[Phatkav]

I have noticed that these forums are in need of revising to improve A LOT of stuff in it. So I will make this a LONG LONG post by pointing some problems with the forums.

1) We Need A Website
No, just no, our current homepage which can be found at the top navigation bar is just horrible. Now, admin I understand that you can't update a website with news, previews, and images all by yourself which is why we can make our website just a simple one. I tried making a HCG Blog and I still have it, but I'm trying to wait for the admin to approve it. I can easily find news and update it regularly assuming that I don't have a lot of homework.

Now the other solution is making a Clan Website. No this type of websites barely need any updates. Heck we can just use a template from Clan Templates and use one of their free templates. Now of course, we don't have a clan, but I will talk about that later on.


2) Advertise

98 members over a period of one year is just unacceptable. We really need to advertise. Now of course I will assume that no one will actually bother advertising considering that most of the members here don't go to other forums.

Now I already got two people form two different forums trying to make a banner that I can use in other forums to advertise HCG. So I hope that if any one of you goes to other forums, you will actually use the banner for advertising.


3) Niche

What's a niche you ask? Well niche means having something original and unique for our forums. Now of course there is no way we can compete with the big gaming forums like Gamespot, IGN, or GameFAQ which is why need some thing unique for our forums.

Now the first idea I have is organize our own clan. now of course not all of us are PC gamers or able to buy the latest games, which is why our clan isn't only about PC gaming. My idea is that first we start with a PC gaming clan and one for DS. Why? It's simple: the admin can probably get some members to join for the PC gaming clan as he can play the latest games. As for the DS, well there is me, Animeking, Deat, Prince3, and bashmo who will be able to play DS games online. Of course that mean we will also be able to get other members to join in our clan.

The clan idea is really needed for a reason: most small gaming forums like ours have some sort of a gaming clan where their members can participate in playing together online games. Also the whole idea of HCG Clan can help us with the website. Instead of a website with news, we will just make one for HCG clan where it require little updates.

I will talk more about we should organize our clan later on.

4) Forums Problems

- As the admin probably knows, I have an eternal hate for the sidebar on the right side. Unless you are running above 1024 x 768 resolution, you won't be able to see unless you scroll. Now I don't hate them a lot, but we need to update the Announcements and Stickys that we have. I can do that if the admin doesn't mind and unSticky the old ones or remove them to the Crypt.

- We all know the Latest post side bar on the left, right? Well it got a problem. When you try to view the post using them, you will go into a view that won't let you see who made the post or even let you post. I hope the admin understand what I mean and fix the problem.


5) Forum Organization

We really have some serious problem with the forum and it's organization. Most of the names or description are a bit... unorganized. Here is some of the problems and my opinion on some of it.

- Rules and Guidelines: It's fine the way it is, however we might need to edit some posts as they seem outdated.

- HCG Lounge: This is the biggest problem. How come we only have one topic for new users to introduce themselves while ALL the other forums I go to let members make their own topics to introduce themselves. Also you might want to change the name to Introduction/Goodbye Topics as I believe the main purpose of this section is for new users to introduce themselves.

- HCG Site News: Totally fine. However, you might want to change the name to HCG Announcements as we are only talking about news related to the HCG site.

- Support and Suggestions: It's fine the way it is.

- HCG User Factions: No just no. We don't use those factions anymore. none of us does. I really think we should just move the topics there in the Crypt and then delete the section because if we follow the Clans idea, we won't be needing those factions.

- Anime Forum: First change the name to Anime/Manga Discussion. Second, why the hell it's in here? Couldn't you have moved it to the Miscellaneous section as it seems more appropriate palce for it.

- Game Development: Unless we start our own game or heck, even have a member who is making his own game, I think we should just move the posts in this section tot he Crypt and remove it. Now of course, if youw ant to, I can get members from GameMaker forums to join and help us with a game or let them use these forums as their headquarter. this way we get more active members and we will get a use for the Game Development section.

- Emulators: Not much activity going on there.

- Multimedia topics: Wrong place. The Miscellaneous section would be much better for it. Believe it will.

- Gaming Tournaments: Just remove the subforums in it. they are completely useless as we don't use them. Now if we follow the Clans idea then the Gaming Tournaments section will get some use as we have clan members to host and participate in tourneys.

- RPG Force/FPS Force: Keep them. they seem fine.

- Microsoft/Nintendo/Sony: Keep them. they are good. Just need more activity in it.

- Microsoft, Linux, and Mac: Name change please. PC Gaming is much more preferred.

- GFX Station: Unless we get some people who know how to make signatures, this section won't see any activity. How about we tell FusionFighter and his friend to post again and cooperate with us? they were really great at banners.

- Anime Games: Is there a need for it? Since we already have an Anime section. If you wanna keep it then move to beside the FPS/RPG Force sections as they all seem relevant.

- Chatter: No just no. This really need a name change. If' it's only gaming related discussion then why don't you name it General Gaming DIscussion so people will actually know and won't get it confused with the Off-Topic section.

- Debate and Disputes: It's good. just how come our posts don't count?

- Off-Topic: It's good.

- The Crypt: Keep it.

Now look at this link


http://hcgnetwork.myfastforum.org/

This is a rough idea of what the forums sh ou ld look like after. Of course the ordering and naming of stuff is up to yo u seeing how I just rushed them.

Now, if anyone want to respond, only respond to points. So state which number you are talking about and respond. This way we will discuss the problems much better.

[Badie05]

Very nice feedback. The reason of all this is because I am lazy and mods are helping (not talking about you though) I've been plagued by a load of new games and could never find time to read posts let alone post and actually update topics and add new features. Now if I am correct...the last time I entered my control panel was abou 5 months ago. I used to use it daily. TOo many games are dropping on me...Just need to schedule some time restrictions....and new help from members for this to all work out....I have officially decided the take all of your advise Survivor...anyways since you are mod...You now have FULL authority. If you think something needs revising or changing, take it into your owns hands. I also am gonna ask "ChrisDaddy" and his crew |xkx| the clan I play for to move their WHOLE forum and site and merger with us. Since this is their site and is NEVER updated: http://www.chrisdaddy.com/ (wait, OMG it's a personal site now so we might get a YES)
It might be hard convincing them since they have an actually URL...Actually I can buy us some REAL server space and URL (http://www.hardcoregamer.net)
if i get more activity. I have Paypal and URLs are $15/year. That is such a good deal!

[Phatkav]

Well I like the whole moving idea. Sounds pretty neat and professional.

Well here is what I'm going to do.

1) Revamp our whole Announcements and Stickys. they are all old or useless (come on why would a gundam seed topic be sticked?)

2) Request a different banner. One for advertising and one for the website.

3) Advertise in other forums once yo u finish organizing some stuff

Also I don't have authority for a lot of stuff. Like I can't revise things such as renaming forums or moving ones.

[Badie05]

Here is my checklist:

[list]
- Working on New site: Temporary URL http://www1.freewebs.com/hcg05/index.html
- Fixing the Sidebar: http://forum.myfreeforum.org/sutra91525.php#91525
- Deleting the Right Hand Side of the Portal
- Removing All Glitches
- Fixing Banner Sizing Issues
- Unstickying Old Topics and Announcements and Making New Ones
- Update The Rules
- Get 1000 posts in Each Major sections
- Fix Naming and Organization of Forums
- Start the Ultimate Marketing Campaign for HCG Networks
- Finished Website
- Order New URL from TuCows Inc.

[Phatkav]

Listen admin, I know i have been wanting to remove the right hand side of the portal, but now the forums look messed up. Mind if you add them back in?

[Badie05]

Can't. Lost all my backup scripts. Will take weeks to rewrite the ripts. Glitches to follow. I have a better Idea. Put a poll there, and maybe a contest bar and then that Gears of war that I made that other day!

[Phatkav]

Well anything will be better than nothing.

[Badie05]

Yup! I will get onto that now!

[Badie05]

Latest Features:

- wysiwyg/New Style Posting Panel

- Red Yellow Card Warning System

Left To Do:

_ Update Rules!

[FaLlEn.DeAtH.aNgEl]

You'll need more members helping to do all that lol......Two people doing it all??.....If everyone helped it'd be easy, to update every week or day.....but I don't see everyone reading this on the forum......=p

[Phatkav]

Well we can do it, somehow.