Shoutbox

[Ⓐaron]

I really think a chat box that you click a link on and it opens a new window or something would be good. I agree shout boxes can be annoying on every single page, but just a chatbox on a separate page couldn't hurt.

... and when are we getting a porn section?

Shoutboxes are generally only implemented on the forum index. That said, really anything would be better than nothing.

 

[Makoeyes987]

You all give in too easily. Like the teams thing there, Mako. Yeah, there was activity but it wasn't enough to sustain itself. Now I ask you - what was done to try to boost that activity before scrapping the sections? Give things more than a couple of weeks (teams was less than a month, I think, though I could be mistaken), and give people some incentive to give a damn and you might have a winner.

Dude, we repeatedly told the members that teams needed more activity. Yop and Dacon posted numerous times that more people needed to participate and they needed to help him brainstorm/do something. And nothing happened.

They tried. And what did succeed and sustain itself (i.e. The Venue) just became its own separate section, because that was how it was best going to exist. The teams were about two months and a bit more from what I recall.

Seems rather ridiculous to cry "YOU DONT LISTEN TO US" when most of the shit that's here is because members asked for it.

 

[Username]

no a shoutbox would suck Aaron, i have given plenty of examples why, which i gather you have ignored.

 

[Alex]

Now that's actually a good idea. Care to share what type of project you have in mind, or they implemented? We've thought about something similar but we're unsure of exactly what type of forum wide project people will actually particpate in. An art contest with a prize of some sort every so often might work, but as Yop stated, not everyone here is an artist.

I'll try and give a recap of stuff they've done over the hiatus. I'm not a member of the forum so I'm not completely in the know, but I check the site often enough to keep up to date on things.

Also because its a TV series as opposed to a video game series, not everything is going to be applicable.

-They did a complete rewatch of the 5 seasons of the show, and after every episode encouraged a discussion on it. This kind of thing doesn't translate perfectly onto a FF game, but I'm sure it is possible. Have people play through a section of the game at a time and then reflect on their experiences, thoughts on how the story is progressing, whether or not it was a good or poor part of the game. The same way that who would disect and criticise a chapter of a novel or TV episode.

-They've done numerous Top 50/Top 25 competitions on everything from quotes to significant objects, and a significant post to explain it. Whereby the thread starter would post one and then tease the next one in the series, people would try to guess what came next and win points in return. At the end the person with the most points would win. no actual prize involved but like could encourage some investment on their part. This kind of thing could be directly transfered to the FFVII universe easily.

Moreover, If staff was int he mood to pool their money and purchase a prize for the winner of some talent competition. There's no reason to limit it solely to art. Given that TLS has a relatively intelligent community, you could offer competitions in writing the best essay on the FFVII world/themes/characters/etc, or even who can compose the best short story.

All of these things could be advertised on the front page too. So it gives the impression of a constantly active community with lots of projects going on. This probably more than anything else will be more likely to draw in new members. Nobody wants to join a forum with a front page that hasn't been updated in ages.

 

[Ⓐaron]

no a shoutbox would suck Aaron, i have given plenty of examples why, which i gather you have ignored.

Kenobi already shot them down. They're poor reasons.

 

[Cookie Monster]

I support the creation of a shoutbox.

I'm not sure why certain staff members dislike the idea. A shout box obviously won't raise activity, but it will help decrease the amount of spam on the forum. We all know TLS's staff has a hard on for smiting spammers. So, staff's reluctance to even consider the idea of adding one strikes me as fucking retarded.

EDIT: Also, that bullshit about teams is fucking wank. It was never done the way it was supposed to be done.

 

[Makoeyes987]

Yes, so a suggestion implemented six months ago doesn't fall within the timeframe of "oh, six months" that I was referring to.

You said we hadn't done anything that was suggested for six whole months. But if we did it during the period of six months, I would think that would contradict said assertion.

That and the music section were basically rollovers from the team section.

No, the Venue was the only team immediately rolled over as a section. The debate section was entirely scrapped and its posts moved, until you asked for a specific debate section to be made, and it was then subsequently done.

 

[kenobi]

Dude, we repeatedly told the members that teams needed more activity. Yop and Dacon posted numerous times that more people needed to participate and they needed to help him brainstorm/do something. And nothing happened.

They tried. And what did succeed and sustain itself (i.e. The Venue) just became its own separate section, because that was how it was best going to exist. The teams were about two months and a bit more from what I recall.
.

Only two months for teams? I'm kind of surprised. On the forum I admin at, we had two teams that started off well and good; however, as time passed (a good 3-4 months), people started getting busy with work, school/tests and other real life issues, which is completely understandable.

There wasn't a lot of incentive going on, though. We did a huge competition between the teams that was absolutely amazing and fun, everyone had a blast, but things got complicated. When we tried to revive that initial feel, people had already lost interest. Then again, this was over the course of a good six months - or more - by the time it really became an issue. We'd put so much hard work into them because we knew people had other things going on.

We're still in the process of reviving it (been about a year now). And to be honest, we are looking at other forums and seeing what's working for them and what's not. For instance, there's a Final Fantasy XIII forum I go to which gets a truckload of visitors, guests and registered members (especially when news comes out) and will continue doing so because THAT is what is popular at the moment.

Just gotta figure out what the people want to see and give it to them.

Not only that, but also trying out different things and getting a feel for what works and what doesn't.

 

[Username]

Kenobi already shot them down. They're poor reasons.

My reasons are clear and perfect reasons for why a shoutbox/chatbox would be stupid. You really think 1 box would increase activity? its a stupid box that is used for spam, that everyone has to read (unless there was a hide button) and that usually contains stupid remarks, it is imo out of the question, a test run..ok, but permanent..no.

 

[Ⓐaron]

You said we hadn't done anything that was suggested for six whole months. But if we did it during the period of six months, I would think that would contradict said assertion.

You're reading far too much specificity into a statement that was clearly made as an estimate given the fact that it was prefaced with "oh."

No, the Venue was the only team immediately rolled over as a section. The debate section was entirely scrapped and its posts moved, until you asked for a specific debate section to be made, and it was then subsequently done.

My point is it existed previously as a team. It had been requested several times before the teams were made as well and staff turned it down each time, which I guess goes to show that staff often times don't bother implementing a feature until it's been implemented four or five times.

 

[Ⓐaron]

They are clear and perfect reasons for why a shoutbox/chatbox would be stupid. You really think 1 box would increase activity? its a stupid box that is used for spam, that everyone has to read (unless there was a hide button) and that usually contains stupid remarks, it is imo out of the question, a test run..ok, but permanent..no.

For someone who just accused me of ignoring your posts, you just did to Kenobi exactly what you accused me of. Classy.

 

[Makoeyes987]

You're reading far too much specificity into a statement that was clearly made as an estimate given the fact that it was prefaced with "oh."

Say what you mean and mean what you say

Sorry I took your statement wrong, but implying we haven't listened to what members have asked for or suggested for six whole months, seems rather silly.

My point is it existed previously as a team. It had been requested several times before the teams were made as well and staff turned it down each time, which I guess goes to show that staff often times don't bother implementing a feature until it's been implemented four or five times.

It wasn't implemented before because no one expressed a need for it, by actually making any serious topics. When the need for it arose, it was created. Again. When the need was there, and it was asked for, it was done.

People whining about us not answering every single request with a "SURE!" is immature, especially when they turn around and say we never listen to members in the first place.

 

[Username]

For someone who just accused me of ignoring your posts, you just did to Kenobi exactly what you accused me of. Classy.

Kenobi came after my posts actually, and anyway, lets not get out of hand, you obviously still think they are silly reasons, which is silly in itself. Your reasons have abosolutly no benefit whatsoever.

 

[Ⓐaron]

Kenobi came after my posts actually, and anyway, lets not get out of hand, you obviously sitll think they are silly reasons, which is silly in itself. Your reasons have abosolutly no benefit whatsoever.

I said Kenobi shot your reasons down, so obviously her posts came after yours, and you clearly haven't bothered reading anything she's said. I haven't bothered to rebut any of your arguments because I feel she did so adequately, though since they seem to have gone completely over your head maybe I should bother. Then again it's not like staff bothers listening to anything you have to say anyway, so I won't.

 

[Ⓐaron]

Say what you mean and mean what you say

I did. Prefacing a time amount with "oh" is a colloquial way of indicating that the following figure is an approximation.

Sorry I took your statement wrong, but implying we haven't listened to what members have asked for or suggested for six whole months, seems rather silly.

I couldn't be bothered to go back and look for the last time staff answered a suggestion in the positive. My point that it's been a long time stands.

It wasn't implemented before because no one expressed a need for it, by actually making any serious topics. When the need for it arose, it was created. Again. When the need was there, and it was asked for, it was done.

There had been several serious topics before the section was created. I'd made several before my first request to have the section created, and I stated that I'd likely make many more if the section were created. This didn't sway staff in the slightest.

People whining about us not answering every single request with a "SURE!" is immature, especially when they turn around and say we never listen to members in the first place.

It's not so much "not answering every single request with a 'SURE!'" as it is "answering every single request with a "NO WAY!" At least lately. As far as I'm aware of the last suggestion that actually got made was the RP forum - at least, the last suggestion that has nothing to do with FF.

 

[Username]

@ Aeron, my mistake, true, i did miss that comment, however to Kenobi's comment, its unfortunate that this forum is one of those that have that kinda users who will be like that on the shoutbox/chatbox.

And site staff have been listening to what i say...mog for example..

 

[Ⓐaron]

Given how many warnings get given out for flaming here, I severely doubt that people will be allowed to ride roughshod; those that abuse the feature would likely have their privileges revoked. This is one of the more restrictive forums I've been on in that regard - even a forum traditionally considered conservative like Eyes on Final Fantasy in reality is much more liberal about speech issues these days.

 

[Alex]

its unfortunate that this forum is one of those that have that kinda users who will be like that on the shoutbox/chatbox.

I don't think you are in any position to say that. Like at all.

 

[kenobi]

Guys, guys, no need to argue about what came first, the chicken or the egg. Seriously, though, I really don't see why this is turning out to be such a huge deal. Maybe there's something I'm missing that's been going on for the passed few months; some sort of animosity between members who want something and staffers who aren't really willing to give them what they want, or staffers who are asking members to be active and members who, in turn, are being lazy.

Either way, the suggestion now is something new. To my knowledge, this forum hasn't tested out a shoutbox before. I can understand why bringing the teams back might not work, but at least give the shoutbox a good chance? *shrug*

 

[Username]

@ Aeron, which leads onto people just talking about topics on the forum, which there are threads about, which they should be posting in.

@ Alex. True, and for one i probably would be like that on the chat box, it would just be irrelevant imo, its fine without a bloody chatbox.

 

[Makoeyes987]

I did. Prefacing a time amount with "oh" is a colloquial way of indicating that the following figure is an approximation.

I couldn't be bothered to go back and look for the last time staff answered a suggestion in the positive. My point that it's been a long time stands.

That's a gross approximation. Half a year or so of not taking suggestions vs. maybe 2 or 3 months is a huge ass difference.

There had been several serious topics before the section was created. I'd made several before my first request to have the section created, and I stated that I'd likely make many more if the section were created. This didn't sway staff in the slightest.

Not enough. As Yop said, he only wanted to add sections until there were a significant number of posts to necessitate its creation. Its not about what *will* be done, but what's already done.

It's not so much "not answering every single request with a 'SURE!'" as it is "answering every single request with a "NO WAY!" At least lately. As far as I'm aware of the last suggestion that actually got made was the RP forum - at least, the last suggestion that has nothing to do with FF.

Wrong. The latest suggestion we took and implemented was the awards thing for our anniversary Cloudskye and Ashes recommended. Wtf?

Saying we haven't done anything members have suggested for around six months, when we did 3 weeks ago, is pretty silly.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Guys, guys, no need to argue about what came first, the chicken or the egg. Seriously, though, I really don't see why this is turning out to be such a huge deal. Maybe there's something I'm missing that's been going on for the passed few months; some sort of animosity between members who want something and staffers who aren't really willing to give them what they want, or staffers who are asking members to be active and members who, in turn, are being lazy.

Either way, the suggestion now is something new. To my knowledge, this forum hasn't tested out a shoutbox before. I can understand why bringing the teams back might not work, but at least give the shoutbox a good chance? *shrug*

Sense, this post has it.

 

[Ⓐaron]

That's a gross approximation. Half a year or so of not taking suggestions vs. maybe 2 or 3 months is a huge ass difference.

The RP forum was made five months ago; Channy's first post was May 17. If you're using that as an example of the last major suggestion you guys implemented, then it's not very impressive. The debate forum was made around the same time. My approximation was, by any rational standard, close enough.

Not enough. As Yop said, he only wanted to add sections until there were a significant number of posts to necessitate its creation. Its not about what *will* be done, but what's already done.

Well I think it's pretty apparent that approach isn't really doing you any favours, given how sharply activity has dropped. Of course, you're now going to blame the drop in activity entirely on lack of compilation news, despite the fact that compilation news stopped long before activity dropped. Really I don't know why I bother.

Wrong. The latest suggestion we took and implemented was the awards thing for our anniversary Cloudskye and Ashes recommended. Wtf?

Saying we haven't done anything members have suggested for around six months, when we did 3 weeks ago, is pretty silly.

You're seriously using the awards (a temporary feature of the forum that's entirely for fun) as an example of a major feature that's supposed to represent your commitment to enacting members' ideals? Especially since it was a suggestion you yourselves asked for?

I hope I don't have to point out how ridiculous that is.

 

[kenobi]

If I may point out, I kind of feel like a lot of the focus here is finding someone to place the blame on. In my experience with forums, being both a member of staff and a regular registered member, that really does not work when you want to get something done.

I know how it goes, I've been through it before and had to learn the hard way. One suggestion I'd make before implementing anything; whether it be a new forum, a shoutbox, a monetary system...whatever, is to try and stop pointing the finger and work on what's best for the forum's prosperity and how to keep both members and staff happy (or at least not wanting to tear each others heads off).

 

[Makoeyes987]

The RP forum was made five months ago; Channy's first post was May 17. If you're using that as an example of the last major suggestion you guys implemented, then it's not very impressive.

Probably because not many new forum wide features have been suggested, if you take a look. And GF was asked for and started in June.

You're seriously using the awards (a temporary feature of the forum that's entirely for fun) as an example of a major feature that's supposed to represent your commitment to enacting members' ideals? Especially since it was a suggestion you yourselves asked for?

I hope I don't have to point out how ridiculous that is.

So now you're going to pigeonhole which suggestions are to be counted? Again. Not many forum features have been suggested in the first place, dude. If the members asked for something fun to do on the site's anniversary, and we did it, that's enacting what the members wished for. Thereby listening to them and not denying them. That was your entire point in the first place.