Hi guys,
I'm currently on vacation and while I thought this would give me time to work on HBGames, instead I have found myself with 38kbps internet at best (essentially NO Internet at all).
HBGames Xen has largely been successful but this post is a look at where we are and where we can go in the near future. A few key topics.
1. Activity
I feel like we have successfully revived both the site and the Discord (primarly the Discord). While the site doesn't get as many forum posts as before, what it does get is clear and measurable activity - that is: likes, reactions, views, downloads, etc. The content management system has hugely changed how people view games and has made them much more likely to be downloaded. Our video section while little used is also getting a lot of views.
Where do we go next? Just ride the wave and continue the positive posting.
2. The eZine
We are due a new issue and I do have a few ideas for topics to discuss. I still need ideas and possible contributions, however small, and this can include any advertisements or promotions you'd like to feature in the next issue too. Don't feel bad making it about yourself. I will work on the next issue as soon as I have Internet, so after this vacation.
3. Games Pages
I reckon I am about 2/3 of the way through converting our games threads into game pages in the content management system. That means there are still more to come!
There are then roughly 1,440 games in development that could be moved across although I see little value in that.
What we need is new games and to entice people to bring their games here. Regular upkeep of the eZine and of the featured threads ticker is important for this.
Functionality required: when you post a game page it automatically creates a discussion thread, although the format is ugly. Need a way for the game thread to match the game page.
4. Search and Navigation
We have an advanced search plugin ready to install that I paid for when I bought the Xenforo license. This turns our search bar into a Google-style one with autofil, powered by the hugely functional ElastiSearch.
Functionality required: I need to research and learn how to set up an ElastiSearch server safely and efficiently.
5. Forums
The new forums are great and highly functional, and any teething problems seem to have been weeded out.
Functionality required: I need to learn how to run a mail server safely and securely in order to fix the Lost Password system.
6. Discord
The Discord has been largely a success although we have just had to ban one big name after a lot of grief. That's unfortunate, especially as I set out the rules to be as easy and simple as possible (i.e. Don't be a Dick). I have a feeling this will be a topic of discussion for a while going forward.
7. Main Page
Since 2006 it has been our aspiration to set up a "Main Page", and we've finally done it, although this one is far more integrated into the forums and game pages than we envisaged at the time. It's really just a forumlistings+, with far more than just a list of the forums here.
I am however open to any small tweaks or theming and content suggestions as this is the landing page and the first thing a new user will see.
8. Hosting
As of yet we are still trying to contact Venetia to get the HBGames.org domain sent here. This is a huge problem for us.
At present we have HBGames.org up and running still although this is no longer paid for and will just drop off the net eventually. For now we are at aRPGMaker.com which to be honest is not a huge problem with the current size of our user base.
We are now hosted on my own private server rather than using Brew's. We don't seem anywhere near hitting any of our limits and so far all of the reliability issues that hit HBGames have either been resolved or have not surfaced. Switching forum softwares has decreased our resource usage and we have become far more sustainable.
We do have the option to expand the server in a variety of ways for more capacity though at present this is not necessary and I do not believe it will become necessary in the forseeable future.
Funds wise we are not in any kind of debt. The money I am no longer sending to Brew will pay for the Xenforo license in the long term, though this was out of my own pocket anyway, so there is no risk associated to hosting HB. We just have to keep up the monthly payment which I am more than comfortable for.
I'm currently on vacation and while I thought this would give me time to work on HBGames, instead I have found myself with 38kbps internet at best (essentially NO Internet at all).
HBGames Xen has largely been successful but this post is a look at where we are and where we can go in the near future. A few key topics.
1. Activity
I feel like we have successfully revived both the site and the Discord (primarly the Discord). While the site doesn't get as many forum posts as before, what it does get is clear and measurable activity - that is: likes, reactions, views, downloads, etc. The content management system has hugely changed how people view games and has made them much more likely to be downloaded. Our video section while little used is also getting a lot of views.
Where do we go next? Just ride the wave and continue the positive posting.
2. The eZine
We are due a new issue and I do have a few ideas for topics to discuss. I still need ideas and possible contributions, however small, and this can include any advertisements or promotions you'd like to feature in the next issue too. Don't feel bad making it about yourself. I will work on the next issue as soon as I have Internet, so after this vacation.
3. Games Pages
I reckon I am about 2/3 of the way through converting our games threads into game pages in the content management system. That means there are still more to come!
There are then roughly 1,440 games in development that could be moved across although I see little value in that.
What we need is new games and to entice people to bring their games here. Regular upkeep of the eZine and of the featured threads ticker is important for this.
Functionality required: when you post a game page it automatically creates a discussion thread, although the format is ugly. Need a way for the game thread to match the game page.
4. Search and Navigation
We have an advanced search plugin ready to install that I paid for when I bought the Xenforo license. This turns our search bar into a Google-style one with autofil, powered by the hugely functional ElastiSearch.
Functionality required: I need to research and learn how to set up an ElastiSearch server safely and efficiently.
5. Forums
The new forums are great and highly functional, and any teething problems seem to have been weeded out.
Functionality required: I need to learn how to run a mail server safely and securely in order to fix the Lost Password system.
6. Discord
The Discord has been largely a success although we have just had to ban one big name after a lot of grief. That's unfortunate, especially as I set out the rules to be as easy and simple as possible (i.e. Don't be a Dick). I have a feeling this will be a topic of discussion for a while going forward.
7. Main Page
Since 2006 it has been our aspiration to set up a "Main Page", and we've finally done it, although this one is far more integrated into the forums and game pages than we envisaged at the time. It's really just a forumlistings+, with far more than just a list of the forums here.
I am however open to any small tweaks or theming and content suggestions as this is the landing page and the first thing a new user will see.
8. Hosting
As of yet we are still trying to contact Venetia to get the HBGames.org domain sent here. This is a huge problem for us.
At present we have HBGames.org up and running still although this is no longer paid for and will just drop off the net eventually. For now we are at aRPGMaker.com which to be honest is not a huge problem with the current size of our user base.
We are now hosted on my own private server rather than using Brew's. We don't seem anywhere near hitting any of our limits and so far all of the reliability issues that hit HBGames have either been resolved or have not surfaced. Switching forum softwares has decreased our resource usage and we have become far more sustainable.
We do have the option to expand the server in a variety of ways for more capacity though at present this is not necessary and I do not believe it will become necessary in the forseeable future.
Funds wise we are not in any kind of debt. The money I am no longer sending to Brew will pay for the Xenforo license in the long term, though this was out of my own pocket anyway, so there is no risk associated to hosting HB. We just have to keep up the monthly payment which I am more than comfortable for.
