Or you know just put it back up? Who thought that the donation thing for the archived threads was a good idea that wouldn't carry some stigma?
I'll admit, this was 100% my fault. We have a recycling bin of sort to toss older topics into that are usually along the lines of bots who make funny ones, sockpuppets that are deleted before the public sees them and just other stuff that we try to keep the forum clean with. I got the idea from a different site which did something similar and offered unique features like that to users who donated. I didn't realize the backlash that it would get here and I was even called out on it by the other modmins so again, I do take full responsibility for that and I promise I will rectify the scenario.
Once I purge the "Recycling Bin" we have in our area of topics that have some hazardous linked topics I'll be moving it to the FFXI section and having it used as the name "Classic Threads" and viewable to all instead of a premium member.
Sorry about the size, just wanted to make sure people read it. As an FYI, the "flameboard" still exists under the FFXIV section as "Player Warnings" if you take a look at the other thread.
The more I read, the more it sounds like you guys should have set up Eosun as a sister site and just left QCDN to its own devices.
That was on the table actually. We did have the thought of using both QCDN and EOSun, but then the issue arose of what if I play both games? Do I have to keep switching back and forth between the two forums? It just seemed more feasible to have
us use one url for the whole forums.
There were numerous opportunities for all interested parties to join the FFXIV development team months ago. Just sayin'.
This is very true. I was hoping by having people who wanted to voice their opinions for the change join the group and contribute what they have so this thread wouldn't get nasty like this. C'est la vie I suppose.
Yup I though we would have more people willing to help around. I still think the choices we made are still for the good of the forums and the people who/who will frequent the forum in the end. At least it made sense when we were talking about them a couple of weeks ago. No?
They still make sense to me...but some people claim I am crazy. I am inclined to believe them.
I think I would rather complain that the input I didn't bother to give was ignored.
Though, to be honest, retaining a flameboard of some sort for the Quetz forum section would probably be a good idea.
I would like to create prefixes again for the "player warnings" board. One for FFXI and one for FFXIV. The same goes for Groovy times that way people can keep on sharing their good and bad times to the community.
Well, looking at it from a business aspect, this makes no sense. Obviously, the goal here was to increase page views etc. What was the biggest page view? Flameboard. However, the problem is they're aiming to make it a multi-server thing in a Blue Gartrs fashion. This site, as it still retains it form in a sense, is not and was not a multi-server forum. Could people from other servers come here? Yes, but this is an established community. Many of us plan to play with one another on the same server because of that established community. It would be hard to bring in a whole lot of new people because 1) there's been no advertisement for QCDN to increase the number of page views and 2) those new guys having to adjust to a community that's already close to one another viewing this as a giant clique. So, maybe I should have signed up to do the development to give this input as I think it potentially hurts things over-all. We, as a community, would generally stick together even if we play on different servers. Feeding off ideas, and improving said ideas.
No kidding? It's entirely outside the realm of possibility that current members who branch to other servers would get their respective linkshell mates and acquaintances to come to this site, just as they did with QCDN during FFXI? What a preposterous concept.
We are not looking to be like BlueGartr. As a matter-of-fact, that was specifically mentioned as something we were striving *not* to become.
Biggest page view for QCDN might have been the Flameboard, but as early as 2008, that stigma was being actively worked on by staff. We do not want peoples' sole business on Eorzea Sun to be dramamongering. It is an aspect of the site, and it is also still being worked on, but it is not the primary focus of the site, just as the Flameboard was not the primary focus of QCDN, much to the dismay of many silly little trolls who attempted to make it so.
Romper, Tristam essentially gave the answer here. I'll hopefully be able to add more when I respond to Divinius' post.
Just for the record ... while the new default theme looks great for a black and white theme, I really think it could be much better if we used some color :/
From what I've seen so far, Eorzea is full of colorful environments. I don't see why a website dedicated to what's going on in Eorzea shouldn't be as well.
We've heard many compliments and critiques about the default theme that we had. Ultimately, we were looking for a neutral one that...like Misi says later doesn't hurt the eyes. Don't fret though! We're going to be adding some more themes for people to choose from when the next version update of EOSun happens.
Ok so hang on... let me make sure I got this all straight...
Clever! Mock the gay guy I see.
Not wanting to keep a messageboard that had the advatage of being dedicated to a specific server of an established and popular game (something that was actually unique, at least for Quetz), you've decided to completely change it to a general messageboard for a new game, no different from any of the other myraid of FFXIV boards out there, because the current game is "dying".
Prior to I'd say...2008/2009 QCDN was used as a variety of things. Flameboard included, but most users enjoyed the site to set up events, schedule dynamis with no issues, keep in touch with friends and have their own private linkshell forum here. During that time, we've actually had Quetzalcoatl members who moved to a new server still use QCDN as a way to communicate and have a private forum for their linkshell. It would not be a good idea to deny them that simply because they changed servers. EOSun is still focusing on those members who made QCDN what it was and if we chose a specific server I'm sure some would feel left out. So it's not a general message board as we still have those specific things that made QCDN awesome. Those items being event scheduling and the ability to have a private forum for their linkshell. With new updates added to the site they can even now have their
roster shown based on their usergroup to keep easier track of who is in their LS.
Also, you have completely removed the forum that had the most page hits, the flameboard, that (along with the infamous "Dynamis Scheduling" forum) was essentially the lifeblood of these otherwise lackluster boards. Oh, but wait, forums users that want to access that content still totally can -- IF THEY PAY FOR IT.
A few things here. The flameboard really wasn't the lifeblood of this site. The community is and it always will be. Those who came here just for the flames would always eventually leave when the flameboard was dry, so we certainly didn't feel the need to serve them. I'd rather get more items that bring the community together instead of rip them apart.
That being said, the flameboard will still be around for those who feel the need to warn other players about people they've been in contact with. And as I noted above, the older flames will be moved to a classic threads bin for people to view.
So you basiclly toss out everything that has been working for you, to replace it with something that is only going to stand of a chance of holding appeal for people that already knew QCDN and have friends that post here.
I really don't mean for this to sound like a flame against those of you who were working very hard on the site's transition, but... Where exactly did you guys get the drugs you were smoking when you thought these were good ideas?
Well though you didn't mean to sound like a flame but this was pretty rude and I'd hope that we can drop one liners like that. We're all civilized here and there's no need to resort to petty insults to make your argument sound more convincing.
According to your profile you have been here since March of 2010 and unless you are a super secret sockpuppet you can't really comment on what worked for the site prior to that. As I've stated before, we are trying to give a service to the people who want a community site as a way to get in touch with old friends, make new ones and plan fun events. Afterall...isn't that what games like this are for?
Now I know that I didn't volunteer to be on the elite squad of people that were going to redesign this site
I have to stop you right there. Please don't take this tone that you weren't "elite" enough to be on the development team. An announcement was made and
everyone on the site had a chance to join if they asked (and behaved). So please don't think that it was some sort of elite decision that we selectively chose.
but that's mainly because after the time I've spent on QCDN, I realized I didn't really give a rat's ass what happened to this site. Honestly, I still don't. After today, I'll probably never bother to sign on again, assuming this remains the new theme of the site. Anything that held any appeal at all to me is now gone. (And while I did love me some good flames, your drugs are especially potent if you think for a second I'd actually pay money to use the FFXI flameboard.)
This comment just reinforces what I've said previously in this thread. I'd like to cater to those users who
do give a shit about the site and wish to see it more then just a place to troll around. There's other forums for that.
Harsh words aside for a moment, and in an attempt to convey sincere comments...
The advantage this site had over all the other FFXI sites out there is that (other than server-specific sections of biggest boards) it was the standard meeting place for people from one specific FFXI server, and it housed things like the "non-official-but-as-close-to-official-as-you-could-get" Dynamis Schedule, and the ever-popular flameboard. Yes, there were people from other servers that hang out here, but mainly because they used to be on Quetz, or have friends here, etc.
But again, we still had members who had switched servers still using the forum even though they weren't on Quetz. Suffice to say, we were already a multi-server forum. We're just acknowledging it now. And though you say those members were only here mainly because they used to be on Quetz, what happens to the users who wouldn't choose the "official" server? We're just saying "You still have a home here."
Unless I'm totally misunderstanding what you are trying to say, the changes you are making are actually designed to flow against creating that type of messageboard for FFXIV, and turing this into just another generic FFXIV fan site that no one aside from the previous QCDN users will have any reason to visit over the bigger and better boards, while at the same time, you are going to lose all those people that only came here for the entertainment of things like the flameboard (which, by your own admission was one of the most popular forums based on page hits).
I think you are totally misunderstanding the intent and trying to create a huge issue out of this. This site will turn into what the community makes it. Nothing more, nothing less.
I can understand your desire to not have something like the flameboard be the "primary focus" of the site, but you have to ask yourself, what do you want for this site? A virtually dead "going nowhere" site that is your vision of "ideal"? Or a site that is actually popular and gets hits? If you want the former, then have fun with that, but (and I truly hope for your sake I'm wrong here) if you actually expect your page hits to go up in the future (and not down), I am afraid you are going to be sorely mistaken by taking this approach.
Again, since you are still a fairly new member to the site it's difficult for me to take the argument of "this site will die off if you take away the flameboard." This site has been active for many years and I'm hoping (and I know other people are too!) that with the new game out there, this forum will gain a new following and that we'll be able to welcome them into our community with open arms.
Now even though I "kind of" agreed with some of your "points," here's where you threw me off:
If you don't give a rat's ass about what happens to this site, then why post this huge response? Personally, I'm not sure what direction QCDN/Eosun is going to right now, and whether the site is going to die or not is really up to the modmins at this point. But I'm not sitting here pointing out how getting rid of the flameboard is going to kill the site, if I don't even care about the site.
Also, unless I'm blind, Dynamis Scheduling is still there so why did you even bring that up? It's still a FFXI community as well, but just leaned towards FFXIV more now.
I certainly hope the site doesn't die, and I am hoping that the community here makes it one hell of an awesome board.
I know i've said it quite a few times all ready, We are working on it. We have no intention of leaving this as the only theme or even leaving this one how it looks right now. The site was thrown together quickly, what you see here was a hurry and launch, layout. Not to mention, a beta is going on and updates with XI Believe it or not, Mods want to play the games too! Not just sit on the forum all day punching in hex values. Just so you get an idea :
all of that, needs to be changed. colors,images, size. and that is only half way through C.
The main plan is to have one for each nation. Then do extra themes as we go. Out of all the pre-made themes the gray one was the best choice. If we went all white/blue/black. We'd get complaints that it was too bright. If we went too dark, people would complain that they can't see text on their screens. And even with this theme, there have been complains. But I grantee you, if we uploaded the ones that were going to be used, this gray one would be the one people would use most. I all ready asked Miros if he would upload the other ones he had. You can make your choice then.
The game isn't even out yet, People need to give us a break in terms of styles. We can't add content if we arn't sure what is the legit thing to add.
As far as the flameboard thing goes, isn't my cup of tea. I don't think it holds enough value to be charged for. if anything was going to be charged for, it should be use of photo gallery space or a small fee for personal linkshell folders. something to that degree. anyway, billings not my department. I can't speak for anyone else on that matter.
My personal goal: Make people want to be here, make them have reason to donate if they wish. Let the community see where the donations are going, visibly to make it worth your while, and over all to enjoy yourself. I want us to do contests, have prizes. We're going over some ideas for that stuff now.
I know its hard for people to keep their cool when they are so used to something being the same way for so long. Please work with us. I really do hope that in time we can make this a place people want to be.
I have to back Misi up here. Creating themes from scratch is a long and annoying process. We're still developing the new styles for the nations like she mentioned. Though in the next version update I will introduced some other pre-made skins for users to choose.
I understand, I guess I'm just speaking out b/c it's such a far cry from what I was expecting... something like what you see below, pulling colors from what we *do* know about XIV (it's logo's colors in this case) ... and not made in paint with only moderate consideration on coloring.
Sorry if I made you repeat yourself, I was looking around but didn't see any solid answers on what plans were with themes other than there would be some made based on nations. My concern is more in regards to the appearance of the default theme.
See above too!
Too long I am not reading all that sh*t version:
- The flameboard is still around, though I guess I really have to re-name it as flameboard so users realize it's there.
- Old flameboard content will be moved into a classic threads forum under the FFXI section for people to have some laughs on.
- New styles are being developed and some pre-made skins will be introduced with the next version update.
- Users should not feel obligated to "donate" to the site to get extra items. That being said, there still are incentives such as animated gif and animated signatures that the premium members will receive. You have to get something for donating right?
- The main goal of the new site is to bring together the community and enjoy the game!
- THIS WEBSITE WILL BECOME WHAT THE USERS WANT. NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS. I do hope that you all will make this a great hub for people to get together and talk about the good times they've had in the FFXIV and FFXI world.
