E-Blah Status - Print Topic

Okay guys, I haven't posted news for a while now. So I am just going to tell everyone about the status of E-Blah.

I have been down lately about how E-Blah never really jumped off (due to the fact that other forums -- YaBB, php forums, etc -- eat the competion). However, I know that if people knew about E-Blah, and saw it in work more, they'd be wanting it.

However, E-Blah hasn't really been used on sites with a ton of hits -- or it has, just most the users aren't like us computer dudes.

I have recently said that E-Blah Platinum will probably be released soon, and it will be the last version of E-Blah. E-Blah, this month, is two years old (yay, happy birthday lol). Anyway, to put it quickly -- I'm going to continue to work on E-Blah. We need modders and more innovative ideas to keep it going, though! I want E-Blah to be origional. So far, I think E-Blah has the most user friendly, most professional, and cleanest front end avalible. I've seen a number of forums out there, and they look so much like crap. The post page looks like it was designed for some dumb person, and the basically, it looks horrible.

So really, I'm looking for an even better front end. I'm sure there are many things we can work on, so please give me some suggestions! :)

- Justin

You know, I think that's just what E-Blah needs. More ideas and more modders. I think I will be making a move to mod E-Blah more broadly (if I'm not too lazy) and see where it takes me. :)

Also, I think I speak for all of us admins and such when it's great to see people like Daniel and osiris (and I can't leave TSaprano out, even though he's an admin, himself ;)), who widely supporting E-Blah! Thanks guys!

*chuckles* Normally I wouldn't be posting, because I've kinda settled down on posting on forums for awhile. I just needed to get that off my mind.

-Nick

Happy B'day eBlah! :)
Will be happy to oblige in any way, shape, or <form> that I can ;)

Thankyou, again, for the forum of forums - agreed there is a lot of competition out there from other larger forum brands, but I am 100% sure that given the right marketing and mods support, eBlah will be up there with them, ifnot beating the pants off of them.

All you coders out there, have a coffee and a byte on me! :)

I used to run Gizmo Board on Eblah, and it worked great! It was the easiest board to mod my own way. It went down quickly but it was cool. I havent logged in to this forum for like a year, and then got the email.

I dont know what to say, your board has everything the big boys has... The only thing you could do is make the board's skin more user friendly, color wise. If you look at al the other popular boards, they have perdy icons, and blue schemes. That all gets old fast, but people tend to download the board that they like. Ive seen a gazillion boards using the invision default theme....

So maybe if you have a different, more flashy skin shown on this board it would get more popular?

Three things I would recommend that would increase downloads:

1) Offer telephone support. I'm sure you have a cell phone for free calls at least part of the time. Many people are intimidated by what seems like a pretty complicated process. Hearing a friendly voice, getting specific answers to specific questions, and their giving you a chance to address their specific objections on why they might choose to do something different will likely make a huge difference.
A. if you were to do this, set specific times when you would make yourself available so you don't become a slave to it.
B. Train a few enthusiastic faithful to handle it so you're not doing everything yourself. I have a great telephone voice and can sell the hell out of E-Blah. I'd be glad to work with you on that.

2) Create a much more detailed set of directions for installing the program. Create an MP3 file that can be played on Windows Media or Real Player that verbalizes all the things that need to be done including trouble shooting. Many people have trouble following written instructions or just prefer something a bit more personal. A recording would work great.

3) I think you could lay out a web page that was better designed, easier to follow, with even more content on what a fabulous board you've created. Again, that's something I could help you with. You focus a lot of attention on features but what I've found is that it's very easy to get to those features. It's just a lot more user friendly than other boards I've used. I don't think that's adequately promoted.

I think the name may keep a few people from downloading it. Once I had it up and was using it, the name's fine. But I think it sounds casual rather than excellent at the begining. If there's a story on why you chose that name, use it. You may need more color and personalness in your presentation, Justin. A fun and gun flash page that brings a more exciting presentation style is another option.

Hope that helps

Tim

Quoted from kingkelly, posted November 18, 2003, 12:28pm at here

I used to run Gizmo Board on Eblah, and it worked great! It was the easiest board to mod my own way. It went down quickly but it was cool. I havent logged in to this forum for like a year, and then got the email.

I dont know what to say, your board has everything the big boys has... The only thing you could do is make the board's skin more user friendly, color wise. If you look at al the other popular boards, they have perdy icons, and blue schemes. That all gets old fast, but people tend to download the board that they like. Ive seen a gazillion boards using the invision default theme....

So maybe if you have a different, more flashy skin shown on this board it would get more popular?

You know, you should mod some for the forum. :P I loved the gizmo forum look.

- Justin

Quoted from timconnelly1, posted November 18, 2003, 2:01pm at here

Three things I would recommend that would increase downloads:

1) Offer telephone support. I'm sure you have a cell phone for free calls at least part of the time. Many people are intimidated by what seems like a pretty complicated process. Hearing a friendly voice, getting specific answers to specific questions, and their giving you a chance to address their specific objections on why they might choose to do something different will likely make a huge difference.
A. if you were to do this, set specific times when you would make yourself available so you don't become a slave to it.
B. Train a few enthusiastic faithful to handle it so you're not doing everything yourself. I have a great telephone voice and can sell the hell out of E-Blah. I'd be glad to work with you on that.

2) Create a much more detailed set of directions for installing the program. Create an MP3 file that can be played on Windows Media or Real Player that verbalizes all the things that need to be done including trouble shooting. Many people have trouble following written instructions or just prefer something a bit more personal. A recording would work great.

3) I think you could lay out a web page that was better designed, easier to follow, with even more content on what a fabulous board you've created. Again, that's something I could help you with. You focus a lot of attention on features but what I've found is that it's very easy to get to those features. It's just a lot more user friendly than other boards I've used. I don't think that's adequately promoted.

I think the name may keep a few people from downloading it. Once I had it up and was using it, the name's fine. But I think it sounds casual rather than excellent at the begining. If there's a story on why you chose that name, use it. You may need more color and personalness in your presentation, Justin. A fun and gun flash page that brings a more exciting presentation style is another option.

Hope that helps

Tim

I'm not the best at images ... that's the thing. And the telephone thing, although it sounds good, it's probably more trouble than it's worth. :-/ I've never been good at websites. That's the thing. I can do an okay design, but promoting and stuff ... that's more complicated. I can't do content well.

Also, The E-Blah theme, I'd love for it to change ... but I'm, again, not the best person with colors.

- Justin

Promotion is easy for me compared to what you do.

Having never spoken with you or spent any time with you it's impossible for me to know for sure but many great technical people are not people oriented. Perhaps you fall into that category.
You've asked every important question as to what people need to make the board run smoothly. Promoting is the same thing: just ask questions in the same way: what would keep a person from downloading it, what would cause a person to download it, how can you effect their thinking?

I would never have followed through to get my board up without the promise of free support. I had no idea E-Blah was going to be this good! Your material was adequate to get my interest but when problems occurred I was ready to go elsewhere!

With your permission, I'll create a website during the next 7 to 10 days that will be set-up specifically to promote the downloading of the board by people wanting discussion forums. It'll be jampacked with content and an explanation of features. I'll make it interesting and orderly (or will at least do my best!) and try to give it enough pizzaz to do the job.

Let me know if you want me to go to the trouble or if you are satisfied with what you have.

Tim

If you want, that'll be fine with me. It's just if you want to, however. Any help is appreciated. :)

- Justin

Quoted from admin, posted November 18, 2003, 4:02pm at here

I'm not the best at images ... that's the thing. And the telephone thing, although it sounds good, it's probably more trouble than it's worth. :-/ I've never been good at websites. That's the thing. I can do an okay design, but promoting and stuff ... that's more complicated. I can't do content well.

Also, The E-Blah theme, I'd love for it to change ... but I'm, again, not the best person with colors.

- Justin

If I can get a PHP version of the board (I know, I won't stop till I get my hands on it ;)) then I will design several skins for you. It would be the least I could do hehehe.

-Fabier

(drummer) WooHoo Happy Birthday Eblah!!!

And thanks for the honorable mention Jedi! ;D

As Admin of the first and biggest eblah support site there is,(must insert Blahhackz plug here ;D) I gotta say it's good to hear that the eblah project isn't going to fade into oblivion like so many other bbs systems have... ;D

Is there an easy way to turn my board into an eblah theme? I pretty much butchered the code for my own minimal needs

I'm not sure I know what you mean ... you code? Or theme?

- Justin

Quoted from kingkelly, posted November 28, 2003, 4:29pm at here

Is there an easy way to turn my board into an eblah theme? I pretty much butchered the code for my own minimal needs

Not sure either but mabe this page will help...

http://blahhackz.serveftp.net/modules.php?name=FAQ&myfaq=yes&id_cat=1&categories=Themes

i was just wondering if theres an easy way to turn my board into a theme for eblah.

Go to Themes and then create a theme from the default one.

- Justin

As far as the appearance goes I think you've done a great job. Most people probably do not realize how difficult it is to design domething that looks nice (hierarchical information structure, appropriate location of elements, intuitive interface, etc) not to mention doing it in html (inside of perl).

As far as the color scheme goes I think the default is great. Personally I would go with a white or lighter colored background and give the title bars a more platinum like sheen (but what do I know, I'm no designer).

My 2 cents,
-Q

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