Suggestions [IMPORTANT]

[Virtual Headache]

Many changes will come to the forums in the next few days, that's why I'm creating this thread.
I you've still got ideas what to change, please reply to this thread instantly.
It doesn't matter, if the suggestion has already been made or not. It doesn't matter that we have a forum for suggestions.
Fact is, when I'm doing the changes, I might probably turn off the forums now and then for being able to work without users watching me.
I don't wanna do that that often, that's why I wanna do many changes at a time.

So please give me some suggestions to be able to make more changes at a time.

This thread is also very important for me, because I see the forums slowly dying.

It's not nice to see new opened forums even get more members in a few days, than this one got in almost a year.

This fact is making me kinda sad since I've put a lot of work in these forums. I've spent a lot of my time (which I actually could have used for other things), just to make the users more comfortable and for improving the forums.

And it hardly ever seems to work...
Seems like I'm doing a lot wrong. Otherwise these forums would be more popular...

Well, well if you've got any idea how to make these forums more interesting and attractive, don't hesitate to point it out.
I'll really appreciate it.

And this time I'm going to take all your ideas, comments (whatever) VERY SERIOUSLY in hope to make the forums better and give you a better time here than ever.

[Chareon]

Well, most forums who open, have a main website, already firmly established with you know, content that attracts people to it, so maybe we need to focus more on the main site. Although, since you're doing so much on the forum now, you don't need another load to worry about. We kind of need to spread the word about the PI-website as well as the forums.

We could try traffic generators (I have some links), we could join webrings, affiliate with other sites, or even combine with them which would give us more territory on the internet, we can also list ourselves in more search engines. we need to be seen in other places, big places, not just Pokemon forums, There are plenty of ways Pi, so don't worry about it too much, things like this happen. Its going to take all of us to get this place back up. It'll just take some time, that's all.

Besides the need of somemore forums, I think that the forum is just fine =/ its mainly that we don't have much of a reputation or trademark. We need the main site for that, and we need something on the main site to get people to come. So I'll give the links to the places where you can advertise all over the internet, but I think that it's bet for us to advertise the main site.

[corral]

i dont think that its your fault about our lack of active members but like chareon stated most forums are backed up by major sit (ex: Pokecomunity; PPN Serebii forum; Serebii website) and for the other sites who get 150 members in a week they are normally popular Mods on pc and have plenty of people they can ask to join and they are all noticed by staff members

i dont think its anyones fault that PI doesnt seem to be as active as other forums....

[Virtual Headache]

Well, most forums who open, have a main website, already firmly established with you know, content that attracts people to it, so maybe we need to focus more on the main site. Although, since you're doing so much on the forum now, you don't need another load to worry about. We kind of need to spread the word about the PI-website as well as the forums.
Actually, no.
Most forums open without a main site, many of them simply copy the structure of other famous forums (PC, SPPf) and afterwards, they try to get some well known members of another community and give them a mod space or something like that to keep them there.
Well, that's what I've seen on many other forums recently and I don#t think this method is fair.

Some of these forums might have "Community sites", but they started of with none of these sites. I dunno how they got them.
I've still got the "Participating sites" thing running, but nobody seems to be interested.
I dunno how to get webmaster's to use these forums as theirs.
They obviously don't come here themselves.

And yes, a website might also help us, but I've got no time. I tried to keep posting news for some time and it turned out that's it's very annoying, if you are the only one updating the site.

i dont think that its your fault about our lack of active members but like chareon stated most forums are backed up by major sit (ex: Pokecomunity; PPN Serebii forum; Serebii website) and for the other sites who get 150 members in a week they are normally popular Mods on pc and have plenty of people they can ask to join and they are all noticed by staff members

i dont think its anyones fault that PI doesnt seem to be as active as other forums....
That's what my problem is. I'm not well known on forums either.
My level of popularity is very low. I might have a few friends on other forums, but that's it.

And I don't want to ask everyone who's contacting me to join my forums.
I don't wanna annoy them :/

[Chareon]

Yep, the forums is pretty much established, and up and running, but the main site...um...is up. I think that our focus should be on that. Then we would be able to affiliate with bigger sites, because, from what I've seen, most sites with good pageviews don't like to affiliate with just forums, or websites that realy have no content or much content. The main site would catch on more than the forums would. If we did have it a little more full, then it would easily back up the forums and we'd be able to do a lot more. That's just my oppinion, though.

Um hello. Look, at Serebii.net. Does it look like he did it all by himself? No. Most of the guides, are done by other people, you have us, so let us help.

[corral]

well i found you from Groudons World the ABSOLUTLEY WORST forum ive everseen the whole way they got members was spamming PC and that seemed to work but i wouldnt go that far XD i dunno what we could do????

i was right o.0 im moving up in the world XD

[Virtual Headache]

Um hello. Look, at Serebii.net. Does it look like he did it all by himself? No. Most of the guides, are done by other people, you have us, so let us help.

Sure. I'll let you help.
I've currently got a new site system in thought which should make it able to post articles through the news system.
I dunno if this will work, but if it does, everbody can register and write articles.

If you've already got something for me, feel free to IM/PM/Email me about that.

well i found you from Groudons World the ABSOLUTLEY WORST forum ive everseen the whole way they got members was spamming PC and that seemed to work but i wouldnt go that far XD i dunno what we could do????

i was right o.0 im moving up in the world XD

I think I've already gone far enough. I've been advertising a lot, which seems to have ruined my reputation.
God, I was even advertising through ICQ. but luckily this was a long time ago....

[Chareon]

Actually, no.
Most forums open without a main site, many of them simply copy the structure of other famous forums (PC, SPPf) and afterwards, they try to get some well known members of another community and give them a mod space or something like that to keep them there.
Well, that's what I've seen on many other forums recently and I don#t think this method is fair.
Actually yes.
Outside of the little world of pokemon sites and forums, there are other places that I've been to and yes, most forums DO, start out with a main site. It may not be well-known and it maybe, but they DO have a site. Check the so called famous forums, look at why they are famous. It makes a heckofalot more sense to first do the main site and get it out of the way. Let's see, for example, vbulletin, I pretty sure that the website came first. Since you see on most of the sites you go to means that it occurs on the sites that you got to, but making the site first happens on the forums and sites that I visit. Do you think Suta-raito first had a forum, or a website?

[Satoshi]

I see these forums are kinda inactive :cry: but we have to do something bout' it but I dont know what:cry: :eek: I lvoe these forum, I shall stay active everyday!

[Virtual Headache]

Actually yes.
Outside of the little world of pokemon sites and forums, there are other places that I've been to and yes, most forums DO, start out with a main site. It may not be well-known and it maybe, but they DO have a site. Check the so called famous forums, look at why they are famous. It makes a heckofalot more sense to first do the main site and get it out of the way. Let's see, for example, vbulletin, I pretty sure that the website came first. Since you see on most of the sites you go to means that it occurs on the sites that you got to, but making the site first happens on the forums and sites that I visit. Do you think Suta-raito first had a forum, or a website?
Ok, I've checked some of the famous forums, I'm not talking about PC or SPPf, but about another forum, which made more than 100 members and 11000 posts in a few weeks.
Wait, what are their methods?
They've already existed, but they started over, like every forum seems to do. (GOOD LORD WHEN WILL PEOPLE LEARN TO MAKE BACK-UPS?)
They had a little less than 100 members I think.
Know what they did?
They simply made a few famous members of other forums join and modded them to make them stay there and advertise for them.
They don't have a site and lack of creativity. I don't think copying PC is being creative, but meh...
Well, that's what these forums do.

And concerning vBulletin, why should they have made a site first when they are developing FORUM software?

[Chareon]

Ok, I've checked some of the famous forums, I'm not talking about PC or SPPf, but about another forum, which made more than 100 members and 11000 posts in a few weeks.
Non-pokemon hopefully :rolleyes:
Wait, what are their methods?
Ask them.
They've already existed, but they started over, like every forum seems to do. (GOOD LORD WHEN WILL PEOPLE LEARN TO MAKE BACK-UPS?)
You did the same, but weren't as lucky.
They had a little less than 100 members I think.
Know what they did?
Yep. Know what the others did?
They simply made a few famous members of other forums join and modded them to make them stay there and advertise for them.
They made them? I'm sure that it wasn't by force. No that doesn't always work, which is why you don't see a lot of forums like that. Its not a full proof plan, and it has a 30/70 chance of working.
They don't have a site and lack of creativity. I don't think copying PC is being creative, but meh...
Well, that's what these forums do.
Let's concentrate on the others, since you've tried the advertise thing.

And concerning vBulletin, why should they have made a site first when they are developing FORUM software?
Because you get the FORUM software through the site. So you have to go to the site first.

[Virtual Headache]

You did the same, but weren't as lucky.


Know why I fucking started over?
I had to, because I couldn't make a backup at the old software I used.
So fucking don't accuse me.
I started over for one time and guess what: I had a reason.

Now that seems strange only 3 people care about the forums so far.
Tells me what they mean to you.
I know it was just a fucking waste of time spending a lot of time trying to make these forums better, when no one cares about them in the end.
I've had enough, REALLY.

There is a reason why this thread is sooo uber-mega-hyper suer important.

[Chareon]

Know why I fucking started over?
I had to, because I couldn't make a backup at the old software I used.
So fucking don't accuse me.
XD Yes, we're all accusing you, blaming you for everything. That's a LMAO.
You need to calm down :agree: I wasn't accusing you, all I said is that you weren't as lucky when you started over. You accused me of accusing you, and resorted to unecessary swearing. Which isn't nice :dontdo:

I started over for one time and guess what: I had a reason.
Did I say you didn't? Assume (Ass-u-me) much? It's not bad to start over, heck, you did better by starting, sometimes is necessary. Actually, nobody really cares if you started over or if you had a reason its all in the past. I frankly don't care about whatever the reason is either. I just pointed out the truth. You. Weren't. As. Lucky. Some succeed quicker than others.

Now that seems strange only 3 people care about the forums so far.
Tells me what they mean to you.
I know it was just a fucking waste of time spending a lot of time trying to make these forums better, when no one cares about them in the end.
I've had enough, REALLY.
P2, chill out, and don't worry about it too much. Really, you're making it more than what it is.

There is a reason why this thread is sooo uber-mega-hyper suer important.
:rofl2: no one said there wasn't.

[Atomos]

Lets all take a deep breath... now that we've all (P2) calmed down.

What is serebii, PC and all these other forums doing that we aren't?

[Chareon]

They've established a reputation around the internet. Really, I hear about them everywhere. Mainly if someone needs help with pokefacts they go to Serebii.net which gets 18000+ hits a day. So if you're using a search engine SPP is bound to pop up in the top ten. For PC its their community sites: Zapchu Evolution, which is very popular, and Free_Pokemon, which is mega popular. So affiliating or joining with big sites. Bulbagarden has their bulbapedia, which speaks for itself. We're going to need more than just advertising on other sites, and most sites won't affiliate with just forums.
We need a reputation, we need to be known for something.

They also have a more neutral layout. Maybe we can get a new main layout and let Pi-standard just be one of the selections. Not to say that I don't like ours, but some people may think that its too kiddie or may not want to join because their turned off by our look. You could take a survey and ask other people on other forums about the layout.

[Arielle]

Calm down. People do care. We wouldn't be here trying to help you if we didn't care. =)

Anyway, I'm sorry I don't have any huge suggestions, but I do have a few smaller ones...
- Delete this, it isn't needed anymore (http://piforums.pi.funpic.de/announcement.php?f=8&announcementid=33).
... if I figure out what else I wanted to suggest, I'll edit/post.

[Atomos]

Pika2000, you should make a website, but instead of do it all by yourself assign different people to do different tasks, like games reviews, walkthroughs, and news on what ever your site is based on (pokemon probably). This way you can get more site content quicker and maybe, better because you aren't bogged down with all the work.

We could get a good reputation.

[Arielle]

Pika2000, you should make a website, but instead of do it all by yourself assign different people to do different tasks, like games reviews, walkthroughs, and news on what ever your site is based on (pokemon probably). This way you can get more site content quicker and maybe, better because you aren't bogged down with all the work.

We could get a good reputation.

She's already doing something like that. Click here (http://piforums.pi.funpic.de/showthread.php?t=1005)

[Atomos]

I know but give people certain tasks to research, if pika needs something done to ask them. Like serebii with guides, he probably doesn’t ask people to do things, but it seems that way.

I don’t know its hard to explain with that thrown in

[Chareon]

You're good with games and TCG Black Dragon, so I'm sure that you could contribute a guide :) and Sammi is a video game maniac XD so yeah she could do a lot. Right now all we can do are games, so I guess that could be our main focus for now.

[Atomos]

Lets wait to see what pika has to say about our excellent ideas :D!

I'd do anything to get more members, and bring the forum back from the dead.

[Virtual Headache]

Yes, we have a site and we have a nice article system, so just check out the thread about it.

And I still need sites for the "participating sites" thing.

[Virtual Headache]

Just posting to say this thread is important...

[Conan Edogawa]

I have a suggestion, if you allow posting MUSIC (anykind) here. I guarentee you that your forum will be INCREDIBLY POPULAR in no time. ;)

[Arielle]

But posting music is, er, kinda illegal where I come from... o_o;

[Virtual Headache]

I have a suggestion, if you allow posting MUSIC (anykind) here. I guarentee you that your forum will be INCREDIBLY POPULAR in no time. ;)
An you give me a reason why music should make my forums popular?

And sammi-san is right, something like that is even in the vB licence agreement...

[Conan Edogawa]

Well, as I browsed all the websites, music websites are...very strong and popular. And I do not think that it is illigal cuz there are millions of website out there (foreign websites) that posts music and stuff for their members. Just trying to make the forum more popular, if not possible, than...I guess we should forget about it then...

[Chareon]

We aren't really a music website, they just focus on music, and since those sites are already so well-known and strong, how would we compete?

Come on Conan, think outside the box! You're good at that XD

[bgtfamily]

I'm looking more towards some unique suggestions... I mean, we don't want to mess with already high developed competition or take their ideas... I'm developing something for the future and will reveal it soon, XD.

Lets see... just a suggestion... we could create a wikipedia... but as I can see bmg has that going smoothly and I don't want to mess with their operation... if you know what I mean...

[Conan Edogawa]

This is not taking other's ideas, just...inheritate them, bring in what's good. And once again, obviously, we cannot compete with them. But if members see something interesting in the forum, they'll get involve more and...refer their internet friends into it.

@Chareon: I don't know what you mean by "outside the box", because I see no line between in/out in this situation.

[bgtfamily]

chareon is trying to get at the point to think about an original idea, something that no one else has.

Like, something to be known for... like the world's greatest pokemon plushie... etc.

[Chareon]

@Chareon: I don't know what you mean by "outside the box", because I see no line between in/out in this situation.
Ah, but you see, the box has no lines, that's why you don't see it :rofl2: . We have to do something that hasn't been done or seen.


Like, something to be known for... like the world's greatest pokemon plushie... etc.
You know that could really work :D

[Virtual Headache]

This thread is still open for suggestions.

[Yggdrasill]

Try to have competition's like member of the month, and the one who wins get's a free Signature or Banner, or some points donated to them or a coloured username or something, or even pokemon of the day. This might help the forum come back to life. One last thing bulk email the members once every week asking for them to come back.

[Virtual Headache]

Try to have competition's like member of the month, and the one who wins get's a free Signature or Banner, or some points donated to them or a coloured username or something, or even pokemon of the day. This might help the forum come back to life. One last thing bulk email the members once every week asking for them to come back.
I could do that I guess.
Something like "favourite member awards" would be nice.

And concerning the email thing: It never helped.
I tried to PM users and it seemed to have more effect than emailing them...

[Arielle]

I don't have anything really big, but it's really bothering me o_O;
You really should clear out your annoncements ^^;;; Two of them could be deleted ^^;;;

[Virtual Headache]

I don't have anything really big, but it's really bothering me o_O;
You really should clear out your annoncements ^^;;; Two of them could be deleted ^^;;;
Which ones?

[Arielle]

This one for sure: http://piforums.paulhq.com/announcement.php?f=8&announcementid=33

I had another one, but then again, that's still going on, so forget it XD

[Virtual Headache]

This one for sure: http://piforums.paulhq.com/announcement.php?f=8&announcementid=33

I had another one, but then again, that's still going on, so forget it XD
Done.
I thought you were talking about the announcements forum first^^
Got that wrong^^;

[Yggdrasill]

Maybe you should Un-sticky really old threads. :)

[Arielle]

Maybe you should Un-sticky really old threads. :)

Like what? Where?
Most threads that are stickied usually should stay that way ^^;;

which reminds me, there are a few threads I wanted to unsticky...

[Yggdrasill]

I mean like thread's that are really old, and that basically all people on the forum know by now ;). Not the rules of course X_X.

[Chareon]

I mean like thread's that are really old, and that basically all people on the forum know by now ;). Not the rules of course X_X.
Can't do that, we're constantly getting new members and they, unlike us, haven't been able to see those stickies. That's also why we have that FAQ forum, to place some of our FAQs and stickies there to save room.

But, I do agree, some of the announcements can be unstickied, and some things pertaining to new games that have already been put out.

[bgtfamily]

They'll be taken care of sooner or l8r...

[Pinkie]

I think the glowy thing should be removed from shop. I paid for it and got nothing from it.

[Yggdrasill]

As said it only work's in Internet Explorer. If the code was modified i'm sure it could be made to work in Firefox or any other browser, but that'd take age's, i'd just buy a Coloured username if i was you when you get the point's of course XD.

[Virtual Headache]

I think the glowy thing should be removed from shop. I paid for it and got nothing from it.
I'll put up a warning and give you your money back, ok?

[Arielle]

There were some forum descriptions that seemed weird to me. RPGs and Shippings were merged, right? They still have non-Pokemon on them, and that might confuse people. ^^;

And then there was this:

Animé
For talking about your favourite stuff on TV.

Maybe you should something other than "stuff" in the anime description?

...just some suggestions ^^;;;;;

[Scary Fan Girl]

There were some forum descriptions that seemed weird to me. RPGs and Shippings were merged, right? They still have non-Pokemon on them, and that might confuse people. ^^;

And then there was this:

Animé
For talking about your favourite stuff on TV.

Maybe you should something other than "stuff" in the anime description?

...just some suggestions ^^;;;;;

Yeah...that's a good suggestion.....but maybe we need umm for example, a Fan Art Request forum too.

[bgtfamily]

I don't think we really need a whole forum just for requests... I think a sticky will suffice just fine.

as for the anime descriptions and other forum descriptions... I do agree some of them need refined.

[JKaizer]

Forum descriptions changed ^^