We've been running the same software for the ClutchFans forums for years. The main reason for that has been stability... I did not want to risk going back to the days of the board screeching to a halt or crashing at every high-traffic time because upgraded software wasn't friendly to big boards. At the same time, I've been looking at different or upgraded software for the forum for at least three years now. I still haven't gotten over some concerns so I don't want to just switch to something new, but I am considering a way to maybe try one of those out. What I'm thinking is perhaps trying out new forum software for just one forum. So that brings me to the point of this thread. What I'm looking to do here is brainstorm on ideas for a new forum topic for the board. It needs to be something that would be consistently active and preferably does not replace an existing active forum on the board. For example, "Houston Texans" would seem to be great as it's very active and it would even expand that fanbase as it would probably come off as a dedicated Texans site, but I don't want to replace the existing active Texans forum on ClutchFans (I might consider replacing "Football" or "NBA Draft", but I don't know how consistently active those would be). If people overwhelmingly want to do it for the Texans, I'd consider porting over all the existing threads. A spin off of Rockets or the Hangout might be good. "Jeremy Lin" is almost ideal if it didn't attract so many nuts. Video games, soccer... I'm not sure. So if you can think of a forum idea that would be heavily used (so the software would be consistently played with), I'd love to hear your suggestions.
Video games would probably be a good one because they are very popular. Another option would be one for attractive people only (all the "thick girls" and "skinny girls" can go in there). Last would be a "Cool story bro!" forum. I don't know...... maybe have one just for "What" or "Paulfsk"
How about calling one Clutch Community? Why?... because it will change everything. I'll even put some money in...to help get it off the ground.
Food. Seems there's always one or two active food discussion threads in the Hangout at all times. Then there's always a Chili: Beans Or No forum. That might bring a server to its knees. vvvvvvvv lulz...first.
Maybe a Houston food forum? The "Best burger/chicken/pizza" threads tend to generate a decent amount of discussion and it wouldn't be tough to start new topics with the number of restaurants and food trucks in Houston. Edit: boomboom beat me to it.
heypartner suggested an "Updates only" forum to lighten the load of the gigantic threads in the GARM.. I kind of like the idea. I don't know if it would actually work as it is envisioned.
Maybe a forum just dedicated to the city of Houston and everythign about it. People can talk about all the great restaurants, bars, night clubs, strip clubs, museums, malls, gyms, where the hot girls are etc etc
How about a TV shows forum? There are many active threads about various TV shows and they're always going to active because these shows are always on.
Don't know if TV alone would be active enough. How about something like "Entertainment", which includes TV, Music, Games, etc?
A TV Show/Tech forum would be good. I would also suggest a Houston (or State of Texas) Food/Nightlife/Activities/Upcoming Concerts/Events/etc type forum would be helpful and active.
paulftsk forum? I'm sure this would quickly become the "go to" place in ALL of the interwebz!... ....... ....... .......
I'd almost suggest the opposite. Seems like the Hangout pretty much covers the above. I'd personally be more interested in an International forum. There's a lot of international posters on here now. And it is just an area that is at least a bit interesting. So you would have: US: Hangout and D&D International: Sports, hangout and D&D Maybe the D&D part isn't split, since so much of D&D is about politics, and world politics already.
I like this idea a lot. Things like food and tv/movies/entertainment are a large part what makes the hangout enjoyable.
I think it should be a anything goes, uncensored, unmoderated forum. That way you can throw anything in there. Anything not safe for work or family friendly should go in that forum.
Not that I don't value the forum for the unique, somewhat homey feel it provides, but I feel like such a topic focused niche separation somewhat battles ALL of the other options out there if you really want to focus on something so specific.. eg. news sites like techcrunch, mashable, etc., forums like reddit, yada, yada. just my two cents.
