Forums Consolidation and Streamlining

[furtim]

Although a Forum Restructuring is being done ...... yet again
(Was less than 3yrs since the last Restructure)

3 years is an amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing ly long time to leave something untouched, in software-land.

[BobDraven]

Looking forward to seeing the new forums.

One wish I have, which I know isn't related to the structure but will depend on the software used, is that it is possible to change skin. My eyes mess up when I have to read a lot of white/light text on a dark background. An option to change it to be dark text on light background would be most welcome by me, and make me read and use the forums more.

Cheers and thanks!

A quick fix for you: Just drag+highlight the text you wish to read

[Sapience]

Looking forward to seeing the new forums.

One wish I have, which I know isn't related to the structure but will depend on the software used, is that it is possible to change skin. My eyes mess up when I have to read a lot of white/light text on a dark background. An option to change it to be dark text on light background would be most welcome by me, and make me read and use the forums more.

Cheers and thanks!

Yes the skin is being changed. I am asking, repeatedly, that we have two options. A light text on dark background and a dark text on light background option. I don't know if it will happen, but I have asked (a lot).

As for software, the forums will be using VBulletin 4.x, but unilke the current version we're using much of the mods and changes used to connect the my.lotro.com tools will go away (along with their very significant performance hit). So they will function more closely to a standard installaion of VB.

[Glenwin]

Sapience, are you going to make a similar announcement in the German and French forums, too? I looked for it in the German one but did not see anything.

I think it would be nice to let them know in their native languages too, if possible.

[Thodorin]

Please aware that the German forum have a special sub-forum http://forums.lotro.com/forumdisplay...hnische-Hilfe- (unofficially) because "ACCOUNT & TECHNICAL SUPPORT" is only available in English. It would be important to preserve this, if is still there no officially supported German speaking support forum.

[Jaliki55]

I'm not sure I'm following. For starters, we have nearly 100 forums even after this list. Having 300+ forums on a single page is a problem. Also it's interesting they have 10 for English, 10 for German, but only 3 for French?

TBH, I'm not at all a fan of the egosoft forums - its too confusing, the forums aren't clearly defined, and finding certain types of threads I don't find easy (compared to LOTRO's).

I'd recommend NOT going with that format - the one you posted in the OP looks great.

[Whart]

Is there no chance to get some kind of category for Creative Endeavors (artwork, screenshots, poetry, character stories, etc.)? Not all of those kinds of game-inspired creative efforts fall into the RP category. We'll no longer have blogs, so can't we have somewhere to share our work where others can find it?

Love the patch notes category btw!

[Glenwin]

Is there no chance to get some kind of category for Creative Endeavors (artwork, screenshots, poetry, character stories, etc.)? Not all of those kinds of game-inspired creative efforts fall into the RP category. We'll no longer have blogs, so can't we have somewhere to share our work where others can find it?

I actually like this idea. Maybe incorporate it into the music forum and call it "Music and other art"?

[Sapience]

I actually like this idea. Maybe incorporate it into the music forum and call it "Music and other art"?

The music forum is rather specific to the music system in game.

However, I think the "Postcards from Middle-earth" forum could be adpated to this use. After all, words can paint a 'picture postcard' as well as images.

Ideas for a new name?

[Tumbak7]

Good work, Council

[Whart]

I actually like this idea. Maybe incorporate it into the music forum and call it "Music and other art"?

It certainly seems to make sense that if we have a category for one creative type of work, it could include all other types. I think I'd put them on more equal footing with a title like 'Player Arts (Music, Screenshots, Literary)' or something like that, rather than Music and Everything Else, but the important thing isn't what it's called, it's that we have a place for it at all.

And I've completely forgotten to mention the long history of LOTRO humor like comics, memes, etc., that also deserve a place in a forum for player-generated creative works!

[Taravith]

The music forum is rather specific to the music system in game.

However, I think the "Postcards from Middle-earth" forum could be adpated to this use. After all, words can paint a 'picture postcard' as well as images.

Ideas for a new name?

Er the "Postcards from Middle-earth" forum has been dumped into the Hall of Fame for some reason, and it's not mentioned in the first post. Is it supposed to be scrapped or something?

Why can't there just be an "Art" forum at the same level as Music or Roleplaying? That'd include anything from screenshots to video to fanart to pumpkin carving.

And for the love of God please do include some kind of thumbnail system for graphics-heavy forums.

[Whart]

The music forum is rather specific to the music system in game.

However, I think the "Postcards from Middle-earth" forum could be adpated to this use. After all, words can paint a 'picture postcard' as well as images.

Ideas for a new name?

A million thanks from the writers if this comes to fruition. 'Postcards' would probably work just fine, but 'Middle-earth Inspiration', 'Fan Arts', or really anything that indicates that this is where the creative works are to be posted, would be good too. The most important point being that there is a LOT of creative activity inspired by the game, which connects players, attracts new Tolkien fans, and keeps some players motivated to continue playing. Give us a venue to share and we will continue to do so, to the benefit of the community as a whole.

[Glenwin]

"Fan Art" may be a little blunt but quite down to the point methinks. What do you think Whart? Any nicer name you can come up with?

[Whart]

I suggested Creative Endeavours in a few threads, and in a PM to Sapience when the blog elimination was first announced. It's simple and practical, as I tend to be, but if someone has something more innovative, please feel free to suggest. I'm more of a fiction writer than a marketer.

[Whart]

I suggested Creative Endeavours in a few threads, and in a PM to Sapience when the blog elimination was first announced. It's simple and practical, as I tend to be, but if someone has something more innovative, please feel free to suggest. I'm more of a fiction writer than a marketer.

[Glenwin]

"Creative Endeavours" indeed sounds great to me. It's not blunt but descriptive in a very nice way (I'd even say artistic in itself) and still clear. I approve!

[Fredelas]

I suggested Creative Endeavours in a few threads, and in a PM to Sapience when the blog elimination was first announced. It's simple and practical, as I tend to be, but if someone has something more innovative, please feel free to suggest. I'm more of a fiction writer than a marketer.

I like this name, specifically because it doesn't exclude some creative medium no one has thought of yet. (For example, someone sharing their dessert recipes based on Tolkien's works.)

[StavroMuellerBeta]

I suggested Creative Endeavours in a few threads, and in a PM to Sapience when the blog elimination was first announced. It's simple and practical, as I tend to be, but if someone has something more innovative, please feel free to suggest. I'm more of a fiction writer than a marketer.

Very fitting. It encompasses every possible variation of art/inspiration, but it's not an overused cliche like "fan art".

[Sapience]

Sounds good to me. "Creative Endeavours" will replace the "Post Cards from Middle-earth forum. I had tucked it under Hall of Fame because it was slated for deletion, but now I'll drag it back out and rename it.

[Whart]

I like this name, specifically because it doesn't exclude some creative medium no one has thought of yet. (For example, someone sharing their dessert recipes based on Tolkien's works.)

There used to be some great recipe blogs back in the day...I have a few of those posts in my cookbooks. Shire Ale and Cheese Soup is my personal favorite!

Thanks all for the support. There are so many players who love this game precisely because of its creative potential, and knowing that we have a place to continue our work warms my heart.

[Taravith]

Thanks for the quick fix and all hail the new Creative Endeavours forum.

The description made me giggle though:

Post your best creative endeavours inspired by LOTRO. Writings, art work, screenshots, recipes, videos and other creative creations!

Yes, post your redundant redundancies.

[radspakr]

With the Server forums is it all just 1 big server forum is it a server forum with subforums for each server?

[Sapience]

Thanks for the quick fix and all hail the new Creative Endeavours forum.

The description made me giggle though:



Yes, post your redundant redundancies.

Well we certainly don't want people posting their non-creative creations!

With the Server forums is it all just 1 big server forum is it a server forum with subforums for each server?

Each server will have its own general froum and PvMP forum. If you look at Arkenstone, Brandywine, and Crickhollow, they've been condensed as of this post.

[Boraxxe]

I want a cookie.

To make them easier to find;

Developer Diary Forum
Known Issues Forum
Release Notes Forum

If not a cookie, maybe a pewter shoehorn with an engraving of a dragon dancing in a colander?