Post by Honsou on Feb 21, 2010 22:34:48 GMT
Since this site is largely composed of Astronites, many of you will know that some weeks ago I left The Astronomican. Though some of you will know the reasons, these are not vital at this point. I have also spoken to many of you regarding the topic of this post, and hope that it will expand on what I have said and set the gears in motion.
So, since I have the permission of our hosts on this forum, I thought I would take a few moments to elaborate on what I've said before, and to say some things that need to be said in order to get things moving.
Info
This section is a compilation of spoilers and the forum brief, if you wish to think of it in those terms. Essentially, I'm going to roll of a little information to expand upon what I've said.
The essential brief of the forum, currently under the working title of "Schola Progena" or some variation thereof, is to create a community centric forum based around the Games Workshop hobby, that allows for sufficient give to accommodate other interests, whether these be other game systems (such as Hordes, Warmachine, and so on) or divergent interests.
The aim of the project is to create a strong community with a forum to call home, which welcomes everyone and values their presence and input. For those of you who were or are astronites, I have tried to quantify this aim as: "To create a forum with a strong community that aims to be true to the ideas and ideals that astro once stood for."
A Schedule for a Plan
At the present time, it is difficult to tell exactly what sort of time-frame we are looking at, as we are already running behind the initial estimates I made. However, the good news is that, even as I write this, much progress has been made.
So, with these new developments I can expand a little further and tell you that, at the present time, ProBoards (the same system that is used to host this site) is being considered as the main contender for the first incarnation of the forum project. In this regard, if any who have committed to the project have any thoughts, concerns or suggestions feel free to let me know- it would indeed be appreciated, as one of the many ways that you can now all help!
In regard to a schedule: I can promise little, but with the decision above, should it generally be accepted, I believe that we will begin building the site in the coming week(s), and I hope to have the site up and running within a month.
What you can do
At this stage, there are many things that each of you can do, for there is much to be done. Our main concern prior to going live is, naturally, recruitment. Many of you I have approached myself, but you to can do your part. We are looking to build a core group of people who will play an active part in the community and forum.
Of particular interest are those that will bring something special- such as exceptional modeling or painting skills, those that are known for their excellent and sizeable WIPs, guide-writers, tutorial fanatics, writers and tacticians and indeed anyone who has expertise.
It goes beyond that, though: we need everyone, not just the experts. We need people who will be active, people who will be part of the community, we need traffic. If you are a member of more than one site- seek out the sort of people we need, and those that will be interested in joining our ranks. If you have friends who play, mention it to them, and if you can recruit people to the hobby and the forum, all the better!
That is what you can do now, what you can do in the following days and weeks. It is not, however, all that you can do.
Once we go live, we will need to generate content and traffic. This is not something that I, or any one of us, can do alone. We will be needing content of every sort: from posts and discussions to type specific material.
Perhaps you've written guides and tutorials in the past? Perhaps you've written (or are writing) stories, perhaps you've been part of tactics discussions, or Role Plays? Perhaps you've got a WIP, or an idea for a good discussion? We need all these things- if you have materials from the past, bring them to the forum and post them. If you have ideas, express them, and if not... well this is your chance!
There is no end to what you can bring to the forum, and those of you who are members of other forums such as Astro will perhaps know of many things that we could do with. Just to give an idea, however, here is a brief list of some ideas:
Once we go live, there will be much to do- and we must remember that there is also a community. So, when we get going: post, discuss, talk, welcome newcomers, and do what you can do!
In my experience, the first few days and weeks of a forum are the most critical of all. If we can pull it all together, get the people, get the traffic, and get the content then we have a shot to build a strong and lasting community- and this, I think we can all agree, is our aim.
So, already this is a long post- but it is only the tip of the ice-berg. Those of you who are joining me in this venture, I hope you'll all do your part! And, if you have any thoughts, suggestions, ideas, concerns and so on- you know where to find me! If you find anyone interested but not entirely convinced, feel free to pass them on to me as well!
Well then... I think I've said the most important things, for now. Hopefully soon we'll have a place of our own, and wont have to commandeer ging/sfot's forum XD
So, since I have the permission of our hosts on this forum, I thought I would take a few moments to elaborate on what I've said before, and to say some things that need to be said in order to get things moving.
Info
This section is a compilation of spoilers and the forum brief, if you wish to think of it in those terms. Essentially, I'm going to roll of a little information to expand upon what I've said.
The essential brief of the forum, currently under the working title of "Schola Progena" or some variation thereof, is to create a community centric forum based around the Games Workshop hobby, that allows for sufficient give to accommodate other interests, whether these be other game systems (such as Hordes, Warmachine, and so on) or divergent interests.
The aim of the project is to create a strong community with a forum to call home, which welcomes everyone and values their presence and input. For those of you who were or are astronites, I have tried to quantify this aim as: "To create a forum with a strong community that aims to be true to the ideas and ideals that astro once stood for."
A Schedule for a Plan
At the present time, it is difficult to tell exactly what sort of time-frame we are looking at, as we are already running behind the initial estimates I made. However, the good news is that, even as I write this, much progress has been made.
So, with these new developments I can expand a little further and tell you that, at the present time, ProBoards (the same system that is used to host this site) is being considered as the main contender for the first incarnation of the forum project. In this regard, if any who have committed to the project have any thoughts, concerns or suggestions feel free to let me know- it would indeed be appreciated, as one of the many ways that you can now all help!
In regard to a schedule: I can promise little, but with the decision above, should it generally be accepted, I believe that we will begin building the site in the coming week(s), and I hope to have the site up and running within a month.
What you can do
At this stage, there are many things that each of you can do, for there is much to be done. Our main concern prior to going live is, naturally, recruitment. Many of you I have approached myself, but you to can do your part. We are looking to build a core group of people who will play an active part in the community and forum.
Of particular interest are those that will bring something special- such as exceptional modeling or painting skills, those that are known for their excellent and sizeable WIPs, guide-writers, tutorial fanatics, writers and tacticians and indeed anyone who has expertise.
It goes beyond that, though: we need everyone, not just the experts. We need people who will be active, people who will be part of the community, we need traffic. If you are a member of more than one site- seek out the sort of people we need, and those that will be interested in joining our ranks. If you have friends who play, mention it to them, and if you can recruit people to the hobby and the forum, all the better!
That is what you can do now, what you can do in the following days and weeks. It is not, however, all that you can do.
Once we go live, we will need to generate content and traffic. This is not something that I, or any one of us, can do alone. We will be needing content of every sort: from posts and discussions to type specific material.
Perhaps you've written guides and tutorials in the past? Perhaps you've written (or are writing) stories, perhaps you've been part of tactics discussions, or Role Plays? Perhaps you've got a WIP, or an idea for a good discussion? We need all these things- if you have materials from the past, bring them to the forum and post them. If you have ideas, express them, and if not... well this is your chance!
There is no end to what you can bring to the forum, and those of you who are members of other forums such as Astro will perhaps know of many things that we could do with. Just to give an idea, however, here is a brief list of some ideas:
- Battle Reports
- WIP logs
- Stories/Fiction
- Tutorials
- Guides
- Tactics Discussions
- C&Cs
- Rumours
- RPs
- Information threads
- Off-Topic discussions
- Intro-threads (yes, I know many of us will be familiar- but go ahead anyway!)
- Fan-made Codeci
- And so on
Once we go live, there will be much to do- and we must remember that there is also a community. So, when we get going: post, discuss, talk, welcome newcomers, and do what you can do!
In my experience, the first few days and weeks of a forum are the most critical of all. If we can pull it all together, get the people, get the traffic, and get the content then we have a shot to build a strong and lasting community- and this, I think we can all agree, is our aim.
So, already this is a long post- but it is only the tip of the ice-berg. Those of you who are joining me in this venture, I hope you'll all do your part! And, if you have any thoughts, suggestions, ideas, concerns and so on- you know where to find me! If you find anyone interested but not entirely convinced, feel free to pass them on to me as well!
Well then... I think I've said the most important things, for now. Hopefully soon we'll have a place of our own, and wont have to commandeer ging/sfot's forum XD
