Thinking of closing my forum

[masterchief]

No doubt I have annoyed more than a few people on here but if doing my job to the best of my ability annoys some people, then I can't do much about that.

@Brogan Learning to become a better moderator from you my friend.

 

[CTXMedia]

The getting off topic here on XenForo is the most frustrating ever, there can never be a serious discussion can there?

Okay, seriously, CLOSE YOUR FORUM YOU DAMN CRYBABY - you're not cut out to be an admin, you suck at it. Really, don't waste any more of your precious time on a site that nobody likes anyway, with a crap design and a few lame threads.

I COULD DO BETTER IN MY SLEEP YOU MORON!!!!

Even better - go to another site (XF) full of other forum admins and cry about how crap people have treated you, and then ... wait for it ... have a go at anyone there who doesn't show you support or give you a cuddle, or say how great you and your site is!!!! WHAT??!!!!

HTFU for Christs sake!!! You're not a child any more!!!!

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So, how did all of the above make you feel? (I could have made it much worse, but value my user account here ... and ... it was for illustration purposes)

Hurt? Upset? Want to throw in the towel? Feel like it's not worth it for people who don't appreciate you, or what you do, or all of the hours you put into your site for other people?

You've had a taste of what being a site owner can sometimes be; dealing will all manner of people on the internet, good and bad.

Some, like a good many of the members here and on your own site, will be supportive, give you advice, back you up, and generally help you out and make the job of running a site worthwhile.

Others, unfortunately, are just the opposite and will do and say all manner of things to try and put you down.

Saying a few things about you, whilst being hurtful and making you feel like it's not worth carrying on with your site, is not the worst of it by any means.

Have you ever had your site hacked? Ever had hateful things posted on your forums and continuous registrations by a large group of people from another forum trying to deliberately trash your site and steal your members? Have you had people post lies about you and the way you manage your site? Have you ever had anyone posting hundreds of links to child pornography on your site?

What most people here are telling you is that it is part and parcel of running a site.

Try to please your members - this makes them feel like a part of the site and like their opinions are valued - but don't try to please all of them, because you will never do it.

Lock the accounts of the idiots that have been taunting you so they can't access the site any more, and then forget about them. Leave them to it. Don't reply or respond and put your energies back into making your own forums better and better. Focus on those who are staying and enjoying using the site, and leave the rest of them to it.

Oh, and on a constructive note - do you really, honestly, think that the Peachy theme is appropriate for a professional Admin's forum that you want everyone to take seriously?

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[John]

A little off-topic here, but with a few minor alterations any skin can be made to fit any site. This person decided they liked the look of that skin so much so that they bought it. He may need to open up to constructive criticism as to how it can be made more appealing to his site but I'm kind of tired of reading some on here ragging on my design. I, personally, think it's a very professional skin...and so do many others obviously based on my sales numbers for it

 

[Kaiser]

A little off-topic here, but with a few minor alterations any skin can be made to fit any site. This person decided they liked the look of that skin so much so that they bought it. He may need to open up to constructive criticism as to how it can be made more appealing to his site but I'm kind of tired of reading some on here ragging on my design. I, personally, think it's a very professional skin...and so do many others obviously based on my sales numbers for it

Exactly, most of my members enjoy it, and people on other webmaster forums im on have complimented me on the design saying its really easy on the eyes, and is very impressive.. I find it very professional. And I will be making some changes to improve it for example changing the forum icons, and the logo.. I already told you about removing the peaches, and other things. I dont see the big deal with it. The first time I saw it, I had to buy it.. It looks very professional to me. And you do a good job on your skins.

 

[jmurrayhead]

A little off-topic here, but with a few minor alterations any skin can be made to fit any site. This person decided they liked the look of that skin so much so that they bought it. He may need to open up to constructive criticism as to how it can be made more appealing to his site but I'm kind of tired of reading some on here ragging on my design. I, personally, think it's a very professional skin...and so do many others obviously based on my sales numbers for it

It's a wonderful design. But a design should match the site. I don't know too many people who think of peaches and bright colors when they think of an admin board.

 

[Bain]

You had a really nice skin to begin with and now the peachy skin just does not fit in with what your site is supposed to be about.
I also have to say from reading your site, that you jump the gun a lot and shut your members down when they have suggestions that does not fit with what you want.

You may own the software, domain and rent the server. However, the forum is about the members and not you.
They can make or break your forum. Be open and listen. Take time to think on their suggestions and come back with an appropriate response that is professional sounding.
So far, your replies have been more along the lines of "Nope, can't do that. Sorry. Thread closed."

You may not believe you earned what is being said about you or your site, however, that doesn't matter.
What does matter is your members believe it is true. Give up, or begin to listen.

 

[John]

It's a wonderful design. But a design should match the site. I don't know too many people who think of peaches and bright colors when they think of an admin board.

I wouldn't argue with the peaches and forum markers not really fitting, but I don't agree that bright colors don't equate with an admin board. The default XF design is a good case in point

 

[Bain]

I'm kind of tired of reading some on here ragging on my design.

I don't think it's awful, but I wouldn't use it. You have to grow a thick skin to be in business.
Not everyone is going to like what you do and they will voice their opinion, even if you don't like it, you must respect their opinion.

Each theme has an area where they could be used most effectively. An administrator forum is not one of those to be best used with an Peach colored theme (my opinion).
Perhaps, for a forum about canning, or gardening.

 

[CTXMedia]

I wasn't criticising your skin John, just wondering how appropriate peaches and clouds are for a "Professional" admin discussion forum?

Kaiser can do whatever he likes - it's his site and my opinion counts for nothing - and the bright layout is very nice ... but clouds and peaches ... lol

[Dang! Someone beat me to it ... ]

 

[CTXMedia]

It could quite easily work for a holiday or calypso site too ...

 

[John]

This is the kind of constructive criticism Kaiser needs to make this design work for him (and of which I agree). I think the skin can be used for all manner of subject matter with some minor alterations...but that's just me based on my many years in the business and the hundreds of designs I've produced - being able to see things through a designers eye

 

[masterchief]

@John I am not a current customer, but I want to thank you for creating your products. I feel it is all personal preference.. giving visitors options is positive feature for all websites.

Is there an easy way to rotate styles so that visitors get to experience them all? How many visitors even know that multiple styles are available. Let the visitors show you what they like... rambling now. peace

 

[el canadiano]

We all have those moments. You could always take another break and come back hungry, you know.

 

[jmurrayhead]

I wouldn't argue with the peaches and forum markers not really fitting, but I don't agree that bright colors don't equate with an admin board. The default XF design is a good case in point

Right, I wasn't saying that bright colors wouldn't work...just that combination (more so with the peaches and forum markers). And you're absolutely right. If tweaked a little bit, it probably would work very well.

 

[yavuz]

Well, I'm a forum admin for many years now. I've seen many kind. I don't care if they bomb my forum and certainly I couldn't care less what "trollers" say. I either ban those or just ignore. No need to be dramatic. Suggest you do the same. Or else it's no way to live or manage a forum.

 

[iTuN3r]

This is the kind of constructive criticism Kaiser needs to make this design work for him (and of which I agree). I think the skin can be used for all manner of subject matter with some minor alterations...but that's just me based on my many years in the business and the hundreds of designs I've produced - being able to see things through a designers eye

Your design is really awesome sorry if i offended your work . Skin is most important look of site which really needs to match theme of site . But peachy skin is not really suiting theme of this site.

When you have a small group of staffs on your site first thing you need to do is consult with them take their suggestions if they like it or not . Being admin doesn't mean you can just do whatever you think is best for your site without even consulting once with your Team members . Staffs & Members are major part of your community and being admin one should really open up with their community members . Let them speak openly and suggest you what's best for your site .

 

[Shelley]

This thread reminds me of those erection problem commercials where you have that man feeling sorry for himself with his wifey sitting beside him holding his hand and looking at him in a patronising way but enough to hide her frustration showing concern. The winning factor here in hiding this deception when she conducts the hand of condolence holds the hubbys hand and showing concern. What we have here is thankfully not the suffering this poor guy has endured, but this is crying out for a little sympathy, and that hand of condolence. Which is why my verdict is = thread condolence approved

I personally think your overreacting, the people in question your referring to only mentioned the theme doesn't fit that you should make the old style available. You replied with a one liner and closed the thread so they continued the conversation on twitter. I happen to bump into this and registered on your site and was good enough to create a thread about shutting people out so you either have to take the rough with the smooth, or carry on doing what your doing.

Who are the people your referring to btw? Or would you like me to post the culprits?

 

[tmb]

Popped over to your site for the first time and wow I've never seen more locked threads in my life. It was an instant turn off, way more than the theme and lack of activity.

 

[Shelley]

Popped over to your site for the first time and wow I've never seen more locked threads in my life. It was an instant turn off, way more than the theme and lack of activity.

Yup And I created a thread here about it http://adminbb.org/threads/a-little-bit-of-advice.1801/

Not to moan, but quite the reverse because I've seen the amount of work put into the site. This is what I say if you leave members whom are good enough to post and make a suggestion walking away frustrated. Personally, I would unlock all those threads in the suggestions area and allow dialogue to continue because I assure you you'll see more members walking away frustrated.

Just to be fair to those who have not yet spoken here's the thread that kicked it off. http://adminbb.org/threads/theme-suggestion.1780/

I prefer not to beat about the bush and everyone and all parties should have their say if this thread is to continue.

 

[John]

@John I am not a current customer, but I want to thank you for creating your products. I feel it is all personal preference.. giving visitors options is positive feature for all websites.

Is there an easy way to rotate styles so that visitors get to experience them all? How many visitors even know that multiple styles are available. Let the visitors show you what they like... rambling now. peace

Not that I know of. One has to click the style selector in the footer to bring up the list. Maybe sticky a thread informing/reminding members they have a choice?

Your design is really awesome sorry if i offended your work . Skin is most important look of site which really needs to match theme of site . But peachy skin is not really suiting theme of this site.

No offense taken, but thanks for saying so

You have to grow a thick skin to be in business.
Not everyone is going to like what you do and they will voice their opinion, even if you don't like it, you must respect their opinion.

This is true and I learned that lesson early on in my career...however sometimes voicing an opinion devolves into criticism just for the sake of being negative (not saying this was the case here but sometimes one has to make a decision to jump in and go on the defensive)

Best of luck to you Kaiser...you know I'll help you however I can with the skin. I think it's a good idea to offer choices if you are running a site that caters to a variety of tastes. Also, never "delete" a style without keeping a backup...you never know when or if you might want it back.