Help Design CBG 2.0

[Ishmayl-Retired]

Well guys, I feel more strongly about CBG 2.0 than I did about 6 months ago, and we've made a lot of headway in recent weeks.  Some of the stuff, even the beta-testers haven't seen, since it's behind-the-scenes stuff, but we're getting pretty close to a countdown.  I have a few questions that I'd like everyone to answer so that a few important aspects can be tailored towards what the site itself wants to see.  Please take some time and answer these questions.

1 - When logging off and then logging back onto the site, would you rather be automatically forwarded to the last page you were viewing (whether it be a forum thread, a particular campaign setting, etc), to your own personal account page, or to the site's front page where news, updated forum posts, etc are displayed?

2 - Speaking of your own personal account page, what are the 5 most useful things you would like to see on it?  Examples are:  "Favorited" threads, buddy lists, "Account statuses" (ala facebook), general bio, etc, etc.  Not limited to those, just let me know what a good "My Account" page looks like to you.

3 - This question seems unimportant, but we've found a lot of dissenting theories on the subject.  When clicking on a "Home" button, would you rather be taken to your "My Account" page, or the front page?

4 - Do any of you care about having the ability to post blogs?  One of the new features we have will actually somewhat accomplish blogs as it is, but do any of you really care about being able to post blogs about your day-to-day life (or world-building life), or is it pretty unimportant?

5 - Slightly off subject, but still useful, would you find it useful (and/or interesting) for the CBG to have a special twitter and facebook account to allow for outside updates (as well as for the rare instance when the site is down and people may want to know what's going on?)

6 - How important do you find the name-changing option on this site?  One of the only aspects of drupal we've found that's not as good as e107 (in fact, the ONLY aspect) is that it is not easily customizable to allow people to change their display names.  You can change your user names, but I don't want to get into the kinds of messes that can be involved with that.


That's it.  Feel free to add comments off the subject of those 6 questions, but we are in the final stages and just want to know how important these particular issues are with those of you already active on the site.

Cheers!

[Ishmayl-Retired]

Also, as a suggestion, if you know of any member-based sites that have really excellently-made User pages (My Account, etc) with good ideas that would be useful to us, please let me know.

[Ghostman]

1 - When logging off and then logging back onto the site, would you rather be automatically forwarded to the last page you were viewing (whether it be a forum thread, a particular campaign setting, etc), to your own personal account page, or to the site's front page where news, updated forum posts, etc are displayed?

Front page.

2 - Speaking of your own personal account page, what are the 5 most useful things you would like to see on it?  Examples are:  "Favorited" threads, buddy lists, "Account statuses" (ala facebook), general bio, etc, etc.  Not limited to those, just let me know what a good "My Account" page looks like to you.

Do you mean the Member Profile page? I'm fine with the way it is, can't really think of anything to add there. Favorited threads listing could be useful I guess.

3 - This question seems unimportant, but we've found a lot of dissenting theories on the subject.  When clicking on a "Home" button, would you rather be taken to your "My Account" page, or the front page?

The front page. You could rename the button if it's causing confusion.

4 - Do any of you care about having the ability to post blogs?  One of the new features we have will actually somewhat accomplish blogs as it is, but do any of you really care about being able to post blogs about your day-to-day life (or world-building life), or is it pretty unimportant?

I dont even read blogs...

5 - Slightly off subject, but still useful, would you find it useful (and/or interesting) for the CBG to have a special twitter and facebook account to allow for outside updates (as well as for the rare instance when the site is down and people may want to know what's going on?)

Having a place to get news updates if the CBG blows up would be useful, but only if it's hosted in a service that is free for anyone to view (no need to sign up anywhere).

6 - How important do you find the name-changing option on this site?  One of the only aspects of drupal we've found that's not as good as e107 (in fact, the ONLY aspect) is that it is not easily customizable to allow people to change their display names.  You can change your user names, but I don't want to get into the kinds of messes that can be involved with that.

I doubt I'll ever want to change my user name.

[sparkletwist]

1. Front page. I think it's good to see news and such. I do like the list of newly updated forum threads on the front page of the current version, though, so I'd hope the new version kept that.

2. I don't really look at my account page often enough to care, honestly. Maybe favorited threads or friend lists or an easy way to send/check PMs, but I don't know. The "rating" system we have now seems kind of silly and can probably go.

3. The front page.

4. No, I wouldn't use this.

5. I wouldn't use it. I don't use Twitter or Facebook.

6. I don't find it important. In fact, if we could cut back on the name-changing, it'd be nice. Too often do I see some name posting and I have no clue who it is, because everyone's changed their names again.

[Matt Larkin (author)]

1. news is best
2. threads, followed settings/projects, bio
3. front
4. no
5. no
6. Some of us have made permanent shifts it'd be nice to xfer

[Nomadic]

1 - When logging off and then logging back onto the site, would you rather be automatically forwarded to the last page you were viewing (whether it be a forum thread, a particular campaign setting, etc), to your own personal account page, or to the site's front page where news, updated forum posts, etc are displayed?

Front Page

2 - Speaking of your own personal account page, what are the 5 most useful things you would like to see on it?  Examples are:  "Favorited" threads, buddy lists, "Account statuses" (ala facebook), general bio, etc, etc.  Not limited to those, just let me know what a good "My Account" page looks like to you.

I would definitely like to see subscribed/favorited threads. The others I don't care so much about though a bio would be useful. Also it would be cool if you could subscribe to certain sections of the wiki and get notices on recent updates. One final thing, in place of the below comment on a blog why not just let users keep a journal that they can access through their account page. Other people viewing their profile could see journal notes.

3 - This question seems unimportant, but we've found a lot of dissenting theories on the subject.  When clicking on a "Home" button, would you rather be taken to your "My Account" page, or the front page?

Front Page, please front page! :P

4 - Do any of you care about having the ability to post blogs?  One of the new features we have will actually somewhat accomplish blogs as it is, but do any of you really care about being able to post blogs about your day-to-day life (or world-building life), or is it pretty unimportant?

I don't care about blogging.

5 - Slightly off subject, but still useful, would you find it useful (and/or interesting) for the CBG to have a special twitter and facebook account to allow for outside updates (as well as for the rare instance when the site is down and people may want to know what's going on?)

Not really. I think your guys time would be better spent with other things.

6 - How important do you find the name-changing option on this site?  One of the only aspects of drupal we've found that's not as good as e107 (in fact, the ONLY aspect) is that it is not easily customizable to allow people to change their display names.  You can change your user names, but I don't want to get into the kinds of messes that can be involved with that.

I love the name changing thing, it adds a sort of uniqueness. Though if you implement it perhaps you could add a mouse hover tag to the users name so someone hovering over it will see their registered name (thus avoiding confusion about who is who).

[Mason]

1 - When logging off and then logging back onto the site, would you rather be automatically forwarded to the last page you were viewing (whether it be a forum thread, a particular campaign setting, etc), to your own personal account page, or to the site's front page where news, updated forum posts, etc are displayed?

Home page.

2 - Speaking of your own personal account page, what are the 5 most useful things you would like to see on it?  Examples are:  "Favorited" threads, buddy lists, "Account statuses" (ala facebook), general bio, etc, etc.  Not limited to those, just let me know what a good "My Account" page looks like to you.


Favorite threads, threads your watching etc. General Info, (name,email, etc.) Recently posted threads. A bit of room to rant about what you like/dislike etc.

3 - This question seems unimportant, but we've found a lot of dissenting theories on the subject.  When clicking on a "Home" button, would you rather be taken to your "My Account" page, or the front page?

Front page.

4 - Do any of you care about having the ability to post blogs?  One of the new features we have will actually somewhat accomplish blogs as it is, but do any of you really care about being able to post blogs about your day-to-day life (or world-building life), or is it pretty unimportant?

I do not think I would use something like that.

5 - Slightly off subject, but still useful, would you find it useful (and/or interesting) for the CBG to have a special twitter and facebook account to allow for outside updates (as well as for the rare instance when the site is down and people may want to know what's going on?)

Nah.

6 - How important do you find the name-changing option on this site?  One of the only aspects of drupal we've found that's not as good as e107 (in fact, the ONLY aspect) is that it is not easily customizable to allow people to change their display names.  You can change your user names, but I don't want to get into the kinds of messes that can be involved with that.

I've never used it.

I actually find the current version of CBG pretty damn good. Far easier to navigate/use than even WoTc gleemax forums.

[Lmns Crn]

1. Home page.

2. I'm going to have to take a while to think about this one, really. I like seeing the recently updated threads, but the ability to favorite/watch threads is very nice. Would one of these features resemble individual lists of stickied threads that each user can separately define?

3. Unless the contents of a "My Account" page are extraordinarily customizable, then a home page. My CBG bookmark is for the main page, for the list of recently-updated threads, the tavern, the list of online members, and the PM notifications.

4. This might be a nice, interesting feature, but for me, it is a very minor concern.

5. I am pretty sure I would never actually use this.

6. My name is not changing.

[LD]

1 - When logging off and then logging back onto the site, would you rather be automatically forwarded to the last page you were viewing (whether it be a forum thread, a particular campaign setting, etc), to your own personal account page, or to the site's front page where news, updated forum posts, etc are displayed?

Home Page (which should have a RSS feed like the current one with the newest posts)

2 - Speaking of your own personal account page, what are the 5 most useful things you would like to see on it? Examples are: "Favorited" threads, buddy lists, "Account statuses" (ala facebook), general bio, etc, etc. Not limited to those, just let me know what a good "My Account" page looks like to you.

-

3 - This question seems unimportant, but we've found a lot of dissenting theories on the subject. When clicking on a "Home" button, would you rather be taken to your "My Account" page, or the front page?

Home Page

4 - Do any of you care about having the ability to post blogs? One of the new features we have will actually somewhat accomplish blogs as it is, but do any of you really care about being able to post blogs about your day-to-day life (or world-building life), or is it pretty unimportant?

I think this is the most useful potential feature. I think a World-building blog would be better than the Wiki- Especially if the blog posts cross-link.

5 - Slightly off subject, but still useful, would you find it useful (and/or interesting) for the CBG to have a special twitter and facebook account to allow for outside updates (as well as for the rare instance when the site is down and people may want to know what's going on?)

I would not use it. Perhaps someone else might, though?

6 - How important do you find the name-changing option on this site? One of the only aspects of drupal we've found that's not as good as e107 (in fact, the ONLY aspect) is that it is not easily customizable to allow people to change their display names. You can change your user names, but I don't want to get into the kinds of messes that can be involved with that.

I do not like constant name changes.

[LD]

>>Far easier to navigate/use than even WoTc gleemax forums.

Anything is better than the gleemax forums.

And as I said in an earlier thread- I really like how the CBG currently works- I hope the upgrade continues to pay homage to the forums' already good quality set-up. The CBG's technology is already fairly unique and I think is the best forum I have ever visited.

[Polycarp]

1. Front Page.
2. I'm not sure.  I don't use those kinds of features very often.  If I could see a list, I might be able to pick from it, but just sitting here nothing especially important comes to mind.
3. Front Page.
4. It might be interesting.  I have limited experience with blogs in general, so I would have to see before I could really judge.
5. I wouldn't use that.  If the site is down, I do something else and check back later.
6. I think I've probably made my final name change.  It's a cool feature, but it can get a bit confusing and I don't think it would be a tremendous loss overall.  Like Phoenix, however, I'd like to be able to register with my current name (which is not my original name).

[limetom]

Well, well, well, looks like the heat death of the universe and the release of Duke Nukem Forever are going to happen sooner than anyone would have thought (and yes, in that order).  :3

2 - Speaking of your own personal account page, what are the 5 most useful things you would like to see on it? Examples are: "Favorited" threads, buddy lists, "Account statuses" (ala facebook), general bio, etc, etc. Not limited to those, just let me know what a good "My Account" page looks like to you.

4 - Do any of you care about having the ability to post blogs? One of the new features we have will actually somewhat accomplish blogs as it is, but do any of you really care about being able to post blogs about your day-to-day life (or world-building life), or is it pretty unimportant?[/quote]6 - How important do you find the name-changing option on this site? One of the only aspects of drupal we've found that's not as good as e107 (in fact, the ONLY aspect) is that it is not easily customizable to allow people to change their display names. You can change your user names, but I don't want to get into the kinds of messes that can be involved with that.[/quote]
Name-changes are silly and confusing.  There are honestly some times where I have no clue who is who anymore.  And not just whilst inebriated.

[LordVreeg]

[blockquote=ISh]1 - When logging off and then logging back onto the site, would you rather be automatically forwarded to the last page you were viewing (whether it be a forum thread, a particular campaign setting, etc), to your own personal account page, or to the site's front page where news, updated forum posts, etc are displayed?[/blockquote]
Home page.  Much of what we do is check to see who has done what.

[blockquote=Turtlemon]2 - Speaking of your own personal account page, what are the 5 most useful things you would like to see on it? Examples are: "Favorited" threads, buddy lists, "Account statuses" (ala facebook), general bio, etc, etc. Not limited to those, just let me know what a good "My Account" page looks like to you.[/blockquote]
personal bookmarks, Bookmarked threads, messages from other members,

[blockquote=ish]3 - This question seems unimportant, but we've found a lot of dissenting theories on the subject. When clicking on a "Home" button, would you rather be taken to your "My Account" page, or the front page?[/blockquote] My account.  Sorry to be a contrarian, but based on what you are describing, we will spend more time on our account pages.  At least those of us who world-build will.

[blockquote=His Ish]4 - Do any of you care about having the ability to post blogs? One of the new features we have will actually somewhat accomplish blogs as it is, but do any of you really care about being able to post blogs about your day-to-day life (or world-building life), or is it pretty unimportant?[/blockquote]
yes, I'd propably take advantage.   I have a long way to go in Celtricia.

[blockquote=Ish]5 - Slightly off subject, but still useful, would you find it useful (and/or interesting) for the CBG to have a special twitter and facebook account to allow for outside updates (as well as for the rare instance when the site is down and people may want to know what's going on?)[/blockquote] Do I seem faddish and desperate? [spoiler=eventually] twitter and facebook are early versions of what will eventually be a more mobile and cutomizable social network.  I'll wait for that.[/spoiler]

[blockquote=ISH]6 - How important do you find the name-changing option on this site? One of the only aspects of drupal we've found that's not as good as e107 (in fact, the ONLY aspect) is that it is not easily customizable to allow people to change their display names. You can change your user names, but I don't want to get into the kinds of messes that can be involved with that.[/blockquote]  You know, I find it clever when someone changes their name slightly to reflect a mood or an event, as long as you still know who it is.
It annoys the crap out of me when the major namegames go along and suddenly you don't know who they hell you are talking to.  So if it means I have to remain Lord Vreeg, sans barolo, coachwhip, or other accoutrment, to ensure the random name hopping is eliminated, then I am all for it.


What else do I want?  A fucking spellcheck because of my truly awesome typing skills.  
An "out of office" ability would be helpful.

Hope that helped, and I apologize now for being a contrarian and iconoclast.  

[LD]

>>What else do I want? A fucking spellcheck because of my truly awesome typing skills.
An "out of office" ability would be helpful.

Try Firefox- it automatically spellchecks when you type and will give you the little red underlines when something is misspelled.

[Llum]

2 - Speaking of your own personal account page, what are the 5 most useful things you would like to see on it?  Examples are:  "Favorited" threads, buddy lists, "Account statuses" (ala facebook), general bio, etc, etc.  Not limited to those, just let me know what a good "My Account" page looks like to you.

4 - Do any of you care about having the ability to post blogs?  One of the new features we have will actually somewhat accomplish blogs as it is, but do any of you really care about being able to post blogs about your day-to-day life (or world-building life), or is it pretty unimportant?[/quote]6 - How important do you find the name-changing option on this site?  One of the only aspects of drupal we've found that's not as good as e107 (in fact, the ONLY aspect) is that it is not easily customizable to allow people to change their display names.  You can change your user names, but I don't want to get into the kinds of messes that can be involved with that.[/quote]

I don't find it useful, I never use it (I happen to like my nick). That being said, I don't see a reason not to have it, but if its too much work, I will not lament its loss.