Obviously, members are slowly trickling on and rejoining, so I think that within a few weeks to a month we'll have everyone back who intends to come back.
I began this thread so we could see how certain sections of this site are coming along, and more so, maybe if people have suggestions of what they'd like to see, they could post them here for Chucky to see. I hope I don't seem like I'm above my station with this thread, but it's never too early to start discussing where we're headed.
First off, I think the thing that makes Fight Evil a unique site, and why I originally joined all those years ago, were the fights between horror icons. Were you intending to bring back the fights when possible, and if so, holding a draft to gauge what characters would be representing?
Also, I know movies reviews were discussed. I'll be honest and say that while I watch many horror films, I'm still not great at writing full reviews for movies. If anyone recalls, I had a own, sort of private section where I reviewed horror films in a much less grandeur fashion ("Jiggy's Corner of Horrors," or something to that effect). As soon as we get some classic threads back, such as "What's the last horror movie you watched?" and such, I'll see whether or not I need a thread of my own.
This isn't as important in my opinion, but another unique factor about this site was the Chat Room (which was an actual chat room - not just a thread were we talked about life). Now, I don't know how realistic it is that we can have another one, but if demand is high enough, maybe it should be discussed as an option for a future time.
Also, Movie of the Week was sort of suffering toward the end, but I think once we get about 50 members, and interest is high, that maybe we should continue that. I was sort of running it toward the end of it's run, and would have no qualms in doing so again if we decide to bring it back, but I wouldn't mind if someone else decided to take over.
The site itself is looking good (Member list if nice, and everything is simple and laid out), and I sense a great future.
It's great to see people coming back so quickly, and I hope that everyone makes it when possible. Well done, Chucky - you brought us back to life.
(Don't know if videos can be posted yet, and even if they can, I was never great with that, so I'll just post this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xos2MnVxe-c)
Equal parts Thanks Chuck for bringing it back and Damn, Chuck, when did you say the forum would be open by?
As for the forum layout, I really did like the old one, to the point that most forums I made emulated it. The only thing I would change is a section under Horror for non-movie content- maybe a Film and TV board, and a Horror Lit board. Otherwise, I'm all for everything we had before. Except maybe the Arcade, which didn't do much. Chat was cool, but could I suggest something like Cbox instead? It might be more effective in terms of drawing attention to it.
I recall enjoying the old layout, but does Chucky recall the details of it? More so, out of interest, does anyone have screen-caps of the old site, regarding layout and such? It's been so long, I forget how this layout and the old site's layout differs.
God, I forgot about the arcade. I thought it was sort of cool, but perhaps a bit much.
What's Cbox? I guess I could always look it up, but I'll ask anyways. :P
Cbox is essentially a chat on the bottom or sidebar of the page, visible to anybody who comes by. Chuck has screenshots of most versions of the site, he had that History of FE thing a while back (I imagine it'll be coming back with an update when he's got time), and besides, it hasn't changed that much since the old site (http://baysickness.proboards.com/).
Hm, seems like a good idea (Cbox) if it can be implemented correctly.
And indeed, an updated History of FE would be a fantastically enjoyable read, if he has the time to construct one. And I love that link - it was before I even joined. Brings me back. *Gazes out the window in reminiscence*
I like the old setup of the site, too. It had a section for pretty much anything- even areas that weren't all too active. Something like that is nice because even though some sections might not get used as much as others, it makes it easier for things to get organized and what not.
Seeing all the old sections of the previous forum come back, I think, should be the baseline for how this forum is set up.
I'm with Shadow on this - I don't know how much space an "inactive" section would take up, but I like the idea of having the choice to post something in a section that doesn't get as much attention as others.
I'll try to cover as much as I can in this response:
The Fights
While I think there is no doubt this section will return, it's low priority. It's a good tool to attract people to the site, but it will only occupy someone for 10 minutes here and there. If you don't have the time-consuming content like reviews, articles etc to occupy their time between fights, there's less chance they'll stick around.
Movie Reviews
One of my missions with this site is to keep a unique perspective on generic features. Movie reviews are essential to pretty much any movie-themed website but almost every site seems to display them in a similar fashion to each other. My idea, and this was mostly the idea back in 2011 when I was developing a new site just before my host changed the PHP software and screwed my coding, was to put a huge emphasis on rankings. When a staff reviewer is adding their review, they can add tags (e.g. sequel, remake, slasher etc) so readers can add parameters to show a list of the top 10 rated 'slasher' movies, or 'remakes' or even 'slasher remakes' if you use both, lol.
The ratings would be based on averages supplied by each individual staff member which has rated the film. I should also be able to do this combined and separately for members also. Reviews will have the option of adding either or both a small and large review. Small review will just be a couple of sentences, basically a summary and the large reviews are obviously those ones that span over a bunch of paragraphs. There's a lot more to it but that's a taste of it.
Chat Room
I am leaning towards using a chatbox but it's something I need to think more about as I don't want its presence to be a detriment toward forum posting activity. The reason why I preferred a chat room instead of chatbox is that there was a distinction between it and the forum. A chatbox, whilst being a chatting tool, still works a lot like a forum. You can say something and 5hrs later someone drops in and can respond to it... which almost sounds the same as posting a message on a forum. Eventually, you start getting people chatting about movies in it rather than in the desired forum for movie discussion.
Forum
This forum is similar but not identical to the one you previously would have been on. A lot of the same colours and layouts, only a few tables being displayed differently and such. As previously stated in another thread, more boards will follow once activity increases.
I thank you for taking the time to answer my inquiries.
I have also added more to my post about the chatbox.
Ah, I didn't think of that. I take it there's no good way to set up one of those chat boxes to delete messages after five minutes or so?
Even if not, once activity increases, a room (if in demand) would probably be the way to go.
Quote from: Chucky on February 04, 2013, 12:31:21 PM
Movie Reviews
One of my missions with this site is to keep a unique perspective on generic features. Movie reviews are essential to pretty much any movie-themed website but almost every site seems to display them in a similar fashion to each other. My idea, and this was mostly the idea back in 2011 when I was developing a new site just before my host changed the PHP software and screwed my coding, was to put a huge emphasis on rankings. When a staff reviewer is adding their review, they can add tags (e.g. sequel, remake, slasher etc) so readers can add parameters to show a list of the top 10 rated 'slasher' movies, or 'remakes' or even 'slasher remakes' if you use both, lol.
are you able to make it that you can also search by reviewer? as different people have different tastes. so that if people find a reviewer they like or feel they share tastes then they can search them and not others.
though i guess you could just tag your own name and then have something like giddins top 10 slasher remakes. i think i just answered my own question. lol
Quote from: Giddins on February 04, 2013, 12:43:36 PMare you able to make it that you can also search by reviewer? as different people have different tastes. so that if people find a reviewer they like or feel they share tastes then they can search them and not others.
though i guess you could just tag your own name and then have something like giddins top 10 slasher remakes. i think i just answered my own question. lol
I don't think that would be a problem.
Isn't there tiny chat or whatever it is? Where you can even go on cam? I have no intentions of showing my dick to everyone, just saiyan.
Quote from: Chucky on February 04, 2013, 12:31:21 PMMovie Reviews
Are we going to be bringing back the reviews from the old boards over here?
Quote from: Chucky on February 04, 2013, 12:31:21 PMChat Room
I vote for chatroom, mainly for the issue you described with chatbox vs. forum.
Quote from: Chucky on February 04, 2013, 12:31:21 PMForum
Mod me! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/gd73088/Emoticons/Regular%20Emoticons/fe_angry.gif)
Quote from: Shadow on February 04, 2013, 01:34:41 PM
Quote from: Chucky on February 04, 2013, 12:31:21 PMForum
Mod me! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/gd73088/Emoticons/Regular%20Emoticons/fe_angry.gif)
Power-hungry mother... :P
I guess I should start doing The Slashers again.
Funny you mention that, because I re-read every single one today. You still have those inside joke ones around (I remember one about Dorkus and someone else banning each other at the same time) somewhere? If you do, I'd love to see those again. If not, 'tis a shame.
But onto Slashers, sure, if you'd like to start up again, I see no reason not to (unless you don't have the proper amount of time).
I didn't really have insides in the Slashers I believe, that was in "The Bullhead".
But that was a lazy comic that sucked balls, and I don't think I'll ever do another one. The Slashers still have potential, especially if I put more effort in them.
Quote from: Jigsaw on February 04, 2013, 01:37:04 PMPower-hungry mother... :P
I'll take care of you, first... (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/gd73088/Emoticons/Regular%20Emoticons/HappyEvil.gif)
So I guess that Slashers must be the equivalent of De singing Celine Dion then, because I was reading them yesterday; then when I wake up, I had an e-mail that the forum was up.
Quote from: Shadow on February 04, 2013, 01:34:41 PMAre we going to be bringing back the reviews from the old boards over here?
If anyone wants to copy and paste into the new review section (when it's created) from their old reviews, I guess that's fine but I'd more or less just re-visit old reviews of mine to remind me of my thought process when I was watching the film I was reviewing because tastes change over time.
Quote from: Shadow on February 04, 2013, 01:34:41 PMMod me! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/gd73088/Emoticons/Regular%20Emoticons/fe_angry.gif)
You wait! I first have to do some testing for the mod profiles to make sure the permissions are right before I hand them out.
Quote from: Chucky on February 04, 2013, 03:36:39 PM
Quote from: Shadow on February 04, 2013, 01:34:41 PMAre we going to be bringing back the reviews from the old boards over here?
If anyone wants to copy and paste into the new review section (when it's created) from their old reviews, I guess that's fine but I'd more or less just re-visit old reviews of mine to remind me of my thought process when I was watching the film I was reviewing because tastes change over time.
Quote from: Shadow on February 04, 2013, 01:34:41 PMMod me! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/gd73088/Emoticons/Regular%20Emoticons/fe_angry.gif)
You wait! I first have to do some testing for the mod profiles to make sure the permissions are right before I hand them out.
At least make him do some dirty work to earn it first like maybe scrubbing the fe toilet or some other sort of favor.
...favour.
*le wink wink*
Quote from: DrumrbaxJ on February 04, 2013, 05:21:28 PM
...favour.
*le wink wink*
heard that's how shadow got his mod status way back when.
I've already been planning to redo a ton of my reviews. I've got a lot of plans for 2014, and with another big change that's affecting my work this week, I'm going to need to put a lot of thought into what I do with it from here.
if getting a mod spot here had to do with cleaning toilets then i should be a mod already. i clean toilets in a nightclu and it sucks. lol
Quote from: Giddins on February 04, 2013, 05:29:25 PMi clean toilets in a nightclu and it sucks. lol
Good lord the things you've probably seen...
... and smelled.
yeah it's an interesting job.
Quote from: Giddins on February 04, 2013, 05:29:25 PM
if getting a mod spot here had to do with cleaning toilets then i should be a mod already.
When you clean toilets after De used them, then you'd earn the spot.
Quote from: Shadow on February 04, 2013, 02:19:53 PM
Quote from: Jigsaw on February 04, 2013, 01:37:04 PMPower-hungry mother... :P
I'll take care of you, first... (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/gd73088/Emoticons/Regular%20Emoticons/HappyEvil.gif)
Fantastic, I get the special treatment. [*browwink*]
Quote from: Jigsaw on February 05, 2013, 01:18:21 AM
Quote from: Shadow on February 04, 2013, 02:19:53 PM
Quote from: Jigsaw on February 04, 2013, 01:37:04 PMPower-hungry mother... :P
I'll take care of you, first... (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/gd73088/Emoticons/Regular%20Emoticons/HappyEvil.gif)
Fantastic, I get the special treatment. [*browwink*]
Not if I get you first! Want to play a game?
Quote from: JasonzSon on February 05, 2013, 01:33:03 AM
Quote from: Jigsaw on February 05, 2013, 01:18:21 AM
Quote from: Shadow on February 04, 2013, 02:19:53 PM
Quote from: Jigsaw on February 04, 2013, 01:37:04 PMPower-hungry mother... :P
I'll take care of you, first... (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/gd73088/Emoticons/Regular%20Emoticons/HappyEvil.gif)
Fantastic, I get the special treatment. [*browwink*]
Not if I get you first! Want to play a game?
Only if I can speak my next class. [*deal*]
Can we get a television board up? That wrasslin' thread was our bread and butter during the final years of the last site.
Quote from: Dorkus on February 05, 2013, 12:20:08 PM
Can we get a television board up? That wrasslin' thread was our bread and butter during the final years of the last site.
already asked for the wrestling one and a video game one.
Quote from: Dorkus on February 05, 2013, 12:20:08 PM
Can we get a television board up? That wrasslin' thread was our bread and butter during the final years of the last site.
Here's hoping since there's been such a gap in time since we've been posting, all the old boards will start to fill up with more activity once they're set up.
Do you plan on having more boards up like in the old days chuck like member reviews ,music ,ect.. or do you plan on keeping it trimmed down?
Quote from: gorefan1428 on February 05, 2013, 01:23:22 PM
Do you plan on having more boards up like in the old days chuck like member reviews ,music ,ect.. or do you plan on keeping it trimmed down?
I'll add more if/when they become necessary. I certainly don't want as many as we had before. We must have had close to 50 boards previously including the sub-boards.
Quote from: Chucky on February 05, 2013, 02:18:37 PM
Quote from: gorefan1428 on February 05, 2013, 01:23:22 PM
Do you plan on having more boards up like in the old days chuck like member reviews ,music ,ect.. or do you plan on keeping it trimmed down?
I certainly don't want as many as we had before. We must have had close to 50 boards previously including the sub-boards.
yeah it did seem a little much at times, however, i would like to lobby for the return of the music and video game sub boards in the media section. [*browwink*]
If we were able to still look at all the old boards I'm sure we could figure out which ones could get axed and which ones could get merged into others.
I can still see them all through the admin section.
Thanks for adding those sections [*thumbsup*]
Quote from: Chucky on February 05, 2013, 02:39:42 PM
I can still see them all through the admin section.
We are able to sift through all the old boards, the only problem being you have to know what they were. I remember there was some trick I was able to do before to see them, but I don't recall what it is anymore.
Maybe you looked at the scroll on the bottom?
on people profiles can you add can you add different contact details like twitter accounts. facebook. x-box live gamertag. psn network id. or are they all pre-set?
Quote from: JasonzSon on February 05, 2013, 03:20:54 PM
Maybe you looked at the scroll on the bottom?
.......
[*explodinghead*]
Should I take that as a yes?
No... no you shouldn't.
Quote from: Giddins on February 05, 2013, 03:26:03 PM
on people profiles can you add can you add different contact details like twitter accounts. facebook. x-box live gamertag. psn network id. or are they all pre-set?
I would have to add those myself. Which I will do at some point but is low priority.
If you ever get around to it, I imagine Skype is more essential than ICQ in this day and age.
Quote from: JasonzSon on February 05, 2013, 03:41:31 PM
If you ever get around to it, I imagine Skype is more essential than ICQ in this day and age.
Word.
I found it really odd that a forum provider would have ICQ as a base section on their profile, but they haven't gotten around to adding Skype yet. Does anyone actually use any of those IMs anymore? I mean hell, Skype does that, and tons more.
ok this is probably a noob question but for the life of me i cant remember how to quote two peoples post in one reply, can someone help me out?
Quote from: gorefan1428 on February 05, 2013, 03:45:51 PM
ok this is probably a noob question but for the life of me i cant remember how to quote two peoples post in one reply, can someone help me out?
scroll down when typing your reply to see what people have said. next to their post is "insert quote"
Quote from: JasonzSon on February 05, 2013, 03:41:31 PM
If you ever get around to it, I imagine Skype is more essential than ICQ in this day and age.
and didn't msn merge with skype just recently?
Quote from: Giddins on February 05, 2013, 03:52:00 PM
Quote from: JasonzSon on February 05, 2013, 03:41:31 PM
If you ever get around to it, I imagine Skype is more essential than ICQ in this day and age.
and didn't msn merge with skype just recently?
Not to my knowledge it hasn't. I imagine I would have gotten some kind of update from it auto loading when I turn on my computer.
Quote from: Giddins on February 05, 2013, 03:48:07 PM
Quote from: gorefan1428 on February 05, 2013, 03:45:51 PM
ok this is probably a noob question but for the life of me i cant remember how to quote two peoples post in one reply, can someone help me out?
scroll down when typing your reply to see what people have said. next to their post is "insert quote"
thanks
Yeah, I heard on the radio recently that MSN messenger is being taken over by Skype.
i got this in an e-mail about a month agoHello,
On 15th March 2013 we are retiring the existing Messenger service globally (except for mainland China where Messenger will continue to be available) and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together. Update to Skype and sign in using a Microsoft Account (same as your Messenger ID) and all your Messenger contacts will be at your fingertips. You'll be able to instant message and video chat with them just like before, and also discover new ways of staying in touch with Skype on your mobile and tablet.
Quote from: Giddins on February 05, 2013, 04:00:58 PM
i got this in an e-mail about a month agoHello,
On 15th March 2013 we are retiring the existing Messenger service globally (except for mainland China where Messenger will continue to be available) and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together. Update to Skype and sign in using a Microsoft Account (same as your Messenger ID) and all your Messenger contacts will be at your fingertips. You'll be able to instant message and video chat with them just like before, and also discover new ways of staying in touch with Skype on your mobile and tablet.
Huh, interesting. Well, if there's some way to merge the accounts, I'll care.
Just thought I'd mention that there is now BBC for YouTube if you look for the button when posting a YouTube clips. Just copy the youtube link between the tags, much the same as doing it with images with the IMG tags.
good to know [*thumbsup*]
Just thought I'd mention that I changed the destination from where you go when you post something. Originally, you would be taken to the list of topics from the board you've just posted in. Now when you post you will be taken to the post you have just made... which makes more sense.
Quote from: Chucky on February 05, 2013, 11:41:17 PM
Just thought I'd mention that I changed the destination from where you go when you post something. Originally, you would be taken to the list of topics from the board you've just posted in. Now when you post you will be taken to the post you have just made... which makes more sense.
Thank God, that was so annoying.
We COULD fix it in our profiles' settings though, but it was well hidden.
Quote from: Crash Dummie on February 05, 2013, 11:53:22 PM
We COULD fix it in our profiles' settings though, but it was well hidden.
I thought we could too, but I didn't want to go searching for it. Color me lazy.
Yeah, that's true. There always was the option in your profiles to change it but now I've set it as the forum default. So if anyone else does want it to go to the topics page instead of your recent post, you can make the change back... I just don't see people preferring it that way though.
When I started my profile that was like one of the first things I changed.
Is the Chat option coming back?
I think so Kash. We're debating chat room vs. chat box.
i miss old school chat rooms. they were awesome
Quote from: Dorkus on February 06, 2013, 07:15:28 AM
I think so Kash. We're debating chat room vs. chat box.
Awesome-o! I vote chat box!
so since this is meant to be about the actual site and not just the message boards. what kind of ideas do people have for it? what is everyone keen to see? i know the fights have been talked about. but what else? reviews? news? articals? any other ideas on what can go up? i have already talked to chucky about maybe doing some video game reviews and what not.
I already know Chuck has ideas for reviews- I don't know them, but it's been a major source of "what to change" for about half a decade now, and I know he has a course he wants to start to take (regarding horror films, anyway). Of course, I have plans for my own content as well right now, which encourages me to be quiet until I'm ready to start acting. I want to take the rest of your question, Giddins, and rephrase it- "What makes us different from all of the other horror film sites out there?" I take it as a general agreement that we don't want to become a news site, unless that's changed. So, what else sets us apart?
well what made the place different were the fights and the message boards. but the fights ,as chucky has already pointed out, are something that people will come for and look at for 10 min. and with the message boards. i love them. but the fact that it's full of regular posters and in jokes could put some people off.
there are sites i go to just because they are well presented and well done even though they offer nothing different. doing something different is important but doing things peolple want to see is also important. and knowing what people expect to see when they first show up is important to know. and thats why i was asking.
i think a chat room is a very good idea. you don't seem to see them around anymore and they are a good way to get the community to bond together.
For smaller outfits like us, I always think it's good to support the more niche groups and interests. Stuff that some might not really have an outlet for their interest in it, and will draw others because it's different and cool, I think it's good to foster.
I agree, we should add porn.
mmmmmm porn
Quote from: Chucky on February 09, 2013, 05:53:45 PM
I agree, we should add porn.
as long as it's midget porn
i find midget porn always comes up short
Quote from: Giddins on February 11, 2013, 05:34:20 PM
i find midget porn always comes up short
(http://www.donkdown.com/forum/images/smilies/facepalm5.gif)
Quote from: Chucky on February 11, 2013, 07:52:19 PM
(http://www.donkdown.com/forum/images/smilies/facepalm5.gif)
[*laugh*] I died!
is that the guy from prison break?
TINYCHAT! That's what I was trying to remember. Ooops.
Quote from: DrumrbaxJ on February 13, 2013, 05:54:22 PM
TINYCHAT! That's what I was trying to remember. Ooops.
Depends on how difficult the integration would be... I'm still debating in my head shoutbox vs chatroom.
Any particular reason functions like "Who's Online" don't work with the new forum?
Quote from: JasonzSon on February 14, 2013, 12:37:53 AM
Any particular reason functions like "Who's Online" don't work with the new forum?
It's not that they don't work, I just haven't linked them anywhere. You should still be able to see them like this:
http://fight-evil.com/community/index.php?action=who
I think tinychat is more like you outsourcing to them. Put up a link for your room or some such and everyone jumps in to their server site room thing.
Never really been a fan of sending members to another website to make use of a particular function. The last chat room we had, which I could still use, utilised FE members existing accounts, no need to register another account to use etc and was quite seamless... and I prefer that.
Touche.
Did you recently fix code relating to that, Chuck? I tried using that url on my own in the past, and all it did was log me out. That could be chalked up to the site being confused by changes going on at the time, though.
If you're referring to the old forum, I haven't touched the coding on it since it was last up and running smoothly.
No, I mean this one. I tried typing that url in about a week ago, and it just brought me back to the login.
...and does it still do that when you try now? Coincidentally, when you had previously logged in you may have chosen one of the time limits to have you signed in for that expired around that time and just logged you out by coincidence? I even find that on the odd occasion choosing 'forever' can still log you out over time.
Actually it does. It doesn't log me out, per se, but it brings me to the login screen as though I were logged out. Apparently only when I go there via a link does it work properly.
Perhaps an area would be appropriate where the FAQ, the Introductions thread, and this one (along with threads discussing other parts of the site when they exist) could be kept, free of all the general goings-on.
No post counts?
Quote from: Daebo on February 27, 2013, 02:24:00 PM
No post counts?
You can see them in your profiles but that's about it. I don't see the point in them really... we're such a tight-knit community that we're above needing post counts.
Are there fancy titles that go with the post count? This is the real issue.
Quote from: Dorkus on February 28, 2013, 07:58:10 AM
Are there fancy titles that go with the post count? This is the real issue.
That's another thing that I thought wasn't really needed.
Im not sure if titles will give people an incentive to post or just post tonnes of crap.
The latter.
Quote from: Midian Fiend on March 05, 2013, 01:59:23 PM
Im not sure if titles will give people an incentive to post or just post tonnes of crap.
The tons of crap for sure. I remember some of the threads on the old boards were so silly and post whore ish that it wasn't even funny like for example the what was the last thing you ate thread " no i'm not kidding"
Hey C-Dog, how do you feel about giving us some of those thread icons with ratings for movies?
I guess this answers the question that I asked in the Staff section to your reviews comment...
I used to have them in there because our old review system revolved around people (staff) rating them that way. Since the new review system will be separate from the forum, I won't need them and I don't really want to add unnecessary things to the icon drop-down list.
I am currently on 3 weeks leave from work, so I plan to get a lot done with the review stuff over these next few weeks.
Ah, got you. I still think it would be a nice touch for movie threads, but if we can work out some sort of system where the review section and the forums are linked, it might be unnecessary.