Forums

A forum would be a great place to chat -_-

Danny choo Forum - that there's a wordgasm. I'll surely be your top poster XD. My request is that you keep it focused. The forums like music and general discussion should be there, but not prominant. I think AnimeSuki is the perfect example of a more focused forum.

But hey, it shouldn't really be a problem since I'm sure everyone on your site is an otak, unlike a fw anime forums I frequent that aren't really about anime, just have it as an addition.

Forums would be a great idea. As already forums have to be focused which , mean moderators which are tough but fair. Unfornately this means more work for you. Although anime suki is a good forum, I would hope yours would be a bit better looking, to keep with the standard set by the rest of the blog.

having a forum would be a great idea to exchange ideas between site visitors ^___^

i guess the top core categories like anime, japan, figures, idols would do ^^

Hell yeah! I've been waiting for forums for awhile now. I'd most certainly visit!

Yep! I think this sounds like an amazing idea, this site already feels like it has more of a community than any other site ive found. This would just be another extension of an already brilliant site!.
p.s. Soz i dont post more always very busy with uni work! take it easy...

I guess I'll be one of the few that disagrees. There's already plenty of forums out there. I only visit modeling forums to get tips. I usually don't hang around thread discussions too much. You're already posting a lot of content here everyday. A lot of your figure and gundam posts are also passed on to figure.fm with the same pictures and such. Personally, I feel that this is already enough of a discussion. It only lasts for about a day, but it gets us all moving along to other topics. Whether you want a forums or not, it depends on what you want to accomplish.

Clubroadster.net and miata.net are the forums that i go to. something simple and easy to use should be a good idea. editing too is a big plus. editing comments/pics/etc.

Oh and btw looking forward to figure.fm ^_^

It's a good idea, specially for a blog with specific content (so people don't deviate too much out of the subjects).

Now, more important then what users want (and I do mean it), is what YOU want Danny.

I had a forum, I currently moderate and own some community forums, and been using them for some time now... about 7+ years.

Funny.. the 1st forum I used and became addict was an Anime related forum (animehorizons).

Ok, the problem with those is:
Either you make a good age restriction, which will shrink the user list, but will avoid problems with parents... or you will have to do some heavy moderation.

Also, rules. Those are always a problem. Spam, discussions that turns into fights, double posting, trolls...

On the plus side, you already have a system... so technical problems are less of an issue.

But forums are a handfull. Comments are okay because most people will usually read some of them, put their own opinions, and bbye.

Forums are more about discussions and real interaction. Someone starts a discussion, someone else disagree, and them it's easy to start flame wars, trolling and general fighting.

I eventually gave up on moderating and having my own forum because it was consuming 6 hours every single day.

And now I'm even giving up moderating some community forums for the same reason.

Anyways, you probably already know about this Danny.. but I think it's worth warning.

If you can get someone to help dealing with the forum as a separate part of the blog though, it's pretty doable without it getting in your way.

Choose the moderator(s) wisely for they will be advocates and judges... and people tends to get a little too much offended if they get banned or dealt in a bad way on forums.

They will also have to have a huge amount of pacience... one of the things that impressed me the most while moderating forums is how much users will whine, cuss, fight and make fuss on little unimportant things. It's understandable, but pretty annoying over time.

Anyways, best of luck! I know I only said bad things about a forum system, but it does have tons of benefits... like the productive discussions, making friends with similar interests, having the best feedback system on your blog... and on a financial point of view, you'll get people who will visit daily, you'll get tons more visitors and regular visitors, and it's always nice to have other points of view on subjects you write on the Blog.

I mean, if it wasn't worth it, I wouldn't have tried in the first place. :P

Yea I'd have to say that forums would be really nice.

And it would be cool if you posted on the forums too ;p

Forums would be nice. Makes things more neat and organized for easy access ^^;

A Danny choo forum would certainly be something relevant to my interests :3

I actually believe that an Idea of a forum is a brilliant one. It's a different and interesting way of exchanging knowledge between you and your readers. You can bet on one thing: It will be extremely active. And it will become maybe into one of the best forums about Otaku culture in the Internet.
If you want to do the forum as the news section, you should allow the posters to submit an image, to fully imitate the style of the section you are basing the forums on.
Of course, you aren't saved from the ocassional perv that will submit unappropiate image to the posts, but the moderators (or you) can solve that problem very quickly.

Well, in the other hand, I visit mostly forums with a lot of discussion, especially, my hosting forum makes up as a perfect example of it (http://www.trap17.com/forums/). Talking about many things openly and in a correct way is what makes that forum awesome. Also, I visit some anime forums, but sometimes the users or the moderators become so annoying that it becomes difficult to stay there. Above all things, EDUCATION and treating others well is a determinating factor in a forum's success, in my oppinion.

The actual categories of your blog are perfect to the forum. And forums are no that all annoying on the technical aspects because the users get acostumed to it.

I praise the idea of the forum being made as the news section is made. But in the navigation between sections, maybe there should be a change. Also, I recommend having on some place of the top page of the forum the featured articles and featured members... just a recommendation xD

Yeah, I think forums would be nice. The forums should also include a games section, which would include the Mirai eroge you seem to be working on ^_^

forums FTW. =)

Yes! A forum will be a great Idea! and you should choose a selection of Mods to keep away the spammers and trolls!

If you ever need a mod assistance to help out organize your forums, I will gladly help since I am on most of the time! almost everyday!

ALso for your new forum, it would be a great addition if you added "creativity" section for people who have talents so that they can post their drawings, Sigs (popular), paintings and CG works etc! We will give fellow users tips and tricks and tutorials on photoshop or paint shop pro on how to draw these stuff! (im digital painter and artist so i know ;D a crappy one though =(

We could also have Contest on who can create the best looking sig, or best anime character design!

I will support you all the way danny!

cheers!

Forums? Oh, Now that would make the site perfect.

I support this idea, we'll have much fun If we have Forums.

A few points to consider:

- Will it be a strain for you to create, supervise and feed in the long run? You must be quite busy already with all those daily updates and moderating, among others.

- Isn't there much variety and freedom of speech already? What would be allowed and prohibited?

- Will there be a more personal part? Chatting and messaging in a less formal way (Don't look at me like that, I am not looking for someone to date!), I'd rather say that for the rest of you, fellow regulars and visitors.

Etc., etc.

XSportSeeker, I guess that if there were trolls and flaming issues here, Danny would never propose us the idea of a forum to the all of us.

We are of all ages, both genders and every possible origin.
Culture can be sometimes a point to consider in discussions (the "loli culture" one was quite an example to remember!), but I don't ever think Danny had to ever use his powers to banish someone to Expel.

Of course there can be some hate mails/messages/trolling-flaming attempts scattered along the place, but otherwise, this place is very stable, warm and comfortable enough (Do I sound like a micro-organism here? Must be Moyashimon. *Ahem*) for me to come here and participate relatively actively everyday.

The question is: "Are blogs that different from forums so the rules must be reinstated?" I feel that if the Dannychoo forum had to see the day, transition and adaptation would be smooth. There would only be minor changes to learn and apply. Remember, many of us form a solid group already.

I like forums, but I wouldn't use one for Dannychoo. I'm afraid it'll get clogged into one of those typical, politically driven types with mudslinging. Casual comment-based 'forum' like the one in place now is good enough I'd say.

The only 2 forums I visit regularly are katoots and bokunojpop.

I won't mind seeing a forum here if it's nicely managed ;)

An imageboard is a lot better. That'll make it easier not only to start a discussion, but make it more convinient for frequent visitors to share their funny pictures and random finds on the Internet.

I would really like a forum for figure.fm (or here with a sub-forum for figures) where there can be topics mainly to talk about certain companies like goodsmile or for upcoming figures, cause I see figure.fm more like for personal collections and that you can read how the user ranks it's product, and leave a comment, but I think there could be more discussion with probably most of the figures that are not yet relesed and stuff like that.

I like this site how it is, and to post comments now and then, but probably a forum to discuss certain topics will be more appropriate and comfortable.

^^

I don't think a forum is really a good way to go at it... Sure, we get to know the users better, but wouldn't that mean more work for you
=P

Barsona, though you put up a good point but that's what appointed mods are for.

And if we do get a forum, I demand a car forum also for us car junkies like me. :)

How about an improved comment system which would allow for a more indepth discussion on articles and news items posted by Danny. So as to keep things strictly on topic, so to speak.

Or you could just go with the forum idea.

Mmmm
Integrating the forum and the site would be perfect. It is actually possible, because we the members are logged in and are able to post comments into your posts. So, we also should be able to make our own posts in the "forum" section of this VERY SAME page. I don't think it needs to be a separate page from this one (in my opinion), it will fit really well, and would not invade your actual blog. The way your page is made allows all this (I think).

Hmm I actually think this site not having a forum in its current state is what makes it that much better than other simular sites.

Forums = trouble that the ‘right’ threads will trigger into flame wars. I think it’s unnecessary.

Although I can see the strong points of one at figure.fm. it doesn’t have the capacity to get out of control unless people go off topic

I'm almost disappointed to hear that you'll just be expanding the existing comments system into a stand-alone forum.

When I saw forum I was hoping you meant something in the style of 2ch. Rather than something so close to what forums have become in the west.

the forum I visit everyday is http://the-evil-empire.net/, I think the thread is pretty complete, except they are missing gaming thread.

ugh, forgot to separate the coma, just erase the coma if you wanted to visit the site

I think I'll be ntral in this one (why do I even post LOL)...
A forum wouldn't be so bad, but not having a forum is what makes DannyChoo.com a DannyChoo.com...

I like the site just the way it is .... probably wouldn't visit a forum on here that much.

I went from forum to forum over the past few years and kinda got bored and sometimes fed up from it....so I'ld say, nah....this site is just fine the way it is now.....If we need to find something out ...Hey who knows best than you Danny...you're on the spot...our guide...our Section Chief Stormtrooper...but I'ld probably go and visit should you start one...

I wouldn't mind having a forum, but I don't find it absolutely necessary.
The idea of a 2ch-style forum would be nice though.

Also another possible feature for the main site, is to have the possibility to make a list of favorite posts. This way you can keep a list of posts you want to look back at at a later time or not forget about.

I haven't been on forums for a while. but i would certainly go to a dannychoo.com forum.

a forum sounds like a good addition to your site. although I do have trouble visualizing how you are going to integrate it into DannyChoo.com. also as others already mentioned, you might have trouble moderating or finding responible moderators for it.

I think a dannychoo forum should be a "longtail of comments" from new posts.
I mean a forumn that features only the threads from danny's posts.
This way we wouldn't submerged by new threads and escalation of flame wars, but the comments would not "get lost" after few days like happens right now... and the discussion on a particular thread could keep going on even after the post is not really new any more...

the forums seem like a good idea, but it feels kinda ordinary, whereas the topics, i hope there could be somethings that are not in the usual category's but rather something weird and new. But I would get a lot of answers/questions done on a forum, as long as the rest of the web page doesn't suffer, these articles are the heart and soul!!

A forum sounds like a good idea, but, as mentionned before, will give you alot of work. If you make one, at least make it small, and on topic. And make sure people can access it with the same login.

Maybe it's a better idea to just 'expand' the comments section with a kind of sub-thread thing, and multiple pages, a bit like Engadget. Or, alternatively, try to think up Forum 2.0 :-P A combination of commenting, chatting, and a forum in one?

I don't think having a forum is really a nice idea. I am happy keeping track with users leaving their comments here. I agree what other says "Forum = trouble" and not to mention nowadays forums has become a good place for spamming.

I check this site daily and a couple other forums daily for Hobby news and stuff =D

I agree with starboykb. Forum = trouble waiting to happen.

At least the conversations within posts are focused on specific topics and easily moderated. If you open a forum, you are opening a platform for many different topics which are much harder to moderate. And once it reaches a certain size, then you will find you have little to no control over the content or anything other than maintenance. That's when all the things you try to avoid in comments really hits things. Then, there's the spam and flamebaiters...

i like the site the way it is now.

although a forum will introduce new features but it will bring along new problems as well.

not only is it time consuming to mod a forum, like looking through all the threads. lets not forget about trolls, off-topics, flamings etc.

if there's going to be a post count, people might in a bid to get a high post count, start posting non-essential replies like "lol", "hahaha" or just smiley.

what i suggest is retain the site as it is. what i will like to have is a "edit own post" option as some of us might make spelling mistakes or have additional stuffs to add on.

forums=drama

baaaaaad idea >_

For starters (once the forum is up you'll need to make some rules, find suitable MODS and such.
(Yeah, I know I'm pointing out obvious points but there are lil' forums who started out without any rules...).

But hey, I think its sounds good, but then should Figure.FM go?
In a forum, people could start posting pics too? or should that be seperated?

Theres many choices to make.

I would quite like to be able to edit your comment's on the site within a certain time frame, in case you make a spelling mistake or something like that.

You should have a competition section where you hold a monthly competition on say model building/ painting ect ect... and could host a picture of the winners model on the home page of dannychoo.com as there prize for winning.
and yes u will definatly need to set some ground rules and get some suitable and reliable moderators for different sections.

I do regularly visit forums, but I see nothing wrong with what you have here. The problems with a site that contains a message board is the amount of work. They are fine, but need to be heavily moderated once they grow to a certain point. I know two people who run some pretty big sites with forums and they both seem to dislike running them now and end up looking to bots and auto responders, but those still don't really do much.

Plus, you become responsable for what's posted, even if you don't post it yourself. I say go for it, but only because I wont be helping you run it [just being honest]. Mayb a text only based forum would be nice, then after a while when you have people who you trust, you could give them permissions to post images and links?

there's a great PHP based forum app called Vanilla. I think it might be just your style.

after reading through others comments I have to agree with the general consensus. Forums are a lot of work to maintain and the source for a lot of drama. Blogs and forums are really quite similar, just different layouts. Perhaps just taking some of the common forum features and integrating them into comments is the way to go. Quoting, editing your own comments, etc.

I regularly visit forums; since I'm an admin on most of the ones I'm on; but they are a lot of work to maintain and can be a source of drama.

While a forum for this site would be nice; it's just a matter of finding staff to maintain it and to actually make the forum I feel...

I'm a global moderator on my forum as well, and it is a tough job. You've got to clean up all the nasty posts, keep things in check and set an example for the community all at the same time. A forum's a great idea, but unless you have the endurance to maintain a forum and find moderators to help you take care of it, it's gonna be rough. However, a forum for a site like this would be definitely a nice asset :)

I think your site wouldn't benefit much from a forum. I like it better this way. What would probably be nice as an added feature is to have a messaging feature for the members and a way to track one's comments. and also to be able to quote someone else's comment. That would probably be better than putting up a forum.

i thinks its fine the way it is no forum to much work for u. then the site would change and lose its focus. i stumbled on site and enjoy it its simple ez to navigate not much cluter. a forum leads to more things and u'll jus add and add . i like this site cuz its gives me deep insite in the world of anime, manga,figures and japanese pop culture and its fine the way it is . but if u do add anything add a place for up and coming aniome artist or a fan drawing site to add some of our pics now that would be bad ass. if not danny ur kewl this site is rockin and i glad theres no other like it .

I tend to stay away from forums. Just too much drama for my liking. I really do believe there are people out there who exist to nothing more than cause trouble for other and mods. I have such great conversations in many of the photography blogs -many which are like your site and just simple blogs as well- I see no need for forums.

Yes, we do have some very interesting discussions. I tend to think it because of the way the site is right now. We have a feel of community and camaraderie, something that forum trouble makers tend to stay away from.

You are good at implementation Danny, so maybe forums would work here. I do like the concept of forums being similar to the news section. I would suggest picking mods before the forums open.

Sorry I'm not much help right now. I just feel so tired and worn out. @.@

Danny, I add my vote to the ability to edit post. It would be a nice feature.

Ugh, what was I doing putting this in the Puchi Blurbs. ^^;

Just wanted to add:
Like some others are saying, the ability to edit and quote posts here would be fantastic :)

Just answering D_Blade:
Yes, I understand that! That's why I kinda support it to happen.
Appart from few commentaries I read here, most are very civilized and try not to go into stuff that may result in flame wars and trolling.

I started commenting here some months ago, and never saw stuff resulting in major problems also... can't tell if they happened or not though.

What I see as a problem is that a Forum is a completely different type of communication. Because mainly, you give direct answers, and several times you direct comments to other individuals.

This creates a tension and expectation that can easily become something bad. At least if it will really be a forum like many others.

I also feel that if we kept it between us, there would be fewer problems. But forums tends to attract more people, and different types of people... and even different sides of the same people.

I'll give a more clear example... on the loli discussion, or even on some "less hot" topic like PS3 winning against the Wii in sell numbers I could identify at least half a dozen comments that would result in fights, flames and trolling.

Didn't happen in the comment session because, as I said before, most people will visit the article only once, say what they think, and then never return before. So there's not that sense of competition, discussion face to face, or feeling obliged to give a reply... which is what happens on forums.

But again, it's not that forums are problems only. The benefits, depending on the community and management, far surpasses the problems.

The only thing I want with all this is that, if Danny goes foward in trying to build the Forum, that he doesn't do it "unarmed"... forums are really hard to deal, keep up and mantain organized.

And I don't want the blog to be less great than it is now because of the strain a forum might give. :D

In fewer words: Only try makina a forum if it doesn't hurt the great work you're doing with the blog right now Danny!

All,
Thanks for some great comments. Looks like I should reconsider making a free forum and keep it focused.
Will most likely work on a way to extend conversation with current posts.

I dont really use forums so dont know about the flaming that goes on inside.

What I do have in mind is giving you the ability to upload images. The news items section is being run on the code that will support that.

Got your other feedback about editing comments and will work on that although that does require a few changes. Each page is cached server side and the editing of comments makes it a challenge but doable.

I love forums XD daily i read about 6 forums en 30 blogs.

But you don't need a forum, is fine whit this page and figure.fm

Well, what we have here are similar to your average forums -- instead of us starting a topic, you're the one that posts the topics for us to comment on, or give our opinion on. This website is like one controlled culture forum.

The site now is a great platform for interaction. It's doing great.

Launching a forum will be nice, but I personally feel that the site itself is enough =)

XSportSeeker, I definitely understand what you mean. The general ambiance here is great and there can be minor... interferences less than sometimes. If there would be a forum, the main question would be if we keep it for ourselves and I mean members by that (to minimize risk) or let everyone enter and act after (to keep a sense of openness). I feel it would be nice to have both of them in some delicate balance and to give appropriate content to people with appropriate categories of age (See what I mean?).
If they lie on their age and so on, well, it is something that can't be avoided, no matter what is done to prevent/minimize it.

Like I said before, if trolls don't have much impact here, I don't see why they would be able take the fort in a possible Dannychoo forum. I am a realist guy who loves to dream and I am very positive on any decision Danny will make. No wonder why he decided to call his mascot... Mirai Suenaga, right? ;)

though the idea of a forum is rather appealing but more often then not it tends to degrade to the point were most of the members either self destruct or turn into a cesspool like gamefaqs

and also about the being able to upload images, how an imageboard? easy to manage and rather simple to mod :3

i've been visiting a forum daily for the past 3 years and is also a moderator for a few of it's sub forums.

one of the problems i face is people posting the same question over and over again.

for example, a member create a thread with the title "how much is a PS3 and where do i get it?" the other members being helpful will reply with "you can get it for $xx at xxx".

but as time goes by, another member might ask this same question again as he didn't know a thread on this topic already existed. regular members will soon become frustrated they are asking the same question over and over again.

and trust me in a forum, this happens a lot of time. some people like to be spoon fed with answers and are lazy to do a search (if the dannychoo forum is going to have one) since creating a thread is so easy, why should i waste time doing a search?

Lol gordon has a point

yeah they just cant seem to bring their fingers to click the search button

and besides im more biased to this set up

its far too complicated*for them anyway* for those lazy people to mess up XD

I don't think you need a forum anymore danny. Forums are chaotic even with diligent moderators and besides this site functions as a forum anyway.

We can have our own profile, create puchi blurbs and share otaku urls. That should be enough for us..^_^

Hi Danny, I think this entire site is pretty much a better looking forum!

I visit a couple of forums (mostly comic books and design related) and when the traffic to them slowed down a couple of years back, many of the administrators and regulars blamed the popularity of blogs and that people would just read and comment on their favourite forum posters' blogs instead.

I think you should have that members can have more visual and interactive profiles like pictures of their fav figures, etc.

I think you dont need a forum. You need to monitor them and thats a pain but it's up to you. Also i really never liked forums due to people putting stupid stuff up. I think the puchi blurbs, and just posting a comment is better than any forum.

I think forums would be Fantastic. I don't visit them every day. Sometimes I will be on for hours at a time, sometimes I will be gone for days. I get hooked on things at different times. As long as you can have a forums for everyones interest. which really isn't hard. One for random, where people can post there silly pics, so they wont have to put it in some serious forum. You can always get mod's to make sure everything is well. Children of all ages do use this, to my extent of knowledge, the youngest I know bein 15. And he is watching some anime that really should wait till your 18 :D, so, I mean, the problem with that is, if ur to young, do right thing, dont do what ur not suppose to. and if ur 2 young n u do it already, good for u i guess. Forums can raise some problems, but the joy of knowing people is good. getting fun rivalries and all. It should be done.

No, but I've wished there where forums here :3

I'd vote for keeping this site like this. nicely laid out, good comments n manners from everyone (a pat on everyone's back for this~) and it's more fun~~~
Keep it up Danny san

WHAT THE PUCK! I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS FORUMS! WHERE! I CAN'T FIND NO LINK!

Oh wait, yeah. I VOTE FOR FORUMS!

as you can see this is one of the reasons not to have a forum

95% of the population will be like .......... the dude below me

I don't support the forums. The site is good as it is now.

A forums a nice idea. But this site seems to be thriving without one. So I don't know if it would be advisable or not... would it cost you anything? lol

i'm actually a forumer and rarely surf the other site, till i came across dannychoo as a blogger site itself in particular lol..

do gaia online forums count...?

>:v i vistr those everyday!