this forum and what to do.
  • Gabriel CroweGabriel Crowe
     
    July 2011
    I want to make this forum more win.

    I have my eye on some more software, particularly 'Vanilla'.
    http://vanillaforums.org/
    but i'm having trouble with its vbulletin importer.


    for those people that do still come here, what would you like to happen? any ideas?
     
  • traceyhandtraceyhand
     
    July 2011
    well, I still come here but it is pretty dead. That said, I'm not sure how you could revive it.

    Will different forum software really change anything?
     
  • Gabriel CroweGabriel Crowe
     
    July 2011
    new boys on the block like vanilla have facebook, twitter and google accounts signup built in. they will increase the userbase by making it very easy to contribute.

    if anyone has a link to the same functionality in vbulletin i'd love to see it :)
     
  • traceyhandtraceyhand
     
    July 2011
    well, I wasn't argueing against vanilla and its social networking links and equally I wasn't trying to say don't change from vbulletin (which is, let's face it, a pile of poo)
    I'm just not sure if changing will necessarily revive the forum itself without a BIG push for new users from lots of different areas (and I don't see the type of push/publicity it needs coming for free)
     
  • GrantGGrantG
     
    July 2011
    I used the vBulletin Facebook Connect plugin recently. Does the job, but I agree, Vanilla does it better, with a broader range of social networks built in - no doubt there are seperate plugins available for each social network for vBulletin though.

    The problem as far as I can see is there is very little worth linking to, or the tools posted can't be linked to from specific forums :eek:

    We need some user contributions to bring folk in (and your social network tools to get 'em to share and comment) - fun hacks, serious hacks, phone hacks...
     
  • traceyhandtraceyhand
     
    July 2011
    GrantG said:


    We need ...............(creative editting).......... phone hacks...


    See, this is where we've been going wrong!
     
  • GrantGGrantG
     
    July 2011
    Everybody loves FREE stuff - swings and roundabouts really, because some nice person will steal it and offer it on their site, but there will also be some decent folks who link to the original content. I vote for free Irn Bru, Malteasers and free DOUBLE luch breaks.
     
  • RuralwebRuralweb
     
    July 2011
    I still visit most days but I think that e-commerce software has become so reliable & feature rich that there is not the volume of people looking for answers. SEO has also been added into most systems and people get the training thrown in as well so again there is little need to ask.

    Certainly Ive seen a big downturn in requests for SEO services and website design in general - its been so simplified
     
  • droundingdrounding
     
    July 2011
    I still drop by occasionally but not often and to be honest - there's not a lot to see.
    It could be worthwhile trying to liven things up but I think you need to get into news, views and controversy to stimulate new visitors - like Mal says I don't think the general interest of a couple of years ago is the same nowadays.
     
  • RuralwebRuralweb
     
    July 2011
    The more software helps the user achieve what they want to do the less they will need to go onto forums and it's in the best interest of the providers to deliver that so that users keep using the software, growing thier sites and upgrading to more expensive packages.

    The actinic forum is still busy which indicates that the software is still struggling.
     
  • acomptonacompton
     
    July 2011
    Ruralweb said:
    I still visit most days but I think that e-commerce software has become so reliable & feature rich that there is not the volume of people looking for answers.

    However, if you ever visit the e-commerce section of www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums you'll find the most common questions are:
    1. Which shopping cart should I use?
    2. Which bank account/merchant acount/payment gateway?

    A number of web designers hang out on that forum touting for trade.
     
  • RuralwebRuralweb
     
    July 2011
    I agree they are popular questions and with 2000 ish offerings out there it's a difficult choice to make but designers will always push whatever they use which is not always the best option for the client. I do also think that many blame the software for general business failings and chop and change with the wind thinking that's the answer.

    I was generally thinking more about once someone has decided on software then if they have done thier homework it should do everything they need with scope for expansion.
     
  • ParklifeParklife
     
    July 2011
    I now find I go to the softwares own forum for stuff related to that or do a google search if it isn't there. I do visit other forums, like this one and even Actinic to see what is going on in the 'other business' sections and pick up idea's/suggestions like courier companies, equipment etc but I find I have less questions to ask than I did with Actinic.
     
  • RuralwebRuralweb
     
    July 2011
    I have less questions to ask than I did with Actinic
    This is my point exactly. Actinic just makes running a website hard work and leave you no time to do the things that progress your business
     
    Awarded Goat Points by 1Gabriel Crowe
  • Gabriel CroweGabriel Crowe
     
    August 2011
    the forum has been upgraded to 'vanilla'. Lets see how we get on :)
     
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