V5 changes

[Mrs Vindecco]

There are more changes afoot that are outwith my control. Proboards are introducing their new software which is apparently meant to improve the forum experience. I am quoting here.

"ProBoards v5 is our new forum software which includes numerous upgrades to your forum. This includes integrated forum notifications, live search (get results as you type your search!), a new single sign-on for all ProBoards forums, a fully revamped forum admin panel, a posting WYSIWYG editor, the ProBoards Avatar Maker, direct access to your forum's HTML templates, "Liking" posts, infinite sub-boards, @tagging members in posts, integrated shoutbox, personal messages with more than two people in the conversation, and literally hundreds more new features!"

Now... I am clueless when it comes to software. It took me ages to get this board looking the way I wanted it and now we are going to have to change again. I have started to work on a copy of the forum, using the new software.

Over the past month, I have noticed this board has quietened down. I blame myself for this. I know I haven't been on as much and as I am the only member of staff for this board it has suffered as a result. I have done my best to keep this group alive and I am sorry if members (especially the original Dwight fans) don't like the various changes that have been made. Once again, I have considered closing the group down. However, I have worked too hard on this group to do that right now. One could argue that I am flogging a dead horse, if members think that then so be it.

I will be cutting several boards that have been dormant. SOME members may not like this, but unless members contribute I am not to know. The new forum will be more simple than the present one and I shall start chopping changing here, THIS WEEK. I suggest members sign into the copy forum, just to check the changes. Don't post because Proboards will be deleting the test board soon.

This is the test forum:


rarehollywoodvintage.freemessageboards.com/

[endo]

I am in no way a forum expert, and I don't profess to know what makes one successful and what doesn't. But, life happens, and no one can expect you to live on the forum you make.
Many factors come into play as to why a forum goes through slow times and active times.

I wouldn't be too hard on yourself, and I wouldn't be too rash in deciding to trim the forum down. You have a very nice forum here, and the boards you have in place fit the theme of the forum very well.
Just my opinion, and it's your forum to do anything you want with.
But, I've seen ones that have been around 8 plus years and are no more active than this one at it's "slow" time.

It takes time, and one thing that I've noticed people gravitate to is continuity. The upgrade to Version 5 is beyond anyone's control as a forum owner.
It's a Proboards decision to upgrade, and whether you do it as soon as you are able to, or wait until it's done for you, it's going to happen.
I didn't like the new version at first, but after having used it in beta, I've come to see how much easier it can make life as a forum owner. Ours will convert tomorrow night, and I look forward to it.
Again, just my 2 cents. But, I wouldn't worry yourself too much about it. Keep doing what you're doing, it's looking great here.

Edit:
Just checked out your beta version, it looks great!! Some fine tuning and it'll be just like this one.

[Mrs Vindecco]

Thanks for the reply Endo. I appreciate that you have taken the time to have a look at the test board. I am thinking of a sort of relaunch and have new colours and a banner. I am not sure when this board will be changing over to V5. Soooo, when the change happens does the real forum resemble what the copy forum initially looked like and the admin just has to make the same changes?

Good luck with the changeover Endo.

[woofy]

I agree with Endo. The beta looks pretty nice. I think it will be an improvement.

[Mrs Vindecco]

Thanks for taking the time to look Woofy. I don't thinkI will try and recreate the side tables as they really aren't doing much anyway and it is a bit of bother to get them set up. Hopefully the board will look ok.

[Mrs Vindecco]

I am going to slowly start editing and moving parts of the forum. Therefore the main page should be shorter and easier to navigate around. NO posts shall be deleted, well maybe some of mine.