New forum software/domain name?

[Mark Wein]

I am considering upgrading the forum to a vBulletin type site like http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27, http://thefret.net and most of the other bigger guitar sites...do you guys think its worth it? There will be a ton of new features and things will look and work better...

Let me know what you think...I'm also thinking of have forums for other instruments as well since we have a large community of non-guitarists in our studio who would like to participate...

[BluezOldy]

Hi Mark,

It must be disheartening to put so much work into your site and forum and have such a slow membership build up.

I think the main problem is there's just so much competition these days. Over the past few months I've been seriously considering an Australian-oriented general guitar forum because I've never been able to find one (there is a very popular one but it's oriented towards gear

http://www.guitargear.net.au/discussion/index.php

However, having administered forums before I know the work involved and can't bring myself to start it up.

I don't believe there is anything wrong with SMF just the opposite. The site I mentioned above uses it and so does the very successful

http://www.justinguitar.com/forum/index.php

vBulletin is very good, no doubt about it, but whether it's so much better than SMF or phpBB that it's worth paying a licence fee, I don't know. SMF and phpBB have an enormous fan base with many, many themes and addons available (vBulletin may have too, but I've never bothered to look).

If you don't mind me saying so, I just don't think you picked a particularly inspiring theme. Speaking of themes, the Valvetronix forum introduced their new livery this week and, in my opinion, it's one of the attractive forums I've seen

http://www.valvetronix.net/forums/

One thing I mentioned as Dalron, is that this theme does not have 'show most recent post' button which I think is essential.

On the domain name, I don't think that really matters as most people put in their favourites, bookmarks or shortcuts anyway. On my Firefox I have you on the tool bar simply as MW with your favicon next to it.

As for having other instruments here, that might be interesting. I don't know of any other forum that does it. I guess it might mean that the forum would become more a place for your students than the general public. Only you can decide on this question, I think.

You have an exceptional amount of top-notch training on your lessons site and you deserve to have a wider audience there and here at the forum; perhaps it's just a matter of time.

Cheers,
Ron

Later: Just come back from FretNet where I noticed the vBulletin theme there is rather similar to the phpBB one at the Valvetronix forum which I like so much.

[Mark Wein]

Its not too disheartening...I figured it would take a while and it has. Obviously I want there to be a faster moving and larger community but I think that it will eventually happen over time.

The Valavetronix site looks awesome...I'll need to look for a better them for this one but I haven't really dug much of what I've seen...I probably just need to look harder :)

Since I spend so much time in vBulletin sites like thefret and Harmony Central (I probably spend WAY too much time on their "Guitar Jam" forum talking about lunch and other stupid non guitar stuff) that's kind of what I've gotten use to....I think the expense isn't horrible (especially as people click on the Google ads more and buy stuff through my Amazon links they actually help pay for the upkeep of the sites) but I am more afraid that I am not savvy enough to maintain the site if it requires more "pro internet guy" types of expertise...

I really appreciate the feedback and I hope more folks speak up...it will really help me make this a cooler place for everyone!


;D

[BluezOldy]

I had to stop going to HC, Mark, although that involved painful withdrawal. :D I was spending hours there a day, it was just so addictive.

[Mark Wein]

I had to stop going to HC, Mark, although that involved painful withdrawal. :D I was spending hours there a day, it was just so addictive.




;D

Its crazy there...people develop "HC Dependencies" and end up flaming out in the worst way possible... :o

I spend a bunch of time there but i don't take it very seriously...most of my favorite posters are starting to leave due to the nastiness that has developed over the last few months...

[hobo]

I am considering upgrading the forum to a vBulletin type site like http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27, http://thefret.net and most of the other bigger guitar sites...do you guys think its worth it? There will be a ton of new features and things will look and work better...

Let me know what you think...I'm also thinking of have forums for other instruments as well since we have a large community of non-guitarists in our studio who would like to participate...





Hi Mark

I am not all that familiar with forums but I like yours and it seems to growing the right positive direction. This setup you have is easy for me to understand so I voted , like keep it the way it is.

[Jake S.]

I think it would be cool if their were more features and stuff but then again, the coolest thing would be more traffic...Still I voted for a new one. :)

[warren0728]

hey mark,

i voted for new forum software/domain name but i really don't think the domain name is an issue...we talked about this before....it would be nice to have a "most recent posts" button....it's nice to pop into a forum....hit the "most recent posts" button...catch up and move on!

if that one feature could be achieved without paying for licensed software....you might want to look in that direction!

ww

[BluezOldy]

...it would be nice to have a "most recent posts" button....it's nice to pop into a forum....hit the "most recent posts" button...catch up and move on!

if that one feature could be achieved without paying for licensed software....you might want to look in that direction!


A point I've made above ... the feature is available with SMF and if it's like phpBB etc., it's dependent on the theme you choose - some have the option, some don't.

Warren, you can around it by changing the target in your favourites/bookmarks/shortcuts to

http://markweinguitarlessons.com/forum//index.php?action=unread

[warren0728]

Warren, you can around it by changing the target in your favourites/bookmarks/shortcuts to

http://markweinguitarlessons.com/forum//index.php?action=unread



cool....thanks for the tip!

ww

[Mark Wein]

...it would be nice to have a "most recent posts" button....it's nice to pop into a forum....hit the "most recent posts" button...catch up and move on!

if that one feature could be achieved without paying for licensed software....you might want to look in that direction!


A point I've made above ... the feature is available with SMF and if it's like phpBB etc., it's dependent on the theme you choose - some have the option, some don't.

Warren, you can around it by changing the target in your favourites/bookmarks/shortcuts to

http://markweinguitarlessons.com/forum//index.php?action=unread




Thats a pretty cool deal...I need to find a new theme I guess...any suggestions?

[BluezOldy]

Thats a pretty cool deal...I need to find a new theme I guess...any suggestions?


There are lots to choose from here, Mark:

http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/

This is a music-based theme which I was considering (that's as far as I got) for my Aussie guitar forum:

http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=139

Also if you Google 'smf themes' you will find lots more on offer.

And, last but not least, I notice that you there is an upgrade of SMF to 1.1.6 available:

http://download.simplemachines.org/

[Mark Wein]

Thats a pretty cool deal...I need to find a new theme I guess...any suggestions?


There are lots to choose from here, Mark:

http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/

This is a music-based theme which I was considering (that's as far as I got) for my Aussie guitar forum:

http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=139

Also if you Google 'smf themes' you will find lots more on offer.

And, last but not least, I notice that you there is an upgrade of SMF to 1.1.6 available:

http://download.simplemachines.org/


Thanks! I just did the upgrade to 1.1.6..I'll look at the themes a little later!

[BluezOldy]

The theme has changed with the upgrade and has the 'Show new replies to your posts' up in the left corner. Theme solved and just needs your logo, I guess.

Cheers,
Ron

[Mark Wein]

The theme has changed with the upgrade and has the 'Show new replies to your posts' up in the left corner. Theme solved and just needs your logo, I guess.

Cheers,
Ron


Actually I messed around a little and downloaded their "Apple" theme :) I might try a few more now that I know how easy it is....

[thredlok]

upgrade! and from this point on you should make "The Weiner Factory" The official title of your endeavors.

[Jake S.]

I think a guitar based theme would be sweet ;D

[Mark Wein]

upgrade! and from this point on you should make "The Weiner Factory" The official title of your endeavors.


I guess I could use their logo...

http://laist.com/attachments/la_zach/wienerfactory.jpg




I think a guitar based theme would be sweet ;D


I haven't seen one yet....it would be pretty happening, though....