


Zelaron Shop
Active users will gain a certain amount of points per day (e.g. 5 points per day if the "Today" activity bar is full), which can be used to purchase things in the Zelaron Shop. This will work as a great incentive to stay active. Right now, the only rewards for remaining active are the new postbit and having your custom title displayed. The Zelaron Shop may allow users to purchase their own sub-forum, moderator status for a day, a Zelaron t-shirt, new arcade games, access to a "Gold Forum" and so on.


Adult Forum
Self-explanatory. For 18+ members only.


Remove thread expiration
This has been discussed before. (1) (http://zelaron.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42293) (2) (http://zelaron.com/forum/showthread.php?t=574012) Basically, old threads expire and thus become impossible to reply to. Keep in mind that a lot of visitors find Zelaron via search engines. Most of the Zelaron threads which are indexed on Google and Yahoo have expired. It is likely that a lot of our new members want to reply to the thread they found on Zelaron, as it contains information relevant to their search. At the moment, they can't.

In !King_Amazon!'s words: "It might make the difference between someone staying and someone leaving. Even if it's thread digging, it's activity, which could spark conversation (hey guys, remember when...happened?) It's an unnecesary feature that just discourages activity."


Change the rules for how the new postbit (larger avatar) is obtained
In !King_Amazon!'s words:

"Currently, to get the postbit, you have to reach 100% activity. I do not want to change that.

Once you reach 100% activity, you have to wait a month until you get the postbit permanently. I do want to change this. I think once you hit 100% activity, you should keep the postbit for good.

Currently, once you have the postbit for good, you have to stay above 50% activity to keep it. I do want to change this. I think you should have to stay above 75% activity to keep it.

Now, my reasons behind these changes. Currently, I think the postbit is out of the reach of most of our posters, and I believe they believe that as well, so I don't think anyone really tries for it. I also think that requiring the people that do have it to stay above 50% activity doesn't really promote much activity, because to be at 50% activity, you only have to post twice every day(actually less, I think, so probably a mixture of posting once and posting twice), or come and post 4 times every other day. 50% is retardedly easy to keep, and isn't much activity. 75% activity isn't all that hard to keep, either, but it's what I would consider active."


More forums/Bring back regular mods
!King_Amazon! says:

"One thing that has been changed in the recent past, is the removal of forum-specific mods and more specified forums. This kinda goes hand-in-hand with Lenny's suggestion of having a forum for each console. Back in the day, we had lots and lots of forums, some of which weren't all that active, but they were very specific(Final Fantasy forum, Starcraft forum, etc.) We also had individual mods for specific forums(RPGmaker mod, Starcraft mod, etc.)

I think that this change had good reasons behind it, in theory, but in practice I think it just lowered activity. Having less forums and less staff makes the forums look neater. Having more forums and more staff makes the forums more active, naturally. We need stuff like this. For instance, Vault Dweller, the new guy in town, really digs Fallout. Make a fallout forum, make Vault Dweller the mod, have him post strategies and story conversations and stuff like that, and you've got an active staff member and active forum to go with it.

Make Bluecube the RPGmaker forum mod(or someone else who's more active, perhaps), have them post guides and tutorials, places to download RPGmaker(host it on Zelaron if we have to.) Have newbie guides so people who dont even know anything about RPGmaker might be interested in getting into it. I've never used or tried using RPGmaker, but if there were some sort of guide for starting out(what all you need to use it, what you need to download, good websites to get these things) I'd maybe be interested in trying it. If other members have that same thought process, we've suddenly got a forum that is possibly growing in activity."

[D3V]

Wow this is a nice list, and yes I'm sure most of the people that still hang around here have noticed that the activity spikes around, like Chruser states.

I remember wayy, wayyyy back when I joined these forums, and was mainly here because I had seen some D2 Hacks advertised somewhere, so I surfed for a few days, and eventually signed up on here. But what got me to stay posting here wasn't the actual gaming itself, but the other members and personalities that filled these forums, so many viewpoints, dicussions taking place.

I really do like what has been changed around here lately, but I'm supposing there still more that needs to be done.

The Adult Section may not even have to be Porno entirerly, as I suggested in another thread possibly throw up a Babe of the Day/Week or something along those lines, Along with keeping anything 18+ in that section including drinking/sex/etc. EVEN THOUGH adding more forums doesn't look as good, it shouldn't really be all that bad.

I'm sure anything erotic will bring much activity to these forums, along with members that'll actually sign up and /discuss random topics.


There just needs to be more members, I believe that is all the real problem is, not enough consitent people that come on here every day and feel like discussing, I know personally I hardly ever get on here on the weekends, and i'm sure other people have other things to do as well, but there just needs to be more members, more view points, more discussions and personalities, so maybe if everyone could try and get their friends, coworkers, people that play video games with to hop on here and register there may be a brighter future for these forums.


Another thing that would probably make most of the members that just come on here for Diablo2 games / the Arcade is MAKE THEM REGISTER, Now this shouldn't just be done, but discussed, if you make everyone register before they can view the boards it may discourage them from even coming here, but if you implemented the quick signup then maybe not, and they might actually spew out some posts from this change.

[Demosthenes]

I'm against the adult forum, and a bit iffy about the last two. I would be enthusiastic about the rest.

[D3V]

I think the Adult forum would be corny, I would suggest however just a sub-forum that people could throw up Just random pictures of chicks/dudes NSFW type of material, like basically make another sub-forum under the Chatterbox .. or something.

[Demosthenes]

Also, perhaps a pop-up to inform those in the arcade about the forums who have not posted yet. That, and I think that after playing the arcade for a bit you should be required to sign up...say after 3 games or so.

[Demosthenes]

Making Zelaron shirts is an awesome idea. That's not only an incentive for points, it's also advertising.

Could we not do something like troll forums, or advertise with somethingawful like you did last time for the activity?

[D3V]

I was considering tossing up this website on a few of the Car Forums that I post on somewhat regularly .. most of them have Gaming/off-topic sections, but they are highly moderated .. they could have a great place to vent here at Zelaron :)

[Demosthenes]

Do eet!

[Thanatos]

I brought up zelaron on this basketball forum I go to (insidehoops.com) - it's got about 500 active members. We'll see if anybody makes the transition.

Edit: I'm also against the Adult forum. There's no need for it. It will just bring in teenage idiots like kyeruu, not respectable, intelligent members. I can only see it working against us.

[D3V]

Damn, good point :( .. But having more iditos does make it more fun sometimes to bash on them, but in the end the quality of posters goes way down, and that sucks.


So Chruser, when should we expcet to see some of these changes implemented?

[klo]

I think an adult section wouldn't be bad. Not necessarily porn or whatever but to talk about experiences and such.

I don't really want people I know to get on here because its where I bitch about them and tell stories about them lol.

And i think the store is a great idea.

[Demosthenes]

It's not like we can't talk about sex in a general conversation forum. It's porn that is 18+, everything else should be fair game in the general conversation forum.

[Thanatos]

True dat. The only purpose the adult forum would serve would be to post NSFW pictures which could get most people on here in trouble.. (me, D3V, klo, KA, etc). If you do decide that it would be best for Zelaron, make it so you have to subscribe to view the adult forum. I'd still be against it, but it's only my lone opinion.

I think the best idea up there is the Zelaron Shop. That could be really entertaining.

[D3V]

Yeah i'd have to agree.

[Chruser]

Remember that search engines will provide us with visitors interested in the particular content we have on the forum. If we have lots of nonsensical chatterbox spam threads, those will attract plenty of members interested in posting more of that kind of content (because they searched for "brain fuck", "Europe could as well be a country" or similar things). If most members would start posting informative, content-rich, useful threads... I think you get the idea.

To get some kind of idea of what topics are popular among users who ultimately find Zelaron on Google or Yahoo, here are last month's top 20 search terms, listed by usage:


3.15% zelaron
1.13% starcraft no cd hack
0.95% guild wars access key
0.57% cd key grabber
0.53% funny ascii
0.53% funny asian names
0.53% rm2k3 download
0.47% wow lag
0.37% rpg maker 2003 download
0.37% zerg build orders
0.35% wall papper
0.32% debockle
0.32% scrolling pics
0.31% pindleskin
0.30% brain fuck
0.30% cd-key grabber
0.30% starcraft hacks
0.29% rtpe.exe download
0.28% suped up cars
0.27% starcraft sucks


So Chruser, when should we expcet to see some of these changes implemented?

The Quick Signup and Zelaron Shop would take a while to develop (we have to write new code, come up with t-shirt designs and so on), but the rest are fairly straight-forward and could be added really soon.

[!King_Amazon!]

True dat. The only purpose the adult forum would serve would be to post NSFW pictures which could get most people on here in trouble.. (me, D3V, klo, KA, etc). If you do decide that it would be best for Zelaron, make it so you have to subscribe to view the adult forum. I'd still be against it, but it's only my lone opinion.

I think the best idea up there is the Zelaron Shop. That could be really entertaining.
It would be a hidden forum, and most likely be by usergroup only or perhaps have a password to enter or something. WW was working on developing something with cookies but I don't think he figured anything out. Pretty much, at home you could have a cookie to let you see it, but at work you wouldn't, so depending on where you are, you would/wouldn't be able to see it.

[Thanatos]

If we have lots of nonsensical chatterbox spam threads, those will attract plenty of members interested in posting more of that kind of content (because they searched for "brain fuck", "Europe could as well be a country" or similar things). If most members would start posting informative, content-rich, useful threads... I think you get the idea.

Get rid of Mantra.

[KagomJack]

Adult Forum sounds like it'd be fun and Peta-Sucks did the shop thing (a lot of us enjoyed it, but some people were too immature to handle it) and it was a blast. Also, implement a Karma system. How it works is if a member likes your post or dislikes it, they can give you a reputation/karma point for it or smite you for it. You'd have a little +/- below your name and stuff.

[Vault Dweller]

Being the new guy, my opinions should probably be taken with a grain of salt, but here goes...

I'm with Thanatos on the adult forum. While it could potentially increase activity, it wouldn't necessarily be the kind of activity this site is looking for. At the same time, I guess it could be good for a laugh.

I'm definitely down with the Quick Signup and Archive Quick Reply ideas, as well as removing thread expiration. I know that I've found lengthy signup processes to be a deterrant in the past, and when stumbling across random, archived threads, occassionally want to throw in my two bits, but don't get the chance because of expiration. I do agree with Lenny's idea of placing a limit on the number of posts available to "guest" accounts. There needs to be some form of structure.

I have no particular problems with any of the other ideas. Sorry Chruser, not entirely sure I'm ready to be a mod just yet, but I'm more than willing to start (what I consider to be) stimulating threads. In case anyone was wondering, I'll be sticking around. I like the atmosphere here, which is more than I can say for most other forums I've checked out.

[Titusfied]

First, all I read was the first post. I will read the replies after I post this if I have any further input to add to a post.

Secondly, I actually like a lot of the ideas. I don't really care about the Postbit, so I'm impartial to that change (I didn't vote for it). I like giving Guests the power to post, then after 5 posts (or whatever), they get a message to sign up. Great idea. The only weird thing will be replying to these posts, because you never know when or if the person will reply, or if the reply is even coming from the same person. Not like it will be a big deal or anything, but it would be strange at times trying to keep conversation up "imaginary" people.

I do not see anything positive that could possibly come out of a having an Adult Forum. I mean seriously. That would just be a very bad idea. Plus, other than taking someone's word for it, are you really going to put in security measures to makes sure no one under age can view it? Bad idea.

Again, I'm impartial to new forums and more moderators. There just isn't enough activity to really warrant new Moderators, but it could spark an initial activity spike when people are trying to kiss ass and show they should be the next Mod of a new forum, "because they thought of the idea for the new forum!!" I didn't vote for it, but I don't really care either.

Basically, I like the Quick Register, Guest Posting, Shop, and Thread Expiration ideas because they will certainly promote positive posting. I'm very against an Adult Forum, and impartial to the rest.

[Thanatos]

There's enough porn on the internet anyway, we don't need it here at Zelaron. =\

[D3V]

Yeah I guess there really isn't a need for an Adult Section, because as of now nothing is really filtered out of that subject, and not really that much discussion happens about that happens around these parts. Hmm.

[Lenny]

If I may expand upon the new forums idea, specifically separate console forums:

I originally posted the idea that it might be worth splitting the Console and Gaming forum into subforums for PS3, 360, Wii and PC. Whereas some may argue that there is no need for more forums based on our current level of activity, I think that the best way to get more activity and members, is to actually make the activity yourself. Methinks that one of the best ways to do this is to create console sub-forums and populate them with the latest news, threads about games, and just general threads about this, that, and t'other. It will show potential members that we're "with the times", and, seeing as we were/are primarily a gaming forum, it makes sense.

I could very easily post three or four PS3 related threads a day, seeing as I spend an hour or so every day just looking at PS3 and general game sites. I could also post a couple of 360 threads (mostly games and such), but where the Wii and PC is concerned, I'd be useless.

[!King_Amazon!]

I agree with Lenny, the argument that we don't need more forums because of how much activity we have is mostly invalid. More forums can lead to more activity with some effort.

[Demosthenes]

Y'all have convinced me. Add a vote from me towards "More forums/Bring back regular mods".

[Chruser]

If I may expand upon the new forums idea, specifically separate console forums:

I originally posted the idea that it might be worth splitting the Console and Gaming forum into subforums for PS3, 360, Wii and PC. Whereas some may argue that there is no need for more forums based on our current level of activity, I think that the best way to get more activity and members, is to actually make the activity yourself. Methinks that one of the best ways to do this is to create console sub-forums and populate them with the latest news, threads about games, and just general threads about this, that, and t'other. It will show potential members that we're "with the times", and, seeing as we were/are primarily a gaming forum, it makes sense.

I could very easily post three or four PS3 related threads a day, seeing as I spend an hour or so every day just looking at PS3 and general game sites. I could also post a couple of 360 threads (mostly games and such), but where the Wii and PC is concerned, I'd be useless.

Sounds like a great place to start! Adding new subforums is among the easiest changes on the list. In case some subforums don't get any activity, we can just delete them. No big deal. So, any more ideas for subforums we should start out with?

Basically, if anyone has any particular interests you think could work as the topic for a new subforum, go ahead and say them! They don't have to be related to our current categories. New, informative content is (almost) always useful.

As for reinstating regular moderator positions, we will look into that as well, although I don't see any direct need to do that right now. There aren't really any particular forums in need for individual moderation at this time. (In other words, our current Supreme Moderators are more than capable of sorting out good forum content from spam, removing offensive material outside the flame forum and so on.)

[!King_Amazon!]

I'd suggest a Fallout forum.

As for regular mods, I see no reason NOT to have them. It would allow people to make the new sub-forums more active. For instance, with a Fallout forum, if you make Vault Dweller the mod of said forum, he can sticky posts, move posts as needed, etc, stuff that supreme mods might not do in said forum. For example, I don't do any moderating in the RPG-maker forum, so having a mod for that forum would be a good idea(except Lenny probably covers that forum pretty well.)

[Lenny]

It's rare that it needs moderation, to be honest. Though if Forum Mods are brought back into play, methinks that BlueCube would be the best option - he is the RPGMaker God, after all.

[!King_Amazon!]

It's rare that it needs moderation, to be honest. Though if Forum Mods are brought back into play, methinks that BlueCube would be the best option - he is the RPGMaker God, after all.
Yeah, BlueCube would definately be a good guy for the RPGmaker mod spot, but I'm not really sure if it needs it with you in there as much as you are, and with him not so active.

[Vollstrecker]

I'd suggest a Fallout forum.

As for regular mods, I see no reason NOT to have them. It would allow people to make the new sub-forums more active. For instance, with a Fallout forum, if you make Vault Dweller the mod of said forum, he can sticky posts, move posts as needed, etc, stuff that supreme mods might not do in said forum. For example, I don't do any moderating in the RPG-maker forum, so having a mod for that forum would be a good idea(except Lenny probably covers that forum pretty well.)

I pretty much agree with the consensus that an adult forum would attract the wrong kind of activity and the pains to allow people to have seperate cookies/account permissions from work and home is just a ton of work.

I don't think we want to have a seperate forum for older popular games (such as Fallout) because that would increase clutter on the forum, because we'd have so many other potential forums to create based on that precedent. I know sites cluttered with forums and subforums turn me off, so I don't think that's necessary, yet at the same time, Mods of these sections would increase activity of their sections by posting useful information and news which would show up on searches, possibly getting new members to chime in. Would there be a way to create a visually pleasing hierarchy on the main page without it being overwhelming?

[!King_Amazon!]

Fallout 3 is coming, and new information is released about it every day. A fallout forum is a good idea for bringing more activity, most definately.

[Lenny]

Rather than it's own forum with a description and picture on the main page, why not a sub-forum, with a link to it from its parent forum (think what's done with the D2 sub-forums, and the FF sub-forum)?

If that is done with all sub-forums added (again I'm thinking consoles here), then it kills two birds with one stone - the extra forums are added, yet the board maintains its uncluttered appearance.

[Vollstrecker]

A good point, I didn't know they were releasing much about it yet, since the site is blocked here at work.

If the released info is often enough, then I wouldn't see a problem with it, for sure. I just wanted to be wary of making a large, unwieldy forum that'll have so many sections that would never see activity.

[!King_Amazon!]

Well, the idea isn't to just have a bunch of new sections. The idea is to have a bunch of new sections with dedicated members to make those sections active.

[Vollstrecker]

I think I misunderstood, it sounded like we were going to create sections hoping to attract people to post in them.

I'm merely saying that if it looks large and unwieldy, that'll turn people off as well, even if the section is active.

[Vault Dweller]

Okay, so it sounds like there is a call for a Fallout forum. I also think there could be enough unique material to start up a movie review forum, including both new and old movies, blockbusters and b-grade cult crap, and memorable quotes/scenes. I'm sure we could get people to at least sound off on that kind of stuff. Just look at the discussion we got going about Grandma's Boy.

[D3V]

Fallout 3 is coming, and new information is released about it every day. A fallout forum is a good idea for bringing more activity, most definately.

That's just like suggesting a WoW specific forum, I mean they do have 8 million subscribers, shouldn't you try to tap into that? .. And it's already been out for a couple years now... Fallout is IFFY, they probably won't have as big of a fanbase...

[!King_Amazon!]

We had a WoW specific forum, it was dead because nobody posted useful content there. To have it be successful, we have to have someone posting the latest news, announcements, patch information, stuff like that. If someone's going to do that, then I say make a WoW forum too.

[klo]

Thats a freaking awesome idea! Do it so I can go talk about Blow, my most recent movie...:P

[Thanatos]

Blow = one of the best movies of all-time, IMO.

[Titusfied]

The need for individual forum Mods isn't necessary for the actual "moderation" of the posts, etc. However, having a new Mod will definitely increase posting, especially if you make sure the Mod tries his/her hardest to get more content and threads started.

[D3V]

The need for individual forum Mods isn't necessary for the actual "moderation" of the posts, etc. However, having a new Mod will definitely increase posting, especially if you make sure the Mod tries his/her hardest to get more content and threads started.

If you guys throw out any somewhat hobby forum for anything automotive, I'd volunteer, but unknowing of what you guys have in mind, i'm sure theres stuff everyone can help out with...

[!King_Amazon!]

Blow = one of the best movies of all-time, IMO.
Agreed.

[!King_Amazon!]

The need for individual forum Mods isn't necessary for the actual "moderation" of the posts, etc. However, having a new Mod will definitely increase posting, especially if you make sure the Mod tries his/her hardest to get more content and threads started.
Yeah, that's the main point of having moderators for individual forums again, not necessarily because the new forums will need to be moderated a lot, but so that they have a "leader" sort of person to help keep things active, who has tools at his/her disposal to do so(stickying threads, closing threads, etc.)

[Demosthenes]

If you guys want to make a forum for science, you could do that. I like to keep up with the news on sciency stuff on a pretty much daily basis. I don't know how much I will actually be able to paraphrase myself, and how much will need to be copy & paste, and I know that this forum really wasn't meant for that, but it's something I could do if you'd like.

[!King_Amazon!]

At this point, pretty much anything that someone is willing to keep active is a good idea.

I was considering a Harry Potter forum recently, but I'm really not so sure how that would work out. There isn't a TON of big news that goes with Harry Potter, so all of the activity would have to come from Harry Potter discussions, which would have to be heavily censored for spoilers which would be one hell of a job, it just seems like too much work for something that most likely won't work.

[D3V]

At this point, pretty much anything that someone is willing to keep active is a good idea.

I was considering a Harry Potter forum recently, but I'm really not so sure how that would work out. There isn't a TON of big news that goes with Harry Potter, so all of the activity would have to come from Harry Potter discussions, which would have to be heavily censored for spoilers which would be one hell of a job, it just seems like too much work for something that most likely won't work.

Yeah, you can only discuss him shooting his wand at people over a course of 7 books for so long. If you were going to introduce it though, you could just make a literature forum, (oh wait, didn't we have that already?).. And bring back the Conspiracy forum, oh joy!

[HandOfHeaven]

Remove K_A from being a Sup Mod to a regular forum Mod and you just might see more activity.

[klo]

In all honosty, I agree.
NOT FLAMING...just agreeing.

[D3V]

Back on topic.

If you guys want to make a forum for science, you could do that. I like to keep up with the news on sciency stuff on a pretty much daily basis

I'm sure we could do this, but for a variety of subjects, I'm very interested in anything that has to do with science, but hardly get a chance to read up on it, I'm sure if MJ or anyone else posted about it often, I'd definately be down for that and to read up on it more conherently.

[Demosthenes]

I could probably post 5 new topics a day or so as far as that goes.

[Chruser]

Okay, so far, we've got these forum additions to try out: Science Forum, Fallout (3), PS3, XBOX 360, Wii, PC, Movie Reviews

Any other suggestions? If anyone would be willing to post a few new threads per day or week in the new forums, that would be great! It shouldn't be long before we get new members who contribute in those areas (thanks to search engines).

[HandOfHeaven]

Um, this may sound weird, but a food forum? I love food.

[D3V]

Okay, so far, we've got these forum additions to try out: Science Forum, Fallout (3), PS3, XBOX 360, Wii, PC, Movie Reviews

Any other suggestions? If anyone would be willing to post a few new threads per day or week in the new forums, that would be great! It shouldn't be long before we get new members who contribute in those areas (thanks to search engines).

I would love an Automotive forum, but personally I don't know how active it could be, I'm sure there's tons of threads that could possibly be started, but I don't see there being too many enthusists to share information with, there'd probably have to be more members on these forums.

[Vollstrecker]

Automotive enthusiasts don't seem to proliferate too much on the internet, but then I might simply not know where to look, not being one myself.

[D3V]

Automotive enthusiasts don't seem to proliferate too much on the internet, but then I might simply not know where to look, not being one myself.

I can name off about 10 sites that have to do with my car only

http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/index.php?act=home
www.club3g.com
www.eclipseforums.org
www.dodgeforum.com
www.dodgetalk.com
http://www.stratusphere.us/

Just to name a few, I'm registered on about half of those. If there is something popular in this world, there is more than likely a message board full of enthusiusts.

[Vollstrecker]

Even if it isn't popular, odds are there's a messageboard. :D

As far as forums would go, I would be able to contribute to a WoW forum and I've also been playing Dawn of War (Warhammer 40k RTS), so I could contribute to that as well, if we have anyone interested here.

[Chruser]

The Science Forum (http://zelaron.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=344) and Fallout 3 Forum (http://zelaron.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=345) are up. The automotive forum is a good idea. I start design school in September, and school will give me paid access to a number of conceptual design car sites I can post news and images from. Maybe they'll sue me though, hmm.

We already had a food forum long ago, didn't we? It didn't work too well back then, but if there is enough interest now, I would be willing to give it a second chance.

[Chruser]

Four new console forums added: Wii (http://zelaron.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=346), PlayStation 3 (http://zelaron.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=347), Xbox 360 (http://zelaron.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=348) and PC Gaming (http://zelaron.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=349). Post away!

If anyone has any suitable 80x80 pixel icons for any of the new forums (or other forums which do not have icons), please post them here.

Does anyone have any specific rules in mind for a hypothetical movie review forum? The first post of a thread should be a review, and it should possibly contain a score, although it would be nice to make it different from IMDB.

[Vollstrecker]

I think it would refine what normally occurs in the entertainment forum anyway. :)

[timmay1113]

As volls probably knows Im super hyped about Warhammer :), so of course I would like to see discussion about that if anyone else is interested. I will be gone for a couple weeks, but after that I would definitely be into getting some warhammer action on the forums once my internet is back up from moving to a new house. Warhammer already looks like it should have a large player base just from the beta numbers, if only I could get a taste of the game :(.

I think the movie forum should be for reviews and upcoming movie discussion as well. I am ALWAYS on the hunt for new movies that are going to be coming out. I <3 IMDB. Either way movie forum is a good idea.

Also volls you know how PD forums has that thread where everyone posts random funny stuff they find on the internet?? A forum like that would be nice, I always get a good laugh out of that and it would be nice for a forum to have a nice concentration of threads for whenever you need something funny.

[Vollstrecker]

Oh, you mean "Wailyn's House of Horrors"? I had to make that to keep him from cluttering the entire forum with his junk. :P

That would be a pretty good addition too.

[D3V]

Well, it looks like something is working. I've noticed a shitload more activity already today, not too sure from what, but I have noticed alot more...

[Vault Dweller]

Absolutely. The other night when I logged on, there were 2 full pages of "New Post" listings, and I'd checked in about 8 hours earlier. That's more activity than I've seen since I joined (which, admittedly, wasn't that long ago).

[Titusfied]

Hell, all we need to do is make a few threads per week more than usual. I rarely like to start threads, but I've started like 5 this week. If everyone would do that, or even half of that, we'd see our activity spike like a mo-fo.

[Demosthenes]

Hell, all we need to do is make a few threads per week more than usual. I rarely like to start threads, but I've started like 5 this week. If everyone would do that, or even half of that, we'd see our activity spike like a mo-fo.

/signed

[Titusfied]

What about a History Forum?

I just finished up a book, Red Mutiny, which was more or less a history lesson written in a way that made it really fun and interesting. It was the story behind what started the Russian Revolution in the early 1900's (1905 in this case). I think a History Forum would be a good way for the members to basically talk about what they know or learned from History in their own way to make it sound interesting. You could always just copy and paste a good article or something too.

I know I would try to post a good amount in there, because history is damn fun. Especially about wars, revolutions, etc. There are some crazy stories out there that are fascinating.

[Thanatos]

I'd be down on the History forum, as it was my favorite subject back in highschool. May be more practical than the Science forum?

[Titusfied]

Why not both. I actually like some of the threads MJ is posting. Not ALL of them, but some.

[Demosthenes]

I'm trying. I only paraphrase, or copy and paste the articles I find most interesting. I could probably post many more, but I don't think they would generate any conversation really. I doubt anyone wants to hear about the spatial structure of an accretion disk.

[Thanatos]

I don't see the point in the "Today in science" thread. It doesn't really spark conversation... but keep it up, MJ. You're doin a good job. Titus wants History.. MJ likes Science.. I'm gonna take over the Sports forum :)

[KagomJack]

History is a really awesome subject! :D

[Lenny]

I'd post in a History forum... if only to argue that such and such a thing (for example, the October Manifesto in 1905, Russia) should be looked at a different way. :p

[Vollstrecker]

I'm trying. I only paraphrase, or copy and paste the articles I find most interesting. I could probably post many more, but I don't think they would generate any conversation really. I doubt anyone wants to hear about the spatial structure of an accretion disk.

The thing with a Science forum versus a History forum is that the Science forum has the ability for us to speculate and discuss the unknown or things currently being developed/experimented with.

A History forum has a lot less freedom with it, at least on the surface. Most subjects would be posted and read, with a few comments. There aren't a whole lot of events that could be debated, I would imagine.

I could be wrong though.

[Lenny]

Apart from a few thousand years of History that can be debated... :rolleyes:

Basically, you'd debate about which key events led up to a specific moment, or which were the most important. For example:

- Did Serbian nationalism play the biggest role in causing World War I?
- During his reign, did Tsar Alexander II do more to secure Tsarism and autocracy, or more to damage it?
- To what extent was money from big business the key factor in the Nazi rise to power, 1919 - 1933?

[Vollstrecker]

Alright, good points. I was thinking too broadly.

[Lenny]

Other than debates and what-not, one can produce threads that could teach others about historical moments.

For example, I haven't the faintest idea about American History, so could learn something from you folks, and I'm sure that most of you won't have a clue on some of the more specialised points of European History, or English History.

[Chruser]

A history forum sounds great! I'm having a hard time to do anything right now though, my laptop broke (sounds familiar?), after my backup computer broke as well a few weeks ago. As unbelievable as it sounds, my third backup computer broke as well about two months ago, and now I'm using my fourth and final one. It seemingly takes a few minutes to load a single page sometimes though, so it may prove challenging to create the forum right now.

(For the record, I've used computers since I was seven years old, and I have never broken a single one until two months ago.)

[Lenny]

Looks like you're going to be needing to find a fifth, just in case. :p

Hope you get your problems sorted soon!

[KagomJack]

Now that you've broke one, you gotta break 'em all.

[Lenny]

I wanna be the very best,
Like no-one ever was!
To break them is my real test,
To smash them is my cause!
I will travel across the land,
Searching far and wide.
Each computer to understand,
The power that's inside.

Computers!
It's you and me,
I know it's my destiny,
Computers!
Ooh, you're my best friend,
In a world we must not mend,
Computers!
Our hearts so true,
Our courage will pull us through!
You crash on me, and I'll break you,
Computers!
Gotta break 'em all!

Is what I imagine Chruser is singing right now.

[Chruser]

The History Forum (http://zelaron.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=350) is up! Post away!

[Grav]

Get crackin on the radio if possible. I can upload many mp3s.

[D3V]

Same here, i'm not sure when i'll actually have a chance, but i'll definately throw some into the mix.

[KagomJack]

Freakin' sweet.

[Demosthenes]

Also volls you know how PD forums has that thread where everyone posts random funny stuff they find on the internet?? A forum like that would be nice, I always get a good laugh out of that and it would be nice for a forum to have a nice concentration of threads for whenever you need something funny.

I concur with this sentiment.

[!King_Amazon!]

We had a comedy forum for a little while and it didn't really work out from what I understand. I think it would be a good idea to try it again, though.

I say we should bring back Duck Soup. I miss it and I thought it was retarded half the time.

[Thanatos]

Duck Soup was a disaster. It wasn't even worth reading, just like 90% of mantra's posts.

[HandOfHeaven]

Duck soup is delicious. I'd populate that forum with the most stupid of bullshit.

[Vollstrecker]

Also volls you know how PD forums has that thread where everyone posts random funny stuff they find on the internet?? A forum like that would be nice, I always get a good laugh out of that and it would be nice for a forum to have a nice concentration of threads for whenever you need something funny.

Half of the posts in that thread contain content that break Zel rules.

[timmay1113]

sigh* you are correct in saying this forum is mild, but then again half the posts on that thread are completely random and not funny.

[Chruser]

Zelaron Radio is out for now. There's no way of making Winamp's playlist auto-update itself without screwing up SHOUTcast. In other words, unless someone is sitting at the computer or remote controlling it manually, Zelaron members won't be able to add new songs.

So either:
1) Someone has to update the list twice per day or so.
2) Members will have to take turns in being DJ's by streaming music to the server.

That is, unless someone knows of some other radio server software which allows on-the-fly updates based on user uploads.

[D3V]

I've got an idea.

Why don't you just use Ventrilo / another Voice talking program for Zelaron radio, have specific people/accounts that play music through their Output option (Instead of Mic selected, you changed to Output on ventrilo atleast..) And alternate through that way, though Vent does cost money, so maybe something like shoutcast? Idk. Maybe just trash it for now...

[Chruser]

SHOUTcast can do that in much higher quality than Ventrilo / TeamSpeak, not to mention that the playback works on pretty much all media players (Winamp, VLC, Windows Media Player and so on). The problem is getting the station to play music 24/7.

[Vollstrecker]

Yeah, sounds like a hassle.

[Wolfturn]

I'm against the adult forum, and a bit iffy about the last two. I would be enthusiastic about the rest.

I Double that.

[Wallow]

This thread is exemplary of how Zelaron goes through it's booms and busts.

[D3V]

Remove all posting rules and restrictions.

[D3V]

bump

Fuck u WW.

[Skurai]

I Have a suggestion.
Create and army of D3V's.
That guy posts like a mad man.
If not, create an army of me and make another "talk like a retard" thread.