View Poll Results: What would you like to see happen to DiscusForums.com

Voters
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  • Update and Upgrade - Leave As Is

    30 44.78%
  • Merge and Create a New Super Site

    27 40.30%
  • Refer To Comments Below

    10 14.93%
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  1. #1
    Founder Proteus's Avatar
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    The Future of DiscusForums.com

    I am in the process of working out what to do with this site, both in regards to its future, and any possible upgrade work that is well overdue.

    As some will know, www.BettaForums.com was locked down some 8-9 months ago as its use had pretty much stopped. The same is starting to happen with www.AusFishForum.com , and we can't hide the fact that things here are not what they used to be.

    So what do we do?

    I have been thinking about merging all the forums, along with opening things up to other areas, such as the keeping of dogs, cats, birds and other pets as a lot of us dont just keep fish. Plus we have a lot of resources such as auction and classifieds software we have on hold (aquaauctions.com & aquaclassidieds.com - both offline).

    What are peoples thoughts on this, would you support a large open community discussing many other types of pets, or would you rather DiscusForums.com to take its own path and we just look at merging the other sites and trying to build a new community that way?

    If we did go down the path of merging everything I would ensure that Discus have there very own area, not just one topic area, after all, the Discus is the King of the Aquarium...

    Votes and comments welcomed.

  2. #2
    Founder Proteus's Avatar
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    ...it would also help, regardless of which way you vote if you could make a quick reply with your thoughts that went behind your choice, that would help a lot.

    Thank you

  3. #3
    Moderator
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    It is a shame that the other forums have taken the hit from the global downturn in the fishkeeping hobby. Consolidation would give a larger front for 'a' fish keeping forum, but would it loose the expertise and specific knowledge we now have. Making a large generic forum might just make a larger less used place to be.
    Why me ?

  4. #4
    Founder Proteus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hollowman
    Consolidation would give a larger front for 'a' fish keeping forum, but would it loose the expertise and specific knowledge we now have. Making a large generic forum might just make a larger less used place to be.
    I think if done the right way a consolidated forum could really work, and at the same time if managed correctly no expertise or specific knowledge would be lost, best of all, a lot of new people get exposed to something they may have never considered before.

    At the end of the day, other pet keepers may have no interest in keeping fish, or Discus to be specific, but they will be educated, and best of all in areas such as the photo gallery and general community areas traffic will increase, if anything just to say how good someones fish does look good, and after all, comments, feedback and the occasional WOW certainly do help at keeping people in the hobby, and attracting new people to have a go.

    Once again, it is a topic that needs discussing, I know which option I like the best, but that does not mean it will be what actually happens.

  5. #5
    Moderator
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    I'm all for a larger scope to the forum, as most of you know my personall interests have shifted from discus to L numbers, I also have an interest in dogs birds and reptiles.

    A bigger forum will bring in new members, attract new sponsors, both of wich ae important from an admin side, this forum cost money and at the moment the only one paying the bills is you Ro.

    More scope means more work, especially for you Ro, its going to mean we need more mods, theres going to be bigger clashes of ego's and more politics, which thankfully this community has managed to avoid for the most part.

    Steve also raises an important point that even if it were done well its going to harder to find something specific, as it is too few people use the serch function, my PM box is always full of questions cause people cant find the answer their looking for.


    If your up for it mate I'd love to see a bigger broader forum, just so long as discus and aquariums are still the focus and not just a side note like they are at pet shops.

  6. #6
    Medium Discus Mr Wild's Avatar
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    For my part I think diluting it with other animals with detract from the hobby BUT openeing up all areas of the undewater world could well be worthwhile.

    At present there are many areas we do not cover why branch into other animal areas when we could widen our scope and become the best site for many more undewater species?
    Cheers Kath

  7. #7
    Blue Diamond Discus BigDaddyAdo's Avatar
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    Im all for a bigger and better site.

    More members will only serve to increase the knowledge base and ensure that useful inofrmation is spread to the wider Discus communiity. Unfortunately when a site such as this specialises it will always be limited as far as member numbers are concerned.

    Many of us have interests other than Discus (shrimp, planted tanks, etc) and it would be great to be able to discuss these aswell and spread ALL of the knowledge we have accumulated rather than only the Discus related knowledge.

    As for it being a lot more work to moderate, I'm sure that there would be no shortage of core members willing to lend a hand and give back to a community that has given them so much.

    I say go for gold !!!!!

    I don't get drunk I get AWESOME!!!

  8. #8
    Larvae
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    I think a merge would be a great idea, as some others have already stated. I am also interested in other animals such as reptiles. As long as we still have some where that I can admire other peoples discus (seeing as I dont have my own lol) I would be happy. The other topics that can be put to the new super forum are endless..

    But thats just my 2 cents worth

  9. #9
    Founder Proteus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Wild
    For my part I think diluting it with other animals with detract from the hobby BUT openeing up all areas of the undewater world could well be worthwhile.

    At present there are many areas we do not cover why branch into other animal areas when we could widen our scope and become the best site for many more undewater species?
    I am 50/50 with you on your first comment, I think if done the right way we could always ensure that aquarium related content is the prime focus of discussion. And aside from other areas for Dogs, Cats, Birds, Reptiles, etc we can really push other facets of the aquarium hobby, i.e. Marine/Reef, Dwarf Cichlids, Planted Aquaria, Turtles etc etc.

    The main thing that makes me lean towards a general pet site (with a focus on aquariums) is everyone I know that has fish, also has a dog or cat or something else with fur, feathers or scales

  10. #10
    Medium Discus Mr Wild's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Proteus

    The main thing that makes me lean towards a general pet site (with a focus on aquariums) is everyone I know that has fish, also has a dog or cat or something else with fur, feathers or scales
    Yes I see your point but whilst we all love our cats and dogs they are not necessarily something that we buy often or even breed often. Nor do I see a necessity in discussing illness as these animals are well catered for in the normal stream of vet science.

    While I agree it would be nice to make a post and show pictures of my mottley crew I cannot see the need to have a forum for them.

    My interest is in things we find hard to be informed about that lay outside the normal stream that others have learnt or discovered themselves and are willing to share.

    HTH explain where I am coming from. Cheers
    Cheers Kath

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