[fulfilled] Lack of forum updates

General Discussions Suggestions
#1

I really enjoy coming to this forum with its vast info and its community but really don’t like the lack of updates, and its constant spam bots (surely the mods must get annoyed). In fact there is a spam bot spamming the forums right now.
We won’t get people wanting to make Java games if the major Java gamming community forum is so outdated and filled with spam bots.

Back in December 03, 2009 http://www.java-gaming.org/index.php/topic,21208.msg177572.html#msg177572
I explained that we have some major security issues, and we are still using the same old version (6 versions behind the current 1.X version). SMF 2.0 seems basically the replacement over 1.X.

Sticky image is broken (has it always been broken?):

Nothing I’ve seen is being down about these spam bots that been plaguing the forums for ages.

I believe ChrisM owns the forums? Would he sell it? I for one would love to take over.
If I was ever in charge I would move the forums to a real commercial forum. IPB 3.1(there is a good converter for SMF, so no info is lost) is nice for communities like JGO. Easy expandable with lots of plugins.
Its anti-spam options are much better than SMF or PHPBB. It has Facebook, twitter integration, much more powerful mod options, has
cell phone support/themes built in, much faster(and better) search and friendly urls.
I would also integrate the IPB chat; it’s quite nice and uses all forum user groups. So no worrying about setting up mods again.
A more updated theme/banner, this one is starting to look outdated(With a theme picker for those who like basic themes). Themes are cheap, and I know a number of artists that could make a banner.
Have the menu bar have links to important links like a wiki.
Maybe a special sub forum to allow the applet BB code.
Add one set of ads for guests only to help pay and probably a donation button. I would also integrate Flattr in BB for everyone to use (like in their sig).
And more…

I would love to see JavaGaming grow and become more. I just feel it’s really not doing anything and fear it’s just sitting to die (I know that won’t happen). Anyway no offense to the current people who keep this forum alive.

What does everyone else feel?

#2

I think that “xanax pregnancy” and “cafeine in tea” are major problem on wich we must stay informed :slight_smile:

I like JGO as it and love its simplicity, I would not realy like to change theme.

Major problem of using opensource server side is that everybody can read and find fails/hole in source code : home made protection are always the best ( as home made viruses :slight_smile: ) so I would suggest to make some modification or entirely redo the registeration process, and patch existing bug.

#3

[quote]I think that “xanax pregnancy” and “cafeine in tea” are major problem on wich we must stay informed
[/quote]
:stuck_out_tongue:

[quote]I like JGO as it and love its simplicity, I would not realy like to change theme.
[/quote]
Still could have simple and looking good. I also like simple.

[quote]Major problem of using opensource server side is that everybody can read and find fails/hole in source code : home made protection are always the best ( as home made viruses ) so I would suggest to make some modification or entirely redo the registeration process, and patch existing bug.
[/quote]
Any forums can have problems but my point is that we need someone to patch when there are some.

#4

[quote]Any forums can have problems but my point is that we need someone to patch when there are some
[/quote]
that’s IMO the only (little) problem of JGO, lack of someone able to patch/make correction when requiered

#5

[quote]that’s IMO the only (little) problem of JGO, lack of someone able to patch/make correction when requiered
[/quote]
I see. Well I guess there isn’t many problems per say. I just feel we could do much much better. Be the shining light in the dark for Java :stuck_out_tongue:
I haven’t really seen this forum really grow. Doesn’t help the last major update was 2+ years ago.

But who knows maybe everyone here are old grumpy old men that don’t like change :stuck_out_tongue: For me change is a good thing for the most part.

#6

Just as a side note: If everyone could refrain from replying to spam threads that’d be great - I can’t delete whole threads so it’s just more posts that need to be deleted individually before I can get to the spam.

#7

The last thing i want is twitter and face book integration. You seem to equate new/lots of features with better. I don’t. One reason i come here is that the forms are simple and clean. Its a forum. I don’t need/want it to do my washing or notify my cell phone or any of another 30 places on the internet I may or may not use. And i don’t want the interface cluttered with lots of crap/features i will never use.

If its not broke… Don’t fix it.

If I want chat i use IRC. If i want to call someone, i use a phone. If i want to post on a forum I use a forum.

as for spam bots. I have hardly noticed any…

Also for security (Yes it was my day job for a while), homemade is not better. Basically for the kind of money its worth… anything beyond good enough is a waste of time and money. Since someone can always steal usernames and passwords, you never really get high security on a public forum, and you don’t really need it either.

#8

I would totally agree with the fact that a forum does not really need a high level of security, but sometime only a little modification can do the job

[quote]anything beyond good enough is a waste of time and money
[/quote]
It may depend, being hacked can cost a lot in certain society, but I would open an offtopic debate ^^

#9

That’s because we now have a small army of banhammers.

There is some work going on behind the scenes. Don’t hold your breath though :-\

#10

yup, the forums actually got spammed pretty badly this morning but was cleaned up pretty quickly :slight_smile:

#11

[quote]That’s because we now have a small army of banhammers.
[/quote]

[quote]yup, the forums actually got spammed pretty badly this morning but was cleaned up pretty quickly.
[/quote]
In which case I thank the admins… of great power and responsibility :wink:

#12

I like the forum the way it is today, but I woulnd’t mind some updates either.

Though I really wish more members created Java games and posted them in “Showcase”. It seems to be lots of talented Java developers here, but it is not often a game is posted in “Showcase”.

#13

I think the forum is fine, but I think there are lots of ways that JGO could be expanded as a community, instead of just being a forum. As fruitmaze says, Showcase is lacking. And I totally agree with this. I would love to be able to showcase a few games (with screenshots) at the top of the site at all times, include ratings, reviews, and more, and basically expand the showcase to be a real thriving portal for Java games and feedback. Obviously gamejolt and the like do this - but I think those places are for consumers to play games. I’m thinking more of a great way for devs to give and get feedback and exposure from other devs. I know that the responses I get from members here is always very valuable, but also pretty sparse a lot of the time because aside from when something is first posted it rarely gets any exposure.

Also, I would do some forum merging and the like, and maybe change the look a little bit. And there are lots of permissions for moderators that need to be fixed, and other minor housekeeping-type things.

#14

[quote]Just as a side note: If everyone could refrain from replying to spam threads that’d be great - I can’t delete whole threads so it’s just more posts that need to be deleted individually before I can get to the spam.
[/quote]
Another thing to put on the list.

[quote]The last thing i want is twitter and face book integration.
[/quote]
Well easier logging in helps. But it was a example and you don’t need to turn on. The one click sharing to facebook and the other major sites would help bring in traffic.

[quote]One reason i come here is that the forms are simple and clean. Its a forum.
And i don’t want the interface cluttered with lots of crap/features i will never use.
[/quote]
As running a successful community using IP Board, I would say it’s more user friendly. When I was buying IP board I did a lot of research it it’s basically the best.

[quote] I don’t need/want it to do my washing or notify my cell phone or any of another 30 places on the internet I may or may not use.
[/quote]
That shows your old :stuck_out_tongue: Androids/iPhones can do everything these days.

[quote]If its not broke… Don’t fix it.
[/quote]
Or if its not updated then its outdated. Really that saying doesn’t always apply for websites.

[quote]as for spam bots. I have hardly noticed any…
[/quote]
While you posted this I saw 5 spam posts. But our great mods clean them quite fast.

[quote]If I want chat i use IRC.
[/quote]
This website would be great if it had a friendly to use chat, one click enter with no signing up(users the forum account), no hassle. I’ve tried a lot of IRC apps, basically to me its so horrible to use, not very user friendly at all. Does JGO even have a IRC?

[quote] You seem to equate new/lots of features with better. I don’t.
[/quote]
Which ones wouldn’t make this forum/community better? All I listed would improve it. If there is a feature You don’t like it doesn’t mean you have to use it. I mean a simple chat and wiki button on the top menu isn’t going to clutter anything.

[quote]There is some work going on behind the scenes. Don’t hold your breath though
[/quote]
Like?

#15

Like?
[/quote]
Thinks I won’t discuss in detail. All I can say is that is doesn’t help to state the obvious. There is a lot wrong with this forum. There are things in motion, but everything takes time as Chris is very busy and wants to stay in control. Besides that, it’s not that bad, but it will be better soon.

#16

[quote]Thinks I won’t discuss in detail. All I can say is that is doesn’t help to state the obvious. There is a lot wrong with this forum. There are things in motion
[/quote]
Ok, I’m just trying to help.

[quote]but everything takes time as Chris is very busy and wants to stay in control. Besides that, it’s not that bad, but it will be better soon.
[/quote]
Well what I listed would take no longer than a week to finish if I did it but if he wants to stay in control then fair enough. Though would like for him to do some inputting on what’s the future for JGO.
I know the forums are not bad, just we can do a lot better.

#17

Well, you’re not the first with that idea and intentions, but without access to the server, nobody can do anything.

#18

It has been quiet lately but I don’t think it’s because JGO isn’t jazzy enough;

  1. Minecraftobia - how many of us are thinking: ‘I love Markus, but dammit! I can’t compete with that!’
  2. Credit crunch - When will you lose your job? KInda takes your mind off of being creative.
  3. 3D (see 1) it’s quite hard to do good 3D in a browser and even harder to do a good 3D game, but that’s where the market’s going. I guess bosses are saying: ‘Hmmm, java+openGL, flash 10, shockwave or unity?’ Lots of choice…
    Can’t stay chatting, I’m off to flashdevils.com - you get a free biscuit with every post there! :stuck_out_tongue:
#19

Yes it does and it can be found at irc.freenode.net #javagaming, however its not very active and you only usually have one or two ppl there, a better chat room is #lwjgl as quiet a few of the JGO ppl hang out there.

#20

I don’t think I have to compete with anyone here. I’m not sure that competition is a good source of motivation.