Forum going down hill?

[Nixt]

Matt said he didn't like them personally but that doesn't mean we aren't discussing the possibility of introducing them anyway. In fact in the thread I posted in Forum Management Only I said "I don't like them, but it seems the members are beginning to and therefore introducing them would be an advantage". So we don't allow personal opinion in the way but we do like to listen to the members, regardless of our personal opinion.

I'd like to point out that although Matt and I try to do things there are only certain things we can do and we do need to clear things with senior management first. Additionally we only have the ability to do certain things in certain instances. Skins, for example, are not an area either of us particular specialise in. The responsibility for the decline cannot be rested solely on Matt's shoulders. Matt did not cause the problem and it's hardly a football team and I don't think the affinity between the forum and Portsmouth FC is a fair one. We do have the power to make changes, however, and we are setting the wheels in motion. We're taking steps to make them happen but as I said previously we don't have the power to click our fingers and see a bunch of changes implemented and everyone be happy. If I did have that authority things might be different, but I don't and we are trying to do our best with what we have .

[Immenseman]

I only said "I was never a big fan of the badge system". That doesn't mean it would never come to the forum. It also doesn't mean I would hate it that much I would say "no" to it. If the badges were made looking good and the system worked well, then I would have no problems with it being on the forum. The badge system has already got a thread for Forum & General Management to talk about in the staff forums, to discuss what the views are on it, it’s allowed and so on. So if my views was really bad about the system, then surely that thread would not be there in the first place.

I think he was talking more about accountability than the reasons for not liking badges, that seemed more of a minor opening point on that post

Yeah. The badges is just one thing that continued me on. I'm sure you work hard, although I couldn't think of the top of my head exactly what you've done and how you've made things better. It wasn't a personal attack at all, I'm sure you do things behind the scenes. I think it's just when you're the forum manager the blame has to be with you when the forum suffers. Just my opinion.

[StefanWolves]

http://boardreader.com/sp/Habbox_UK_Forum_19111.html

That's depressing. It's a drastic change from what it was. People can grasp at suggestions for the slump as they please. I don't know the answer. One thing I know it isn't is the "time of the year". This time last year and for the last few years it hasn't been as dead as it is now. I provided the link to boardreader because to be top on an average week for the last 6 months you'd have to be 400+.

Now it's like 100, there have been times when it's been over 1500 (admittedly i'm the only one who has got that) but a few people have passed the 1000+ mark. At the end of the day a forum literally needs only a handful of people who contribute across the whole forum to make it active. CHF has this and it's far more active than HxF (amount of posts and posts per thread). Yet it has a smaller user base.

That makes me think it's not the amount of people which is the issue but rather the amount of exciting threads and in general exciting things for users to do. I would like to see bigger events. Even if that meant having less. You go to an event and it's not new people playing that are going to sign up to Habbox it's all habbox people. It's the same sort of "gang" if you like that all go. It's fun for them but it doesn't aid Habbox at all.

I'd much rather see daily competitions, posted in announcements so all people could see. For example, it could be Mike posting an image and telling people to PM him the best caption. Whoever wins can have 1HC or 15 reputation points. The prize can be discussed but I think it's a reasonable idea to make the forum a generally more exciting place to be. At the moment it's just drab and mundane and has been for quite a while.

Also, I think those who consider themselves as older members need to get over themselves a bit. Just because you've been here from 04-06 or whatever it doesn't make you any better. (I think Graham touched upon this). It's actually this group of users who ruin it in my opinion. Other forums have changed with the times, this one hasn't because of certain people who are scared of change. I include management in this category (general not dept.). They forget this is a HABBO forum and HxF will attract users from HABBO - therefore we need to make this a forum that 13/14 year olds are going to enjoy. Being the biggest forum doesn't have the wow factor when it's about as entertaining as Alan Carr's Chatty Man. Like P-A suggested we need to have forum groups that can be user made, forum badges, let people argue (providing no insulting) and merge ALL double posts (not just from users you like). Just examples of s few things to make the forum a nicer place.

Another point is that management do not use Habbo. OK, sierk that's fine - he hasn't for years - not an issue. Now, all other fansites which have more influence on Habbo have management who are followed and adored. I don't think you realise how influential well known Habbos actually are on the client. For example, Paul and Soph are well known on the UK and they got their site official status just through advertising. I hate their site yet people use it just because of their "fame" or whatever. CH has SkaterChu, the most well known Habbo, as well as Jemmwah and Barmi. HFFM has Carnio etc. Habbox has nobody who even uses Habbo on a regular basis. It used to, no longer. Other sites know this is a way to aid their site, Habbox hasn't clocked on to this because the site in general is so conservative. I know you won't ever change this because it goes against what did work (from 04-08) and you think you can turn it around by altering forum rules on a weekly basis.

As much as I respect Nvrspk4 as a person I think he has to shoulder some of the blame, some of his choices have been ridiculous and he's hesistant to ensure he doesn't upset people. I can't really elaborate here without being critical of individuals and staff appointments which isn't appropriate. When the forum was popular with 8freak8 and ---MAD--- they didn't care about upsetting people. He does. I don't think Jin does either but from what I've been told (I don't know him well so could be wrong) he has a job and uni to think about so maybe isn't the best person to continue running Habbox. When I have worked with him he's good at what he does and always provides a view on things but whether he can continue to put the amount of time into Habbox that he is atm is a different matter. It needs new leadership but I don't think anyone has stepped up to the plate to be GM material. It needs a brave decision. It doesn't have to be someone who is management at the moment - someone who is active and enjoys the forum.

Anyway, that's not at all coherent it's just some things thrown together in the space of a few minutes. If I'm being completely honest, I think even still management are hesitating and waiting for 2010. Why? If they're busy get new people in. Some things could change straight away and we could see the benefits in the early part of 2010. As it is nothing is going to happen until then so we won't see the benefits until Q2 of next year by which time it'll have got worse.

/two cents

Says it all.

Thank you for that Jake.

[Robbie]

I can't remember if I've mentioned this or not, but what would help a lot is having a Community AGM. As much as I like Rosie I really cannot understand why a replacement hasn't been found - be it temporarily or permanently.

[StefanWolves]

I agree, a temp is needed.

[Hecktix]

I can't remember if I've mentioned this or not, but what would help a lot is having a Community AGM. As much as I like Rosie I really cannot understand why a replacement hasn't been found - be it temporarily or permanently.

I agree, a temp is needed.

nvrspk4 is currently Acting Community AGM.

[StefanWolves]

Oh gosh. Says it all.
Hell I could do a better job than him.

HxF should have a User Council or something, a group, with a leader, make a forum for it, ask users to provide suggestions etc, then council could have discussions with the CMs and GMs.

This way the users of the forum actually have a voice, and a say in what actually happens.

[Robbie]

nvrspk4 is currently Acting Community AGM.

Why does nobody tell me these things?

[Hecktix]

Why does nobody tell me these things?

cus ur a minion

nah i dunno.. not many people know, dunno why it hasnt been announced

[dirrty]

cus ur a minion

nah i dunno.. not many people know, dunno why it hasnt been announced

that kinda proves that hes not doing the job well enough if not many people know though