State of The Cellar 2015

Undertoad · 01-16-2015, 05:43 PM

Ladies and gentlemen, oldheads and newbs, the state of The Cellar is strong.

During the last 12 months of our time, The Cellar statistics show a consistency of post traffic. From January through December, the number of posts per month remains quite similar. The number remains well off the site’s peaks, which happened in 2007 and 2009. But the quality of posts remains solid, and the quality of users has remained top notch.

For many, the smaller post numbers are welcomed, as it makes it possible to take in the entire Cellar experience. During its peaks, many users stopped reading the entire forum, as the volume of posts became intimidating. The Cellar is now in a more digestible form and does not face a problem of too many "casual" users.

Challenges

Facebook et al: In recent years, there has been an Internet trend away from forums, due to the encroachment of Facebook and other social websites. At this time there is no need to explore different types of social software; we believe that Facebook cannot be the "be-all, end-all" of the Internet. We believe that Facebook has lingering developing readership issues. We further believe that those who wish to have The Cellar type of online experience will look outside social media for connections, perhaps even in greater numbers.

New Users: At this time there are too few new users registering. Too little fresh blood is danger for a forum. The Image of the Day has generally been the main draw to find and convert new Dwellars, but the feature is no longer actively written by any of us, and the Blog View has fallen out of date in design and function.

Infrastructure: Too strong, actually. The Cellar’s current platform of owned servers in a rented rack is overkill for the smaller level of traffic we now host. It also depends on a client of UT’s paying the bulk of the rental of the space. The Cellar will eventually need to move to a different and cheaper platform. (Nothing about the forum would change in such a move.)

Technological: The version of software that The Cellar runs is many versions behind current. This is because the original developer sold out many years ago, to a concern that was more interested in money than quality. Your humble operator noticed this trend with vBulletin 4, and did not upgrade. More recent levels of vBulletin have been poor quality, and expensive, and there is much anger from forum owners.

Our older software has not been a problem for us; it’s as full-featured as we need. Many very important forums on the net continue to run vBulletin 3, and even vBulletin 2. But there are now known security issues that we are simply living with. It is likely that we will eventually NEED to change, which is not much fun for anybody.

Strengths

Community: The Cellar community continues to be its own strongest asset. The strength of the community means that it has a certain amount of momentum which can carry it through changes and smaller problems. You guys are fucking awesome, and you should know that.

Moderation: Perfect right where it is IMO.

Platform: Despite its cost and size, the current platform of both software and hardware does permit a great deal of flexibility should it suddenly become needed for any reason.

Ideas for 2015

>> Reviving Image of the Day with a new interface that allows auto-posting, easier submission of entries, voting on prospective entries, and a Facebook hook. Pro: This would answer a lot of things at the same time, some things that should have gone in years ago, and would be a way to prod Facebookers to become Dwellars, instead of the other way ‘round. Con: it’s a LOT of work.

>> What else ya got?

01-16-2015, 05:43 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	State of The Cellar 2015 Ladies and gentlemen, oldheads and newbs, the state of The Cellar is strong. During the last 12 months of our time, The Cellar statistics show a consistency of post traffic. From January through December, the number of posts per month remains quite similar. The number remains well off the site’s peaks, which happened in 2007 and 2009. But the quality of posts remains solid, and the quality of users has remained top notch. For many, the smaller post numbers are welcomed, as it makes it possible to take in the entire Cellar experience. During its peaks, many users stopped reading the entire forum, as the volume of posts became intimidating. The Cellar is now in a more digestible form and does not face a problem of too many "casual" users. Challenges Facebook et al: In recent years, there has been an Internet trend away from forums, due to the encroachment of Facebook and other social websites. At this time there is no need to explore different types of social software; we believe that Facebook cannot be the "be-all, end-all" of the Internet. We believe that Facebook has lingering developing readership issues. We further believe that those who wish to have The Cellar type of online experience will look outside social media for connections, perhaps even in greater numbers. New Users: At this time there are too few new users registering. Too little fresh blood is danger for a forum. The Image of the Day has generally been the main draw to find and convert new Dwellars, but the feature is no longer actively written by any of us, and the Blog View has fallen out of date in design and function. Infrastructure: Too strong, actually. The Cellar’s current platform of owned servers in a rented rack is overkill for the smaller level of traffic we now host. It also depends on a client of UT’s paying the bulk of the rental of the space. The Cellar will eventually need to move to a different and cheaper platform. (Nothing about the forum would change in such a move.) Technological: The version of software that The Cellar runs is many versions behind current. This is because the original developer sold out many years ago, to a concern that was more interested in money than quality. Your humble operator noticed this trend with vBulletin 4, and did not upgrade. More recent levels of vBulletin have been poor quality, and expensive, and there is much anger from forum owners. Our older software has not been a problem for us; it’s as full-featured as we need. Many very important forums on the net continue to run vBulletin 3, and even vBulletin 2. But there are now known security issues that we are simply living with. It is likely that we will eventually NEED to change, which is not much fun for anybody. Strengths Community: The Cellar community continues to be its own strongest asset. The strength of the community means that it has a certain amount of momentum which can carry it through changes and smaller problems. You guys are fucking awesome, and you should know that. Moderation: Perfect right where it is IMO. Platform: Despite its cost and size, the current platform of both software and hardware does permit a great deal of flexibility should it suddenly become needed for any reason. Ideas for 2015 >> Reviving Image of the Day with a new interface that allows auto-posting, easier submission of entries, voting on prospective entries, and a Facebook hook. Pro: This would answer a lot of things at the same time, some things that should have gone in years ago, and would be a way to prod Facebookers to become Dwellars, instead of the other way ‘round. Con: it’s a LOT of work. >> What else ya got?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)