I know I'm not super active so I don't expect my opinion to be worth as much as some other members here. But I don notice a lot of in-fighting and bickering among members that can really turn me off. I really don't have any suggestions on how to reduce that though.
And to a lesser extent, some members post with a writing style which is almost illegible to me. I'm no grammar nazi, and I'm confident I make a ton of spelling and grammatical mistakes myself. But sometimes I feel like Canterbury Tales is easier to read than some of the posts on here.
Alas, I have only complaints. Sorry I'm not more constructive.
My only small gripe is you can't read posts the same way as opiophile's what's new feature. I guess the "all" link is supposed to be like that but it shows a little paragraph for each topic making it difficult to use. In All Unread, topics disappear after you read them. Anyway to fix that?
I'd encourage more outreach to old Opiophile members. I know this has been done but continued efforts wouldn't hurt.
Maybe it's the old coot in me starting to show but I'd change the design and layout a bit to make it simpler, more streamlined so thateverything is clear, easily found and self evident. There seems to be a bit of duplication of functions which can confuse users. Why is there an MP3 palyer and "Premiumbeat?"
My suggestions aren't complaints. The qustion was asked about making things more "fun" and "exiting" and those things came to mind.
The "new posts" option on the far left shows up like opiophile used to. That's how I tend to browse.
Post better material.
If the format isn't going to be changed, maybe a change in color scheme? Cosmetic and something minor compared to massively streamlining things. Maybe some darker colors? Or different skins so members could choose? This could be the default.
i elected for a single non-changeable Theme to allow all the mods to the system to install easily.
that means skins and Ophile like goodies are out.
i am avoiding Tapatalk due to problems with it.
sorry but no cosmetic changes or mobile compatability - i use Chrome on Android and it works well for me but that's not good for you, i guess.
ay.
since this board is a mix between an old community and its own community thats still growing,
a lot of the old heads probably feel like they are repeating themselves when they talk about the past: stories, things theyve been through, anything at all really. as long as theyve posted it in sometime in the past.
I thnk a lot of people feel like theyd be rehashing old things but maybe thats
more important than we realize, to bring up old subjects that we had fun with.
reading about what others have experienced was probably the major reason I was hooked to begin with.
and it was always either extremely interesting, very funny, gritty as hell, or a usually a combination of all 3.
Maybe start a thing kinda like "casual friday"second this! Except I'm afraid with the guy to gal ratio on here titty Tuesday will turn into tally wacker Tuesday real quick.
Except its called titty tuesday
Very interesting and exciting
This isn't really an admin or structural issue but I think that whenever outside articles and websites are quoted the poster should write an intruductory paragraph giving accreditation and why it is of interest to members here. Then, there should be a clear line of demarcation so anything cut and pasted is clearly indicated and readers don't just start reading what they think is a post from another memebr to find they are reading a news clipping taht they may not hae much interest in reading.
Getting people to do this can be a PITA but if staff does it and we remind members who are just cutting and pasting it will eventually become the standard.
The idea is that while it is good in itself to share relevant outsie information we also want to use these articles or links to spark more discussion. Commenting about the article and asking for feedback will do this more than simply posting cut and pastes.
second this! Except I'm afraid with the guy to gal ratio on here titty Tuesday will turn into tally wacker Tuesday real quick.