Forum Feedback

[Elanorea]

I'm thinking we need a limit - something like no more than 10-15 contests running at a time, with no more than one contest per person. And no repeat/overly similar themes running at the same time or close to each other.
A queue sounds like a good idea in case more than 15 people want to host a contest at the same time.

[Miranda_]

Yeah, definitely; and no exclusive ones, either; contests should be for everyone who wants to join just like the Handdrawn Contest and the Dollmakers Contest.

[Aussiemum777]

Ok...Welll I'm going to just join in from here...As far as the new forum goes I think that we could all use a good example and that would be the forum "The gathering" run by Xandorra she has built a very successful, well run site and has many members, I dont think we should copy it but we can certainly get some inspiring ideas from it, for those of you who havent seen it here is the link.
The Gathering (Powered by Invision Power Board)?
As far as contests go, I think we should start off small and only run minimal contests to begin with and as the forum grows which we hope it will then we can increase the amount of contests then, we have struggled to get members to participate in the forum contests here with very few people entering so starting small is the way to go.

[Silver_Wolf_Kitty]

No problem jumping in here, its sort of turned into a "Boy, do we wish we could fix everything here and this is what we want!" thread anyways xD

Thank you for that link It certainly is an excellent example of what can be done with a dolling forum. I'd also suggest browsing GLAM! for anyone who is interested in viewing a popular example of a theme forum, which is the direction we chose to take with the colors/appearance.
GLAM! - Index

I agree, limiting the contests to a small number would be best, then it can increase as members increase. Maybe there could be a monthly forum challenge too, with each staff member getting a month so everyone can participate? Then it could be varied too, with it focused on maybe techniques, the type of doll(so its not just handdrawn--maybe they could switch every other month so all the members could take a swing at doing both?), or even just a theme. I saw the idea on GLAM! and thought it was great. I know its fairly common on a lot of dolling forums, so it could run alongside the regular ones like the handdrawn and dollmaker contests. It would certainly be an interesting challenge, especially if I can figure out a forum currency system for prizes. It never amazes me how motivated people are to enter these things just for some online money(myself included xD).

Edit: Okay, I've found some codes for forum currency, so its a matter of finding one that won't go all buggy and we'll have currency running on the rescue board. This could go with a shop and trading system later on

[Singergirl0911]

OOOOhhhhhh! I'm sooo excited! This is going to be awesome! I can't wait till everything is done!

[Silver_Wolf_Kitty]

Singer, I validated you by the way You can jump right into the discussions--there are some special features we want to do that everyone should give feedback on as staff.

Things are moving along well on the forums--I've successfully tested a currency system, so now people can have proper shops! You can charge for making dolls, graphics, etc(obviously within reason). There also will be a special staff shop too for things like username changes and special staff offerings. All proceeds would obviously go towards contests and events!

Also, there is a forum newsletter in process. This will hopefully pan out to be member-run, with your own special forum and everything to work on articles for it.

Images are being updated and changed as we speak, new forums have been added(contests, a general art forum for anyone who does other work, like photography, pixel art, etc), and forum descriptions and mods are being updated every day.

[spirit_queen]

I almost finished my own pixel work, but I'm on the wrong computer to finish it, unfortunately.

[LancasterPrincess]

Ooo what a great idea to add a forum for other types of art!

[Catlover642]

Originally Posted by Silver_Wolf_Kitty

Singer, I validated you by the way You can jump right into the discussions--there are some special features we want to do that everyone should give feedback on as staff.

Things are moving along well on the forums--I've successfully tested a currency system, so now people can have proper shops! You can charge for making dolls, graphics, etc(obviously within reason). There also will be a special staff shop too for things like username changes and special staff offerings. All proceeds would obviously go towards contests and events!

Also, there is a forum newsletter in process. This will hopefully pan out to be member-run, with your own special forum and everything to work on articles for it.

Images are being updated and changed as we speak, new forums have been added(contests, a general art forum for anyone who does other work, like photography, pixel art, etc), and forum descriptions and mods are being updated every day.

Would it be informing people about updates, special news, etc?

[Silver_Wolf_Kitty]

I look forward to seeing it, Queenie

Thank you, Lovie! I know we have had issues where people have no clue where to put their other art(like drawings, pixel art, etc), so I'm hoping this will solve that problem. Also, maybe it'll encourage people to expand their art. I know a lot of dollmaker dollers do pixel work too, so this is an opportunity to share and get feedback, and maybe other people will want to give it a shot.

More than that Obviously there will be the basic forum news--updates, announcements, rule changes, etc--but there also will be features like doll(s) of the month, shop of the month, the monthly challenge, events, tips, member interviews... Basically anything you imagine will show up in this! Members will have to chance to write for the newsletter in exchange for money(and a bit of fame for getting in) and eventually I'm hoping the mods won't have to do it at all and that it will be a member initiative, just with an "editor" to look it over before it gets published.