Kolya on 8/3/2021 at 16:24
Yes, but unless you have a good reason to keep the forum format around (like hosting a load of files there, cough) I would get rid of it in an instant for a permanent chat format.
Forums are rooted so deeply in an internet of 20 years ago, that you cannot rewrite them to modern standards of user experience, without replacing the whole thing.
PS: Nice fedora there you hipster!
Thirith on 8/3/2021 at 16:35
Honestly, I enjoy the asynchronous forum format a lot more than synchronous chat, by and large, at least for a community. If TTLG were to move to something like Discord, I'd probably only lurk but I wouldn't much participate in conversations. I'd still be in touch with the bunch of people I play with regularly, but other than that I've not really taken to any of the Discord channels I've checked out.
Kolya on 8/3/2021 at 16:38
Slack (and I think Discord) have message permanence, so you can read them async just fine. It's not IRC.
Thirith on 8/3/2021 at 16:43
It's not just the synchronous vs asynchronous thing, it's also the structure. While I've been in favour of a handful of megathreads, i wouldn't want a format that is basically a number of megathreads only, and that's what I've found Discord to be. I like the thread structure.
Kolya on 8/3/2021 at 16:45
Well then adopt a format that is thread like. None of this means you need to have a forum these days.
The point is that it would be a lot more comfortable to use, not least on mobile. It would invite more participation. It would allow personal spaces where people like Dia can share pictures or whatever.
PigLick on 8/3/2021 at 16:55
for us oldies its like a warm gentler place to come to
Kolya on 8/3/2021 at 17:32
*nods and sighs*
I get that, it's familiar and carries loads of memories, for me as well.
And don't you worry, no one will change that. In all likelihood TTLG will stay the way it is for another 20 years until Al_B switches off the light all by his lonely.
I was just dreaming about what one could do with the place. Like someone might do when looking at an abandoned art nouveau villa in all its derelict glory.
PigLick on 8/3/2021 at 18:30
not worried myself, i have long since moved on to more current forms of interneting. But this place still has meaning.
Kolya on 8/3/2021 at 19:19
Well there you have it, kostyabud2009. On the one hand people have largely moved on and newcomers stay away, because it's old and clunky.
On the other hand the oldies prefer it to stay that way for memories sake. Hence this place is destined for a prolonged death. It's a bit sad, but that's the way it is.
Nameless Voice on 8/3/2021 at 20:29
I think the most direct equivalent of forums in modern culture is Reddit, which is basically a forum where people upvote and downvote things and no one can have long conversations.
Discord works for chat, which could replace things like the megathreads, but doesn't really work that well for individual topics, like for example "I am interested in this specific game someone is making."
I guess you could make a channel for each topic, but that would quickly get out of hand.
It's also much easier to avoid people that you can't stand on forums and other asynchronous media, rather than real-time chat.
Quote Posted by Kolya
PS: Nice fedora there you hipster!
Stop hacking my webcam!