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Forum enhancements?

Started by Guest_Irate Mormon_* , Aug 23 2013 11:50 PM

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9 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_Irate Mormon_*

Guests

Posted 23 August 2013 - 11:50 PM

In the beginning, we had the use of animated avatars and animated gifs in our signatures. This was shut down for reasons which have been lost in the mists of time. (I think Drew found them annoying)

Also, we have the ability to create user selectable themes (color schemes) for the forum, such as "bluenose", "harlequin", "fieryblack", and such. I would love to create a them or two; how may that be accomplished?

Just kicking around ideas, in case you forum admins have spare time on your hands :-)

#2 Michael Wolfe

Board of Directors

North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage

Posted 24 August 2013 - 09:07 AM

I am not sure about the user selectable themes... but I kinda like the idea... I particularly like the idea of other folks getting involved and creating stuff that they can share with the membership. I will look at that one i my spare time.

I think animation in the avatars and signatures is a little gimmicky (and I agree with Drew it is a little annoying). I think in some ways it goes to the "who do we want to be" issue that we have not discussed (argued, flamed) about in a while. Sort of maintaining the balance between accessibility and outreach (very important) and maintaining a professional or educational presence (also very important). I hope we can do both, but I would rather see us lean a little towards having a professional image and a reliable reputation with the scientific community.

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

#3 Guest_Casper_*

Guests

Posted 24 August 2013 - 09:45 AM

I found the animating avatars annoying, and i agree with Michael. Keep the NANFA forum clean and tidy.

#4 Guest_fundulus_*

Guests

Posted 24 August 2013 - 06:45 PM

Yes, we shouldn't do anything to make the Forum even slightly look like MySpace.

#5 mattknepley

NANFA Member

Smack-dab between the Savannah and the Saluda.

Posted 24 August 2013 - 07:09 PM

For what this novice's opinion is worth, the professional / credible / informative aspects of NANFA and the forum are more valuable than any bells and whistles. It is what makes ponying up my dues so easy to do. I wouldn't have access to this level of quality knowledge, experience, advice, research, support of personal interests anywhere else. The forum oozes personality (in a good way) as it is now. There are some very enjoyable yet "within standard" characters on here. I'd hate to see us dumbed down in the name of individuality. Too much expression by the egos involved in a group can dilute the identity of the group, and in this case it's the group's identity, not any one individual's, that draws me here. I don't think this concern really applies to current members, but as Michael was suggesting, it would be a definite concern going forward.

Rookie with no real qualifications to speak out appreciates your attention and forthwith removes himself from the soap box.

Matt Knepley
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."

#6 Guest_Skipjack_*

Guests

Posted 24 August 2013 - 07:16 PM

I see no problem with different themes, since they are only viewed by the particular user who chooses to change the theme on his machine. Just not sure who would be willing to take this on at this time.

#7 Guest_Doug_Dame_*

Guests

Posted 25 August 2013 - 12:12 PM

Here's an idea ... rent images from the gallery as for people to use as their NANFA avatars.

Wrinkle: Initial bid $1. But if your favorite image is already rented out, for $1 more than the current user paid, you can hijack it. Your former avatar goes back to the Available pile. At $25, you have life-time rights, at least until some even spiffier image catches your fancy.

If this it too difficult to implement in an automated way, then just rent avatars for $2. If 17 people like the same image, so be it, congrats to the photographer.

All funds raised go to the Server fund to support ongoing operations, upgrades, etc.

(Caveat: I have not looked into copyright issues, specifically whether the terms & conditions associated with uploading pictures to the NANFA galleries give the picture takers/owners any expectations that their images will not used in this way, for $ by NANFA.)

#8 Guest_Irate Mormon_*

Guests

Posted 26 August 2013 - 05:30 PM

I would be interested doing some theme development, I just don't know what is involved at this point.

#9 Guest_Skipjack_*

Guests

Posted 26 August 2013 - 05:35 PM

Nor do I but it sounds like nobody is opposed to theme development. Once the Tech. crew gets through some minor things, maybe we can take a look at this. Once the crazy, and scary migration stuff is done, it might be time for a little fun.

#10 Guest_gerald_*

Guests

Posted 27 August 2013 - 09:12 AM

First, I'd like to add my support to Matt K's comments copied below.

Second, I'd like there to be a way to search for images in posts (that are not also in the gallery). I realize of course that folks posting images will need to give them descriptive titles to make this work. I often remember seeing great images of some fish or critter or habitat in some thread, and then can't find it again when I need it.

For what this novice's opinion is worth, the professional / credible / informative aspects of NANFA and the forum are more valuable than any bells and whistles. It is what makes ponying up my dues so easy to do. I wouldn't have access to this level of quality knowledge, experience, advice, research, support of personal interests anywhere else. The forum oozes personality (in a good way) as it is now. There are some very enjoyable yet "within standard" characters on here. I'd hate to see us dumbed down in the name of individuality. Too much expression by the egos involved in a group can dilute the identity of the group, and in this case it's the group's identity, not any one individual's, that draws me here. I don't think this concern really applies to current members, but as Michael was suggesting, it would be a definite concern going forward.