Cedric

Forum software has come a long way over the years, but even with all the advancements, there are still some features that many of us wish existed to make managing and participating in communities easier and more engaging. Whether it's tools for better moderation, deeper engagement options, better analytics, or modern integrations, there are always areas for improvement. Some questions to consider: Are there specific features you’ve always wished your forum software had but couldn’t find? What modern functionalities do you think forum software needs to stay competitive with other platforms like social media or instant messaging apps? Do you think current forum software does enough to encourage mobile engagement or simplify user onboarding? In terms of customization, what limitations have you faced that made you think, "I wish this was built into the platform"? From better gamification to deeper analytics and beyond, let’s discuss what’s missing from forum software and how it can evolve to meet the needs of today’s communities.

We have to admit, Facebook has been a dominant force in social media for over a decade, but with the rise of new platforms and changing user habits, many are questioning its future. Younger generations are gravitating towards platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, while older users continue to make up the core of Facebook’s audience. You could say that Facebook has matured over the years since it was originally developed for kids. Add to that growing concerns about privacy, declining user trust, and regulatory pressures, and it raises the question: How much longer can Facebook stay relevant? A few statistics to consider: According to data from 2023, Facebook still had 2.91 billion monthly active users worldwide, but its growth is slowing in key markets like North America and Europe. In the U.S., Facebook’s user base declined by 3% in 2022, with younger audiences (especially Gen Z) showing far less interest in the platform. Over 60% of teenagers in the U.S. said they prefer TikTok over Facebook, and Facebook ranks lower in popularity compared to Instagram and Snapchat for users under 25. As more people turn to newer platforms and concerns about Facebook’s handling of data privacy persist, it’s worth asking: how much longer will Facebook continue to dominate, or will it fade into the background? Questions to discuss: Do you think Facebook can reinvent itself to appeal to younger users, or will its audience continue to age? How do you see Facebook adapting in the face of rising competition from newer, more dynamic platforms? Could regulatory changes or ongoing controversies be the final straw that leads to Facebook’s decline? What role, if any, will Facebook play in the future of social media? Feel free to hare your thoughts on Facebook’s future. Is it still a social media giant, or are its best days behind it?

I can't get used to Discourse. It's too weird as a traditional forum, but I must admit, it's content first designed.

Pics or it didn't happen!

We've just had our last democratic voting last Sunday. Sadly, the term democratic isn't really democratic.

I'd like to expand on the "anonymously voting": If we would create a new (sub)forum for this monthly event, we could create separate topics for all enlisted websites, much like our suggestion forum: [ATTACH type=full" alt="1728999831925.webp]159[/ATTACH] See votes in the first row on the left. This would allow any member to vote for a certain forum, anonymously and one time. You could also vote for all forums except your own. No one (not even staff) can see which member voted for which forum. I think this method could work efficiently this way. What do you all think?

Hey [uSERGROUP=2]@everyone[/uSERGROUP] It's time to let you know that we are now accepting content orders at Administrata! So whether you need engaging forum posts, insightful blog articles, or other content to boost your community, we've got you covered. ;) And here's something even better — we're offering a 15% discount on all content orders for a limited time! This discount is available until further notice, so take advantage of it while you can. Need credits for content orders? See this page: Purchase Credits Friendly reminder for the Design Orders: 🚨 Limited-Time Offer: 15% OFF on All Design Orders! 🚨 👉 Order your content today 👈 Let us help you bring fresh content to your community. We're excited to work with you! Our current content team: [mention=21]Debashis[/mention] [mention=53]ken_gitahi[/mention] [mention=48]Nomad[/mention] - We're still hiring more content writers. Interested? Get in touch!

How is everyone doing today? :)

Cory, bulk emails are perfectly legal. If they'd call the cops, the cops would have a laugh. No one can harm you for sending out an email. I reckon that guy was just mentally unstable or something, it makes no sense what he said. You're missing out a lot of potential returns if you never email your members. Keep them informed.

So, what do you like about Christmas? Let’s count down together. 🎄

Awesome! Morning all! :)

Matt's really breaking his own windows. There's no stop to this guy.

As community leaders, we put a lot of time and effort into building up our forums, engaging with members, and creating a space where people want to be. But what happens when we, as leaders, take a step back? Can the community thrive without us, or will things start to unravel? In my opinion, you lure in members with your content and activities. People enjoy being on your community not just for the platform itself, but because of you and the people you bring together. Once you, as a community leader, stop posting or engaging regularly, your community won’t grow stronger on its own. In fact, it will slowly fall apart. As leaders, it’s our duty to continuously foster connections and bond the community tighter. Questions to think about:[ATTACH type=full" align="right" width="499px" size="709x414]156[/ATTACH] How important do you think your personal involvement is to the survival of your community? Have you ever tried stepping back from your community, and what impact did it have? What strategies can community leaders use to empower their members and maintain activity even when they aren’t as active? Do you have a team or structure in place that could help carry the community forward without your constant input? Let’s discuss whether or not our communities could survive without us, and how we can ensure they’re strong and resilient enough to keep growing, even when we’re not as present.

Thought I'd share some more things I've found: [ATTACH type=full" size="1010x403]152[/ATTACH] [ATTACH type=full" size="1010x281]153[/ATTACH] https://www.wpgraphql.com/2024/10/07/wpgraphql-becomes-a-canonical-plugin-my-move-to-automattic [ATTACH type=full" size="507x707]154[/ATTACH] [ATTACH type=full" size="545x676]155[/ATTACH] Matt's gone and initiated a hostile takeover of ACF: https://wordpress.org/news/2024/10/secure-custom-fields/

That's funny and so true at the same time. You know, for decades, probably ever since the beginning of forums, it encourages/requires anyone to read the rules before registering. No one's able to register unless they check that box "I agree to the terms and privacy policy." In our rules it states clear: Agreement: By registering and using Administrata, you agree to these terms. If you disagree, you may discontinue your use of the service and request account closure at any time. Obviously, in reality - not many individuals care to actually read them (me included). But some sure love to argue about them afterwards. "Don't be a dick" is a general thumb of rule that makes more sense than some can ever copy. Some people are just dicks of nature, so they think they're entitled to another set of rules. If everyone uses common sense then there is hardly any need for moderation. Great share though!

Many of us here run a XenForo community. And with XenForo having over 50% market share, I’m sure this thread will be well appreciated once we can get a nice list and experiences lined up! [ATTACH type=full" align="right" size="404x216]150[/ATTACH]So, are you running a XenForo-powered community and looking to take user engagement to the next level? The right add-ons can make all the difference, enhancing the user experience and keeping members active and involved. But with so many options available, which ones truly help build a more engaging community? Questions to consider: What add-ons have you found most effective in encouraging member participation? Are there specific tools that help build a sense of community or keep users coming back? Have certain add-ons made a noticeable difference in the way members interact, like gamification features, enhanced profiles, or content-related plugins? How do you balance adding new features without overwhelming users or cluttering your forum? Whether you’re looking for ways to improve discussion, reward active users, or streamline communication, let’s share our favorite XenForo add-ons and tips for keeping members engaged and invested.

That's definitely true, but you'll need some knowledge too. And not to mention, continuous power to it. I imagine you need to do some regular maintenance to it and thus reboot it sometimes ?

You have your own servers setup? That's so cool. :D Can you share any details on that?

Hey [uSERGROUP=2]@everyone[/uSERGROUP] I’ve been thinking about adding a bit more fun and recognition to our community, and one idea that came to mind is a Site of the Month (SOTM) contest. It would give community owners a chance to showcase their sites, and for everyone to get inspired by what others are building. The idea is simple: Submissions would be open from the 1st to the 15th of each month. Voting would take place from the 15th to the end of the month. The winner would be chosen through a community poll, and we could offer cool perks like a featured spot on Administrata or even some virtual credits as a prize! What do you think? Would this be something you'd be interested in participating in or voting on? And if so, any suggestions on how we could make it even better? We could rotate themes each month to encourage more varied submissions (e.g., Best Design, Most Active Community, Best Content). We could consider anonymous voting to avoid favoritism. We could consider adding an "Expert Panel" option. A small group of seasoned members or admins that cast votes weighted higher than general votes, to balance popularity with quality. Although this can make it more complex than wanted. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! 😊 Feel free to use the vote feature on the thread.

Politics is something people cannot handle maturely. What's funny (well actually annoying) is that on facebook groups, someone posts a picture, with some text, or asking something, can be anything... there always HAS TO BE one guy being ridiculous and blaming it on some politician or president, or whatever. While no one asked for this or has no connection to politics.

Xenforo has activity reminders built in: [ATTACH type=full" size="723x246]148[/ATTACH] Is it helpful? Yes. Can it be annoying? Also yes. As for manually emailing members. I make sure there's something valuable in the email. I don't mind a monthly newsletter when there's some stuff to talk about. But spend some time into crafting a quality email. And yes, email marketing may be annoying, but they work.

They've done it in Dubai a couple of months ago, causing a major flood over there. Since they're aren't equipped with drainage like other countries, they could never get the water away, causing millions of damage. I don't think it could produce hurricanes though. You need to be close to the ocean for hurricanes.

I have a few with Godaddy, and a couple from my hosting company.

That was a joy to read! So cool to read some history and how nice of [mention=68]Num7[/mention] to invite you here. Welcome to Administrata. Beautiful website too! Don't forget to add it to our Topsites and Directory. ;)

Morning everyone! :) What did you catch, [mention=6]Cory[/mention] ?