Suggestions for improving the forums..

[Male-Rights-Network]

May I suggest that:

1. You allow guests to view full threads. This will allow more people to lurk and will generate more interest in male issues.

2. Limit Google ads to one per thread? Do people really click on the ads that much??

3. Have a link to http://antimisandry.com/vbdr/forum/index.html prominent on the homepage, antimisandry.com. Often I must click on the posts on the side to get to the General Chit-Chat forum. Put it fairly central at the top.

Just a few suggestions that I think would benefit the site. Thanks.

[Male-Rights-Network]

May I suggest that:

1. You allow guests to view full threads. This will allow more people to lurk and will generate more interest in male issues.

2. Limit Google ads to one per thread? Do people really click on the ads that much??

3. Have a link to http://antimisandry.com/vbdr/forum/index.html prominent on the homepage, antimisandry.com. Often I must click on the posts on the side to get to the General Chit-Chat forum. Put it fairly central at the top.

Just a few suggestions that I think would benefit the site. Thanks.

[Male-Rights-Network]

Also may I suggest that the cookie policy be changed. Some users will have dynamic IPs which seem to reset your cookies. You can probably set it so that it stays even if the IP is changed?

[Marx]

Originally Posted by Male-Rights-Network

May I suggest that:

1. You allow guests to view full threads. This will allow more people to lurk and will generate more interest in male issues.

The principle idea behind blocking page 2 (onwards) is to encourage more 'lurkers' to register. They need not post, just register, and the entire thread is opened up for their perusal. Having ran the forum very openly in the past I can say with experience that guests do not feel a need to register when there is no benefit gained from the registration process.

Originally Posted by Male-Rights-Network

2. Limit Google ads to one per thread? Do people really click on the ads that much??

the 'google ads' themselves only take up one 'post' (1.5) and the other 'post' (5.5) is actually two promotions, but not google ads. The final ad is placed way down the bottom of the page, out of sight but still present. Becoming a sponsor removes all ads ;)

Originally Posted by Male-Rights-Network

3. Have a link to http://antimisandry.com/vbdr/forum/index.html prominent on the homepage, antimisandry.com. Often I must click on the posts on the side to get to the General Chit-Chat forum. Put it fairly central at the top.

Have you not noticed the very large red & blue logo "Anti Misandry: The antidote for feminist indoctrination". Clicking this rather large banner takes the viewer directly to the forum. Just below it is a 'breadcrumb' of the site, clicking the line "Antimisandry" also takes viewers directly to the forum. :)

Originally Posted by Male-Rights-Network

Just a few suggestions that I think would benefit the site. Thanks.

Thank you kindly :)

Originally Posted by Male-Rights-Network

Also may I suggest that the cookie policy be changed. Some users will have dynamic IPs which seem to reset your cookies. You can probably set it so that it stays even if the IP is changed?

I cannot change the cookie policy due to the integration of drupal with vbulletin software. I mean, yes, I can change it so to speak, but this is the only way in which it will actually work without corrupting the drupal element of the site, sadly. Again, a good suggestion (and one I wish I could implement) but it is beyond the capabilities of this site's configuration as of this time.

[Male-Rights-Network]

Originally Posted by Karl

The principle idea behind blocking page 2 (onwards) is to encourage more 'lurkers' to register. They need not post, just register, and the entire thread is opened up for their perusal. Having ran the forum very openly in the past I can say with experience that guests do not feel a need to register when there is no benefit gained from the registration process.

Hmmm... I would have thought that showing the full thread would increase lurkers and active posters. Seeing as you are have experience moderating the forum I'll take your word for it though! It really is oh so important that we get lurkers posting and joining the discussion, and AM does seem to have a good few regular posters.

It could be important that Antimisandry "shows" its threads to Google, though, but I guess that's covered by the lo-fi view....

Originally Posted by Karl

Have you not noticed the very large red & blue logo "Anti Misandry: The antidote for feminist indoctrination". Clicking this rather large banner takes the viewer directly to the forum. Just below it is a 'breadcrumb' of the site, clicking the line "Antimisandry" also takes viewers directly to the forum. :)

I noticed the banner yes, but I had not deduced that clicking it would lead me to the forum index. I don't think it's very intuitive web design no offence intended! Perhaps you could add a little "click here to enter the forums?"

I cannot change the cookie policy due to the integration of drupal with vbulletin software.

Ah okay. Pity as I like long-lasting cookies, especially on sites like this... Don't we all?

Thanks Karl.

[Marx]

Not a problem. My time is extremely limited (due to having no 'net at home for the time-being) but I will certainly take your advice on adding 'click to enter the forum' once I am no longer confined to library/friends access to get online.

[istoute]

Dear Karl,

I have noticed that many of the forum members are anxious about taking action. I was thinking that a new "forum index" called "Neighbors" would be nice. Within this forum would be a link for Canada, UK, and USA. Within each would be a separate link for each State, Provice, or whatever. Here, members could discuss local events relevant to the Men's Movement and even organize demonstrations.

Timocrat and I have also come to agree that the Men's Movement is incredibly scattered. We need a forum where members can debate the nature of the Men's Movement and it's overall aim. I must confess: I do not believe with many of the precepts mentioned on this forum. I am what Timocrat calls a "moderate" and I think such a forum would allow me to discuss my views, in an orderly fashion, without being constantly attatcked or ignored.

I understand that you are very busy and don't have internet access at your home. If you can make these changes I think they will help the Men's Movement immensly.

[Tyrael]

What's up with the recent (long) downtimes of this website? Yesterday and today I saw a screen with the message that the server is down.

[Janus]

Originally Posted by Tyrael

What's up with the recent (long) downtimes of this website? Yesterday and today I saw a screen with the message that the server is down.

I see that about 10 times a day. Sometimes for 1 min, sometimes for 1 hr or more. I don't know what it's about, but it's annoying.

[Marx]

Apologies folks, i cannot do anything for the time being.
However, I'll soon be able to work on the issues... it will take time, i'm sorry to say. please, have patience.