RPGN Revival Discussion

[Mink]

why are 80% of the FTP's that are supposed to be online not online....... shouldnt that page be updated to show what actually works

[Kilu]

The mirrorers are the ones who should have updated their status, but some fail to remember, because the process is not automatic. Some of the supposedly online mirrors have been offline for months if not over a year. It's sad really, but the Locke, the main man of the site is busy with his hosting company, or something else. Maybe he is just slacking.

He once talked about automatic update process though, but that was supposed to take place with a redesign of the page. As the layout designer is missing in action, I don't know what the plans are right now about that

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

Well, rpgamers does have some web programmers! How about Zeugma440? I think Rpgamers needs a dedicated team.

[Zeugma 440]

...but does this site already have a team -> cf. staff page ??

Hell yeah, I would be glad to work for my favourite website, but I think we need to have a solid organization. I don't want to be nasty or anything, but I've already seen two projects crashing into the water (the custom ColdFusion forums, that have been replaced by this one, and the redesign of the main layout, in progress since two years ago :roll:).
They seemed to get well and they have progressively been abandoned, no one knows exactly why (real life demands ? lazyness ? evil forces from outer space ?).

I certainly don't want it to happen again, so think twice and choose a team you can rely on before starting anything ambitious...

[eViL bAz]

evil forces ?

We are not envolved in this so maybe it is fault of the other 2 options :evilgrin:

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

I would like to say that I'm free for the next 2 months from my studies and would love to help you guys out. I think Locke needs to address here.

[Kilu]

I left a pm to Locke Cole in irc, maybe he'll reply something :)

[Locke Cole]

Hello folks! :D

Guess who?! No, not him. Its me, the guy who is never around much anymore x.x Kilu sent me the url to this thread, and thus here I am to submit some feedback.

The PHP conversion process was begun for many reasons. For one, we are looking to move all RPGN operations to Lintbox servers, and thus need to switch from cold fusion to PHP. Secondly, much of the site is coded poorly or lazily, a lot of the html needs fixing to be w3c passable etc, so the process has been slow fixing everything up as we go. I'd say the actual conversion process of the front end of the site is about 90% complete, but the back end control panels hasn't even been started.

>> They seemed to get well and they have progressively been abandoned, no one knows exactly why (real life demands ? lazyness ? evil forces from outer space ?).

Well, these projects died for many reasons. First, creating an entire forum quickly became a lot more then we were ready for. There were so many things we wanted to do, but had no idea how to tackle. It would have taken a much larger team or a lot of time to make the boards anything more then the old ones were. After a review of the available softwares, vbulletin fit all of my needs and wants, and thus was selected. Its definately decent. :)

As for the design attempts, I am very very picky about how the site should look. The first and public design attempt just didn't have the right feel to it, It was good and new, but it just wasn't RPGN. The second, less known redesign plan was going well until Yume vanished from the planet x.x Although I am picky about how the site looks, I also have very little in ideas for it. I can tell you if I like it or not, but as for giving you a plan to base it off, you're on your own. I can provide links to sites that I think look sorta like how I'd like to see RPGN, but I'm not a creative/artistic type, and thus we run into a deadblock.

As for why the site appears to have haulted, well my absense would certainly have something to do with that. As one of the only people with administrative passwords, I've been slacking heavily on my duties around the community. A lot has been going on in life keeping me busy, I've got the business to run, and my motivation levels have been low :/ I have wanted to give RPGN a kick start so many times, but every time we try, I lose direction, we don't know the next step to keep it going, and it dies off again.

September 5th 2005 will represent RPGN's 9th birthday. I would love to get something going to bring it back to life, especially after having that much behind us already. Your feedback, suggestions, etc are always welcome.

I will watch this thread and see what you all have to say.

[Kilu]

I'm of course available with my vast photoshop skills. I can do stuff, seriously! :D And everything else that comes to mind. I'm good at everything!

[Marona]

i thought rpgn was just fine.i dont see a reason of revival...but hey put in my ftp tutorials and link to my cafe if u dont mind...what its a revival right?am i right?!...nevermind>_>

[Zeugma 440]

Marona> Oh yeah, you're right ! RPGN should really have your tutorials on its FTP page :p One more reason to upgrade :)

Locke> I see, then we have to form a solid team that should be led by a motivated Locke Cole ;)
For my part, I'm free and available until the 9th and even after that. Count me in if the project is actually starting !
I know HTML/CSS, PHP, SQL, JAVA, Javascript, perl and even DLL programming, if needed :p Concerning photoshopping and CG pictures, take a look at the art section of my site if you want to see samples :D

Concerning new ideas, I'd like to see these features on the new RPGN site :

- Marona's tutorials
- A system to track automatically if a mirror is online or not (the tech team should have a serious chat about this)
- A cool menu with items that lit up when the mouse is over them (don't take it as an offense but the current menu is too still, imo)
- ... I'll add more if something else crosses my mind one of those days http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/embarassedlaugh.gif

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

Make the whole site all over again!!! ;P Just Kidding!

I think rpgamers.net needs to become alive and i'm not talking about the forums, they're alive. The last time i checked the main page it was the "Main Page" and after months of visiting the main page, its still the "Main Page"... Apart from jokes, I think Rpgamers has everything on the forum and full with content in the main site but it lacks functionality. :)

[Marona]

why are 80% of the FTP's that are supposed to be online not online....... shouldnt that page be updated to show what actually works
my ftp is on...wait...is that a bad thing?O_O*turns off ftp* :p jk its on

[Kilu]

The first thing that needs to done is kick Lockes ass back to work on the php conversion. Secondly Locke, as I understood it, you liked some of the layouts Yume showed to you? Well, you should post the links here to give all of us a look. Or links to webpages that you like the layout of.

[Lenna]

I second Kilu's thoughts. Seriously think the website needs a new makeover. The promised new design a year back hasn't been materialized yet. To tell the truth, I was rather shocked to find the site as it was before when I came back a few days ago.

[Lance Alvein]

I'm willing to help out with some design... I only know HTML, but I still can do my part :p

[Prowler]

Heh. This thread could use a rename.

As I said in the email, I'm all for it.

[Locke Cole]

The main problem with doing a redesign is the site would then pretty much need to be totally redone, and we're talking a lot of work involved in that. I'm all for it, I've felt rpgn needed a face lift for ages now, but as I said, I have no idea how I'd like it. Both previous attempts at redesign have failed, the first lost its flavour way too soon (too basic, maybe?) and the second, well, the designer vanished off the planet x.x

If we are going to do this, we need a solid plan on how we want things to look. We are goaling for a design that fits nicely in 1024x768 (currently, rpgn is 800x600), although a design that fits the users' settings would be optimal (but more of a challenge for a graphical-heavy design).

Our goal initially was to have three columns, the menu on the left as it is now, and a bar on the right for voting polls, etc. We were also planning to have a main menu across the top maybe below a header image. The left menu would then become like a submenu to whatever section you're in. We want it all to flow and work together, but I want to avoid using things like flash, for those of us who lack it. I'll browse around and find some well-done sites, and post some links so you can see the sort of feel I like.

I'm open for suggestions on this matter. Also, as kilu mentioned, we do need to complete converting all of the code from its current (Cold Fusion CFM) to PHP, as we are moving everything eventually to Lintbox servers. This will allow things such as these forums to become forums.rpgamers.net, etc. which should help merge everything under one roof again.

Old design we were playing with:
http://www.rpgamers.net/Designs/HTML/

PHP conversion of RPGN, in progress:
http://rpgn.lintbox.net/index2.php
(While converting, I am also recoding a lot of the HTML to pass W3C validation. The old code is sooo sloppy!)

Serious about helping? Post up your skills, maybe links to some past work, and lets get a group together for this project. I have been the sole admin of RPGN for a long time now, and I think I am ready to grant some new administrative positions in order to get this place lively again. We need graphical talent, we need php coders, we need people with creative ideas. Can you fill a spot?

You can find me:
- Here on the forums :p
- IRC ... irc.magicite.net channel #RPGN
- MSN: friskers@hotmail.com
- AIM: rpgamersnet
- Email: admin@rpgamers.net

[Lance Alvein]

As I said earlier, I'm willing to help code the site...

As for past work...
I set up Marona's page... :p

Skills...
Mainly just HTML, so I don't know how much of a difference there is for PHP coding?

[Locke Cole]

Hello all,

Project status update. So far the reaction has been very positive towards our plans to bring this place back to life. We are currently seeking people with the following talents: HTML, PHP, MySQL, CSS coding -- Layout and design, graphical design, image editing -- General idea people, creative thoughts, feedback, 'beta' tester type people who get to poke and tell us whats good and bad.

The first group, named the Tech Team, so far contains:

Locke Cole -- HTML, PHP, MySQL
Zeugma -- HTML, PHP, MySQL, CSS

The design team, somehow named The Red Wings, currently contains:

Prowler -- Graphic design, Layout, Image Editing
Kilu -- Image Editing

The last group, dubbed Section 8, has:

TheDragonKnight
Baron

This list will be updated as the project advances. Please contact me via IRC / Email / MSN if you wish to join the project, so we can talk about your talents and where you might fit best.
:)

[BAMAToNE]

I still think the design found here (http://www.rpgamers.net/Designs/HTML/) is awesome and would work fine. If you look at the poll, 216 other people agree with me, and only 25 total didn't like it. But screw them. :P

[eViL bAz]

I think, that design is the best is easy to use is fresh maybe with a different Logo, more elaborated will be great but the design is just fine and that way you dont have to think much of the design only in the Logo and the in features ^^

[Charon]

Whilst I can't help with anything in the grand scheme of things I would like to say that

http://www.rpgamers.net/Designs/HTML/

is...uck. Guess I've been gone to long too see the poll wherever it was but I really prefer the old design. Even so far as to wonder why it needs changing. A fresh new look is always good, but the main problem with the main page is not the design or layout, but more the lack of updates/additions.
I know exactly how much real life and just general low motivation can get in the way of updating things and whatnot, but the main page is "the lure" as it were, the bait. I don't really understand a lot of the TLAs (three letter acronyms) either. Is there a notable reason that I might understand for switching to the php version of the front page that you posted?


Quote: Also, as kilu mentioned, we do need to complete converting all of the code from its current (Cold Fusion CFM) to PHP, as we are moving everything eventually to Lintbox servers. This will allow things such as these forums to become forums.rpgamers.net, etc. which should help merge everything under one roof again.

As I said, I'm not famliar with much of this, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who doesn't understand the whole conversion process. Why does the site have to be php to move to lintbox? And why will that allow us to drop the .info tag in favour of the .net tag?

:) On behalf of all of us who really don't get what's going on. Thanks. :)

[Lenna]

I think that design is fine. It could be better, though :)

[Zeugma 440]

I assume we'll get started soon ? Is there an official date for the beginning of the project ? :)

[BAMAToNE]

At least I've updated my staff page on the new php site. :P (Hurry up and finish the conversion so everyone can see it, arrrrg! LOL)

[Mink]

exellent to hear this renewed enthusiasm for the site :)

[Kilu]

I truely hope that's true. I don't know if Locke has seen the topic since the last time eventhough he said that he would keep his eye on it.

[Zeugma 440]

Yeah, is he at the hospital or just too damn heck lazy to log in and post a reply ?

[Kilu]

Probably forgot about the whole thing :shame:

Or maybe he is just busy, summer is unusually busy time I have noticed.

[Locke Cole]

Sheesh, I go away for a few days from the boards and people think I totally forget them! Pfft to that :P I am most definately here, just totally overwhelmed with tasks from other projects at this time. We do have a good team of folks offering their assistance. Feel free to suggest what you think needs to be changed/added/removed to make the site better, etc. Even the craziest of ideas can be considered, lets get some ideas flowing. Maybe that will buy our design team a little while to work on a basic layout template. ;)

[oneforthelord]

Locke~e~poos :p Where's you've gone eh? I kinda miss ya :)

[chrissii]

I just realized this topic was here, and while I am late coming, I can see that not much has been pursued here...

So I'd like to put my services up for offer. If you truly are going to redo the site layout/emblem, I would be more than happy to help with anything (logo, layout, etc). I'm majoring in Graphic Design, and I've been doing webstuff for years, so... yeah. Locke, If ya'll are still serious about doing this get in touch with me with an idea of what you're looking for, or if you want to see examples of my work or something. http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Galthol]

It's not so much the site that needs something, We just need the regulars back.

[chrissii]

It's not so much the site that needs something, We just need the regulars back.
Ah. With some of the more recent posts I read, I was under the impression that a new design was something that was being considered. My mistake then :emlaugh:

[Kilu]

Galthol is wrong. :p

We do need a new design, as we are not speaking about the forums, but the main site. I think the designer Locke Cole had in mind bailed (again). I'll let Locke Cole know that you have offered your assistance. :D He'll hopefully contact you then.

And hopefully he'll get of his lazy ass and starts coding the php based site again. :D

[Locke Cole]

Galthol is wrong. :p

We do need a new design, as we are not speaking about the forums, but the main site. I think the designer Locke Cole had in mind bailed (again). I'll let Locke Cole know that you have offered your assistance. :D He'll hopefully contact you then.

And hopefully he'll get of his lazy ass and starts coding the php based site again. :D
Yes sir, right away sir!

Actually someone in our chatroom has got me back on track of the thought of reviving RPGN. We now have 2 or 3 graphics/design people offering their services, and I am interested in getting them together and seeing what sort of revival we can pull for RPGN. Lets make this place come to life again, even if its fresh and new. I was considering wiping a lot of the slate clean, and starting over... same name, new beginnings. A lot of our data could be imported over, but a lot of our outdated stuff can go....

I really do need to get those interested in helping with design up and talking so we can get some ideas flowing. I lack motivation... <.< and I think a fresh look would certainly get me coding again.

I have lots of ideas, but im not an artist, so you're going to have to bear with me.. I can show you sites that I like the look and feel of, give you suggestions on what I do and don't want to see this time around, but as for laying it out and such... :/ You're going to have to probably produce some samples and let me poke and prod at them.

Contact me! Chat, msn, aim... any way is fine.

[Kilu]

I was bored, so I made this just now. :p

http://files.magicite.net/users/5/revival.png

[eViL bAz]

I love that Banner excellent job Kilu what Image editor you use to do that, and also I dont recognize the guy on the left the other one i think is Link :p excellent job again

[Kilu]

The guy on the left is from FF12, whenever it comes out.

I have Photoshop CS2 which I normally use these days. I think I'm gonna add a soft border to it still.

EDIT: Added the border.
http://files.magicite.net/users/5/revival2.png

[eViL bAz]

Excellent job Kilu I have Photoshop too ^^ really nice tool

EDIT:and following Kilu's idea I modifed my Signature to add one more evil one and to support the RPGamers Revivial :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v235/eViL_bAz/RPGNR2.png

[Galthol]

Galthol is wrong. :p



:blush: :blush: :blush: This tends to happen to me alot :shame: :shame: :shame:

Again I have to starting reading more thoughly before I post. I give myself negative rep, or at least try to.

[Zeugma 440]

:D Good to see that the project is trying to revive from the dead (zomg, a zombie project :amazed: ). Right now, I'm too involved with too many things to realistically claim that I will have time to code for RPGN :( I can still give you tips and pieces of advices, if you need some :p

[Pezito]

Heh, I've just posted a new topic in the experimental zone, by lack of a better idea of where to post it... It's about RPGN logos I've just done (basically for the latest Sound Test front cover) ; any comment is welcome ! :)

• http://rpgn.lintbox.net/forums/showthread.php?t=715 •

[Kiante]

Excuse me. Not to interrupt but I'm new and I was kinda wonderin whats goin on. and the homepage has a virus I think. I get a LOT OF POP-UPS AND MICROSOFT PROFESSIONAL 2000 tries to install.

[Kilu]

The popups are a pain in the ass if you don't have a popup blocker. Don't know anything about a virus though.

We should really somehow make Locke finish the >php conversion so he could just move the site over to lintbox hosting, no more popups.

[Mithrandir]

Yeah, sometimes it seems McAfee says there is a virus but it seems there's not. I got these warnings very often. And about Microsoft Office 2000 trying to install that may be because you need to install something to se correctly the page or....well it's just an Office bug. Sometimes, Office installation starts without no reason...

[Kiante]

You shouldn't use mcaffe. It's practically a virus itself. It'll mess up your comp. and I never thought of that about micro pro. thnx.

[BAMAToNE]

McAfee is a resource hog (along with Norton). Try Avast! and see if you like it. It's free. http://www.avast.com/

Also, I use Opera so I never seen any popups on the site. I agree it'd be annoying though. So I'd recommend installing the Google toolbar if you're bent on using IE, or switching to Firefox or Opera.

You shouldn't use mcaffe. It's practically a virus itself. It'll mess up your comp. and I never thought of that about micro pro. thnx.

[Kiante]

Hey, If you reaLLY wanna revive this place, get RPG Inferno. But wait awhile cause the're comin out with a new one soon. It's an rpg thing for vbulletin. It's cool. If you want to see what its like, go to KHInsider.com forums.

[Kilu]

Locked for the time being.

When something substantial is happening it will be unlocked again.