ATTENTION!!!!

[King Rat]

I agree, zip, that setting up such a forum for local leaders and the community to interact would be difficult but if TF could pull it off it would be great for both sides. The pols would have to have thick skins for sure.

I am reminded of an incident several years ago where I was at an event attended by Roger Wicker. After the event I found myself in a position to shake hands with him and express my thanks for his taking the time to attend. An acquaintance approached him alongside me and immediately started firing off loaded questions and a general assault on him for all the wrongs in the world. I was so embarrassed (guilt by association) that I just wanted to crawl under a rock. Mr. Wicker handled the uncomfortable situation with dignity, though, and one of the event promoters quickly rescued him. Some people simply have no class, is my point, and would attack any pol who dared come into such a forum.

I have a very low opinion of President Clinton but were I ever to meet him or have the opportunity to interact with him on some forum I would certainly show him the respect his former office deserves.

[TF Admin]

Keep the ideas coming. I will soon be putting together a Design Document and need all the input I can get to formulate things properly. Thanks for all the great suggestions thus far, please keep em comin'!!!

TF

[TF Admin]

Needing more input as I am getting close to beginning development. Let me hear any thoughts you may have about some of the fun things you'd like to see. Here's what I'm considering so far:

1. Continue the TF Bucks (or something similar). You will be able to use your bucks to buy items, etc.

2. A REAL Arcade with lots of games and high scores (leaderboard), tournaments, etc. Probably award extra bucks for staying in the top five for a certain number of days, etc.

3. Improved chatbox

That's just a taste. Let me hear about some fun ideas you've seen on other forums, boards, or portals, or make up your own. Give me your thoughts on some fun and interesting things we could try!

TF

[peasNcarrots]

An allotment of points per day to giveaway to your favorite post and/or comment....points are reset each month....top point-getter gets a prize

[TF Admin]

I'm doing a cost analysis of how much it is going to take to start and operate this site monthly. It's more than I thought. So I have decided to scrap a couple of things I had planned to do here, and move those ideas over to our new site at some point in the future.

I think I have found a great host, and am asking them lots of questions (mostly technical) as we will be using quite few scripts to pull off some of the trickier aspects of the site. I have found a content management system that we will use for articles, news, and other content. And I have begun to shop around for someone to customize the look and feel of the site. I might just buy some kind of template to start, but I am surprised how reasonable some of the graphic designers are to obtain.

There is no doubt, we will be have to be ad-supported. I'm going to bear as much of the upfront cost as I can, but I may ask for donations through paypal. I won't harp on donations unless things get really tight and they will never be mandatory.

I am entertaining the idea that donations may get you certain priviledges, or access to certain areas. And let me clarify right now before the naysayers start balking, there will be a monthly cost to do this right (Hosting, Bandwidth, Design). I intend to bear as much of this cost as long as possible, and ease the ad sales into the design. I will ask for donations, and you simply choose to donate or you choose not to. I won't think any less of anyone that does not wish to donate. It's still a little early to tell if this will need to happen. If the plan comes together quickly enough, we may go totally ad supported from the get-go.

Right now, my first goal is to secure hosting, and begin building the framework of our new home. I will keep you all updated on progress as much as possible with screenshots and the like. I am always looking for input and new ideas.

I don't want to jump the gun here, but my plan is to complete the first two phases and open the doors to our new home on or before our second anniversary in January. That will be a tall order, but I think it's doable. Keep those ideas rolling, I need them.

TF

[rutrow]

OK Your avatar is cool! Maybe there ought to be more of these out in public? He he he

[TF Admin]

I was just PMing Darkened Soul about one other idea I have for our new home. I'm considering a password protected Adults area....hear me out before blowing up.

It will be password protected. It will not contain pr0n or sexually explicit talk or material..period. It will be less restrictive for language, and posting funny, off-color jokes, risque type stuff.

I'm thinking maybe you have to be a member in good standing with a certain number of posts to be eligible for entry. Again, this is another of those "fun" type things I mentioned earlier. Let me know if you likey or no likey.

TF

[zipzam]

me likey the less restricted area TF.

[missfairy]

I like this idea.

Especially because when I rant, bad words tend to slip out.

I also had this idea recently. (saw it on another forum at some point) where they are allowed a sort of "blog" thread for each full time member to just rant about whatever, talk about their day, etc. And people can reply of course just like any other thread. It would be optional to the person if they wanted one...

I dunno. Just an idea.

[King Rat]

Kinda like a back room at a bar? Can we smoke?

[DarkenedSoul]

cpurdon said:

Kinda like a back room at a bar? Can we smoke?

Yea why Not?


T/F, Maybe have it set up where members contact you or Mods, and when you get the info you need, you authorize them. That way newbie's will not flood the forums getting their points up.

[Pontotocmom]

I would post there. Then I could post some funny jokes for Dakensoul!

[DarkenedSoul]

pontotoc said:

I would post there. Then I could post some funny jokes for Dakensoul!

Thank You Ma'am. Glad your better ;D

[TF Admin]

Well.... We have hosting! I am busy working <--- read "LEARNING" the new Content Management System that will drive the entire site. I already have the shape of the new forum in place, I even have all the individual forums setup.

Right now, I am troubleshooting a "FUN" project for the forums, and am running into some serious "boogerbear" issues. After that I must work on the main page and the article submission stuff.

One of the cool things for members is that you will be able to submit articles to the site. I, or someone else, will review and then publish them. Members can them comment on your article. Cool huh?

I was asked when people will be able to see it. It's still too early to show. I will; however, take some screenshots and add them here so you can get glimpses of what is to come.

Anyway, I must get back to real life work. Of course, I appreciate all comments, suggestions, and ideas about the new site. Thank you everyone for your help.

TF

[momof3]

This may sound kinda silly, but it would be nice if we could receive emails when threads that we're interested in is updated. Especially if it could be added to our toolbar like when you get a new pm on yahoo messenger.