Al

I'm interested in some opinions on this - and I appreciate that this is a community filled with tech-savvy (or reasonably so) people, but how does this sound as a pricing guide? Free Platforms (phpBB/MyBB): Price: €300 (includes 12 months of hosting). Ideal for indie developers looking for a budget-friendly, customizable community solution. Premium Platform (XenForo): Price: €450 (includes 12 months of hosting). Covers the XenForo license ($195) plus installation, customization, and hosting. Perfect for studios seeking a professional, feature-rich forum. What’s Included for Both Options: Platform installation and setup. Premium design and branding. Domain registration and initial hosting setup. Initial categories, permissions, and community rules. 12 Months of Hosting included in the price. Renewal Option (After 12 Months): We’ll contact you before the hosting period ends to offer renewal options. Renewal Hosting Fee: €30/month or discounted annual rate of €300. EDIT: This is designed for people who don't have the time or know-how to do this themselves.

There's a couple of days left to nominate someone from the community. The nominee with the most votes will win a prize of 1500 credits and the person who nominated them will win a prize of 500 credits which can be spent in any way they wish.

I’d split my euro-millions with you.

When are you switching?

Option one. /fin

Indeed. I posted an article about it here. It's typically associated with tech websites despite it's geographical link.

Conrad wins the prize for most obnoxious use of signature ever. :ROFLMAO:

You're welcome. Oh...

There is no difference. Perhaps we can turn off comments on the blog and direct to the thread for discussion.

Well, no. I mean it would be helpful to have some understanding of the subject matter but not being a gamer is not a deal breaker.

We are, perhaps, being pushed closer towards the instant gratification issue which plagues social media, and by extension, society itself. If a forum isn't an instant hit people become disheartened and stop posting. This is never a good thing.

Which sort of features are they? Just out of interest.

https://pixelexit.com gets a huge thumbs up from me. Cedric would recommend http://www.dohtheme.com/

You may continue.

Don’t forget to get your nominations in. The credits on offer can be used for post packages or graphic requests.

I wrote something about this - or on the same subject anyway - in 2014. TEN GODDAMN YEARS AGO! https://oldgamr.net/life-through-a-social-media-lense/ I’m as guilty as anyone of living my life through social media. It seems like every single major or minor event is shared with friends and strangers alike. But one thing which has recently occurred to me is how much we miss when viewing life through a social media lense. It seems that we are so wrapped up in capturing life’s moments on a 6inch screen in 8-megapixels that we are missing the bigger picture, the real picture. On Thursday I took Tom to see the Christmas Lights switched on. People around us held their phones aloft recording events on the stage. It seems even minor celebs are worthy of capturing on our tiny screens. I picked up Tom so he could see and held him tight to me. Head to head. After the countdown and the lights went on the fireworks started. We stood together. Heads above the surrounding crowd and watched the fireworks. I shared in his pure innocent awe at the colours and explosions and sound above the crowd. We shared that moment. We captured that moment. Not on a tiny screen on a tiny device, but in our hearts and minds and memories. Standing there with my boy’s arms around my neck just watching the display I realised that this is what is important. It’s not about what we can commit to electronic memory to be forgotten as soon as it’s happened, it’s about what we can feel and remember. What we can share with those people who matter to us. So next time you experience something. Next time there is an event. Put away your phone. Hold those who matter to you close, and simply enjoy the sensation of sharing a time and place. You’ll get more from that act of intimacy than you ever will from your Instagram picture or your tweet.

Have at it, boys and girls.

This thread is for the general discussion of the Article [plain]The Local Mom and Pop Shop: Strategies for Community Growth in a Social Media World[/plain]. Please add to the discussion here. [ATTACH type=full" align="left]348[/ATTACH]Social media has reshaped how people interact online, drawing users into fast, fleeting engagements rather than real conversations. For forum owners, this creates unique challenges but also great opportunities. Forums offer something social media doesn’t: the experience of a local Mom & Pop shop, built on quality, expertise, and genuine community. By focusing on these strengths, you can build a forum that doesn’t just survive but thrives on its own terms. Embrace Your Niche – Be the Local Expert, Not the Superstore Social media is like a sprawling mall, but a forum can be that trusted local shop where people go because it’s a specialist, not a generalist. Instead of trying to be all things to all people, focus on becoming the go-to spot for a specific interest or community. The local Mom & Pop shop doesn’t need to stock everything. It needs to stock exactly what its customers value. By focusing your forum on a niche that social media can’t serve fully, you create a community where members feel truly seen and appreciated. Over time, they’ll come to rely on your forum for the kind of in-depth engagement that’s hard to find anywhere else. Cultivate Quality Conversations, Not Quick Engagements The constant scroll of social media encourages skimming and quick comments. Forums, in contrast, can support conversations that go deep. When people visit a forum, they’re looking for discussions that mean something and provide real insights. Recognising meaningful contributions shows members that quality matters here. Thoughtful structure and organisation also make it easy for users to keep up with complex topics, adding value over time. Where social media thrives on immediacy, forums are uniquely positioned to provide lasting, valuable content. Build Tools for Conversation, Not Clicks Social media is loaded with tools designed to drive clicks, not discussions. Forums, on the other hand, should offer tools that make it easier to engage in conversations that matter. Features like quoting, tagging, and formatting support thoughtful posts rather than just quick reactions. Limiting multimedia can also keep conversations focused; a dedicated gallery or thread for screenshots, for example, lets members share visuals without overwhelming other topics. By prioritising tools that foster genuine engagement, you show members that conversation is the main attraction. Foster a Community Culture, Not an Engagement Loop Forums build loyalty by creating a sense of belonging that social media can’t replicate. Rather than pushing members to chase likes or follows, forums can encourage them to invest in the community. Consistency, member recognition, and regular events give members reasons to come back, while special interactions like AMAs (Ask Me Anything) create connection. Just as the local Mom & Pop shop builds customer loyalty, your forum can build member loyalty by fostering a welcoming atmosphere where involvement is genuinely valued. [ATTACH type=full" align="right]347[/ATTACH]Be the Local Expert – Resist the Urge to Be Everything It’s tempting to cover every topic under the sun, especially when trying to attract new users. But like a local Mom & Pop shop, a forum’s strength lies in expertise, not in being a general store. Stick to a small number of core categories where you can offer depth. Resisting the urge to expand into every trend gives your forum staying power. Members will come to trust it as the place for topics that matter to them, rather than a generic platform that tries to do it all. The more specialised your forum, the more valuable it becomes to the people who share that interest. Build Authentic Connections in an Age of AI With AI-generated content taking up more space online, real human connection is becoming a rare commodity. Forums have the unique advantage of being real community spaces, where users feel valued and heard. Setting clear guidelines that encourage meaningful contributions shows members that they’re part of a space that values them as individuals. The conversations people have in your forum should feel authentic, like talking with knowledgeable friends rather than scrolling through automated content. Invest in Longevity, Not Ad-Driven Revenue Unlike social media platforms that chase maximum engagement to fuel ad revenue, forums can focus on sustainable growth. If you choose to monetize, consider options that keep members engaged in the community rather than interrupted by ads. Models like donations or memberships, where users directly support the forum, show members that their contributions matter and aren’t just fuelling another ad-based platform. This keeps the forum as a place people feel invested in, much like a favourite local shop that’s worth supporting. Create a Legacy of Knowledge and Community A forum is a repository of accumulated knowledge, something social media simply doesn’t offer. Encourage members to contribute to a lasting legacy of shared insights. When members feel they’re part of something meaningful, they’re more likely to stick around. Creating spaces for archiving resources, guides, or how-tos transforms your forum into a source people can trust over time. Celebrating milestones or honouring long-standing members builds a sense of history that feels authentic and lasting, giving members a reason to stay involved in a community that values its past as much as its future. Conclusion Forums don’t need to compete on social media’s terms. By embracing a local Mom & Pop shop approach, your forum can offer a meaningful experience built on in-depth discussions, niche expertise, and genuine community. While social media may be the loud competition, forums provide a lasting home for those who want more than quick clicks. With these strategies, your forum can thrive by staying true to its strengths and offering an experience that’s hard to find in the vast digital mall of social media. Inspired by [mention=79]Arantor[/mention]'s response here.

They're all fairly samey. I have recently moved all my domains to Namecheap for easy management. I don't see much difference between registrars.

[ATTACH type=full" align="left]339[/ATTACH]Welcome to the Thankful for You: Community Appreciation Event! With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we wanted to create an event to celebrate the incredible members who make Administrata a great place to be. We're taking this chance to recognise and celebrate the people who make Administrata feel like a true community. This event is about showing gratitude to those who’ve made a positive impact here big or small. This could be in the form of advice, support, or just being a friendly face, these moments matter. Let’s take a moment to appreciate each other and give some thanks, and win some awesome prizes along the way! How it Works: Nominate a Member: Think of someone in the community who’s made a difference. Maybe they've offered good advice, showed support, or kept things interesting. You have until 14th November 2024 to send in your nominations. To nominate, send to Al: Their name A short note (50–100 words) explaining why you’re thankful for them [*]Anonymous Voting: The entries will be collated, anonymised, and posted along with a poll. Members can then vote for the one they think is best, focusing on the impact rather than the individual. [*]Vote For Your Favourite: Voting will run from 17th November 2024 until 27th November 2024 so everyone has plenty of time to participate. After the voting period ends, we’ll reveal the people behind the winning entries. [*]Winner Announced: The winning nominee and nominator will be announced on Thanksgiving Day. The nominee with the most votes will win a prize of 1500 credits and the person who nominated them will win a prize of 500 credits which can be spent in any way they wish. Remember, this event isn’t just about winning, it’s about taking a moment to reflect on what your fellow members bring to the community. Every nomination is a way to show gratitude and recognise the positive impact we have on each other. So, let’s celebrate together and make this Thanksgiving one to remember! Nominations are open NOW! Send a PM to Al with your nomination and let’s get this celebration started. The Small Print: Each member can only nominate one person, so choose wisely. You can nominate members and staff, but not forum admins, as they’ll be privy to the identities of nominations. We reserve the right to edit, amend, or cancel the event at any time for any reason. In the event of a tie, admins will decide the winner. Nominations and results are final. No Take-backsies.

I wouldn’t call it a great strategy. It has a very limited reach. Extremely limited, really.

I’ve seen one forum where the sidebar goes on way beyond the forum index. It looks ridiculous and is really bad design. No one ever scrolls all that way so it’s just loading more information than is necessary and slowing down loading times as a result. Also, use the bloody order system to put the important stuff at the top not at the bottom.

If this is going to be difficult I can take some of the work.

It's funny, and not in a har-har sort of way, but I almost never interact with a sidebar. On one forum I removed it entirely for that exact reason. Never clicked on anything, assumed no-one else did either. And afterwards it just felt empty. Strangely empty. So my conclusion is, even if I don't click to access content via the sidebar I still look at it. Perhaps to give me a quick overview of what's going on at that time. So I say 'yes' to sidebars but not for navigational reasons.

Hello New Guy. I love that feeling. Looking forward to seeing what you have in store. You have a whole community here to help.