Forum going down hill?

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Originally Posted by Wolves,

The fact that you haven't proven to me any conclusive proof that this sort of system wouldn't work is a bit of a worry, seeing as though you are criticizing me for not providing proof

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That'll be aside from all of the figures and charts I showed in the other threads, yes?

As I quite clearly showed previously (and as was agreed by those who actually read it), the amount of people joining the forum is not an issue at all because it's hardly changed over the year, and a huge majority don't become useful members. Even if adding a joining requirement to see threads did make some people join - and we're of course allowing for all of that traffic decline which has been spoken about before and you admitted to not thinking of as important - that will not make more people become a new generation of good posters, which is what we need. It is therefore entirely pointless.

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Originally Posted by 00chips

I feel that new users need to feel more welcomed and should not feel the negativity which I feel a lot of new users receive. So perhaps new users could be changed so they cannot be -repped until 200 posts

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200 posts is a long long way, and some new people really do deserve it. Undeserved -rep can be removed and isn't likely to be given to new members unless they rub people the wrong way anyway.

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Originally Posted by 00chips

and perhaps picking arguments or not encouraging new users should be disallowed.

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Kinda is already lol

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Originally Posted by 00chips

Perhaps there should be a 'Newbies' forum for new users which old users cannot see or post in and which only a few staff can see and post in? This way they can have a 'safe haven' which is an exclusive feature to them and they can feel like their own sub-community.

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A bit far to have a forum just for new people methinks, but one idea I've advocated before and will a few times again I'm sure is having a few more member groups to help people feel included in things. I certainly don't mean to have it like chf where you can (or could when I saw) just make any old group about anything and such, but having one for new members, one for tech guys, a couple of Habbo related ones and so on to allow for the cliques that already exist to become more of an official thing. It might seem that such groups would further exclude non-members of these communities but they're going to be around no matter what and this way if properly moderated they could allow people of similar interests to be brought closer together. In reference to new members, they'd be able to identify with other newcomers and form new friendships before working out where they think they fit in with other groups, if they wish to at all.

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Originally Posted by FlyingJesus

That'll be aside from all of the figures and charts I showed in the other threads, yes?

As I quite clearly showed previously (and as was agreed by those who actually read it), the amount of people joining the forum is not an issue at all because it's hardly changed over the year, and a huge majority don't become useful members. Even if adding a joining requirement to see threads did make some people join - and we're of course allowing for all of that traffic decline which has been spoken about before and you admitted to not thinking of as important - that will not make more people become a new generation of good posters, which is what we need. It is therefore entirely pointless.

200 posts is a long long way, and some new people really do deserve it. Undeserved -rep can be removed and isn't likely to be given to new members unless they rub people the wrong way anyway.



Kinda is already lol



A bit far to have a forum just for new people methinks, but one idea I've advocated before and will a few times again I'm sure is having a few more member groups to help people feel included in things. I certainly don't mean to have it like chf where you can (or could when I saw) just make any old group about anything and such, but having one for new members, one for tech guys, a couple of Habbo related ones and so on to allow for the cliques that already exist to become more of an official thing. It might seem that such groups would further exclude non-members of these communities but they're going to be around no matter what and this way if properly moderated they could allow people of similar interests to be brought closer together. In reference to new members, they'd be able to identify with other newcomers and form new friendships before working out where they think they fit in with other groups, if they wish to at all.

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But yet you still ignore the comment I left in their? you keep referring back to these stats but don't bother posting when I raised a valid comment. I'll quote myself from the thread you made, shall I?

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Originally Posted by Wolves,

Very nice OP.

I agree with the person who said have a couple of people dedicated to approving posts. Hell, I would take the job, it'd be something to do, and i'd be helping HxF out, if posts get approved quicker, users will keep coming back, if they take ages to go through (sometimes hours) then users won't bother coming back, FACT. I also agree with the person who agreed with my idea of limiting the amount of threads that guests can view, but I don't think that is going to happen. People keep saying it will be a disadvantage to the forum, but I am yet to see proof of that.

I don't think we should be doing things like 'quests' and forum games, I think that is totally off the mark, yes it may HELP users stay on the forum, but it still doesn't sort out the problem of actually getting people to sign up. If more people sign up = more chance of more active members, FACT. Which is why I suggested we bring in the limit on guests viewing threads, even if it's for a 1-3 month trial, try it out, that's the only way that we will find out if it is worth it. Then if we see an increase in USERS, then we can implement changes into the forum itself in order to make those newer members stay on the forum, and encourage them to become more active.

And yes I agree, maybe our main problem is Elitism, maybe we could have a section for new members just to post, and where only HxF staff can post back (this could be called the 'Sand box' or something, or just make the 'welcome forum' staff replies only). This would mean they would get nice polite replies from high forum members, and it would encourage them to stay, they would feel more welcome.

1. Make the 'welcome forum'/new 'Sand Box' staff replies only.
2. Trial: Introduce the limit on guests viewing threads.
3. IF the trial is successful: introduce newer forums or forum activities like 'quests' and 'games'.

I also agree with the person who said advertise via HabboxLive, that is A GREAT IDEA, it could be a great source of getting new members, and could be an even greater source if we take advantage of these newer members, with the three suggestions that I have given above.

You could also introduce a very strict rule where something like if new members get taken the piss out of but without actually breaking rules, then they could get a warning or something. Just something needs to be done about newer members getting flamed.

1. Give out a notice/pm to the WHOLE forum telling them that they need to change their attitudes towards newer members. Also notifying them of the 'new rule toward newer members'
2. If they are still rude and have bad attitudes towards newer members, enforce the new rule and give them a warning straight off, and if they continue then make it an infraction.

Just a few ideas I thought up there, most of you won't agree with all of these, but hey, this is the feedback forum, and those are the changes that I believe need to be brought in.

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Ah, there we go.

What's that meant to show? All I can see that's at all relevant to what we're talking about is you yet again saying that there's no proof of a detrimental effect if people were forced to register to view threads, so unless you truly are unable to see the parts of posts (not just from me, but from the GM himself and others) saying that the effect on traffic makes it not worth the small chance of minimaly increased activity I don't know what you're getting at here.

Can't you get it into your head? If we don't turn that traffic into members then there won't be much of a forum left to pay for, meaning that the money generated by the advertisements which comes from the amount of traffic that the forum has would be useless, as the forum would still be becoming more and more inactive.

It is pretty simple from where I stand, if you don't make change, you won't get newer members, if you don't make change, the members that are even still coming in won't stay, either way its a loose loose situation, something needs to be done.

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Originally Posted by invincible,

In terms of what buttons said about posting to cause arguments I think the whole idea of an 'argument' needs to be discussed.

I try to leave arguments for as long as possible as most are healthy, but the thing is if you do this you turn to the reported posts forum and see that all the people in the argument have reported eachothers posts, and if you don't deal with it then you get PM's asking why etc. I agree that arguments are healthy but a lot of users may contradict their argument here by reporting every post made by the other member.

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Simple, ignore them and tell them to grow up. It's an argument, if they can't accept another persons argument, they they counter it. If they're too lazy to do that, then it's no wonder name calling comes into play, and when it does, you give out warnings and maybe even reply in the thread (like alot of forums on the interwebs do) stating that if name calling persists, they'd get in trouble. It saves the thread from being pointlessly closed :P

And is it a good idea to force guests to join? Just means pointless accounts, not activity. You've got to fixed the central issue of why current members aren't posting first, before chucking more in the mix. (aimed at Wolves).

Moderators have now been informed to be cautious in issuing the "Posting to cause" infraction and have been reminded that it should only be used where arguments get out of hand / pointless / insulting.

As per VB4 who knows what is on the horizon ;). We just need to get Christmas out of the way and we have people working on things that I hope will make a massive difference in the near future!

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Originally Posted by Wolves,

Can't you get it into your head? If we don't turn that traffic into members then there won't be much of a forum left to pay for, meaning that the money generated by the advertisements which comes from the amount of traffic that the forum has would be useless, as the forum would still be becoming more and more inactive.

It is pretty simple from where I stand, if you don't make change, you won't get newer members, if you don't make change, the members that are even still coming in won't stay, either way its a loose loose situation, something needs to be done.

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Christ you seriously aren't reading a word I say are you?
Getting more members is not a priority.
We need changes on the forum for those who are already here. People who are joining up to become active members don't need to be forced to join, they just need persuading to stay, which obviously have nothing at all to do with whether they register in the first place. Something does need to be done yes, but make a change to how many threads a visitor can see isn't going to make anyone become a more active member of the community.

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Originally Posted by GommeInc

And is it a good idea to force guests to join? Just means pointless accounts, not activity. You've got to fixed the central issue of why current members aren't posting first, before chucking more in the mix. (aimed at Wolves).

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I really hope there is something wrong in his head that makes him unable to take in what I say rather than just an inability to understand the point, because then perhaps he'll be able to realise the real problem now someone else has said it.

Bring back ---MAD--- and A4AOwen and we'll be sorted. Nebula couldn't run a mile let alone a forum xoxo

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Originally Posted by thyflux

Bring back ---MAD--- and A4AOwen and we'll be sorted. Nebula couldn't run a mile let alone a forum xoxo

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If MAD came back we'd lose members from all the pointless bans he issued on people he didnt like...

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Originally Posted by invincible,

If MAD came back we'd lose members from all the pointless bans he issued on people he didnt like...

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Now, now ;).

It was fun though, you have to admit. I had some mint disputes with him, his ego is haaauuuuuuuuuge. Anyway, to this council idea that I proposed in another thread and someone has taken on board in this thread and taken all the glory from: I agree, a mix of old and new, staff and non-staff, even some randomer comments from Habbo itself and please, new year, new start because it's ridiculous now.

We all know the circle of Habbox where people leave and then come back but it's never been this bad.