Pardon my lack of an interesting and attention grabbing topic title - I was blank as to what I could put ('Read This!' just didn't do it for me...). Anyway, below I've compiled a list of suggestions, as small as they may be, that could be of benefit to Sal's Realm of RuneScape as a website/forum and as a community. Of course you, as the reader, may differ from my opinions and suggestions and I welcome any comments or ideas that could elaborate on said suggestions, openly. I won't waste anymore of your time so...
'some suggestions'
I. My first suggestion is for the implementation of a toolbar for Slammer's use. It would be available to FireFox users and would be downloaded as an add-on through this site. It'd be a great benefit and fast and quick tool to navigate through both the forums and site. It could include a link to the Sal's homepage, RuneScape homepage (along with the page that tells of the RS Rules), a search engine that would...well search, the site and/or forums, links to the maps that the forum has (World Map, F2P Map etc), links to the Databases that the site has, links to the Guides section of the website, links to the Submissions section of the forum, links to numerous helpful threads/forums such as the Rules, Site Announcements board, New Posts section, Calender etc. The options are limitless and would be of immense aid to users alike. Of course, this would need to be coded (if I'm correct) and added onto the site I had posted above.
II. My second suggestion involves automatically changing a picture, when being quoted, into a link to that certain picture. It gets extremely annoying when you read a post where one's quoting another and six large pictures take up the entire screen. Making these pictures into links (only when quoting another), would allow for easier viewing and a much more organized and neater presentation of the post.
III. My third suggestion is based off the 'box' in the Homework Helpline board, where it states numerous links that could further aid you in your homework. This idea can be modified to suit other forums such as the Graphics Board and (perhaps...) the Story Mat. I'll use the Graphics Board as my suggestion example. There would be a box similar to that in the Homework Helpline board, with links to places like DeviantArt, Graphics.com, Planet Render etc. It would drop the need of the 'Resource Sites' thread by Steve (or decrease the list by taking some of the more renowned sites) and would allow users easy access to such sites whilst promoting the pride the board takes in its members artistic talents within the community. Of course this idea can be molded for use in other boards too.
IV. My fourth suggestion is rather short and revolves around the inclusion of a 'Live Preview' when posting. For one, it would get rid of the need of refreshing the page to view a preview of the post, but it'd also give users a more easier way of checking their posts (few actually use the preview button). It'd be a great addition to the Story Mat board in particular, allowing an easy way to view your piece of work without refreshing. Codes concerning this are abound on the internet too.
V. My fifth suggestion is for the minor editing of the 'Debating Our Rules' rule. There's a forum in Forum and Site Feedback named - Other Feedback. If you read the description, it grants you the liberty of ranting about the site or forum. The rule states the absolute termination of debating on the forum rules and should be modified to exclude such talk unless in the Other Feedback forum. Of course the section in which it states the non-tolerance of debating about the staff, should stay the same.
VI. My last suggestion relates to more community based activities such as that of the Secret Forum. Despite some downfalls, these competitions promoted and encouraged team-work which is a vital thing in today's forums. Perhaps some competitions can be things like Caption Contests (taking place in the Screenshots section - if it's RuneScape related), team challenges (first team to discover/solve etc something wins), more things like the Graphic Worm (or whatever it was called) for the Graphics forum. Things like these are certain to draw in more community involvance and exercise the factor of team-work that lies untapped for many members here.
Comment or criticize and/or throw in some sub-suggestions(?) based on the above.
Cheers.
Cheers.
