How Can We Re-energize the Forums?

[stykzman]

It's clear that the Stykz forums aren't nearly as active as they used to be a year ago when Stykz 1.0 was released. There are a number of reasons for that, but regardless, it's important to be able to re-energize the forums and make it a more active and helpful place to be.

From what I've seen there are a few of things that make the forums appear kind of lifeless:

• I haven't been responding on the forums much (and GM admitted he hasn't been too active on the forums either)
  
• Responses to questions/requests for feedback don't happen the same day
  
• There don't seem to be any ongoing collabs or other activities happening

There's probably more, but the question I'd throw out is:

 
  What can we do to make the forums active again?  

Any/all ideas are welcome...

[Wind3H]

stykz collab man!
already made a thread yesterday, i hope all coolfellas join it..
this would get more users though




some other idea would be to make much more tutorials for stykz, shorter and just more straight
also i think it would help if every stykz user would put a link to stykzforums in his signature


about how to make users stay...i dont know, i think users just have to get a welcome, and comments
no user stays in a forum when he doesnt get recognition

[websterhamster]

Maybe you could have more events that take place through the forum (I see the winner of the week threads as an example), and perhaps more about combining animations, effects and sound to make Stykz Movies!!! (I happen to like making a movie out of other people's anims than making my own 'mations )

Also, some incentives for being active could be implemented. I'm thinking of special sig banners for the most active users, zaniest users, nicest users, etc, you get the idea. And then also maybe give a special banner to users who are active on holidays (I'm thinking of what Notch did in Minecraft - he gave a whole bunch of users capes for their avatars on New Year's Eve once).

Just a few thoughts (I am also trying to be active, expecially since this is the only forum I can be on).

~WH

[IKE]

I think one of the main problems is lack of actually using the program. If more animations and figures were being posted it would make things look a lot better. Being hypocritical when I say that though... *leaves forum to go animate*.

[ZeldaTRA]

Not necsisarily, i haven't used Stykz since i got Flash for my birthday last year, but i still come for the community. I think advertising would help bring more people. And if we commented in other anims instead of just Stykz animations. Nunez is a good example. The guy left because no one bothered to look at his animations. I've tried everything i can, including telling friends and linking to the forums on Zelda TRA. (which obviously isn't alot, but its something.) Basically, advertising would help a great deal.

[stykzman]

Not necsisarily, i haven't used Stykz since i got Flash for my birthday last year, but i still come for the community. I think advertising would help bring more people. And if we commented in other anims instead of just Stykz animations. Nunez is a good example. The guy left because no one bothered to look at his animations. I've tried everything i can, including telling friends and linking to the forums on Zelda TRA. (which obviously isn't alot, but its something.) Basically, advertising would help a great deal.

I agree - plus maybe hearing about how Stykz is being used elsewhere (like as part of the curriculum at certain schools). OK, so here's what we have so far:

• More official presence (by me and the mods) on the forum
  
• Responding to questions/requests in a timely manner
  
• Make sure there are ongoing collab(s) or other activities happening
  
• Commenting on other animations other than Stykz ones
  
• Advertising/Spreading the word
  
• Updates on how Stykz is being used outside of the forums

Anything else?

[websterhamster]

You could also update the main stykz.net website. Sometimes people think a program has "died" when the website isn't up-to-date. Even making sure the copyright notice can help.

About publicity, making official Stykz things like banners, t-shirts, hats, etc (even though I couldn't afford a t-shirt or hat) can also help spread the word.

Keep up the good work, you have an excellent plan!

[Wind3H]

i dont think hats or t shirts are a good idea, most stykz user are underage and arent allowed to buy stuff on the internet

[websterhamster]

Well, their parents can purchase things for them. I can't buy things online by myself, but I can have one of my parents perform the transaction and I will reimburse them after.

And how do you know most of the users are underage? I have heard this before, but if it is possible for anyone except for stykzman to know that, then this forum isn't as safe as it's meant to be.

JMHO, WH

[stykzman]

It's just more of a "feeling" based on how different people post to the forums (level of maturity). However I think that any kind of "merch" is something I'd do later on down the road.

:D