[The Equivocate]

I see a lot of people starting a forum just for the sake of starting a forum. I can tell you right now that those forums won't succeed.

I also see someone trying to get a network of forums going. In theory, that's a good idea, but when you break it down, members won't want to register and then check 5-10 different forums just to read everything.

So basically I'm making an offer to anyone who otherwise would be starting a forum right now. My site, totaldiscussion.com, is just what the name says - TOTAL discussion. Everything you could want to post about is in one place. Makes it 10x better for posters if you think about what I said before.

If you're going to open up a music forum, here's what you can do. I will make a music category, and you will be moderator of that category. I can even install category-specific skins so each category feels like it's own forum. This way, you can still start a basic forum, but still be backed up by the rest of the site. Someone might register for the Movies section, but they soon become interested in the Music section and post there - without having to register again.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/website-development/13256-instead-of-starting-your-own-forum.html

PM me if interested.

[meljr]

Hi Matt, I checked out your forum at http://www.totaldiscussion.com and you do have a lot of topics, plus the forum looks neat and well run. I am sure that for many people a "total" sort of idea would work well, kind of like a big grocery store that has everything. Other people like to go to the small mom and pop store (not many of these left) or a specialty store. I kind of see forums like this.

Years ago I use to go to several poetry forums. Each one was run by a different person, and took on a flavor all its own according to the personality of the owner. People do like to talk, but some how they want to talk to other people they already know. So if you don't know anyone at the forum, it is hard to just go there and try to fit in out of the blue. There was one "high class" poetry forum, that was almost impossible to get accepted into because the users were for the most part very good poets and well educated. Leaners didn't really belong there, and the forum members let them know fast.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=13256

This namespros forum has been kind of like that for me. That is it is not so much the information, but how the forum members accept you and your ideas.

Just my two cents worth on this.

meljr

[bensontwenty]

Good idea TSC, however, I think you are missing the point slightly. There are a lot of newbies on this forum, and I consider myself included in that statement. For many, a forum is an initially easy way for people to get up and running and have a web presence. The software is fairly easy to configure and install and you can have a working website in minutes. Then comes the learning curve and the hard reality which for many people is a bit of a shock.

I agree with you that a lot of the multitude of forums that are springing up will probably fail - but so what - who is losing out and who is being hurt. Nobody IMO. There is a lot of the 'If I build it they will come' sentiment going around however, forum owners or prospective forum owners will quickly learn that this is not the case and either move on, harming no-one, or they will take a reality check and sit down and try to do whatever they can to make their forum succeed.

With regards to the forum network and people not wanting to have to register for different forums. If somebody is interested in something then they will visit. A forum is not just about members but about information. If you look at the stats for namepros at the bottom you will see that at time of writing, there are 71 people online. 29 are members, and 42 are guests. Will these 42 guests convert into members - probably not, but some will and stay to be a part of the community. Others will bookmark and revisit from time to time whilst the rest will move on because they do not find anything of interest. That is 1 of the ideas behind the Forum Network - to encourage visitors to sites - those that want to stay will stay whilst those that don't will move on. I have quite a few forums bookmarked - I dont post in them all and I'm not even a member of them all but I do visit them regularly for items of interest.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=13256

TSC - I wish you luck with your venture just as I hope you wish me luck in mine - the web is vast and there is room for all - 24hr Walmarts and corner shop mom and pop stores (nice analogy meljr )

[Tippy]

I prefer niche Forums rather then one huge free-for-all... found it funny that your site looks just like NPs...

Mike

[Josh]

Yea, whats up with that TSC?

[holeinone]

AGAIN BIKINGFORUM.COM IS EXPIRING TODAY.

[The Equivocate]

Quote:

Originally posted by Josh Yea, whats up with that TSC?

I bought that skin well before I even knew about NP from vbulletinstyles.com...