Site improvement focus

[uebermann]

Its been a while since we've done more than some minor enhancements and bug fixes around here so I just wanted to ask if there's something you guys would like to see here that is missing or where an improvement on the site should be focused.

I can't make a promise on a time frame at the moment as work is picked up a lot and I'm basically working 85+ hours a week right now but I wanted to at least have an idea of what to focus on.

Ideas like new themes (and links to those themes would be appreciated), better/more video support, new smilies, new forums, etc

Or even if there's something pesky on the site that is causing you problems (like the recent removal of the Moderator listing at the bottom of each forum).

Thanks.

[exploited]

I'd like to see better Social Media integration. Perhaps make it so we can share posts on Facebook?

I'd like to see a forum for academic-quality posts only. Heavily moderated so we could get into stuff and have sourced discussions, without having to deal with he-said she-said shenanigans.

I'd like to see the entire current issues category abolished, so we can work on getting general discussion busy. All the entertainment, science and tech stuff can go in the Lounge.

Abolish international politics. That can go into General Discussion. Abolish the soapbox, nobody uses it.

That's my suggestions.

[Charai]

Yo, put a view active topic link on the header bar, even if you aren't logged in. That would be a really useful feature for quick browsing

[uebermann]

[Aaron]

An improvement to the chat room would be the most glaring need in my book...

In terms of future focus,... I think both the original PCF, and this incarnation, as many issues as it has had, has been generally regarded as one of the highest functioning political forums on the net.

As such, I think it would be worth it to apply an actual business model to the forum and start to create a culture... instead of just a bunch of kids and some part time parents.

1. Introduction of quick-reference links so that debating sides can immediately reference the topics and points they are trying to get across... links to popular history references, economic reference sites, grammar references, pertinent social media sites / networks

2. I think the site badly needs ad support so that you can justify putting more work into it... serious ventures never take off without monetary support of some kind, and user donations are no way to raise capital.

3. I think a reward system should be set up for users who reinforce the culture, either by voting of members or moderators... so that people who actually have a principled stake in bringing a fair point of view and civilized discussion (i.e. not me) can be recommended for influence on the forum and commended in some way...

4. Look into a concerted effort at SEO, if a forum member with those provable talents was to take it on, negotiate an ownership stake, as this forum COULD become an actual business...

[Stratego]

More chicks. Especially cool chicks.

[The Dharma Bum]

I'm with stratego, more ladies is what this joint needs.

[uebermann]

I don't have control over the number of women that are active on this site. That is going to be more of a community effort.


Also, whats the thoughts on having the Front Page News turn into a public internet forum where anyone could comment member or not? Ideally people would be inclined to join the site and stay as members. Though I fear it would just mostly be trolling and bots.

[The Comrade]

what if you made the posts require moderator/admin approval

[eynon81]