Your Forum Version 2

[Artemis]

Whether by hope to draw in new activity, an effort to create something new and unique, or just to induce change, people often bring up new ideas to the table for their forums' operations, such as some new boards or layout changes, a new theme, new codes, etc. Often times people will bring all these changes out at once, and call it [forum name] version 2.

However, what some people might call a new 'version' might just look like a few simple changes to someone else. Some might say that releasing a new version is an overused technique, use for the name rather than the actual new ideas implemented. Some even say that forums shouldn't have versions.

What do you think? What constitutes a new version for your forum? Do you release new versions at all? If not, why?

[edwardjh]

Technically, forum's -don't- have versions (unless you are talking about the actual software, e.g. Proboards Ver 5, SomeRandomCompetitor ver 1.2.3.

When forums have a new "version", it's more of a way of saying "Yo! Some major changes have happened here". A new skin alone is not a new "version". A new "version" is a complete overhaul in not only design, but functionality (incl. content).

It can also be a way to signify a change of staff (or something similar). Not just an appointment of a more minor staff member, but shift in management itself.

So yeah... In the technical sense, "version" is incorrect. However, in a more dictionary-based sense, I suppose a forum -can- have versions. However, the problem is it looks a bit tacky making a "v2" after getting bored of a week-old skin.

[Grimm Valentine]

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.

[RazzaDazDazzle]

Would a new board count as a new version?

I was once a very active and contributing member of a chat forum for a particular video game, but it began to get nailed with spam, and one post members. It was mainly to clean stuff up, but we did have several old members come back that were once very active. The board came back under a new title, but we generally refer to it as the original board v2.

It was a great new start. The spammers and trolls have almost completely disappeared, and the new board is much better. It was a good idea, I think.

[Andrea]

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.

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?

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.

[Gia_Sesshoumaru]

I think a new version constitutes a new forum layout/color scheme. Not necessarily plot changes, although if a major plot change or site change does coincide with the new layout/colors, then that's another thing for the version, but I don't think it's necessary or one. Also, it can signfiy a re-opening, if a site's been shut down for a while. I also don't think that having a new version is a way to attact members. I simply think it's a way to illustrate that something major has changed on the site and for people to take notice. At least that's what we do on my site, and then we can get opinions on what's been done for future reference. If it does attract members, then great! However, as I said, I don't think it's the point, at least it shouldn't be, unless you're in bad need of members.

[Artemis]

Jul 5, 2009 14:47:31 GMT -8 @edwardjh said:

Technically, forum's -don't- have versions (unless you are talking about the actual software, e.g. Proboards Ver 5, SomeRandomCompetitor ver 1.2.3.

When forums have a new "version", it's more of a way of saying "Yo! Some major changes have happened here". A new skin alone is not a new "version". A new "version" is a complete overhaul in not only design, but functionality (incl. content).

It can also be a way to signify a change of staff (or something similar). Not just an appointment of a more minor staff member, but shift in management itself.

So yeah... In the technical sense, "version" is incorrect. However, in a more dictionary-based sense, I suppose a forum -can- have versions. However, the problem is it looks a bit tacky making a "v2" after getting bored of a week-old skin.

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.

[Candice]

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?

I would think having a new version and having something new and fresh would be completely different. I've seen sites go through 3 or 4 versions, and still crash and burn. It doesn't matter what your site looks it, it doesn't matter what version it's on if you don't have the member base to back it up. Members, yes they do care about appearances, aren't go to decided by whether or not if your site is on V1 or V2. Sure some do, and I will agree on that, but if they do well then it might be best if they went somewhere else.

I don't really think a version is going to help if you've still seen it a hundred of times. I mean, a site could be on V3 and still have the same old theme or plot line as a site that's on V1. The versions don't have anything to do when it comes to being new and fresh to some, like me. A new and fresh site would be one with a plot line that's completely different from everything I've seen, not one that's on V1 or V3.

[Kami]

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...

[lostangel09]

Well technically for me if a new skin was release, new boards added or even a few new codes here and there doesn't consists a V2 or V3 for me. However on my old forum that I had when started on proboards I did make a V2 but which consist a new free forum (not probords) and different features that came with it. That is what I say count as a V2, because the whole thing itself is different.

However as for right now I haven't made a V2 on my new forum since it just started out and few members so I won't be release a V2 for a long time.

[Until_Proven_Guilty]

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.

[Karen]

I wouldn't exactly call the recent overhaul we did on our forum a new version. But we did make some major changes when a newer version of the game we're centered around was released. We dropped the number of the previous version from our name in an effort to welcome all people who use any version, 1, 2 or 3 of the game. Plus, we completely changed the colors, main banner, other banners on some boards, a couple new star colors, images, added sideboxes, etc., and now offer two skins rather than only one as has always been the case since the forum was born 3 1/2 years ago. A few new rules were added, new staff members, and a contest to give away a free copy of the new version of the game in celebration of the release and our new look.

So, would you call that version 2 of our forum? I wouldn't I guess, but some might. I'd just say we updated to stay fresh.

[Hitoban no Fokkusu]

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).

[HoudiniDerek]

Jul 5, 2009 13:55:27 GMT -8 Artemis said:

Whether by hope to draw in new activity, an effort to create something new and unique, or just to induce change, people often bring up new ideas to the table for their forums' operations, such as some new boards or layout changes, a new theme, new codes, etc. Often times people will bring all these changes out at once, and call it [forum name] version 2.

However, what some people might call a new 'version' might just look like a few simple changes to someone else. Some might say that releasing a new version is an overused technique, use for the name rather than the actual new ideas implemented. Some even say that forums shouldn't have versions.

What do you think? What constitutes a new version for your forum? Do you release new versions at all? If not, why?

I think it is up to the admin as to what they consider new. Some people change a skin and archive a few things and it is a new version for them. If that works for them and they feel nothing else needs changed, that's fine.

For me, I am like that at times. I try to make enough changes to warrant it looking different and possibly add/delete codes. I try to do it all at once so it is not as taxing on me and it doesn't randomly confuse the members as to why this changed, but not that. (I am on a site where I am staff and this is my job. The admin lets me run with it. He calls it a new version when we make these changes).

On the site I run by myself, I don't make new versions. Even if I would change all of the codes, skins, etc., I would not call it a new version. To me, there is only one version and the rest are just modifications to the original.

[Sic In Principio]

If you had a "version 2" of a forum i think it would be:

a change in storyline/plot or major management change.

IMO, i wouldn't call my forum V.2 because that meant V1 obviously didn't work... meaning the administration wasn't the greatest letting the forum either fall apart or just not work.