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Epicomms Forums
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Author:  The_Real_Chris [ Mon Jul 11, 2005 6:53 am ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
I've lurked on here for ages, dipping in and out (previous name being ChrisHayes). Two things stopped me posting a lot, one (the biggest) was the official Epic forum and BFG Yahoo group (post on one, try and keep up with other) the other was the way the forums were layed out.

The order and so on is a bit confusing and it took me a while to figure out what went where, also there is quite a bit of scrolling.

However I would ask is it worth having a look at the layout and the current forum names, order etc to see if it would be improved? Also to see if any forum could be closed/merged? It might improve things, especially for new members.

I did this sort of thing for an intranet for a couple of years and though it isn't the same sort of thing some of the rubbish I used to spout might be useful.

First off is the forum for current communications as opposed to 'old stuff'. An example might be the EpiCompetitions forum. During these comps it must be pretty busy, however at other times not much is being said. Should it be closed down and its planning aspect moved to another area during fallow times then restarted when a competition is running?

Second, the first thing you see. Currently I load up and see websites. Are these the most popular forums? Are they what people come here to see? Are they the best/most interesting ones? I should add for me the painting/modelling forums are typicaly where people shine the most.

Thirdly the grouping. Would it be better to have all topics relating to the same thing in the same grouping? For instance, netepic, would it be better to have all the netepic forums in a 'NetEpic' group (perhaps with a link/explanation).

Just a format off the top of my head but would the following format be more accessable?

EpiComms Community
EpiComms - Online Behaviour stuff, problems and feedback with forum and site, requests for new forums etc.
Web News - As it is now, forge world newsletter, new sites etc
General - General chat, games, life, Fanatic changes etc

Painting and Converting
EpiCompetitions - Merged with general when no competition is ongoing
The Dry Dock - All things BFG
6mm - All things Epic model wise
General - Other scales, competitions, terrain, board construction, LED in epic marine guns etc

BFG
Battlefleet Gothic chat
Worth putting the BFG painting and modelling in here?

Epic Armageddon  
Epic Armageddon - general chat, fan rules etc etc
EA AMTL
EA Eldar
EA Tau
EA Tyranids
EA As required

NetEpic
NetEpic General Disscussion
NetEpic Background
The EPICentre Website comments

General (Or better title)
Other Epic and Titan Games - Epic 40k, AT, Space Marine etc
Background - For any game
General Wargames Discussion
Trades
Author:  Jimbo [ Mon Jul 11, 2005 8:53 am ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
You can order things by game as you suggest or by topic as is already the case.

Generally there are revisions to these boards by CS when and as requested.

It has worked well over the last few years.

A newcomer to any board will find it confusing regardless of how it is organised, and will take time to find the areas he is interested in.

Personally I don't think with new people coming over is the time to consider re-organising. See how things settle and then possibly change if needed.
Author:  Jimbo [ Mon Jul 11, 2005 8:57 am ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
Also...

As a moderator I have noticed that we virtually never need to move threads as they have been posted in the wrong place, which implies that the current structure is not confusing for most people. Most new people to the board have not had a problem posting to the right section of the board.
Author:  Tas [ Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:02 am ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
I agree with Jimbo - I think you'll find it a logical flow with more use than just lurking Chris.  The search function and New posts button mean I hardly every scrawl though the subjects anyway

First off is the forum for current communications as opposed to 'old stuff'. An example might be the EpiCompetitions forum. During these comps it must be pretty busy, however at other times not much is being said. Should it be closed down and its planning aspect moved to another area during fallow times then restarted when a competition is running?


What would the purpose of this be?  As a member who spends considerable tiem away, I like to be able to catch up on what I missed, or simply browse back through the old competitions when I feel a need for some inspiration.

Not that change and growth isnt good- but everyone generally seems pretty happy with the layout as it is.
Author:  CyberShadow [ Mon Jul 11, 2005 2:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
Thanks for your post, Chris. You do raise some interesting points. Firstly, I have had the mind to move the entire site for a while, and any changes to these boards cant happen until then - although I have no idea when I will have the time to do that.

One of the things that I did consider is spliting the board almost as you recommend. Epic in a section (EpiComms), Gothic in a section (GothiComms?) and a general section (StuffiComms?  :D  ).

These boards have evolved considerably since they started, and that is one of the reasons for the structure. It used to be board announcements at the top, followed by background, wargames rules and then painting and modelling. Extra bits got added along the way.

I do think that the EpiComp board should remain, as discussion can take place at any time, and with potentially two competitions occurring (at least) each year, I think that we will need a dedicated board for this.

I agree with Jimbo that this is possibly not the best time to reorganise these boards, but I also feel that they could be improved a little - not major changes, but enhancements and clarifications.

I will store this thread and think about it when (and if) the site is eventually moved. In the meantime, and comments from new or old members are appreciated.

Thanks.
Author:  dafrca [ Mon Jul 11, 2005 2:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
Just wanted to agree, that regardless of format a newbie feels "lost".

Once I started to pot, I have not had any problems.

I would use caution doing too much change without there being a real need for it. Change is good, change just for the sake of change is not.

dafrca
Author:  MaksimSmelchak [ Mon Jul 11, 2005 4:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
Hi Guys,

Jimbo is "almost always right!" :)

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
Author:  Dwarf Supreme [ Mon Jul 11, 2005 4:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
From someone who joined only 2 months ago, I think the layout is fine the way it is. I don't see any real need for a major overhaul.
Author:  vanvlak [ Mon Jul 11, 2005 4:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
Quote (MaksimSmelchak @ 11 2005 July,17:01)
Hi Guys,

Jimbo is "almost always right!" :)

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Now hang on a minute, we say Jimbo is almost always right, and yet, from experience, Jimbo is always right. So come on, Jimbo, which is it, almost always, or always? It would help if you were wrong for once, you know...  :p  :D ...all that and he even takes great pics!  :D
Author:  Jimbo [ Mon Jul 11, 2005 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
2 + 2 = 5
Author:  vanvlak [ Mon Jul 11, 2005 4:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
Quote (Jimbo @ 11 2005 July,17:48)
2 + 2 = 5

Jimbo said it, so it must be right...... musn't it?  :oo
Author:  Warmaster Nice [ Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
Of course it is :;):

However I am a bit worried... If Jimbo only claims to be almost allways right there must indeed have been some incident where he was wrong... What was it? Hmmm.... What terrible secret could it be... The plot thickens... ???
Author:  MaksimSmelchak [ Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:11 am ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
Hi Guys,

V: Now hang on a minute, we say Jimbo is almost always right, and yet, from experience, Jimbo is always right. So come on, Jimbo, which is it, almost always, or always? It would help if you were wrong for once, you know... ? ? ...all that and he even takes great pics!


Jimbo and I have a sort of love/hate relationship... Sometimes we disagree pretty strongly about things, but in the end, I love the guy.

I'm glad that I coined the "Jimbo is almost always right!" phrase and I think it's ALMOST ALWAYS TRUE! :D

No more explanation needed!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
Author:  vanvlak [ Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:14 am ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
Quote (MaksimSmelchak @ 12 2005 July,04:11)
Hi Guys,
Jimbo and I have a sort of love/hate relationship... Sometimes we disagree pretty strongly about things, but in the end, I love the guy.

I'm glad that I coined the "Jimbo is almost always right!" phrase and I think it's ALMOST ALWAYS TRUE! :D

No more explanation needed!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

heh, great answer, Maksim. ?:D ?:D ?:D
Author:  Jimbo [ Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:45 am ]
Post subject:  Epicomms Forums
:D
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