As we've discussed, we're going to open the new joint at writingforum.org tomorrow, Saturday May 17th. I can't say what time exactly, but probably around 9-10ish am, Eastern Standard Time. Just a few notes about all of this: We'll keep the old Building a New Forum thread open for stragglers and other things, but let's use this one for any migration issues. If you have trouble logging in, or the URL isn't visible, or something else wonky happens, post your issues here so we can more easily identify them from the usual clutter. I've tested the forum and was able to create a new account with no issues. Nothing can go wrong, but if it does, respond here. You will find the new forum to be relatively basic. Moose and I built this in four days with no concerns for aesthetics or optimization. Our only concern was building a lifeboat with heat and free beer to make the transition as easy as possible. We don't have logos or graphics or themes or color schemes yet. There is plenty of time for that later. The new forum is not a recreation of the old one. You will see some familiar things but not all of them. And we've deliberately not recreated all the old filters and categories. For example, we have a Workshop, but the only categories are Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry. There are no genre or format categories. You won't see a Sci-Fi or Fantasy sub-forum. Got a story? Throw it in there. We'll sort it out later if it needs sorting out. That's all Moose's vision, starting with the basic bones without trying to over-design or pigeon hole things. I love that idea. You will also notice an area called The Writing Craft with nothing else attached to it. No Plot Development, Setting Development, Character Development, et al. One area to post writing questions is all we need. As it grows we will filter and categorize. But until then? Open forum. I am particularly excited about the "Oral History of .Org" thread. As I mentioned before, this has been a crazy story for all of us. We all have a unique connections to this community. And if you're still here reading this, it probably goes deeper than your typical Internet experience. And with all unique experiences, everyone has a little piece of the greater story to tell. It's like the blind men touching an elephant for the first time. One feels the trunk, one feels the tusks, one feels the ass (??)... each has an idea of what the entity is, but none of them can see the whole thing. Let's get all that shit on paper. I've heard members talking about potentially publishing an e-zine or an anthology or something else that represents the forum. I think this is the story that needs telling. We don't have a concrete vision or plan for the future yet. This all came together too quickly for any of that. But it's all about the writing. Let's pimp the shit out of that. I'd appreciate it if all the veteran members could come with a Workshop post ready to critique. Not on day one, but a steady stream of original writing and critique and the kind of insight that only we can do to attract new members and build for the future. See you over tomorrow!
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I am ambivalent about the lack of "Research", "Plot Development", "Character Development" etc., since I found those forums to be incredibly helpful. All the same, of course, it's impossible to recreate the current forum in all its glory (?), especially in 4 days. And I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to Moose, Homer, and our many other admins and mods for having done this so quickly. I hope the sub-forums will make a comeback, when/if it becomes possible. Thank you again! Oh, just wondering: will the Quickstart Guide, Forum Rules, and FAQ also make their appearance?
they'll come in time - if you have questions you would have asked in those boards ask them in the writing craft area. Its just that we don't want loads of forums sat empty...when theres a bunch of questions in writing craft we'll split them up the rules and new starters guide are already there...we'll add an FAQ when necessary
The thing to remember , is that the old forum is a leaky old ship low in the water with its pumps running in overdrive , a captain who was last seen three years ago, and an XO and crww who is locked out of the engine room, and only about half the controls on the bridge are working... The new forum is a ship on her first commission. The crew have worked together before, the Captain and XO are a tight team, and have all the access they need but are still finding out what all the shiny switches do. Shes stable, warm, and water tight and a much better craft than her predecessor, but her upperworks still need painting, and some of the equipment is still in the process of being bolted on the bottom line on this that Homer and I aren't recreating the old forum, we aim to create what the old forum should have been had it not been hampered by a largely absent owner
I'm five hours ahead of homer and am spending the time over at the new place fettling and fertling... if you are watching you may see it open and close as i turn it to active to test things...so don't worry if it appears and disapears a few times
