I was finally able to set up an official SMF forum I am proud to announce the release of SFCv3. Also, for Kat's site, A Lisa Story, this is also the official forum for that, too.
http://simpsonsfanclubv3.hostclix.com/index.php

ametur_poet
Hmm... I don't understand why you created a separate forum for such a small site.
ALS is a site similar to "Lisa's Pics", but as you can see, Suusje decided to link to LTS instead of creating his own forum. This looks more logical to me - one Lisa-dedicated site, one Lisa-dedicated forum.

Repeating myself, unless you're creating something new and unique, or the existing projects aren't looking good/friendly enough for you, don't spawn sites or forums! Support existing projects instead of creating your owns, that's the best way. And if you still want to have your own forum, at least don't create dozens of empty sections in it. Boards without topics only scare visitors. My humble opinion (although I've seen so many similar cases already).

You didn't even LOOK at the forum before judging it, did you? First of all, the forum isn't just for ALS, it's also for SFC. Second, I've been trying to get SFC out of the criticism of other simpson forums for about a year now. Not because they said it had boring content, because, quoting Gary from several times before, "There is no room for more simpsons forums." may I remind you that this quote was also said before LTS was made, thus, there is room for more simpsons forums. I'm not saying that I want SFC to be popular, I just want to not be criticised for my efforts on making a forum. I worked hard trying to get this forum up. All I ask is that you don't automatically pass it off as "just another crappy attempt at making a forum."

Dagdamor
I don't know, the site looks like it could grow to me. I could be wrong, but give the man a chance. And he has a point, he probably worked hard to get it up and is proud that its finally running, so don't beat him down about it... that's my opinion, though I see this coming dangerously close to a flamewar topic, so if you will, remember common courtesy and take especially sharp messages to PM's? Thank you.

Disclaimer: If anything sounds harsh, especially to you Chris, in the following message, it is not intended its just speaking from personal experience.


Um.. actually, under normal circumstances SMF isn't exactly hard to install, most of the time, it's a breeze for anyone to install and would be done in three minutes flat. The reason it took Chris slightly longer was because the install.php wasn't accepting his FTP info at Stage 0 and CHMODing files correctly. For anyone, I don't think that's really much of an accomplishment.

But really, I'm with Dag here. We've seen plenty of forums that people have created die because there simply doesn't need to be any more, rather than trying to establish your own forum which these days will require luck and a lot of design and coding skills which many don't have and they just don't bother trying to learn either. Most people seem to think that they can make a forum popular just because its Simpsons related. No - because you have the NHC to compete with. I'd say just post as much as you can on other forums and build a reputation of helping others out, while building maybe a website or two on the side (but no forums )

I don't know what Chris's experience with programs like this are, but mine is very little, and so if I was able to get a forum up and running, I'd be proud of my work. My point here is, he's happy that he's got his forum running. I'm not asking you to be happy for him if you simply can't, but it seems a little rude to come here and say "Well, this is a piece of cake, anyone could do it".

Also, @ Serge, if he wants to run his own forum, then let him. Your comment about needing him as a fan and a member, not an admin, was a little... I don't know... sordid. It seems selfish almost - you're telling him not to do necessarily what he wants, but to stay here, help this community instead, help my forum, not yours. I mean, I don't see how this new project is going to harm LTS; you make it seem like he's setting up a forum community solely based on raiding LTS I'm sure this won't get in the way of our community, and if Chris wants to pursue other endeavours, then good for him. He's a good person, and nobody should be forced to participate here, least of all told "No don't do this, we need you, you have an obligation here".

I'll admit, a lot of my recent posting here has actually felt forced, because I don't really have it in me to say anything, but feel like I need to. This is why I took my little break about a week ago, I mean everyone knows that it was mainly because of my situation with Kim, but I was also feeling forced to post, and I was sick of it. So I separated myself for a couple of days. My point is, don't tell people you need them - you don't, if I were to leave tomorrow, LTS would survive; likewise with Chris. Which I'm sure won't happen just because he decided to open a forum of his own.

GeorgeHarrison

That's not my forum, that's our forum. And the major reason I don't recommend AP to create his own forum is because of my personal experience in it. I know very well that building up a new forum can be very interesting and exciting, but I also know that monitoring it afterwards, willing to see new members and topics, but seeing nothing instead can be very depressing. That's my main reason; not the desire to keep LTS "solid" (although that's true to some degree, too). And of course I don't think about myself only here.

GeorgeHarrison
Not "put all effort into LTS instead"! Grrr, I never wanted to make anyone feel obliged to post anywhere. If you don't want to post, don't post. If you want - feel free to. You like trying to say something like "look, Serge is afraid that Chris will go away and LTS will fall into pieces, so he tries to stop him and force to post here." No. I'm not forcing anyone to post here.

Dagdamor
Pardon me saying, but my assumption was based on your actions. You're very interested in seeing LTS thrive, and cringe at the thought of losing members or activity. This isn't a bad thing; it's good to have an admin care so much about a forum. There would have been a time when I supported you in this, but that time is over. Sometimes though I feel forced to post, due in no small part to the way you treat posting, like a job instead of something to do because you want to. I'm not accusing you of anything, really; just pointing out what I saw in your previous comments. And I'll also say, I don't think it's right to use a member's "responsibility" to LTS to discourage them from starting another forum if they want to.

I need to say little less. Please, keep the off topic stuff OFF topic... thanks.