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tylor · 07:58 PM

i want to create my own forum, and code it myself, but can't think of any *good* ideas. i wanna do this to get some experience / my portfolio (creating a forum) ... but can't think of something for it to be for. i would like it to be successful, but don't get me wrong -- i'm not trying to compete with macnn or anything...

thanks

The Godfather · Jul 1, 2005, 08:14 PM

Sounds like an interesting project.
Proprietary or open source? (I am not going to bash you if you pick proprietary)
You need a killer feature that's not available in PHP forums or vBulletin. My worst complaint about using forums is the diffficulty in inserting pictures: upload to server, check if it works, post it in message. This practice needs to be automated somehow.
It would be neat if the forum allows you to make a sketch and post it.
You may need to use Java, since these ideas are kind of impossible with HTML/scripting.
It would be neat to have 1000+ smileys available.
Maybe a forum based on Tiger Widgets.

KeriVit · Jul 1, 2005, 08:28 PM

how bout widgets and stuff? Fun stuff!

tylor · Jul 1, 2005, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

how bout widgets and stuff? Fun stuff!

yeah man. i'd like to break it down to like: off topic, technology (computers, windows, mac), cars, politics, religion, bunch of options

KeriVit · Jul 1, 2005, 08:36 PM

Then start a forum on off topic, technology (computers, windows, mac), cars, politics, religion, bunch of options

tylor · Jul 1, 2005, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Then start a forum on off topic, technology (computers, windows, mac), cars, politics, religion, bunch of options

problem is that i think it's been done a lot

KeriVit · Jul 1, 2005, 08:41 PM

Macfreaks.com (unless it's been taken) Mac Freaks and their freaky likes!!!!

tylor · Jul 1, 2005, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Macfreaks.com (unless it's been taken) Mac Freaks and their freaky likes!!!!

lol, yeah that's taken

... i wouldn't do the whole forum for macs (that's just trying to take over macnn) ... i think i'll do a HUGE off topic forum, where there would be a special mac section

you think it would work?

KeriVit · Jul 1, 2005, 08:51 PM

Not really/ Needs a NICHE baby! Think HARDER!!!!

tylor · Jul 1, 2005, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Not really/ Needs a NICHE baby! Think HARDER!!!!

ahhh, cmon ppl help me brainstorm

KeriVit · Jul 1, 2005, 08:55 PM

Let's see how the rest of the clan does, but I have an idea or two... I'm holding out for now.

tylor · Jul 1, 2005, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Let's see how the rest of the clan does, but I have an idea or two... I'm holding out for now.

want to chat over pm's? thanks sir!

KeriVit · Jul 1, 2005, 09:07 PM

maam- but i'm still holding out...

tylor · Jul 1, 2005, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

maam- but i'm still holding out...

what's maam?

KeriVit · Jul 1, 2005, 09:11 PM

sir is a man. maam is short for madam- woman, dear.

tylor · Jul 1, 2005, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

sir is a man. maam is short for madam- woman, dear.

i'm sorry, i don't see too many female's on forums, so it didn't even register in my head... cmon, pleaaaaase

KeriVit · Jul 1, 2005, 09:16 PM

we'll see... tomorrow. Cmon anyone have thoughts for tylor????

ManOfSteal · Jul 1, 2005, 09:53 PM

I got nothing. I don't really like forums in general.

Albert Pujols · Jul 1, 2005, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by ManOfSteal

I got nothing. I don't really like forums in general.

iMOTOR · Jul 1, 2005, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by ManOfSteal

I got nothing. I don't really like forums in general.

Same with gorickey??

ManOfSteal · Jul 1, 2005, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by iMOTOR

Same with gorickey??

No, he had 10k posts...I'd say he enjoyed his fair share of the 'NN from time to time. But alas, he is retired.

Kevin · Jul 1, 2005, 10:12 PM

There needs to be a forum about codpieces.

Cubeoid · Jul 2, 2005, 12:00 AM

Make a forum devoted to "Good Ideas for creating a Forum"

mojo2 · Jul 2, 2005, 12:07 AM

This process reminds me of the process by which NBC TV created the singing group, "The Monkees."

There was a reversal of the normal creation of a band. Rather than a group of performers all with an overpowering need for self-expression and fame (sex, drugs & rock n roll) organically getting together and going from there, the TV show producers set out to create a TV show about a 4 man singing group (to take advantage of the Beatles' popularity in "A Hard Day's Night" and subsequently, "Help") and then cast the roles and chose their songs from the offerings of some of the leading songwriters of the time.

I would ask, what kinds of chat (subjects, tone) or visuals/graphic look isn't being well served by the current flock of forums?

You know, if you don't have a passion for it I don't know how well you'd manage your forum...unless your passion was administration and moderating/modulating.

I might suggest going to the feedback section of MacNN and other fora (?) to get a handle on what people want that isn't being addressed.

My PERSONAL wish list is that there be an extra lounge in MacNN devoted to "scrapping." A place where posters can go to rassle around in the mud and call each other NAMES, make ad hominem attacks, and deal with politically incorrect topics but also engage in serious debate when it rears it's pretty head.

It would be like the CONCEPT of FREE SPEECH realized rather than free speech which is merely given a wink and a nod while a distilled version of free speech is cultivated.

And lest you think I'm singling out MacNN for criticism, I'm not.

Anyway, my humble suggestion would be a forum with any and all the other topics you'd care to include but with one excpetion...a mosh pit where almost no rules exist.

There doesn't seem to be much evidence of many those kinds of rooms being available. Maybe you could look into it?

Meanwhile, this rant of mine has prompted a much longer rant on "true free speech." As I write this I am wondering if the long one on free speech is best placed in the war room or in the lounge. (No doubt some will say it belongs in the trash bin. lol)

Anyway, my suggestion?

Include a mosh pit in whatever forum you start.

Chuckit · Jul 2, 2005, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by mojo2

My PERSONAL wish list is that there be an extra lounge in MacNN devoted to "scrapping." A place where posters can go to rassle around in the mud and call each other NAMES, make ad hominem attacks, and deal with politically incorrect topics but also engage in serious debate when it rears it's pretty head.

I'm not sure I'd want to engage in debate with people who couldn't make it on a forum where civility is enforced. It doesn't sound like their arguments are very intellectually driven.

ort888 · Jul 2, 2005, 01:39 AM

Are you a programmer looking to create a new style of forum or are you someone who just wants to have a forum that they started? If you're a programmer then you don't need to worry about petty details like what topics will be covered. If you just want to start a forum then you are screwed. Seriously, just throw in the towel now.

There are already 80 bazzilion forums out there and if you don't even know what you want to do and you don't have hundreds of people ready to start up with you then you will fail before you begin.

Cubeoid · Jul 2, 2005, 02:15 AM

Originally Posted by mojo2

This process reminds me of the process by which NBC TV created the singing group, "The Monkees."

There was a reversal of the normal creation of a band. Rather than a group of performers all with an overpowering need for self-expression and fame (sex, drugs & rock n roll) organically getting together and going from there, the TV show producers set out to create a TV show about a 4 man singing group (to take advantage of the Beatles' popularity in "A Hard Day's Night" and subsequently, "Help") and then cast the roles and chose their songs from the offerings of some of the leading songwriters of the time.

I would ask, what kinds of chat (subjects, tone) or visuals/graphic look isn't being well served by the current flock of forums?

You know, if you don't have a passion for it I don't know how well you'd manage your forum...unless your passion was administration and moderating/modulating.

I might suggest going to the feedback section of MacNN and other fora (?) to get a handle on what people want that isn't being addressed.

My PERSONAL wish list is that there be an extra lounge in MacNN devoted to "scrapping." A place where posters can go to rassle around in the mud and call each other NAMES, make ad hominem attacks, and deal with politically incorrect topics but also engage in serious debate when it rears it's pretty head.

It would be like the CONCEPT of FREE SPEECH realized rather than free speech which is merely given a wink and a nod while a distilled version of free speech is cultivated.

And lest you think I'm singling out MacNN for criticism, I'm not.

Anyway, my humble suggestion would be a forum with any and all the other topics you'd care to include but with one excpetion...a mosh pit where almost no rules exist.

There doesn't seem to be much evidence of many those kinds of rooms being available. Maybe you could look into it?

Meanwhile, this rant of mine has prompted a much longer rant on "true free speech." As I write this I am wondering if the long one on free speech is best placed in the war room or in the lounge. (No doubt some will say it belongs in the trash bin. lol)

Anyway, my suggestion?

Include a mosh pit in whatever forum you start.

Yes

Cubeoid · Jul 2, 2005, 02:18 AM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Not really/ Needs a NICHE baby! Think HARDER!!!!

Randman · Jul 2, 2005, 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by tylor

i want to create my own forum, and code it myself, but can't think of any *good* ideas.

That alone means you probably shouldn't.

mojo2 · Jul 2, 2005, 02:38 AM

Originally Posted by Chuckit

I'm not sure I'd want to engage in debate with people who couldn't make it on a forum where civility is enforced. It doesn't sound like their arguments are very intellectually driven.

On the contrary, there's nothing which necessarily precludes a thoughtful person from also enjoying a little rough house exchange of ideas.

JFK played football, cheated on his wife with Marilyn Monroe, was a war hero, won a Pulitzer, was reputed to be frugal, was wealthy, was a Catholic, was a son, brother, father and uncle and served as a Senator and President of the U.S.

Some of those truths would seem to cancel out some of the others.

Oh, and here's an intellectually driven concept for you...no one would (or could) FORCE anyone to go into debate with anyone. What's more, if/when you were to decide debate was no longer of interest to you (for whatever reason) you could simply break off the debate, unilaterally. You could go to the regular room where civility is the desired tone. You could use the Ignore List. You could invent an excuse to avoid a fight where you were over your head.

You say you don't know if you'd "want to engage in debate with people who couldn't make it on a forum where civility is enforced. It doesn't sound like their arguments are very intellectually driven." Would you ever deign to eat at a McDonalds or is it always the finest 4 & 5 star restaurants for you?

I'll leave it to you to make the mental leap.

Your comment reminds me of someone saying "I don't know if I would want to engage in debate with someone who was so limited in his debating skills that he was only able to function, to exist, like a hothouse orchid, in an artificially supportive environment."

But hey, once again, I suggest an ADDITIONAL room be made available to those who want to go there. Not one which would supplant the civilized lounge.

Cubeoid · Jul 2, 2005, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by Randman

That alone means you probably shouldn't.

Footy · Jul 2, 2005, 08:03 AM

How about a forum about nothing... Worked for Seinfeld.

Call it "Nothing About Nothing".