About the forums

[Glibc]

Hi all,

I'm a new member. I've read many articles on these forums in the last couple of days, and it seems like a nice place. Not perfect though. I'll just give a few comments, please feel free to ignore or discuss. I'm posting to "Site Announcements", please move the thread if that's the wrong place.

1) The forums
I want information! The starting page should tell the surfer what this page is, and what the general purpose of the forums is. A small text from the site admin or something like that.
I'd also like a forum FAQ - not the vBulletin FAQ, but a FAQ specifically for the forum.
Who's the technical webmaster?

2) The future
As I said I think the specific purpose of the forums needs to be spelled out. I guess it started as a companion to the story library, but the "community forums" seems to indicate that people want to discuss BDSM in general. So there are two purposes, which is fine. The fact is that there really aren't very many good, free BDSM discussion boards on the net. I really think there is a niche for bdsmlibrary to expand in that area.

3) Design and usability
There is a completely different design on the bdsmlibrary intro page, the story pages and here in the forum. None of them are very good imo. I think they should be more alike, more connected.

[BDSM_Tourguide]

Originally posted by Glibc
Hi all,

I'm a new member. I've read many articles on these forums in the last couple of days, and it seems like a nice place. Not perfect though. I'll just give a few comments, please feel free to ignore or discuss. I'm posting to "Site Announcements", please move the thread if that's the wrong place.


We appreciate your membership. However, I have yet to see a site that I would consider "perfect," although this one ain't too bad.



Originally posted by Glibc
1) The forums
I want information! The starting page should tell the surfer what this page is, and what the general purpose of the forums is. A small text from the site admin or something like that.
I'd also like a forum FAQ - not the vBulletin FAQ, but a FAQ specifically for the forum.
Who's the technical webmaster?


This page, or rather the start page here, is the BDSM Library Forums. I think that's fairly obvious. As for small text, there is a description of every forum and the information that it should contain directly below each forum's title on the mainpage.

Forum FAQ? Like, FAQ for what?

The literal and technical webmaster of this site is Jinn, but both Gary Wilcox and I have the ability and authority to make just about any decision here regarding the forums.



Originally posted by Glibc
2) The future
As I said I think the specific purpose of the forums needs to be spelled out. I guess it started as a companion to the story library, but the "community forums" seems to indicate that people want to discuss BDSM in general. So there are two purposes, which is fine. The fact is that there really aren't very many good, free BDSM discussion boards on the net. I really think there is a niche for bdsmlibrary to expand in that area.


The Library Forums encompass a wide variety of subject matter: From peoples' real BDSM lives to comments about stories to ideas for other stories to completely un-BDSM-related stuff like politics and New Year's resolutions.

And I agree. I think this place has a huge potential to become that 'definitive' BDSM discussion board. Sadly, though, since this site actually advocates reading, it gets passed over by a large portion of the online community. Those that want chat, porn and active scenes of bound, naked women being flogged.

Okay. sadly might have been the wrong word. Fortunately might have been more appropriate.



Originally posted by Glibc
3) Design and usability
There is a completely different design on the bdsmlibrary intro page, the story pages and here in the forum. None of them are very good imo. I think they should be more alike, more connected.


The site is functionial and easy to navigate. I could care less how it looks, personally, but I'm just like that.

Jinn is the only programmer for this site. Between story updates and his real life, I'm sure he's not left with a whole lot of time for hefty site redesigning. Although, he has mentioned to me that he wants to do more to it and make it look more professional.

I'd look for some big site changes in the coming year.

[Thorne]

Originally posted by BDSM_Tourguide
... Those that want ... active scenes of bound, naked women being flogged.
What's wrong with that?:)

The site is functionial and easy to navigate. I could care less how it looks, personally, but I'm just like that.

Jinn ... wants to do more to it and make it look more professional.
I hope not! I'm like you: I would rather see it functional and easy to use than for it to look flashy and be cumbersome and annoying.

Keep up the good work, Jinn, by all means. But why spoil a good thing?

[Neopadinski]

Perfect website? I would consider a perfect website to have millions upon millions of pictures and stories that encompass all possible tastes in all possible sexual interests (and have them all be free as well). Unfortunately, I never see that happening, but that's my view on a perfect website.
And TG mentioned something above about he and GaryWilcox can do pretty much anything on the boards. Yes, I've seen TG in action and yes, it is something that will make you fall to your knees and bow down to (I think "wrath of the gods" is a good word to describe it). :) Just kidding.
*ahem* I apologize for taking the thread off topic, I saw the "perfect website and started thinking :D

[Harold]

Originally posted by Glibc

3) Design and usability
There is a completely different design on the bdsmlibrary intro page, the story pages and here in the forum. None of them are very good imo. I think they should be more alike, more connected.

The forum appears to be canned software. I've seen this same program used on a number of sites. I think what you're asking for is the "consistent look and feel" that all the office software packages claim to have. This package works well. Who has time to rewrite it?

The story site itself was programmed by Jinn. I think that it's very good. We all make suggestions and requests for additions and improvements. Jinn has a list and gets to them when he can.

In my opinion, this is already the best BDSM site and resource on the web. When I've posted questions here, I've gotten answers from some very thoughtful and knowledgeable people. With time, it will only get better.

[Glibc]

Forum FAQ? Like, FAQ for what?
For Frequently Asked Questions. Maybe there isn't at lot to draw from yet, but with time a number of questions will be turning up again and again. A FAQ is also a nice intro to a forum, it easily shows new users what kind of questions and discussions are commen here.


The literal and technical webmaster of this site is Jinn, but both Gary Wilcox and I have the ability and authority to make just about any decision here regarding the forums.
Right, fine.


The Library Forums encompass a wide variety of subject matter: From peoples' real BDSM lives to comments about stories to ideas for other stories to completely un-BDSM-related stuff like politics and New Year's resolutions.
Yes, and that's fine. A small detail: Maybe there should be two "general" forums, one for general bdsm-talk, and one for general talk about everything else. It's not a big problem at the moment.


And I agree. I think this place has a huge potential to become that 'definitive' BDSM discussion board.
Exactly!


Sadly, though, since this site actually advocates reading, it gets passed over by a large portion of the online community. Those that want chat, porn and active scenes of bound, naked women being flogged.
True, but they wouldn't contribute anything much in any case, so that's not much of a loss.
The way to make a big, popular forum with an active and thriving community is to make the members do the work. To make the site so interesting that people keep coming back. As it is now, 10% of the members have written 90% of the posts, and most members have never written a single post.
At first the administrators and moderators need to do most of the work, but if it is done well, and the website is inviting and nice, new active members always turn up.


The site is functionial and easy to navigate. I could care less how it looks, personally, but I'm just like that.
Fine, I mostly agree. But if we want more active members, we need to think about their wishes not our just own.


Jinn is the only programmer for this site. Between story updates and his real life, I'm sure he's not left with a whole lot of time for hefty site redesigning. Although, he has mentioned to me that he wants to do more to it and make it look more professional.

I'd look for some big site changes in the coming year.
Fair enough. We can all help you know - we can discuss ideas and look elsewhere for inspiration. And if Jinn needs technical help, I'm sure we can find that as well.

[BDSM_Tourguide]

Originally posted by Glibc
For Frequently Asked Questions.

Well, technically, that's what the comments and suggestions forum is for. Also, site announcements usually has some good info in it about site workings. Lastly, the Code of Conduct is always there to answer questions concerning behaviour.



Originally posted by Glibc
Yes, and that's fine. A small detail: Maybe there should be two "general" forums, one for general bdsm-talk, and one for general talk about everything else. It's not a big problem at the moment.


I think that would be a bit excessive, at least in my opinion. The general talk forums is pretty much open to anything. Most topics regarding BDSM, however, tend to fit into oneof the BDSM forums in either Community or BDSM Library.




Originally posted by Glibc
True, but they wouldn't contribute anything much in any case, so that's not much of a loss.


This is true. Which is why neither Jinn, Gary or myself are really big on the picture threads, except for Personal Photography. Typically, when I look at the WHo's Online area, I can usually count about 20 guests browsing the forums and out of any given 20, usually 16-18 will be browsing Favorite Pictures, Hentai and Anime or Personal Photography. They don't actually contribute anything to the site and very rarely post anything to the forums, but they get to see all the free pics they want.




Originally posted by Glibc
fine, I mostly agree. But if we want more active members, we need to think about their wishes not our just own.


It is absolutely not possible to consider 10,000 or more peoples' feelings all at once. It goes back to that old saying, "You can please some of the people all of the time and you can please all of the people some of the time, but you cannot please all of the people all of the time." It isn't possible for Jinn, Gary or myself to take every single consideration regarding the site and/or forums and turn it into a workable, feasible idea that can be put into practice. Thinking it is possible is a fantasy. JInn does a really amazing job of looking at peoples' comments and suggestions for the site and turning them into reality, but he's only one guy and can only do so much. Besides, there's only so many things that can be coded and still look workable.



Originally posted by Glibc
Fair enough. We can all help you know - we can discuss ideas and look elsewhere for inspiration. And if Jinn needs technical help, I'm sure we can find that as well.


Discussion is great. That's what these forums are here for, mostly. A certain expectation of realism must be maintained, though. As I stated in my previous paragraph, it's not possible to implement every single idea that come through for the site. Besides which, a lot of people like it like it is right now. It's by far the easiest of the BDSM story sites to navigate, it has the best search feature of any BDSM story site I have seen and this site maintains a functioning, popular forum and chat room. On top of all that, there's also a member's section for people that want to pay for the privilege to expand their vieing of the site. It's a pretty darned good place already. Don't sell it short.

Finally, I'm sure that if Jinn needs tech help, he will ask for it. As it is, I think he's just waiting for his life to calm a bit before he starts anything serious with the site.

[Glibc]

I understand what you're saying, and I apologize if I'm overstepping my ... uhm whatever it is you overstep in these situations... I can't think of the word... dang. Anyway, I just needed to share some of my views.


This is true. Which is why neither Jinn, Gary or myself are really big on the picture threads, except for Personal Photography. Typically, when I look at the WHo's Online area, I can usually count about 20 guests browsing the forums and out of any given 20, usually 16-18 will be browsing Favorite Pictures, Hentai and Anime or Personal Photography. They don't actually contribute anything to the site and very rarely post anything to the forums, but they get to see all the free pics they want.
Technically it should be quite easy to simple not show any pictures in any thread unless you're logged in. That could save a bit of bandwidth.


It is absolutely not possible to consider 10,000 or more peoples' feelings all at once. It goes back to that old saying, "You can please some of the people all of the time and you can please all of the people some of the time, but you cannot please all of the people all of the time." It isn't possible for Jinn, Gary or myself to take every single consideration regarding the site and/or forums and turn it into a workable, feasible idea that can be put into practice. Thinking it is possible is a fantasy. JInn does a really amazing job of looking at peoples' comments and suggestions for the site and turning them into reality, but he's only one guy and can only do so much. Besides, there's only so many things that can be coded and still look workable.
What Jinn does is indeed great, I completely agree. And you're right, it's not possible to make a system perfect for 10000 users. What we can do is to make it easy, intuitive and welcoming. The vBulltin system is what it is, and users are probably fairly used to that sort of interface. I'm not suggesting reprogramming everything from the bottom up within a week. I've just suggested a couple of areas that I think could be improved upon.


It's a pretty darned good place already. Don't sell it short.
It is, and I'm very happy to be here. I don't think I ever said different.

[Curtis]

Tourguide, I think what Glibc meant by Frequently Asked Questions is something like:

I don't like being a "junior member'. How do I change that? (By the way, I've seen several people with 28 and 29 posts who are still juniors -- I think the magic number is actually 30.)

Why do the Personal Messages claim you can use 2000 characters when, in fact, they cut you off at some random number between 1975 and 1990?

Why aren't PMs that bounce (due to recipient's drawer being full) saved so that they can be re-sent later?

Why can't I have redEva for Christmas?

What is the average penis size?

How do you use the !@#$&% quote system?

...and all like that there.

[GaryWilcox]

Originally posted by Curtis
How do you use the !@#$&% quote system?


Heh. I'll never tell.



I don't like being a "junior member'. How do I change that?


I personally love the answer TG gave a certain brat on the forum this past fall. I think I changed mine the first day the forums opened to 'chihuahua' and kept it that way for nearly a year.



Why do the Personal Messages claim you can use 2000 characters when, in fact, they cut you off at some random number between 1975 and 1990?


Those 'carriage returns' count as characters.



Why aren't PMs that bounce (due to recipient's drawer being full) saved so that they can be re-sent later?


Probably because its extra space and PM's are small, trivial messages, while e-mails are for more serious content.



Why can't I have redEva for Christmas?


Because you had to ask why.



What is the average penis size?


Hmmmm... I'm not sure. I think you have to ask someone who sees many (and measures), like a gynecologist. Does anyone have data about this?

Alright, I know most of these questions were tongue-in-cheek... well, there's your tongue-in-cheek answers. Enjoy!

[blackshadowmast]

Originally posted by Curtis
Tourguide, I think what Glibc meant by Frequently Asked Questions is something like:


Why can't I have redEva for Christmas?



Well Mate because I'm sorry to say but you can't handle her. She wouldn't even go into Santa's bag. She beat the crap out of him and Mrs. Clause. So you don't know whom you're dealing with!!

You’re better off this way just wanting and dreaming of her.

:D

[Thorne]

Originally posted by GaryWilcox

Hmmmm... I'm not sure. I think you have to ask someone who sees many (and measures), like a gynecologist. Does anyone have data about this?
Gary, I don't know if anyone would really want to visit a gynecologist who measures penises unless, of course, he's doing it as a hobby.
Maybe that's not a tongue in his cheek!

[slavelucy]

Originally posted by Curtis

Why can't I have redEva for Christmas?

What is the average penis size?

How do you use the !@#$&% quote system?



ROFL!

Joking aside though, i agree, i think FAQ section would be a good idea, especially for people who are new to the site....the number of people who have asked about things like the quoting system etc, it's gotta be worth it.

sl