If you do not take your froum serious, do not expect me to

I get request from time to time to join webmaster forums, or gaming forums,,,,,,. But a lot of time, I see phpbb and the default theme. If you are not willing to invest the time into your own forum, then do not expect me to.

A good example of this is, a private message I received today on another webmaster forum. When I took a look at the forum, it was phpbb3, and the default theme. I just shook my head and closed the window.

If you are going to approach people and ask them to join your forum, at the very least "try" to make a good impression.

 

I actually don't mind the default phpBB3 theme. It's a lot better than the default vB theme...

 

Situations like that are very far and few between. Seriously - if somebody can't take the time to at least use a free theme -- anything other than the default -- then I'm afraid I don't get the "vibe" that sincere effort was put in.

 

There is not a thing wrong with phpBB honestly. I can understand not putting effort into a forum that has not put effort into itself, but I will bring up the old phrase:

CONTENT IS KING

 

Content may be king, but I still don't want to stare at a default vB template. Users are putting time into creating and generating content for the admin's forum. I think the least an admin can do is put some effort into some degree of customization.

 

Will all of you join my forum...I'm using a free skin and I upgraded from phpbb to vBulliten Once I finish paying off some remodel work on my moms house I'm going custom skin and logo :thumbup:

 

Lookin' forward to seeing the new skin once it's up and running.

 

I - like the original poster normally do not sign up at forums that have default skins - I find them annoying and to me if the owner hasn't put the effort in to customise, how is he going to put the effort in of keeping the site updated, and making sure there are always talking points.

 

You people are hardcore :p

I can't wait till I get a custom board so I can hang with the big boys and girls.

 

Just as bad are those sites that change the default vB colours to, for instance, red, but keep all the default blue buttons complete with incorrectly matted backgrounds.

I mean, come on guys, get with the programme, etc.

 

Design is king, content is queen. People look at the visual first and then browse around, if they don't like the visual, many just close the site.

 

Just remember, not everyone is technically minded, once they have installed the forum (or probably got someone to install it for them) then they leave it well alone.

 

Thats wrong. If you do not have the knowledge to install an forum or have someone helping you and is like an co-owner or something on the forum, then you shouldn't have an forum.

 

Me thinks this too.

 

Thats the most ridiculous and narrow minded statement ive seen in a while.

 

Narrow minded, but possible.

A person who doesn't know how to install/work forums at one point will give up.

 

I could not agree with you more, Paul.

I didn't have any vB knowledge, nor any forum knowledge at all, when I first started, but am very successful now. If I'd listened to the condescending people who told me I had no business owning a forum, I wouldn't be where I am today.

SOME, perhaps. But not all.
Don't generalize, it isn't fair.

 

I wasn't generalizing, nor did I say "Anyone", reason why I specified an individual, not all individuals.