Ok everyone Ive been thinking of new ways to make the forums pick back up. It seems at times that they are very dead. As stated in a previous thread of mine I’ll work on the talkback threads but my debate right now is if 2 episodes should be posted every other week or for now put the first 65 episodes up.I’m leaning towards putting up the first 65 that way people dont have to wait for their favorite episodes to reply.Time is not an issue for me as I can have a subforum and all 65 episodes up in no time. So that being said I’ll post a poll and see how it goes…any suggestions are welcomed. Thank you
Chris here…
100% no question, IMO the episode talkback threads should be 1 per week - the reason why I say this is because part of the objective here is to keep activity on the Boards steady and constant, and IMO if you post up all of the first 65 episodes in one go, in theory someone could methodically work through and give a “Meh, not a bad episode but not one of the best either - 4/5”-type answer for all 65 in a very short space of time, thus leaving the Boards lacking in activity again. Whereas, trickling the episodes out by 1 per week keeps people coming back to the Boards, and hopefully partaking in other discussions whilst they’re here. 
I also have to say, I wonder whether it would be better for the episode talkback threads to remain in the Cartoon & Comics Forum rather than on their own subforum, again so that when people come online to review those episodes, they’re exposed to other threads on the same Board which they will hopefully partake in. Theoretically, if the talkback threads are in their own forum, someone wanting to post in those would have no reason to see any other threads about any other subjects that might exist on the Cartoon & Comics Board, and thus not think to post in them. Obviously that’s just my opinion, but FWIW I would keep the talkback threads as part of the main Cartoon & Comic Forum.
On a semi-related note, something I’ve also suggested to (the other!) Manny is that the Site Announcements forum be integrated into the other discussion forums, and those threads left unlocked so that people can post responses/comments. Over at www.he-man.org, the “sticky” threads announcing new stuff, either to do with the site itself or MOTU in general, are often the ones that generate the most talking points, and I think the same could apply here.
In closing, can I just say how great I think it is that you’re putting so much energy and thought into making the forums active and vibrant, Manny - it’s great to know you’re on the job!
Take care…
I must admit I am undecided which is best. I initially thought that having 65 to choose from would be a good thing (allowing people to choose what they review) but Chris makes some good points about the steady content keeping the forum going. There are only 20 - 30 odd frequent posters on here so if they went and replyed to the episodes they liked, there would be a point where it went quiet again. I also think one per week might take forever lol..so i guess I am going to go with 2 every other week to allow people time to review whilst giving them the option to choose between or review two episodes. (This method may make people post in episodes the may not have in the other format)
I think that we could possibly have the current talkbacks in the cartoon section and then move them to a sub forum when the next ones come along. So the current talkbacks are avaliable in the cartoon main and the rest are archived in a sub forum. Just a suggestion
The reason that I wanted to make a subforum for the Talkback Threads was to keep the Cartoon area as free of stickies as possible.If kept in the main area what the result would be is a bunch of stickies on the main Cartoon page and everything else would be behind it. If they are made into regular threads then they would eventually get pushed to the bottom of the page. Most people look only at the main page so if they dont see it on the main page then they will not look at it. A subforum will keep everything on the cartoon section as clean as possible, it will be a set place for people to find them and not having to go thru the main section to look for it.
1-2 per week=steady content=constant interaction
I’ve been pretty negative regarding the talkback threads – I will say that I never liked the idea of making a subforum for the talkback threads. I would rather give the Comics a subforum before I would give the talkback threads it’s own. Here’s why: We will have 130 threads with 10 posts or less from people not on the site team. It just doesn’t make sense. Count how many posts are from the team and how many are actually from board members and you’ll see my point.
Why not instead of making a subforum, just un-sticky the older episodes? If it were in a separate subforum, the older episodes will go down the page anyways.
I know that I’ve been very crticial of the talkback threads, but unless the episodes are really fresh in people’s minds or are hardcore fans who just remember everything, the threads are not very good for discussion.
Also, I arranged the forums the way they are so not to bombard members with 20+ forums that have very little activity (ala EOT). I understand the need to expand and generate interest in the forums, but I just don’t think adding subforums are the way to do it.
That’s my two cents.
The Exodus episode currently has almost 20 posts…and the rest are on its way with multiple posts already. These talkback threads are to keep interest going, the site will only get bigger so I think we should look at the bigger picture rather than look short term. The interest is there for the talkback threads we just have to increase membership. I understand that having multiple subforums may not be the right idea but is it really going to look more disorganized by having a central place where people can discuss an episode?
A central place for people to discuss them seems more feasible, plus a subforum makes it more organized and easier to navigate
Not very good for discussion? Well then what is good for discussion, todays weather? Sometimes the forums are dead for days, no new threads=no activity…recently it seems that the most active people have been Kyle, Chris and I. I understand everyone has busy schedules but thinking about new things to give everyone to discuss is not IMO a hard task, Talkback Threads will be something to give people to talk about plus it helps us in the episode section to complete the reviews. Kyle IMO has kept the forum going with the art section and Im trying to do this to keep the forums going thats all.
We have 1 subforum so far and 13 forums that people interact in so is a subforum on the cartoon section going to bombard members I really dont think so. The forums should be organized and make it easier for people to navigate and adding a subforum will make it easier for people to get to the talkbacks rather than having to search for it
Do whatever you wish then.
Ok Manny you said that you understand the need to expand and generate interest in the forums. So here is my next question…How exactly can we do that…any ideas? Anybody got any other ideas because updates up until now have been almost non existent. I udnerstand people have things to do and are busy but seriously if it wasnt for the upcoming Encyclopedia project I think another update wouldve been very far away from now. Twice this year people have been given an empty promise, once during what was supposed to be a big February update and another one around easter time and all people got was a few more downloads and just recently 10 covers on the comic section.No wonder things are dead around the forums for days at a time. Im trying to do here what is best not for us but for the fans. Now it feels like I’m getting crucified for coming up with an idea for the forums, double edge sword i guess…damn if you do, damn if you don’t. Enough of my rambling I guess
Well take over then. I’ll transfer ownership of the site to you. I don’t want it anymore. Seriously no one has any clue how damn hard I’ve worked on this site. Say what you want about me, but you dont’ know me and yes, I’ve come up with dead promises – here’s your chance to make as many updates as possible.
I will email you all the information you need to become webmaster.
Have fun.
I’M DONE. I QUIT.
I have PM’d you Manny, but Im sorry and very shocked to hear this..
Chris here…
Like Kyle, I’m very shocked and upset to hear about this - unfortunately I’ve got to go out in a few minutes and so haven’t time to discuss this issue in detail, but I’m very upset to see months of positivity (largely generated by the outstanding work and motivating skills of the gentleman who posted above me) seemingly thrown out of the window! 
Like I say, I’ve got to go out now, as I have a long evening of setting up and working on the folk music club I run - I’m due there at 5:00pm and realistically won’t be home before midnight. I do anticipate logging on to Skype when I get home unless I’m seriously tired, and if so will be happy to discuss any site-related issues with anyone who is online then.
Come on, guys - the site is doing better than it ever has done, we’ve suddenly got new content coming out our ears, Mark’s back on board with great new materials, Celesta’s back on board doing some great writing, Kyle’s working flat-out on the Encyclopedia, I’m still here but then nothing’s perfect! 
We’ve got assembled here the best collection of ThunderCats knowledge, skill and talent I’ve ever seen, let’s not give it up without a fight! Please?
Take care…
eek!
Things seem to have got nasty here. Manny (TLC) I’ll send you a pm.
MannyC will also try to talk to you sometime as well.
As for Chris suggestion of talking tonight, I’m on, but it would have to be via the chat room as I still don’t have an headset yet. If you guys are ok with the chat way of meeting let me know. I can certainly do a couple hours after midnight.
I’m sorry about the quick, straight reply here, but I’m about to have my dinner so will reply to all the new messages later and try to help sort things out. Just wanted to reply here asap because this looks like a big problem
EDIT: ok, I’ll be online around midnight and will keep a window open with the chat room on. If anyone shows cool, if not no problem.
[QUOTE=blackiecats]
As for Chris suggestion of talking tonight, I’m on, but it would have to be via the chat room as I still don’t have an headset yet. If you guys are ok with the chat way of meeting let me know. I can certainly do a couple hours after midnight.
[/QUOTE]
I will be there at around midnight too and we can use the chat facility on skype
I’m sorry to hear about how you feel Manny, it was in no way intended to hurt anybodys feelings. We are doing great things and quitting because of something so simple as an idea for the forums is very disappointing.I know that in the past few motnhs everyone has gone thru different things and I understand that. I know the intent to put more things out there for everyone was there but unfortunately everyone at some point hits a few bad spots. I dont want to be the bad guy here I just think that if we are going to tell people that theres an update on things lets go thru with it because if not we loose credibility in front of everyone. That is something I personally take very close to heart, my word to evryone is gold and I treat is as such. Im not saying thats not the case with you because Manny if there’s anyone here that has worked the hardest since the site began thatis you. You have not only provided financial back up for the site but your time as well. Remember when i gave you ownership of the domain name? I did that cause I believed in you, this is not about ownership of a site or a name this is about a team trying to give evryone whats missing out there as far as a Thundercats website. Manny you are part of this team and always will be dont you ever forget that. Yes Ive never met you and perhaps I dont know you well but I do have to say that if there is anyone out there who I can consider a true friend that is you and everyone else on this team. Im sorry if I came across the wrong way, there’s no need to quit or do any sort of transfer. We are doing awesome things please lets not ruin the hard work everyone has put together. Again I extend my apologies