What do members like to see in a forum? What do you NOT want to see in a fourm? How strict should forum admin/moderators be? What kinds of features to you expect in a forum? Please feel free to go into detail.

Fresh coffee in the coffee pot...

I think it does depend somewhat on the purpose of the forum. I don't want to be the Gestapo here, but I do think that people would like a bit more controlled forum for the "official" support forum. Let's face it, you take your life (or at least your self-esteem) into your hands anytime you go into a forum on the net. It can be pretty ugly. The last thing someone wants when they come to a support forum is to be attacked by other members. And yes, that goes double for moderators. I think a fan forum can have a bit more of a relaxed feel. Most fan forums tend to support groups of like-thinking people, at least as far as the game is concerned. That shouldn't happen in the official forum. Everyone should feel that their views are as welcome and valid as anyone else.

I have a great idea! If this is to be a support forum then just do away with the open discussion forum and keep only the ones actually related to the game and only allow posts that deal with specifics of the game itself. Problem solved.

Actually I suggested this in another thread that was moved from open discussion to forum announcements. I also think this would be a very good idea where an official EIS forum is concerned.
I was actually more interested in what a public forum should be like.

I have built many different forums for many different topics over the years. I am known on two of them as "The Forum God"

I have one forum that's 5 years old, has people on it from all over the globe and to this day, I have never had to ban or punish a single member.

The best way to build a forum is to make good rules, then enforce them. Period. It really is that simple and the administration needs to NOT get involved in any of the emotional topics. The administration also has to set themselves up so that they are beyond reproach in all aspects pertaining to the community. If they do that, the populace tends to understand that the lines here cannot be crossed because there is no way to influence the decision and they also perceive the administration as all powerful and tend not to challenge that power.

One of the problems I see here is the administration is far too involved in the content of the site. Most might think this is a good idea but the reality is it's not. JP is in a bit of a spot here because he really needs to be involved in the content but he also needs to see that the board is administered properly. A great administrator really has to be able to stand back, not take a position on the topic being discussed and manage equally across the board. The moderators should be chosen because of their ability in a specific topic and all major decisions made by a moderator should be overseen and approved by the site administration first.

My suggestion would be for JP to assign the duties of full site administration to another capable party so he can partake in the forum as needed to promote TWGS and not be involved in the daily administration that could be counterproductive to the goal of the site.

You also need a section in the forum where a mod can temporarily move a post to be discussed by the administration if the problem is unclear. This room should be out of sight from the general populace so the thread can be discussed and proper decisions made about the best course to take to best serve the community.

HAVING SAID ALL THAT: Building successful communities is really my specialty and since I have been working on a new one for the better part of this year, I suppose I can break it here now. TwarBase.com is presenting a whole new community in support of TradeWars that includes, groups, forums, instant walls (like you see on facebook) unlimited file libraries, event creators, photo galleries (that will allow ansi images to be uploaded and viewed) along with three different ways to chat online individually and in groups up to 200 at a time and of course web access to the TWGS server registered to Twarbase.com.

Coming next month. I will announce the grand opening. Also, I have found a way to promote this game in a very unique way to the masses and who knows, if I'm right, we're going to see quite a few new members joining us to play this game we love so much.

Tried to join your forum but I guess I need an invitation. Also what is up with the Boonex dating software?

It is Boonex dating software and I have it locked right now during construction. It is the best community script available today and removing the dating sections makes it completely usable for other topics. I have been a member of the Boonex community for quite some time now and am actively involved in it's development

My opinion of a good forum is to NOT have a moderate that deletes, locks, or edits any post that disagrees with his personal opinion.

You will like TwarBase. Here is the basic premise of my management style. I have been using this for some time and it works almost without exception. The post is titled "It ain't that complicated'

My idea of a good forum is where Adults act like Adults then the Moderators will be so bored they might have time to play TW's.

Locking, Deleting and Editing happens from not following the "Adults acting like Adults" part, so therefore they step in to make it tolerable for the rest of us.

So you are saying that expressing a difference of opinion with someone that has the power to moderate your post is NOT acting like an adult? Wow!

That is not what I said but it is a nice attempt at changing my words to meet your needs. Imagine my surprise that happened.

You ever notice that no matter what topic you start viewing videos about on youtube, it always eventually brings you to something about Butt or boobs?

Then why did you reply to my post then? Because that was the direction I was going and you seemed to disagree with it.