Future Plans for CTZ

[CoreIssue]

In looking at many forums, of many types and purposes, the pattern seems to be less participation.

We understand with a tight economy, family priorities, and such, that forums are far from a number one priority.

But, they can be an asset to our lives.

With that in mind, what can we do to make to make CTZ more relevant?

Bible study is important. Sound doctrine is important. But being able to live our daily lives, have some fun, find purpose, resolve issues and so forth are also extremely important.

What can be added to CTZ, forum, function, and otherwise, to make it more relevant to the whole of our lives?

Please feel free to post and discuss that here. :tiphat:

[Jessie]

although the board runs slowly, I enjoy it. and I get solid answers I wont get anywhere else.

please dont think because it is really slow its not really important because it sure is!
(the board and you all)!

humm, will think on this tonight about your question.

what I really like is this board is NOT a fluff board. and is open to discussion.
really big difference. loads of depth.

[Ponderin]

"I started a threat to discuss the issue. "

Whew! It is not a threat but a thread.


I have no board running skills.


That said, I read something on a stock board one day that said "if you build them they will come." However, that is not the gospel truth.

Sorry, I'm not able to be any help.

[CoreIssue]

although the board runs slowly, I enjoy it. and I get solid answers I wont get anywhere else.

please dont think because it is really slow its not really important because it sure is!
(the board and you all)!

humm, will think on this tonight about your question.

what I really like is this board is NOT a fluff board. and is open to discussion.
really big difference. loads of depth.

"I started a threat to discuss the issue. "

Whew! It is not a threat but a thread.


I have no board running skills.


That said, I read something on a stock board one day that said "if you build them they will come." However, that is not the gospel truth.

Sorry, I'm not able to be any help.
Part of the confusion is that we don't really know how many are just lurking and reading. Which is a valuable function in and of itself.

On the old phpBB I could tell. But not on vB.

Not really asking for admin skills. But just ideas, even if vague. What is one looking for in a board.

I know part of the issue is not being PC and fluffy. Or setting it up so the same topic gets restarted over and over. That gets numbers, but where is the value?

Don't get me wrong. Chat, goofing off and and so on do serve a value. But filtering everything down to being feel goodisms doesn't.

Thanks for the comments. :tiphat:

[Chrystalwuzhere]

Core, I don't really know what you could do other than what you've done...with the exception of advertising. I know you've done that already.

I've always thought the sub-forums were a bit daunting, and have had people tell me that they intimidate them. They say they don't read here because it confuses them, and they can't find their way around here. It's better than it used to be, but apparently, people I talk to still don't like subforums.

That's just one thing I've heard.

[CoreIssue]

Core, I don't really know what you could do other than what you've done...with the exception of advertising. I know you've done that already.

I've always thought the sub-forums were a bit daunting, and have had people tell me that they intimidate them. They say they don't read here because it confuses them, and they can't find their way around here. It's better than it used to be, but apparently, people I talk to still don't like subforums.

That's just one thing I've heard.
I honestly do not understand them saying that.

Exactly how is, say RR, better organized? How hard is it to find a topic there?

Say Mormonism. You have to scroll and read every thread title to see if it is Mormonism. And hope the person titled it so you can recognize it.

How about finding an old topic that has some statements you want to reveiw? Good luck finding them.

Yes, it results in a ton of posting. But I got sick and tired of restating the same thing over and over and over when someone with false doctrine would wait for a thread to fade, when I nailed them, just to start it all over again.

The ugly head of doctrinism can never be squashed in that set up. And people get tired of it.

Not gowling at you. Just perplexed.

And I hope these folk realize the demand for subforms is such that when phpBB 3.0 comes out, 100% of the major scripts used will have subforums.

It isn't hard to use. Once one looks at it, they see groupings. I.E.
Open Discussion and Debate ---> Cults ----> Mormonism.

What is hard about that? Can you please explain that to me? I want to understand but just don't get it.

[CoreIssue]

OK. I tried a variation and changed what shows on the main page. Is this any better for those who don't like subforums?

They are still very much there, but displayed differently.

I believe there is a mod that will separate the categories. I will try to add it to make it more distinctive.

[Jessie]

I liked the board that had a sliding bar on the left, it was easier to understand.

maybe what Chrystal is getting at is its more open, that helps to know where to go for new ones. (visually open)

people should'nt be intimidated but they do get that way.

but too I like the set up of not having to look so hard for what you are talking about core.

[CoreIssue]

I liked the board that had a sliding bar on the left, it was easier to understand.

maybe what Chrystal is getting at is its more open, that helps to know where to go for new ones. (visually open)

people should'nt be intimidated but they do get that way.

but too I like the set up of not having to look so hard for what you are talking about core.
On the menu issue, there are two at the top. If you would like some resource added, let me know.

I know it was always there, but it did get in the way a lot.

I tried opening it up more, with loosing organization. Combined a couple of sparse forums into others to get rid of them. Added Categories for dividers and labels.

If anyone sees anything that could be better labeled and such, let me know.

The idea is the general areas one is looking for on the main, with descriptions. Click in to find all the materials in a main page form for that general area.

This should satisfy everyone, I think. It should be easily understandable.

Please tell me if I am wrong. :(

[Jessie]

I like it. its broke down a bit more, and easier to figure out where to post.
and read. great job!!!

[CoreIssue]

Thanks! I will see if any more comments, then mass email again to let everyone know of the changes.

[Ponderin]

"I started a threat to discuss the issue. "

Whew! It is not a threat but a thread.


I have no board running skills.


That said, I read something on a stock board one day that said "if you build them they will come." However, that is not the gospel truth.

Sorry, I'm not able to be any help.








Part of the confusion is that we don't really know how many are just lurking and reading. Which is a valuable function in and of itself.

On the old phpBB I could tell. But not on vB.

Not really asking for admin skills. But just ideas, even if vague. What is one looking for in a board.

I know part of the issue is not being PC and fluffy. Or setting it up so the same topic gets restarted over and over. That gets numbers, but where is the value?

Don't get me wrong. Chat, goofing off and and so on do serve a value. But filtering everything down to being feel goodisms doesn't.

Thanks for the comments. :tiphat:

Yeah I have been on boards where some speculate the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over. It is ridiculas, IMO.

I mean like how long does one speculate doctrinal error without actually being considered defending it? Unless, maybe, you are just a true Christain, board sanctioned (If there is such a thing) sockpuppet, play acting a fool ?

In the event that it is not a true Christain, board sanctioned (If there is such a thing) sockpuppet, play acting a fool . . . To me it seems eems like that would be considered at some point walking, on the way to standing and then getting real near to being seated with the ungodly. It may be hard to say. Seeing how I am only human . . . . . But good grief after 3 years of beating a dead horse till it is nothing but broken bones I would think enough is enough too.


Just are some more of my thoughts/comments.


BTW, this was typed in a very, calm, cool, collected type.

LOL.

PS. I did not mean moderating skills. I meant board operating skills in general. I have never had to heard a buncha cats before. Heh.


Thanks for listening.

:)

[CoreIssue]

Got some good poiints, there, Ponderin. :nod:

It is hard to be effective when you feel like a tape recording.

[PNW]

Blessings CoreIssue,

Just lurking and letting you know.

It's been a long time since I have been on the board and was not that active to begin with. In fact, I was fortunate to remember my user name and pass so I could respond to your request.

What brought me back here at this time? Well, it was your mailing. I usually click on the link you provide and browse through when I am able.

Reasons I lose interest?.....

Well sometimes you just do not fit in with certain boards.
Some boards have a "clique" and it's not hard to see over a short period of time.
Too many banner adds.
Too many changes too often.
Losing posts.
Having to re-register.

You have a good layout with this site. The only other suggestion might be to "catch the eye" so to speak. I will PM you a link so as not to advertise another's site. Maybe you might like the idea of adding a little touch of graphics like they did.

Not sure where you are located, but it's summer here and I try to spend as much time enjoying it as possible.

Maybe an email once a month or so, just to tap us on the shoulder to let us know you are still here. It worked for me.

God bless!

[CoreIssue]

Thanks, PNW. I got the link and forwarded it to CTZonEdit for his opinion. Sure is an eye grabber.

And I will take the monthly email to heart. A good idea.

I think it is hard for a board not to develop a 'personality.' Be it good or bad.

As for the rest of your list, I hope we don't fall into any of those categories. I don't think we do on some and some know we don't. :scratch:

Hope you come around more. As well as others. :D

[PNW]

Blessings CoreIssue,

I think I might have come across wrong. I did not mean those reasons I listed to be associated with "this" board. This was a general list of a couple of boards I have been on in the past.

If it were, then the first reason listed would be my own fault because I did not given this board a good chance. No fault of the members here.

The second reason listed... I did not see any cliques when I first visited the board. I "do remember" recieving warm welcomes from the members here at that time.

I only read about the changes through email notices and the occasional browse.

Losing posts... I think that is just the nature of running a board sometimes. But on the other 2boards I was associated with, it happened quite frequently for a few months and members would stop posting.

I have never had to re-register here at CTZ. I have had to re-register 3 times at a different board and decided to no longer be a member when asked to do so a fourth time.

Just thought I would come back and clarify.

God bless you and all the members!

[eahaddix]

In looking at many forums, of many types and purposes, the pattern seems to be less participation.

We understand with a tight economy, family priorities, and such, that forums are far from a number one priority.

But, they can be an asset to our lives.

With that in mind, what can we do to make to make CTZ more relevant?

Bible study is important. Sound doctrine is important. But being able to live our daily lives, have some fun, find purpose, resolve issues and so forth are also extremely important.

What can be added to CTZ, forum, function, and otherwise, to make it more relevant to the whole of our lives?

Please feel free to post and discuss that here. :tiphat:

To be honest, I think CTZ is too intellectually oriented. The vast majority of the forum dwells on doctrinal debate, while the softer, everyday living aspect of the faith seems distant. In fact, in our zeal to oppose doctrinal compromise, we have created a "stomping ground" where we encourage doctrinal challenges, not fellowship.

Now, as spiritually gifted teachers, we, as in LuckyStrike, CoreIssue, and CTZonEdit, prefer this type of emphasis. Moreover, we prefer to associate with similarly gifted people. After all, God the Spirit designed us to function and associate in this way. However, this forum may appear static, cold, and unwelcoming to non-teacher believers, such as sensitive believers (ref. 1 Corinthians 12:22 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:22;&version=31;)) possessing the gift of showing mercy (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1653) (Romans 12:8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:8;&version=31;) [Greek] (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=Romans+12%3A8&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na)), giving help (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=484) (1 Corinthians 12:28 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:28;&version=31;) [Greek] (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=1+Corinthians+12%3A28&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na)), and encouragement (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3874) (Romans 12:8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:8;&version=31;) [Greek] (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=Romans+12%3A8&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na)).

The essence of the Body of Christ is communial fellowship. Yet, despite this, we have a habit of hiding behind user names. As a result, it is no surprise that we frequently treat each other as abstract, pixelated entities.

[CoreIssue]

I believe I covered those points in my opening post. And I do agree.

But, part of the board is just fellowship and chat. Part is just Christians asking questions in a non debate atmosphere. It seems the debate forms have become the focus, which was never intended.

As much as I hate it, maybe they need to be members only, so people only see the fellowship side first?

But, I hate that as well.

Really not sure how to break that conception. Any ideas folks?

[CoreIssue]

Hi PNW!

No problem. Just wanting to make sure I was not missing anything. :tiphat:

[Sid]

It seems the debate forms have become the focus, which was never intended. Really not sure how to break that conception. Any ideas folks?


Core:


One forum that I would like to see here is one centered on Christians living their faith in a world circling the drain.

There are Bible prophesy sites. .

. . . there are Chicken Little sites. . .

. . . there are politics sites. . . .

. . . there are conspiracy theory sites.

. . . there are nutty, survivalist, militia, Bubba SixPack sites.


BUT little venue for Christians to share reasonable commentary and preparations for dealing with a world that is circling the drain.

Things like preparation for disasters, dealing with a economy that is stagflating, and simple living skills.

[CoreIssue]

Agree, Sid. Seems like no one will use the existing forums for that purpose.

Hmmmm. I will have to experiment setting up a forum exclusively for that.

[Sid]

Core:

Check out this forum (http://p105.ezboard.com/fxcatholicfrm31) on my homecourt, for the types of discussions/resources I am grazing towards.

EZBoard is imploding, it has been dysfunctional for years, now they are trying to follow in the steps of MySpace.

I believe it is time to examine options.

[CoreIssue]

I took a shot are creating a category and forum for it. Hope it works.

Didn't see your last post. Will look.

[CoreIssue]

Core:

Check out this forum (http://p105.ezboard.com/fxcatholicfrm31) on my homecourt, for the types of discussions/resources I am grazing towards.

EZBoard is imploding, it has been dysfunctional for years, now they are trying to follow in the steps of MySpace.

I believe it is time to examine options.
I think the category I set up will cover what you have done there. In fact, it is more 'dedicated' in appearance.

As for EZBoard, I have seen it is in decline.

So, we need to be getting folk over here from there. How is the question.

I have long said I will set up topic specific categories and such for specialized groups. If you think you can get them over here I will create an Ex Catholics category.

I am willing to do bikers, motor heads, hunters, gardeners or anything else, as long as they understand this is a Christian oriented site.