Ravenfreak

I think requesting posting packages definitely helps! Especially if it's a new community needing some engaging content. Heck even if you have a well established community, requesting packages from time to time can help boost activity.

I think Discord takes away from forum activity more than help it. I don't have a Discord server setup for my websites, I think it's okay to keep in contact with staff if you have a non gaming forum but it's just not for me. Thankfully one community that I know of made the switch from Discord to forum since it fits the niche of the community more.

Honestly I think it's because of activity. The forum is still quite active, but it's no where near as active as it was when they enforced these rules.

My wife's childhood home was haunted. We lived there with her parents from 2017-2022. I've felt things in that house and heard creepy things. Hell even one time I believe my wife got possessed. There was a time she snuck me over when her parents were out of town and I spent the night with her. We woke up about 8:30 the next morning, I looked at her and she gave me this creepy smile. Shortly after she took my arm, twisted it back and I of course freaked the hell out. She then snapped out of it and fell back to sleep. I woke her up immediately afterwards and I was shaken up, she was concerned and I told her what happened. She couldn't recall what happened, and I know damn well she would never have done that to me. I also recorded a evp at that house in 2020. Please note that I did reverse this audio and also turned the volume up too since I heard whispers when I played this recording back. My wife and I were in the other room across from her old bedroom, I had the recorder in her old bedroom. It sounds like the whisper says "See me, let me out". [MEDIA=soundcloud]theravenfreak/backwards-whisper#track_id=759118855[/MEDIA]

I don't think a .com matters as much as it once did, I think it's more creative when websites use domain names that finish the name of their site. For example, I'm using Thee.Zone for my forum Thee Zone. I also own the sonichack.ing domain name which I'm using for a Sonic hacking related website.

I enjoy doing post exchanges. I currently have two weekly ones that I've been doing for a bit now. I think they're great and if you really enjoy the community you may even make new friends.

As long as it adds to the conversation, I don't mind it at all. Sonic Retro, a Sonic the Hedgehog forum I joined 16 years ago, used to crack down on people who necropost, but they no longer enforce this rule.

It is hard to keep activity on a general discussion forum, I've been doing post exchanges to help keep activity up. I've added a blog section for members to post whatever they feel like, though it's just a sub forum and not an actual blog system.

The first software I used was phpBB 3, though it was hosted through Forumotion. It's the worst one to start with IMO, since the permissions can be confusing to those who are new to owning forums.

I really enjoy Woltlab Suite. Out of all the different software I've used throughout the years I have to say the theme editor is the easiest one I've used. As someone who's a complete noob when it comes to the design aspect, it's nice having a system that guides you through what exactly each part of the theme you're editing in real time. The support is okay, it's much better now than it was when it was first hitting the scene at least for English speaking customers since it's a German company.

From an outsider's perspective and one who prefers to larp than role play online, you really do not fully understand all the things that need to go on behind the scenes for a roleplay forum to thrive. I love reading posts like this, because it shows just how passionate you are about your hobby and all the ups and downs of owning such a community.

My middle name is the same as my dad's, Joseph. I like it, I think it fits well with my first name and it also reminds me of my father. He and I were closer when I was younger, but when I became a teenager we sort of drifted apart. I still talk to my parents, but my dad is introverted like me so we don't usually talk much on the phone I talk more to my mother.

I would reach out to the member who posted it and talk to them. I would also delete their topic, because it would cause others to reach out to them, of course to try and help but it can get overwhelming I'm sure. I would refer them to the suicide hotline in their country, and help them find resources that can help. I'm not a professional, so there's not too much I can do.

I'll tag the last spot!

The permissions are annoying to set up in phpBB, especially when you're a newbie. Unfortunately for me it was the first software I used, though it was through Forumotion. I know how to set them up now, but phpBB 3 is convoluted with it's permission system. I used phpBB 2 for a short period of time to convert a jcink board to SMF, and it was much easier to deal with on there lol.

I currently have only one other Admin on Gex Forums and Thee Zone. For the size of each forum, I think having one additional admin is fine. It really depends on the size and niche of your forum. If you've got a forum that's very active, you're going to need extra hands to help out! But if you have a brand new forum, with only a handful of members if it's not a promotional or service forum then you should wait to hire an additional admin.

Thank you all for the warm welcomes! Glad to be part of the content team here at Administrata! :D

I've completed mine as well! Though I used the username Blaze on the forum instead of my usual Username.

Though I prefer the traditional forum layout that Xenforo, MyBB, Invision, etc offer over Discourse I wouldn't mind joining a forum using Discourse or modern platform. If the community offers engaging content that I enjoy, I'll join it regardless of software. I just wouldn't personally use certain software myself.

Great seeing you here [mention=137]Kyng[/mention] I hope you enjoy your stay with us!

Yep! Will probably eventually switch to self hosting at some point down the line. Their black Friday deals were too good to pass up lol.

I'll take the fourth spot!

I currently use SMF for Gex Forums, Woltlab Suite for Thee Zone, and I'm waiting for Free To Be Us to be converted from phpBB to vBulletin. I'm not sure how long it'll take for the conversion process, my ticket hasn't been looked at yet and Wayne mentioned it may take sometime to convert from phpBB so I'll just need to keep being patient.

I have a few different websites across different hosts. I should condense some so I don't have to worry about spending a fee every year, but I know on Ionos I'm spending too much with their fees on SSL certificates (seriously it's dumb they make you pay for those), and then they charged me for a year not to mention the webmail fees too which Hostinger provides both SSL certificates and webmail for free. I've probably spent at least $600 on my websites that are still active, I could definitely save if I took the time to move Thee Zone over to my Hostinger account because Hostinger is much better in terms of price compared to Ionos. Come my next weekend, I'm going to move Thee Zone finally and any other site that's hosted there. I have a feeling they have cancelation fees too...

I think it can work, controversial topics would definitely bring in more members, though it could also cause some drama on your forum. As long as you're able to handle whatever comes along, I think it'll be more helpful than harmful in some cases.