Your Forum Version 2

When I release a new 'version' I change everything. A brand new skin, banner, icons, plot ideas, board layouts, etc. I find that it's a refreshing way for members new and old to get back into the forum, especially if it's a role-play. If you don't release new 'versions' at one time or another, then members won't be as active on a site. Why stick with a boring old site that you've seen a hundred times when you can have something new and fresh? These are just my thoughts on the matter though.

I think a "new version" is a complete forum make-over. The layout, images, skins, etc. and the plot ideas. I think the main idea of the forum still remains, however, otherwise it isn't really a "new version" at all, but a completely new forum.



However, I don't agree with this. I don't think new versions is what attracts members - it's being able to keep up with the new members as well as make some changes. Yeah, it's nice to have a new layout every once in a while, and of course the plots change, but usually the plots change in a fluid motion - not abruptly. In that a case, a new "version" isn't necessary. It's the same site that just so happens to be going along with the forum's time rate.

Nah, I meant what individual administrators do when they release a new theme or set of boards or something of that sort. Some people call them updates, but some people call it a new 'version' of that forum. Though to what you said about a new skin alone not counting as a change, that's exactly what I was looking for with this prompt. ;] I'm just asking what people think about that sort of concept, not the actual forum software.

I'm going to have to say a new version would be a complete overhaul - edits/additions to the rules of the forum, allowed content, staffing changes, coding changes, layout changes, functionality changes. The RP forum I co-admin on is on it's fifth version. In the near four years we've been around we've only had four major changes to the original site.

I don't necessarily agree that a NEW plot --for an RP-- would constitute as a necessary element for a new version, but maybe a new leg of the plot, so to speak?

I do agree with Edward though, that just because you release a new layout [unless you do a complete coding overhaul, like I did with my forum's new versions] that it should constitute as a new forum. I know a particular forum that's only been around for a few months, but is already on "version 8" because the admin gets tired of the designs. >.> But the site itself has maybe five active members and the plotline never changes, not even slightly...

I think the whole idea of Version 1, 2, 3 and who knows how many others (i've seen several 'versions' on some forums alone ) are mainly pointless. It's a completely incorrect term, yet used so often. If it were something like V.2 for a major overhaul, staff and everything then alright - fair enough, that makes some sense. But not just to call it a new version because some more boards have been added/there's a new skin/you've become bored with the old plot and made a new one/you're trying to bring in new members. That's all just pointless..
Also i very much doubt that it brings in new members, probably the opposite in fact. Who wants to see that a forum is on its 4th version? Nobody.. it makes it sound as if the admin can never make up their mind.

I think to have a new version, you have to have kind of like a time jump. So say you have this character and this one etc, and the site is dying. Well, it could have the same plot, kept in the same In Character location, but you have a new skin, new (in, let's say, a wolf RP) pack names, and all new characters. Kind of like if you were to take this generation, make an RP about it, and then, once this generation got old and boring, make a new RP with the next generation. That's what I think (if any of it makes sense lol).