Post by Knight Errant on Jan 8, 2013 1:02:16 GMT -5
I know that I have posted a lot about the Proboards Version 5 software in the past, but in recent days I have been delving deeper into the features of the proposed update, and have shared my concerns with the staff. The issues are twofold:
-Firstly, advanced previews have revealed that v5 forums are specifically configured to be more like a social network than the forums we are used to. This includes such gimmicks as 'likes', 'followers' etc, and will have the result that it will be impossible to simply click on a button for new topics - as of v5, that button does not exist, and members have to follow other members simply to be able to see new posts.
-Secondly, a closer look at the terms and conditions of Proboards reveals that, much in the same manner as Instagram, they claim right by default to any works posted on a Proboards forum. This is, for want of a better term, way not cool, and constitutes a valid threat to the freedoms and rights of our artists.
So what then? How to proceed? I have been reviewing a number of options and am of the opinion that the best way to go is, in fact, to mirror the pioneer site and use SMF Create-A-Forum instead. I have checked their terms and conditions and they will not infringe on our rights in any way. This brings with it several advantages; namely, we are already familiar with the software through JG, there is more than enough functionality to achieve our objectives, and it can still do everything JG can do, if not even slightly more in places. Also, we won't have to wait for a software upgrade - we'll have everything ready to go.
A couple of downsides: One, everyone would have to make new accounts as we can't transfer them, and no posts would be carried over (think of it as a fresh start for all, maybe...). Secondly, a couple of v5 things like embedding Youtube videos and in-line attachments ain't gonna happen, but realistically speaking we shouldn't need either of those going forward.
We the staff would like to know if you, the members, approve of this late-hour change in plans and are happy for it to proceed. Additionally, it gives you all the opportunity to think up a better name for the site than my hasty "Paper Warriors"; if you have a suggestion please put it forward so that we can integrate the final site name into the URL.
Also, a preview of what the site might look like (an experimental account with a test alias, not the final site): see here.
-Firstly, advanced previews have revealed that v5 forums are specifically configured to be more like a social network than the forums we are used to. This includes such gimmicks as 'likes', 'followers' etc, and will have the result that it will be impossible to simply click on a button for new topics - as of v5, that button does not exist, and members have to follow other members simply to be able to see new posts.
-Secondly, a closer look at the terms and conditions of Proboards reveals that, much in the same manner as Instagram, they claim right by default to any works posted on a Proboards forum. This is, for want of a better term, way not cool, and constitutes a valid threat to the freedoms and rights of our artists.
So what then? How to proceed? I have been reviewing a number of options and am of the opinion that the best way to go is, in fact, to mirror the pioneer site and use SMF Create-A-Forum instead. I have checked their terms and conditions and they will not infringe on our rights in any way. This brings with it several advantages; namely, we are already familiar with the software through JG, there is more than enough functionality to achieve our objectives, and it can still do everything JG can do, if not even slightly more in places. Also, we won't have to wait for a software upgrade - we'll have everything ready to go.
A couple of downsides: One, everyone would have to make new accounts as we can't transfer them, and no posts would be carried over (think of it as a fresh start for all, maybe...). Secondly, a couple of v5 things like embedding Youtube videos and in-line attachments ain't gonna happen, but realistically speaking we shouldn't need either of those going forward.
We the staff would like to know if you, the members, approve of this late-hour change in plans and are happy for it to proceed. Additionally, it gives you all the opportunity to think up a better name for the site than my hasty "Paper Warriors"; if you have a suggestion please put it forward so that we can integrate the final site name into the URL.
Also, a preview of what the site might look like (an experimental account with a test alias, not the final site): see here.
