New Forum? Updates? Mobile Platforms?

[Keith]

I will, in a few weeks time (post IoM TT Races) be turning some attention to the forum. There are a couple of updates available for this one but I don't want to risk tripping it up just now, so will wait until I know I'll have enough time to focus upon it if it goes wrong!

In the meantime, does anyone have any experience of other forums that are available and may do a better job? Any that are better for viewing on mobile devices etc? Any additional features etc? I'm not interested in Facebook style integration. Facebook is great for a quick thread, but practically impossible for an actual conversation, which is what we benefit from here. Any examples that you can link to would be useful?

And any tech advice too!

[tim-sanchez]

I've come over from reddit, we already have a very small community set up here: https://www.reddit.com/r/MorecambeFC/

It runs slightly differently to a normal forum, people start discussions or share links, and you can then comment underneath it. You then up or downvote posts depending on whether they're relevant or not, rather than the "bumping" systems of forums like this where each reply boosts a topic to the top.

In terms of mobile platforms though, it's a huge website so it's accessible on pretty much every device.

[Brian S]

You could try a responsive phpbb theme, a few available. They shouldn't trip anything up and any old farts that don't like change, they can stick with the current theme Just needs phpbb on a version that's compatible with the theme.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/designsmaz ... hemes/amp/

[Brian S]

I've come over from reddit, we already have a very small community set up here: https://www.reddit.com/r/MorecambeFC/

It runs slightly differently to a normal forum, people start discussions or share links, and you can then comment underneath it. You then up or downvote posts depending on whether they're relevant or not, rather than the "bumping" systems of forums like this where each reply boosts a topic to the top.

In terms of mobile platforms though, it's a huge website so it's accessible on pretty much every device.

I never "got" Reddit, I never "got" Pinterest either, or Snapchat but I do appreciate it's one heck of a platform that's responsive and there's plenty of apps, including damn good free apps, built for it.

Would it be worth taking the forum offline while you play with it and nudge users over to Reddit and get some feedback?

[redrobo]

If by updating the current forum provides an improvement, then all well and good. But change just for the sake of it when the current model has served us well for the past few years for me is a needless waste of time.

I would suggest that the vast majority of viewers of our forum are more than happy with how it operates and providing any updates give an improvement but not radical change then all well and good. Again I would suggest that the vast majority of users are not that savvy in technical matters and don't see the need for a complete change that some more technical users would like to see.

Maybe it's an age thing but for me by all means update but a complete change....no thanks

For what it is worth, I view a number of other EFL club fans forum and without exception our forum is head and shoulders above any other in terms of content, ease to navigate and visual appeal. Maybe worth thinking about for those who may suggest a complete change...

[black morse]

If by updating the current forum provides an improvement, then all well and good. But change just for the sake of it when the current model has served us well for the past few years for me is a needless waste of time.

I would suggest that the vast majority of viewers of our forum are more than happy with how it operates and providing any updates give an improvement but not radical change then all well and good. Again I would suggest that the vast majority of users are not that savvy in technical matters and don't see the need for a complete change that some more technical users would like to see.

Maybe it's an age thing but for me by all means update but a complete change....no thanks

Fully agree with all this

[Crazeenick]

I agree with CC also. The existing forum works well and is easy to use and navigate. Although I use Facebook, it is not the right tool for maintaining a conversation on a single topic as we do on SVs .

I do use SVs on my smartphone as well as laptop/PC and it is perfectly usable on the mobile.

As CC says - nearly all clubs fan forums are a similar format to ours. If other options such as Reddit were better for this purpose lots of other clubs would be using it, but they are not. I'd prefer to stick with the current set-up.

But if the consensus is for a change (or the techies are convinced there is a better approach) then I will go with whatever is decided!

[Phil Anderer]

I'm with the 'happy as it is' crowd, but I also have a saying: 'I'll try anything once except gay sex and hard drugs', so if there is an alternative, as long as it's an improvement, I'll give it a go.

[tim-sanchez]

If other options such as Reddit were better for this purpose lots of other clubs would be using it, but they are not.

Whilst I agree we shouldn't change for the sake of change, particularly as Reddit would be a huge change and people seem resistant, I do disagree with this. A lot of the bigger clubs fans use reddit, and use it very well. The Arsenal subreddit is a good example, they've even hosted interviews where the fans can directly ask the players questions: https://www.reddit.com/r/Gunners/commen ... Dech_amas/

You can see a list of other club subreddits here: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/wiki/re ... wiki_clubs

It may not be appropriate as a complete change, but I think the two could complement each other nicely. Reddit did start as a news aggregator, rather than a discussion forum. You can also host information in the wikis as shown above, as well as many more tools.

[Keith]

Updates are definitely going to be implemented simply for security reasons, so simply doing those wouldn't be noticed.

The forum on mobiles isn't consistent and some people have complained about this. I find it difficult to post on a mobile phone because the keyboard covers the 'submit' button. I don't know if there is a better option, in particular for mobiles, but I'm happy to listen.

In general, I expect it will simply be an updated version of this forum.

[Sakhalin Shrimp]

The forum on mobiles isn't consistent and some people have complained about this. I find it difficult to post on a mobile phone because the keyboard covers the 'submit' button. I don't know if there is a better option, in particular for mobiles, but I'm happy to listen.

Keith, just for info it works fine on my iphone

[Westgate Wanderer]

I find it easy enough to post from my spyphone (huawei)

[redrobo]

Had no problems on both my Sony mobile and tablet and now on my new Samsung mobile.

[Phil Anderer]

Updates are definitely going to be implemented simply for security reasons, so simply doing those wouldn't be noticed.

The forum on mobiles isn't consistent and some people have complained about this. I find it difficult to post on a mobile phone because the keyboard covers the 'submit' button. I don't know if there is a better option, in particular for mobiles, but I'm happy to listen.

In general, I expect it will simply be an updated version of this forum.

Keith, just click outside the box when you've finished your post and the submit button's there.

[Brian S]

Updates are definitely going to be implemented simply for security reasons, so simply doing those wouldn't be noticed.

The forum on mobiles isn't consistent and some people have complained about this. I find it difficult to post on a mobile phone because the keyboard covers the 'submit' button. I don't know if there is a better option, in particular for mobiles, but I'm happy to listen.

In general, I expect it will simply be an updated version of this forum.

The forum can run multiple themes, I use the original silver theme instead of the default red. Selection is in the members control panel.

Add a responsive theme and let everyone choose. Those who like it as it is, no difference. Anyone who wants it responsive (fits itself to any device), can choose the responsive theme.

Simples.

[Andy D]

Its been said that 80% of people in the U.K now access the Internet through Mobile devices i.e. iPhone & iPad etc and this website(Laptops & Windows) needs to move with the times.

I don't like Morecambe Fans Facebook group for constructing a debate, but it's other stuff with news and ticket and travel info is very good!


Fair play to Keith for trying!

[Shrimp Girl]

I find the current format works fine on my mobile (Moto G - Android). The only other forums I go on are a couple of genealogy ones and Rootschat in particular is not great on mobile. Users' avatars inevitably take up most of your phone screen so you're swiping left and right to actually read anything. The other one is a smaller affair altogether, run by ProBoards and is much the same as this one.

I would go for the line of least resistance. Try the updates for this one and see how it goes

[Keith]

Thanks for the feedback folks, I'll just stick with doing the updates and take it from there.

I don't like Morecambe Fans Facebook group for constructing a debate, but it's other stuff with news and ticket and travel info is very good!

I've always found it frustrating that the club don't use SV more. Even simply popping on here with a snippet, then link to the official web site for the full story. There aren't a huge number of people posting on here but there are a lot of 'lurkers' who read but never post. Even right now, there are eleven users viewing the forum, eight of them 'guests' [& one "Google Bot"]. That's late Sunday afternoon in the closed season when nothing is happening! Hopefully the new Commercial Manager will utilise every opportunity to promote the club. The more people visit the official site, the more revenue, so get linking to it!

[Andy D]

I've always found it frustrating that the club don't use SV more. Even simply popping on here with a snippet, then link to the official web site for the full story. There aren't a huge number of people posting on here but there are a lot of 'lurkers' who read but never post. Even right now, there are eleven users viewing the forum, eight of them 'guests' [& one "Google Bot"]. That's late Sunday afternoon in the closed season when nothing is happening! Hopefully the new Commercial Manager will utilise every opportunity to promote the club. The more people visit the official site, the more revenue, so get linking to it!

To be honest, I think SVs have pissed a lot of Morecambe FC staff off over the years, mainly one former Owner, Board Members as too Managers, Players from time to time.

[mrpotatohead]

Any forum is going to piss some people off Andy, because it is frequented by fans with opinions, if the club don't want to use it because of whatever, fine, but don't whine about attendances etc one minute and ignore a free resource for getting info out the next.

[Seasider9601]

Keith, just for info it works fine on my iphone

Me too !!!!!

[Andy D]

Any forum is going to piss some people off Andy, because it is frequented by fans with opinions, if the club don't want to use it because of whatever, fine, but don't whine about attendances etc one minute and ignore a free resource for getting info out the next.

Absolutely!

[redrobo]

I think we are aware that at least one of our current Board read this forum. However it is up to them as to whether they wish to contribute or make more use of the forum to inform fans of news and developments.

The former owner did not like the forum for whatever reasons but the current owners and joint Chairmen are more amiable towards SVs which is good news.

[marky No.1]

Rod only joins in on here when you completely overstep the mark, Neil

As has been said, this forum is simple to use and is far easier to navigate than those with long lines of replies within the same page

[HALMA 1983]

The forum is spot on and works flawlessly on my desktop/sony xperia/samsung galaxy tab
Cheers Keith