So...the Future of OWF

[Manco]

We’re starting to go round in circles here.

If we need to get the message through to Alcar then how do we best do that. How about we start a thread to act as a petition asking him to get more admins on board, and then everyone who agrees with this can post to the thread to indicate their support.

Mods – as Nate and Xavier have said they’re willing to get tougher, as long as we the users actually start reporting shitposts. So let’s not worry about recruiting new mods for now until we need more hands on board.

We have technical things to consider like what forum software to upgrade to, how/would we transfer over the old database (I’m sure a lot of forum software has vBulletin compatibility in some way), how would we replace/port the old blogs, what new features to add. Can we get users who would be interested in helping put this all together to start discussing options? And can we upgrade/better integrate Oddchat into all this?

Then there’s the finance. If we’re paying for new forum software, or if someone else is going to take over the hosting, how do we finance that?

And what do we do to address the lack of discussion and content? I would suggest that everyone starts at least thinking about some threads to post, even just smaller threads that they might not normally bother with. Have you seen discussions on other forums/on social media that you want to bring here? And what kind of fun stuff do you want to get up to with the other members here? We have a Steam group and most of us share some multiplayer games, how about things like game challenges (post your best time bountying Lefty Lugnutz or whatever)?


e: Here’s an open question for everyone. In an ideal situation what would you like OWF to be like?

[Havoc]

If we need to get the message through to Alcar then how do we best do that. How about we start a thread to act as a petition asking him to get more admins on board, and then everyone who agrees with this can post to the thread to indicate their support.

I think this thread acts as a petition all on its own. Peter's Facebook page can be found here (I think). Everyone who wants to see this place under new management, send him a message and maybe we'll get somewhere eventually.

We have technical things to consider like what forum software to upgrade to, how/would we transfer over the old database (I’m sure a lot of forum software has vBulletin compatibility in some way), how would we replace/port the old blogs, what new features to add. Can we get users who would be interested in helping put this all together to start discussing options? And can we upgrade/better integrate Oddchat into all this?

Xenforo is a very decent modern alternative that's made by the original developers of Vbulletin (before it went to shit). Transferring over the old database is fully supported, though I'm not sure about the blogs. That's a third party plugin that may not be able to be carried over. Either way, we'd need access to the database first, which is something we currently don't have. There are also chat plugins available for Xenforo if we go down that route.

Then there’s the finance. If we’re paying for new forum software, or if someone else is going to take over the hosting, how do we finance that?

Xenforo license is $140, premium themes range from $30 to $50 and hosting can be had for as little as a few dollars a month. Two ways to handle it, either we do a small crowdfunding campaign and ask everyone to chip in until we meet the goal, or someone fronts the cash voluntarily.

e: Here’s an open question for everyone. In an ideal situation what would you like OWF to be like?

Ideally I'd like to see Nate get server access, upgrade this place to meet modern standards and make it a semi-official extension of OWI's fan community where devs and casual new fans can hang out without being beaten half to death.

[Manco]

I think this thread acts as a petition all on its own. Peter's Facebook page can be found here (I think). Everyone who wants to see this place under new management, send him a message and maybe we'll get somewhere eventually.

The problem with this is that I (and probably others) don’t have him added on Facebook already and wouldn’t be willing to do that just to message him. Especially since you said he doesn’t seem to respond. I’d prefer a central place with everyone’s grievances that we can link him to and invite him to respond openly.

[Havoc]

The problem with this is that I (and probably others) don’t have him added on Facebook already and wouldn’t be willing to do that just to message him. Especially since you said he doesn’t seem to respond. I’d prefer a central place with everyone’s grievances that we can link him to and invite him to respond openly.

I don't have him added as a friend either and I was able to send him a message just fine?

[Hobo]

#banhavoc

[STM]

I agree with the motion of starting a thread to get his awareness, no point in me writing why because it'd be easy to copy-paste what Comrade Manco said.

[Hobo]

Peter told me to tell you that he doesn't love any of you anymore.

[Jordan]

I've just sent Peter a quick message regarding this thread. I'm not sure what others may have said in any Facebook messages to him but I just asked him to have a read of the discussion we've been having so we can move on and try to arrange something.

[Hobo]

I wasn't joking. NONE OF YOU.

[STM]

Peter told me to tell you that he doesn't love any of you anymore.

Fraternising with the enemy, comrade Hobo?

[Varrok]

It's all because of Hobo, why we don't have any new members.

[Hobo]

Lack of Hobo*

[Varrok]

I hate pointers.

[Crashpunk]

I don't think me and Peter have actually spoken to each other during the entire time I've been here.

Which is about 7 years.

[Varrok]

I don't think he has spoken to me as well.

At least Hobo did. I can die happy now

[STM]

I remember speaking to Alcar a couple of times between 2008-2010ish? Obviously hasn't been on much since.

[Hobo]

#banhavoc

[Varrok]

This is so retro.

We don't patronize Havoc anymore. I think.

[JayDee]

I am all for a change in leadership, especially if it benefits the entire forum. And in my years of being here I definitely support the idea of Nate being the man to take charge. Hell, I'm pretty sure he gave me my first infraction. Also to support this I made an overthrow OWF avatar



Enjoy comrades.

[OddjobAbe]

Corbyn for OWF Admin

Or Sanders for all the Americans out there.

[Hobo]

This is so retro.

We don't patronize Havoc anymore. I think.

Well, we should. He's a dick.

[Varrok]

This avatar flag thingy looks communist as fuck

[Havoc]

I like it.

[Jordan]

I love the grungy clouds layer over the top. So edgy.

[Varrok]

Ok, just for the sake of doing *anything*...

...let's do this!

[Phylum]

lol

[OddjobAbe]

I have to say, the rush of adrenaline I got from changing my avatar is the greatest thrill OWF has given me in months.

[Jordan]

It's like some kind of revolution aint it? I think a bit of wee came out!

[JayDee]

I'm sure there'll be no ill consequences for inciting a revolution. Either way I wanted to do more than just complain and atleast this is a more visual way to get the point across.

[OddjobAbe]

I knew reading Castro's autobiography would come in handy for something. I should be good at this whole thing, they always said I was revolting.