Ever wonder just how difficult it is to run a forum?

[Dr Rotwang!]

I'm looking forward to seeing what flavor FunZone develops.

Cherry?  Grape?  Kiwi-Lime?

Lamb?

[James McMurray]

What does this RPG forum offer that the other 14 don't? And plase don't take it as an attack, it's an honest question.

[Kester Pelagius]

What does this RPG forum offer that the other 14 don't? And plase don't take it as an attack, it's an honest question.

And you deserve an honest answer, even if I don't know which 14 other forums you're referring to.  That said, and keeping in mind the forum has barely existed for three or so days, I therefore suppose it offers whatever the members want that I am able to implement.

[NYTFLYR]

BBSes were easier to modify though.

Buh? I guess it depends on the software, but I have never found modifying a BBS to be easy, especially when you have to figure in that you cant just grab an image off of the internet for the look you want, you have to make your own... in ANSI

[James McMurray]

14 was just a number I snatched out of the air, although I bet if I searched I could find 14.

So the differences will be primarily tool based?

I guess what I'm getting at is that RPGsite is the "call an ass an ass" zone. RPGnet is the "play nice or else" room, RPGLounge is the newborn "we're in the middle ground" spot.

What's RPGFunZone's intended feel?

[J Arcane]

Some reading this may be wondering why create a forum and talk about it?

The answer is simple.  Having read posts here and there in which people complain about this, that, or the other thing I decided to roll the dice let them fall where they may.



Well RPG FunZone is only three days old.  So not throwing in th towel quite yet.  It's still a baby!  



Good point.  What can we do to make you feel more comfortable?

Is there anything in particular you'd like to see in a message board?

As I said in response to a similar question over there, I've gone through three sites now like this one where it's all about everyone pushing some kind of bogus agenda, and I'm getting tired of it.  I left RPGnet right in the middle of the mass Forge exodus that flooded RPO there, I left Evil Avatar because of the constant fanboyism and bias, and I'm getting damn tired here of Pundit's stupid imaginary war and McCarthyite witchhunting.  

I just want to talk about games and have fun.  OGO on RPGnet is the closest I can recall that's come to what I look for in a webforum, and even that one had the cult of unheilig.  

So far though, the site doesn't seem to have any "agenda" or goal in mind, and that, more than anything, appeals to me.  I don't want an "intended feel", I just want a place to talk.

[James McMurray]

One thing that would be interesting would be to put RPGnet (and various dervatives) on the profanity filter. Don't filter any actual profanity, but make it so that anyone who starts a thread about "RGnet sucks," "RPGnet is down," or "Look at this post at RPGnet" has it bleeped.

RPGnet already has a spinoff website dedicated to talking about it (this one). Being "just another RPGnet spinoff" can only hurt you IMO. People that like RPGnet will actually go there except when it's offline. People that don't like it will spend too much time making threads about it instead of talking about games.

[beeber]

keeping a site focused would be pretty tough, too.  if it's a gaming site, then you'd want to keep the gaming side strong and fruitful.  the last thing you'd want or need is another tangency :eek:  :keke:

[HinterWelt]

FYI - I validated your account yesterday.  

I think it's a gmail problem.  I had to validate another gmail account manually yesterday.  Did you check your junk mail folder?

I did not use gmail. I used bilbo@hinterwelt.com. I will try and resend the mail...

Bill

[Kester Pelagius]

Buh? I guess it depends on the software, but I have never found modifying a BBS to be easy, especially when you have to figure in that you cant just grab an image off of the internet for the look you want, you have to make your own... in ANSI

The HEXeditor is your friend.  ANSi software that converts GIFs et al into ANSi is your worst nightmare, but if you find a good ANSi editor then creating a logo to put at the front end of your BBS can be easy.  Granted if you decide to choose a giant red demon some people may complain, especially if they are logging in under 14.4 baud but, well, smaller can work too.

The BIG problem I always had was with doors.  Those were a pain and a half to set up and don't even get me started about the problems I ran into when I tried to put up the game I spent time modifying and tweaking, in PAS, or the problems with compiling it!

[Kester Pelagius]

14 was just a number I snatched out of the air, although I bet if I searched I could find 14.

So the differences will be primarily tool based?

I guess what I'm getting at is that RPGsite is the "call an ass an ass" zone. RPGnet is the "play nice or else" room, RPGLounge is the newborn "we're in the middle ground" spot.

What's RPGFunZone's intended feel?

Fun.

[Kester Pelagius]

One thing that would be interesting would be to put RPGnet (and various dervatives) on the profanity filter. Don't filter any actual profanity, but make it so that anyone who starts a thread about "RGnet sucks," "RPGnet is down," or "Look at this post at RPGnet" has it bleeped.

I've not done anything with the profanity filter yet, though I probably will with a few of the more troublesome and inflamatory expletives but I'm not certain I'd use it for outright censorship.  Besides I've already invited the Admin's of RPGnet to use the board to post news if they so desire.  Based on their response I'm not sure they do, but should they need to (or any forum Admin really) I have no problem with that.

RPGnet already has a spinoff website dedicated to talking about it (this one). Being "just another RPGnet spinoff" can only hurt you IMO. People that like RPGnet will actually go there except when it's offline. People that don't like it will spend too much time making threads about it instead of talking about games.

I didn't exactly create the RPG FunZone because RPGnet went down.  It just happened that RPGnet was down the day I created it.

[Kester Pelagius]

keeping a site focused would be pretty tough, too.  if it's a gaming site, then you'd want to keep the gaming side strong and fruitful.  the last thing you'd want or need is another tangency :eek:  :keke:

If you've taken a look at the off-topic forum (the one using the Planet of the Apes quote) I think you'd agree there's little chance of that happening anytime soon.

*knock on particle board*

[Blue Devil]

Yeah, running a forum can be a pain but it is worth it.   Now I am using Vbulletin for The RPG Lounge so I don't have to worry about the ads, etc.

Though I have to agree with James.  It does seem with the limited amount of gamers going to forums that the forum pool is getting a bit overcrowded.

[beeber]

yup, been there

i'm just saying, in general.  this place had an issue with its own off-topic forum and even debated getting rid of it.  glad that 1.  that hasn't happened, and 2.  fears of it gaining dominance a la TO seem to be unfounded.