The Re-arranging of Blackstar

[LordPsycho]

Well, you benevolent leader has (mostly) returned from parts unknown. Don't worry, I've been keeping half an eye on you. But I have a couple of ideas.

One of the biggest complaints I get about Blackstar is that it's difficult to find what you are after. True, it's difficult to convey to new people that the site is arranged based on a world they know nothing about.

Then Angel came up with the Blackstar University idea. Most of the functions it wishes to server are already served on other boards, with maybe (very maybe) one that might have to be created.

So here's my idea. We give Blackstar a facelift. Rearrange boards by their function rather than location. All the RP boards would go in a section, tutorial/information in one section (probably the university), clans in another, etc.

So, I"m not making this a poll, as I wish this to be a discussion rather than the decision...for the moment at least. That just leaves one question...What do you think?

[Mitsukai]

Glad to see you back DP.

As for the whole suggestion, it doesn't really matter as to whether or not the change is made. I think that I would be able to easily adjust if need be.

I rather like the whole "organized by location" though; it makes this forum unique. Blackstar is an actual "world" rather than just a forum.

Then again, I can understand how this would be confusing to anyone who's not used to this. I introduced the site to one of my friends, and needless to say she was confused.

However, as soon as I explained, everything was cleared up.

*shrugs*

[Maraha]

My words exactly, Mits! I don't know if this is possible (or practical, or whatever), but what if there could be two 'modes'? Like an 'Organize by Location' mode and an 'Organize by Function' mode?

*Shrugs* Just my two cents.

[Sephirothsicase]

I also agree with Mitsukai and Maraha, making Blackstar to be an actual word is something that is unique in itself.

Going with the idea that Maraha has, could we not put them all into a sorted theme?

[Somefreakoverthere]

What Seph just said. This place is special, plus I'd just go "Arghbibbleblehblel D:" if it changes.

Serously, can we not have an option to change it to what the boards are and where they are on the map? It is a good suggestion, and to me it seems to be foolproof.

[LordPsycho]

The way the Database organizes the boards, no, it isn't possible to have the two modes...not without reworking the forum's entire workings.

And that, my friends, is just asking for a catastrophic bug.

[Blackstar Foundation]

DP swings the Bass with all their might, but misses Forum Code and give the air a good slapping.

[Mitsukai]

Oh deary... t'was a good idea too.

Hmm... well, what I think the case is it's only confusing at first site... and then not so when you have someone explain the Dojo's workings to you.

Again, going to the example with my friend, I explain what each section was once and it all clicked.

Perhaps we could have a... guide to Blackstar Dojo as part of a welcome to new members?

[Yoshi]

Why not go ahead and rearrange them by function, but keep regions as well? Organize them together with a common function but add some sort of label on or under the name which would say the location of the sub-forum?

Or maybe even organize them by function, but then add a new page with a link at the top which would link directly to a map. The map could show the locations and so forth of each sub-forum, maybe you could even make it so that you could click on the individual areas which would link then directly to said board. Then we have location and function, without rearranging the framework...

I don't know, those are my ideas. Take them as you will.

[MDude]

I think they can stay the way they are, and have a FAQ in the announcements or bulliten board section to explain everything. I know I just skipped over a lot of the boards (I'm looking at you, olympic complex), but I also didin't know what a lot of the links on the top of the page did, and re-organisng the section wouldn't help with that.

[Mr. Barret]

I'm of mixed feelings about this.
I understand that the current set-up is slightly confusing to newcomers, but I have come to like the arrangement by location.

I am leaning toward the remodel right now. I don't think that we would lose that much if we rearranged the boards to a more standard forum set-up. Our creativity, and the essence of BlackStar is not contained in the layout of our site.

I kind of like Yoshi's idea, but I don't know if the end result would be worth the effort of creating a map like that. If someone would be willing to create such a thing, I would like to see it done, but I don't see it as a necessity for anything.

As far as a map goes, where are we with that anyway? I thought that we were going to maybe make an updated map, and I never heard how that ended up? I am all in favor of getting an updated map done.

One thing that I think we need to do is to destroy the olympic complex. At least, that's my opinion. I have never even gone into that part of the boards, and unless someone gives a good reason for it, I think it should go bye-bye.

and that's my current explosion of thought.
Argue, lamblast, discuss, or agree.

[Mitsukai]

I disagree with the Olympic section. It's only that it hasn't seen much use since... I think... that the judging still has yet to be done.

And, all in all, it's fairly much like the challenge arena except in a more "bigger" setting.

But, then again, if there continues to be a big lack in use of the Olympic section, there's no real need for it.

But... I don't really want it to go.

[Coolpikaaa]

I have to go with SFOT on this one.Changing Blackstar is a bit of a sensitive issue.Lots of us love blackstar the way it is,and changing that would confuse us muchly(Yes,Grammar doesn't work on summer break.)

Maraha has a great idea with an option but as Dp said,that is almost impossible.


We do have a sort of problem don't we?

-coolpikaaa

[Netdroid9]

I'm too lazy to learn a new layout .

Blackstar is actually pretty well-organized right now. Announcements is for forum stuff, Dojo Entrance is for greetings and chat, The Olympic Complex is for the Olympics, Meeting House Complex is for suggestions and mod-user discussion, everything below that is for RPing. The only problem is that some non-RP sections are mixed in with the RP ones.

I propose the following: We move a few boards and sections around, and add a 'Downtown Dojo' (or similar) board section for non-RP threads that aren't meant for greetings/chat.

Boards be moved:

Hall Of Shame (Central Plains) to 'Building Front'
Bingo Hall (Central Plains) to 'Dojo Entrance'
Market Place! (Central Plains) to 'Downtown Dojo'
Blackstar World Art Gallery (The Black Forest) to 'Downtown Dojo'

Sections to be moved:

'Meeting House Complex' moved to either the top or bottom of the forum, so it doesn't break continuity with RP sections
'Evergreen Glades' should be moved to the top of the RP sections, as it contains The Archives and major RP sections

That way, we not only have organization but get to keep our cool place names too .

[Mitsukai]

^ Actual planning done by Net... *gasps*

(joking)

But in all honesty, that's great. I especially like the "Downtown Dojo" idea... though not the name in particular.

And all the changes proposed seems appopriate.