Forum going down hill?

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Originally Posted by MattGarner

I love you more and more everyday.

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You know it (L) Lol sorry I'm so ranty its just like... WTH DO SOMETHINGGG :'(

When I was FM we had like 2 smods cos some resigned and I had to fire one (I think) I had 3 people lined up to take their place and PM'd MAD asking for the go-ahead to make them smods. A week passed, the forum was slowly getting more chaotic and jobs were getting backlogged and no sign of a reply from MAD. I re-send the PM and pester him on MSN to get these people approved and politely explain the urgency of the situation. He then promptly logged off and I swear he blocked me because I didn't even see him online for another week. By this point I was so pissed off I just set up their permissions and announced them before he had a chance to veto it. I got a major telling off but I told him to stick it and two of the three turned out to be superb smods :) One was less so but whatchagonnado :P

The moral of the story, up the system, do stuffs before people stop you and jobs get done. Not that I'm suggesting you go against the wishes of ye olde jin and I'm sure he's more efficient than our dear friend MAD but yknow... urgency and all that... :)

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Originally Posted by The Professor

I'd +rep you if you didn't have your rep disabled :P Woo for common sense moderating, oh wait...

Just so this isn't a completely troll post, I wholeheartedly agree with what Jamesy said and what phone said above, if that sort of moderating is standard then we may as well close this thread because MG has department policies to rethink!

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Don't give them ideas, sheesh!
I think we need to start appealing to the younger members too because they are the future of Habbox, whether we like it or not, so +rep to sergio :)

edit: Oh I need to spread so I'm likely to forget, sorry. :(

is there a date for vb4 btw????

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Originally Posted by phone

is there a date for vb4 btw????

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it was installed on tuesday

garion done it

true story

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Originally Posted by phone

is there a date for vb4 btw????

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Probably when Vbulletin has released the gold version and the skins are ready. (Which shouldn't be that long)

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Originally Posted by Homosexuality

it was installed on tuesday

garion done it

true story

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Jin installed a test forum of the release candidate of Vb4. (Not Garion)

Garion said it was him. Another lie. Oh well.

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Originally Posted by Homosexuality

Garion said it was him. Another lie. Oh well.

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I know you seem to have issues with him now over recent events but you don't need to post them in this thread. :(

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Originally Posted by phone

is there a date for vb4 btw????

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Around the middle of january to coincide with maintenance updates.

Prof-Alex said that Management do not do enough to reply to posts and suggestions with substance, I hope this is satisfactory :P. I am going to be blunt and possibly controversial throughout this post. Because it needs to be done :P.

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Originally Posted by Jin

I have noticed this also, currently we are also having a problem with "Forum is going DOWN"

That's what I am currently working on at the moment. It would be nice if my GM would come back from leave.....

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One of the first posts in this thread, and I think this iterates the fact that we NEED to sort out General Management. Nvr has to make a realistic decision as to whether he is going to come back and serve actively or whether he is going to step down. I think he is a great GM and I would quite happily see him come back, but it's time he made the decision and soon. I don't think he is at all suited to the CAGM job, not because of his personality but because of his time zone.

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Originally Posted by Titch

Its cus jakes banned, its just no the same without him.

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Well he is unbanned now, and I won't deny there has been an improvement :).

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Originally Posted by The Professor

such as groups and medals and the arcade (granted it's there but criminally underused and hard to access) and as a result the forum is simply behind the times.

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In terms of groups what would you like to see? In regard to the arcade would you want completely unrestricted access? Either is a possibility. Criticisms are fine but suggestions as to how we can fix the problems you are mentioning are welcomed.

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Originally Posted by Sergio

Yeah I think it is a case of becoming a bigger presence on Habbo again.

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Brings me back to my point, that has been mentioned over and over that we need to see Management sorted out. It's beginning to get quite frustrating that nothing is happening, even for me. I recognise it might be a case of "oh who do we promote" but at the end of the day no one is going to be much different after Christmas - take a risk, make the promotions and see what happens.

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Originally Posted by nvrspk4

Why is everyone glaring at me all of a sudden :(

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:@

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Originally Posted by Inseriousity.

There's the 5-post approval stage (yes there's the reasons for this and 5 posts isn't so bad but it's bound to turn some people away)

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Which I, quite frankly, would like to abolish. I think it's awful. We didn't have it before and I don't see why we need to have it, half the time someone makes a mistake and a dodgy thread gets approved anyway and we don't get that many... I'm not a big fan of the post approval system. Our Moderators have got a lot better at approval, but tbf I would get annoyed if I didn't see my post VERY quickly. This can't happen with this system.

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Originally Posted by Inseriousity.

I also agree with Garion about the need of a community AGM presence. They could potentially push forward these ideas a lot faster and more effectively than it is atm and Catzsy is ill so at the very least, a temporary manager may be required to fill the gap.

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Quoted for truth.

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Originally Posted by CelticFC

it just dusnt feel the same as a couple of years ago like

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Because you have grown up, and it just doesn't have the same appeal as it did when you first joined. Hence the reason we need to change so we attract and retain the newer Habbo generation. Retention of our current members is important too, but I think even they would like to see change.

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Originally Posted by GommeInc

Totally agree. Alot of places seem to think the word "argument" is a bad word, loads of forums follow this and it's come from absolutely no where :S

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We have since changed the way in which we moderate - it would be interesting to see if you have noticed a change, and if so is it a positive one?

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Originally Posted by GommeInc

Not forgeting the "pointless post" edits. A pointless post should be pointless, since when were posts unrelated to the forum subject pointless?! Posts that relate to other posts should be allowed, an example is in this thread, where kk. got the evil red edit :rolleyes:

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I don't think we're that harsh in regard to this rule? Perhaps if you could find a bounty of examples and explain why you thought each one was harsh I could agree or disagree more effectively, but at the moment I think we're quite fair. If we didn't enforce this rule quite well the forum would be worse than it already is for spam.

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Originally Posted by -:Undertaker:-

On the forum itself, cut back on the forums. It makes me really question why sub-forums such as Smiddys Shack were targeted even though they got a fair amount of posts, yet other forums such as the Report Rare Values (now sorted) were left, which had no recent posts at all.

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Saurav recently posted a thread that suggested changes for the amount of forums we have etc. These changes are being discussed, and there are many we'd like to implement :).

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Originally Posted by FlyingJesus

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.

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What kinda groups were you thinking?

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Originally Posted by phone

new userbars :/

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I think we're working on that :).

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Originally Posted by GommeInc

---- SO in short, "official" or "recognisable" debates should be picked out from Members, IF a member has an interesting topic to debate all over.

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I spoke to Jin about implementing the idea of having a debates forum leader. He didn't like the idea of reintroducing debates full stop.

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Originally Posted by Immenseman

All successful fansites are like that on UK. HFFM - owned by Carnio, he's 17 or 18. CHF owned by SkaterChu - 18+ ran by Jemmwah and Barmi - 18+. Hababble, owned by Cooshie, 20+ and ran by Beat (I think) 18+. They are the only sites I use and all of them are the same sort of ages as management on here. Just because they're old doesn't mean they're not Habbo users. All of those people are. They enter competitons and have a fan base so to speak. This is something Habbox seriously lacks. Not one of their general management users actively plays Habbo, same for Forum Management. This is why in my opinion Habbox has little influece on the Hotel in comparison to said sites.

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I see what you are saying, but who do Habbox really have amongst the higher ranks who are really that "e-famous" or w/e. Okay there's sierk but he's never online, which is fair enough. nvr who is in the wrong time zone and isn't really around at the moment and obv Jin but he's well busy :(.

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Originally Posted by Immenseman

Personally this is what I would do:

GM - split between the next few for the time being. just have jin in charge for the last word type thing
AGM content - infrequent
AGM staff - Sammeth.
AGM community - MattGarner
Forum Manager - Garion
Assistant Forum Manager - Robbie/Invincible

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Pretty much agree, not only because I get promotion either.

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Originally Posted by Sammeth.

to be fair I would really like FlyingJesus to be part of higher management as he always has a very fair and well thought out approach to things and the thought process behind his points are always logical. He also was promised a job when that pointless community department closed down but nothing came to fruition (I dont know if I used that word in the right context, but its such a cute word).

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FlyingJesus would be an excellent member of staff, if given the right position.

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Originally Posted by Wolves,

I reckon I should be FM. :rolleyes:

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Awful idea.

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Originally Posted by Immenseman

On CHF, the debates are written by the debates leader on a weekly basis. They often take ideas from users in a stickied thread at the top of the debates forum called "Suggest debates here" or something similar. About not being hired, nvr told me even *I* would allowed to be hired if I behaved (yes he acknowledged my recent ban in this) Not that I have any interest but if I can then you certainly can :lol:

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I suggested this idea and I wanted GommeInc as our leader. Jin said he couldn't see the point in reintroducing debates though.

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Originally Posted by Saurav

Why wouldn't you be allowed to say it.
And I fully agree. Admins need to reply alot more to posts. Make a new skin (don't need to delete any others ... just add a new one :S), something awesome like CHF Christmas Skin.

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We're working on new skins and I personally try to reply to threads as much as possible, I know it's also something our Moderators try to do as well :).

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Originally Posted by MattGarner

I do agree that some rules need to be relaxed, the silly ones (you like to call them) during this time where we are trying to gather more members and posts etc etc. But that doesn't mean it's time for people to go round breaking the rules for the fun of it.

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Matt and I agree there should be some leniency then - but it would be interesting to see what rules you consider "too harsh". Reading through this thread I can only see people saying "we need to be able to post a pic of ourself in our avatars" and that's not really a major overhaul of the rules.

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Originally Posted by Kevin

Habboxforum was a good community before habbox became official, since then it's been on a steady decline and I think that most of the members are sick of the rules, we're not even allowed to use the f* word when habbo even gives you the option to disable the bobba filter.

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If we got rid of the filter, the wonders of immaturity would take hold on many of our members (sorry but it's true :P) and everyone would be swearing constantly. It would ruin all discussion.

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Originally Posted by Kevin

You would sware to god this forum is run by 50 year olds who like to control people.

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Pretty much.

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Originally Posted by The Professor

QFT but personally I'm starting to doubt this will even get close to happening, this thread has been going for weeks and the response from people that can actually do things has been pretty horrific, all the important points seem to have been skipped over in favour of clarifying saurav's infractions and ******** about who can make the best skin. I hate to sound like a child who has a favoured parent but nvr always used to quote every post with substance and reply to it in some way. I feel bad for calling people out now lol but yknow it has to be said.

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I have read through this thread and I have replied as much as possible. I've decided to quote a few posts of people who make key points and address them. Obviously there are many other posts, but they basically just repeat the points I have chosen to quote. The replies I have made above summarise what we are trying to do in regard to the issues raised. I do need a lot of clarification on some of the issues though.

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Originally Posted by phone

being rude is telling someone they get a +rep lmao what a joke also saying a user doesn't count is classed as being rude.. no wonder no one is joining

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I am pretty sure that got reversed.

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Originally Posted by Homosexuality

it was installed on tuesday

garion done it

true story

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I don't recall saying that. When you asked if it was being installed I merely winked. I didn't say it was me, I didn't say it was anyone, I didn't actually say it was being installed. I believe you are, once again, misconstruing what I have said.

I agree with Garion. I think what needs to be done involves making the forum more known on Habbo. There needs to be key figures in management that are frequently available to promote the forum, and sort these things out. Without a strong General management things don't get changed or acted upon. The sense of "Community" really feels low at the moment, and it sort of feels as if we are some sort of strict bussiness, that offers services but doesn't always create such a happy atmousphere whilst doing so.

We need to get Habbo users involved again, perhaps with more givaways and Habbo events. There are some technical things on the forum which could be modified to give members an easier experience when using our forums. As mentioned in the past, we seem to get the most "guests" viewing the forums, but not always so many members that stick around. Sometimes newer members don't always get the welcome to our community they deserve.

Things that I think could happen to help improve the forum (and Habbox as a fansite in general):

• Not sure on this idea, but because we get so many guests viewing the forum, yet they don't sign up? Maybe making a limit on the amount of threads viewable before people have to sign up to the forum- this would then encourage them to post in topics. This is done on other forums, and works to get the member count up- sparking discussion, and making users more involved. Again not completely sure with this, but along with possibly removing the "post approval" system it seems a good way to get people to post.

• Getting a strong staffing team. If people are away (be it Illness or other commitments) then a replacement (If only temporary) needs to be put in place straight away. The job roles are there for a reason, and without them things can slip.

• Getting newer members involved. More chances to win, more fun, and a friendly atmousphere. We need to appear as a "community" and when there are arguments going on around the place it can affect the entire mood of the forum.

• Some of the rules perhaps do need to be reviewed. We want the forum to be a safe, and friendly place, but at the same time we have to recognise that some of the forums get a lot of more "grown up" talk. I don't think that the filter should be removed completely, as people would simply abuse it as garion pointed out.

• A lot of newer members will be quite young, and should be treated carefully. People take things to heart, and get impressions of the forum as a whole, affecting whether they come back or not. Being made fun of because they like Habbo (which is what our forum is based on) is simply wrong.

• It's a shame Habbo doesn't recognise fansites more, and dedicate more time to them. Getting some Habbo staff incolved (even if only a radio stint or interview) would certainly attract a lot of the "habbo fanbase"'s attention. Habbo players want Habbo content, whilst at the same time having the convinience of lots of other interesting forums.

• Does the forum look inviting? This is quite important, when people are browsing potential forums they want to spend their time on. It needs to look good, be easy to navigate and the content within it needs to focus on the needs of the members.

One example of the downfall of this forum, is some of the departments within it. In the past the departments have been thriving, and community support was on a high. News for example is a department which very rarely gets noticed these days. I feel we are in a small corner of Habbox, and I am currently working on ways to combat this. Hopefully Habbox News will get recognised more in 2010, and I will do my best to promote/and get people involved with the department. Each and every department needs to work on promoting themselves. Be it competitions, Habbo events, and improving the quality of the service they offer.

We need upper management who are prepared and have the required time to be able to dedicate time to the smaller departments. Communication is the key, and everyone needs to work together in these tough times to come up with permanent solutions. Hopefully as Garion pointed out, soon we will be clear on where we stand in regards to getting the help required to turn this place around.