Main web site vs. Forums

[kamome]

If people can post replies to news clippings on the web site, won't that diminish the role of the Forums? After all, the forums are already there to provide a place for commentary. Perhaps reply posts to news stories/clippings/photos should be redirected to the Forums, so that the Forums remain the sole venue for discussion. That may also streamline the moderator's job so that he doesn't have to a) monitor postings on both the main web site and in the Forums, and b) cross-link posts on the main site to posts in the forums. Of course, something might be said for such cross-linking, since it could encourage people to move into the forums for more serious discussion.

[ultragaijin]

Yep, I completely agree. The only reason for the current setup is technical. We're using two separate software systems, one for the main site and another for the forums. Each system has strengths and features that the other one lacks.

As the site evolves, we hope to eliminate the redundancy and seamlessly integrate boths sites, with a universal login and all discussion directed to the forums. As we get up and running, we'll see how users respond to each area of the site and refine the site to meet your needs.

Currently, there are independent software developers working on integrating the two systems, and the forum software group is in the early stages of developing their own portal. We are closely following both areas of development and will transition the site to whatever package eventually runs best and has the most useful features.

[kamome]

I noticed that the Forums don't get much of a plug on the main site. Why not put a larger announcement on the main site that encourages people to sign up at the forums? Something raunchy like, "Conversation is a kind of foreplay. Become a registered member in our forums and join the orgy." Or if you think that's geigh, just straight-up tell people to sign up in the forums and make their opinions heard.

Also, can you make the subject line in forum posts bigger, so that humorous subject tags are more visible?

[ultragaijin]

Would you like fries with that? :?

[kamome]

spicy curly fries please

[ultragaijin]

how ya like me now, beyatch? :twisted:

[kamome]

As if I really talk like that.... :rolleyes:

[Kitten2]

spicy curly fries please

Yum Yum!! :fresse: :fresse: :fresse: