Proposal for Forum Re-structure

[Cloverfield]

In view of some recent feedback about some topics and one of the forums on here, we are thinking of doing the following:

1. Change Member Art & Literature to be a sub-forum of Fan Corner. Change it's name to something along the lines of Non-Oddworld Art & Literature. We feel this would be a more appropriate location for this sub-forum seeing that it would be located within another art/literature based forum. Disgrunted Intern to be retained as moderator, as well as Al and Alector having access due to the sub-forum structure.

2. Create a new sub-forum under off-topic for I'm new/Birthday/Goodbye threads. Possible name to be Introductions and Birthdays. Members could introduce themselves and send birthday greetings. This also keeps these kinds of threads out of Off-topic. Posts in this forum would NOT count towards a member's posts count due to the spam type nature of these kinds of posts. Spam rules still to be enforced however, as posts should be within reason.

Before making these changes, we'd like to hear what people think of the changes.

Abe Babe...

[The Red Muse]

They sound great!
I personally like the sound of the birthday sub-forum !

[paramiteabe]

That is great. You got my vote!

[Disgruntled Intern]

The MA&L sub forum idea is pretty good, but I don't really like the birthday/intro sub forum idea too much. As you said, it will give people an all new place to spam..and let's be honest with ourselves...we're not exactly being flooded by new members, and birthdays aren't happening more than once ever few weeks. I think it would do little more than gather dust.

[paramiteabe]

Well I suggested a sticky thread for the birthday thing. I like the idea of MA/L to be moved in FanCornor as a sub forum. But the other should be a sticky thread I don't know. You guys make the decisions so whatever you do is fine.

[Cloverfield]

I was kind of thinking a sub-forum for these kinds of posts to move them out of the way. And it doesn't really matter if it doesn't get many posts, as it's kind of more just an area to put the posts away from the main discussions (i.e. hide them away). Plus putting them in a forum where posts don't count, would mean that people aren't given a post count for saying "happy birthday" or "welcome".

I do know of one other forum that uses the Sticky for birthday threds, but I never looked at it, so I'm kind of not sure how that would work. Do you just keep adding to the birthday greetings that are already there? We'd eventually get a 100 page thread stuck up the top of Off-topic.

But of course we're open to feedback and ideas and will see what others say before doing a change. And even if something is implimented and doesn't work, it can always be changed later on.

Abe Babe...

[paramiteabe]

Well I also suggested that if it was a sticky thread and it got just huge then we can simply go ahead and close it or un stick it and just make a new one. Thats what that was all about.

We are not deleteing eather.

[Majic]

Both ideas sound fine to me.

[SeaRex]

I definitely don't like the whole "Birthday and Howdy" forum idea. I recommend you scratch that one. But the MA&L idea is just fine. It makes more sense that way.

[Al the Vykker]

I like the both ideas. This also will be good because no mod elections will need to take place, just a few simple changes, and rearanging I like it.

My views on each suggestion:

I like the MA&L idea, I agree no modship needs to be changed because DI was elected to that position. I am also glad that myself and Alector will be able to help in case there may be something that needs to be moved either from FC to MA&L, or vice versa. This happens rarely but I have seen topics meant for either one at different times being placed in the wrong place. Overall I agree 100% with the idea. Plus as you stated people will find it easier to have access to another literature area from the main Oddworld Literature area.

I actually do like this idea. At first when I saw it I was a bit skeptical on it. Now seeing though that posts would not be counted in that forum, it works out fine, and that rules will still be in place on spam goes smooth with me. I also think thats where if someone is leaving it should be placed. Whether leaving the forums permanately, or as I did a couple weeks back, putting an absence thread telling why I would be gone for a while.

My last suggestion for this section is maybe for birthdays to effectively take care of the whole birthday replying we should do the following. Maybe after about a week that it has been open, close the thread. That way people aren't even though it does not count to the post count, just posting to lets say a birthday topic that is a month old. I dont think that person is going to appreciate a belated greeting that late. Anyways I would have to say I am totally for these two new changes.

I still feel though people should give the Birthday Welcome area a try, if it gets out of hand it can be scratched later on. Theres no harm in trying, being that people arent going to be able to boost their status through that.

-Al

[Cloverfield]

Seems to be opinions are divided on this. That's always bound to happen though in these kinds of cases.

I think what we'll do is try out the sub forum for Welcomes and Birthdays. If it doesn't work out, then we'll scrap it and use a sticky thread instead (for birthdays at least anyway).

Another possiblity with the sticky thread idea I found out, is to have a new thread each month. Unstick it at the end of the month and then start a new one, etc.

Abe Babe...

[paramiteabe]

Sounds like a plan to me lets do it.

I am sure what Al said and some others said about the MA&L idea that it will work out really good. ya know?

Paramiteabe...

[MojoMan220]

I have no opinion on MA&L, but I like the idea of a sub-forum for welcomes, goodbye's, birthdays, absences, etc. We should try it for a week or so to see if it works.