Ways to Make PA Better?

You know, this really should be, in my opinion, a standard, ongoing topic. Here's my thoughts. There are two basic key components that are absolulely essential for PA to be a successful site.

First--the membership. You. We need you or there isn't a PA. We need you to be online, posting, getting involved. We also need your continuing input. What works? What doesn't work? And how can we make things better for everyone? We need that continuous feedback. And, yes, we do look at every suggestion that is made, whether you actively see us post a response to it or not. We do try to respond to every idea, but sometimes we want a little time to think about your idea or to put it in an "idea file" so that we can see how it fits with ideas that others have given us.

Second--Admins. We are here to serve you. We are players ourselves and if we weren't interested we couldn't be here. I know that sometimes it becomes difficult to see what the admin thinking was behind a choice that was made. Its okay to ask. Please do. Its just nice when you ask nicely. LOL

Also, if there is something onsite you don't like, yes, we want to hear about it. But PLEASE! Don't just post a gripe. Post a suggestion for a solution too when you post your gripe. Gripes are fine when they're worded respectfully and we all need to be able to do it now and then. But when you don't post a solution, it only makes the problems bigger.

We all want PA to be a place where LOTS of players want to come. So, tell us. What are your thoughts on how we do that? Your ideas are as valid and as valuable as ours, so lets hear them on an ongoing basis!

K.

So how about a settings sidebar thing at the side? I've seen some sites with them and they are very effective to avoid confusion. They show the year, date, season, weather etc.

For a standard, ongoing topic there arent a lot of replies eh?

That's certainly a good idea John, I'll speak to someone better with graphics about doing something like that.

And Vincent, it's because PA's already perfect : D

We all know that quality of writing is subjective, but there are some things about writing that aren't subjective, like grammar and structure.

Could we possibly have a thread for writing hints and tips, but make it about rules of writing instead of things like how to make your post "better"?

I have a really hard time reading posts when so few people know where to break their paragraphs.

yeah people tell me to write in paragraphs but I get so friggin confused when to break it.

Thats a good idea Selwyn. We might make a thread at educational decrees for that.

On the topic of layout changes, I'm wondering whether you guys would prefer a shorter index and more subforums, or a (very) slightly longer index and less subforums? Personally, I prefer the latter, but a few admins would disagree with me on this, what do you guys think?

I like how the forums are now but if I had to choose it'd be......well it depends. Wouldn't it be retarded if Hogwarts was 1 category. It'd depend on what subject, like I think Malfoy Manor should be a category and have forums in it. Then you could fit more posts in it. That's probably a bad example but you get the picture. IT DEPENDS.

The Timeline thread says the currant year is 2024 or is it 2022? Just to say.

I don't really mind about layout so long as the forums look active. I was really surprised that Damon's post was the first in the Hog's Head.

OH, I see what you mean. Yeah, I like that better.

Liz - if the ages of the canon characters are correct, it should be 2022.