FREEWARE FORUM - feedback/comments/suggestions

Here you can ask here for help on things concerning the forums or make suggestions on how to improve things.

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eMTe
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Post by eMTe »

Excerpts from various posts (nevermind who is who ;) ):

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I think it´s annoying when we have a lot of threads here that contain nothing but a download link. And in case that we accept the game and add it to our own database we will delete the download link and link to our own site. So it will leave new users without any basic informations at all.

Maybe we should make an individual thread where we can post links to games that we stumbled on, so we can make request threads for them when we have time to do it properly? I know there is the mulitple suggestions thread.... but could that be used?

An extra thread just for links to games might be a good idea. Very often I don´t open submission-threads at all, because I don´t have the time to look for the infos that are needed.
If we´d have an extra thread for that games any user could look at them, maybe try them and if he/she thinks it is worth playing open a "real thread" for that game by themselves.

I think we have to assume that the one that actually drops the link will have to be the one making the thread... Even though we are actually covered in the submission field. We can actually differentiate between the one that submitted and the one that found the game...

I dont think posting short infos and then request threads is needed... Rules are rules, but who knows how many noobs there will be in future - demanding from everyone to make screenshots, contact developer and such will be probably wasteless... Remember that sometimes waiting for developer's reply lasts ages (case of Mr yahtzee). And btw there's already perfect thread for such submissions (see stickies in freeware forum) - there's couple of moshboy's games waiting for someone to submit them (I submitted one or two of them) and I mentioned moshboy as submitter in the first post...
One more thing, I'm not sure if writing game's status in open forum is needed... Of course, if someone wants to check it (we) that's ok, but not frequent user or newbie wont probably do this. Usual way is like this: you find fun game, you see that it is freeware (whatever it means), you make submission with short info. Checking the status is (and probably will be for ages) gh's job. What's more, forum description says: here you can discuss games that are on site or even off the site (like King's Quest remakes). So generally I think submission rules must be as easy as possible for everyone (that's why there's so much "please" words in rules thread - what can we do if someone submits only link?) and one should not be forced to make full check-up... I still think of newbies and non frequent users...

I have no problems if newbies don´t post all the informations we would like to have and I´d never expect them to check licenses. In some cases I even followed their link, searched for the needed informations and posted them myself in the second post of the thread.
But I think it´s useless to open a new thread for a game and leave it without any information except the download link. In my opinion it should be main goal of the freeware fourum to inform other users about interesting freeware games (and tools) and to start a discussion about them. But this is nearly impossible without some basic informations.
So if anybody just wants to post a link, there´s no problem for me, but he should do it in an extra thread which is purposed for that kind of stuff.

I think we will have to be the ones searching for licenses, and when we get to be a fully running site with lots of members, then the GH squad will be broadened out and even more members invited in. This way we can play lots of games... And some can be checking licenses and adding games to database.
And a little sidenote: The more games that are submitted on this site the better (please note that I didn't say accepted but submitted). The more games talked about the more searches from google and such will lead to our site, and the more members. If we have a site containing 1500 games but a forum discussing 4000 then I think that puts us in a very good light... Dont you? Even if the same 4000 games are not all presented on the site for download... So when we get more check on the many games suggested in freeware forum, then maybe we can submit some games that are average but are still freeware, and can be easily validated. It's almost like cheating, but actually just makes the site better...

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Now you have good background of what's going on behind the curtain, Eric. ;)

As for 5 mods. Chillum is absent (I just hope he didnt leave for good), Chroelle has whole site on his shoulders and he's involved in coding, designing, validating, moderating, administrating and many other -ings. Pater Alf and me are also validators. Mmm...where's 5th one? :D Anyway, that leaves place for someone not loaded with other work... 8)

As for Xenon post that's exactly how GOOD submission should look, but check my above thoughts why it shouldnt be tightly controlled.
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Chroelle
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Post by Chroelle »

I think eMTe hits the nail on the head. Maybe we should do a count-up of who is really a game hunter and who is not. If the list is shortened down, then maybe people get a more precise view of how many is in here doing the work. I am not pointing fingers or anything. Lots of people are on that list because I asked their help for a couple of games, and they came through and left afterwards. Some never do work in there, and some do when they can. I think it is all for the better to get some names on the squad, and who is actually involved.
We could use more.
eMte you forgot Scythe. I know you didn't mean to, because you did ask who the 5th guy was after listing 3. So Scythe is 4, and nobody is 5 really. SGSW, Fogtoo and Pitkin drops in from time to time and validate games. Raillo also stopped by a couple of times. None of these guys moderate or stuff like that. They rate games.
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eMTe
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Post by eMTe »

I dont forget Scythe, Eric said there are 5 mods of FREEWARE FORUM and I see only 4 official. I'm not good in maths, so I dont want to discuss this topic anymore. :hammer:

As for moderation I dont see real problem at the moment. I'm updating both indexes of games on regular basis and there's not much more I can do (except giving the place proper shape, but this is long-term goal). Correcting each incomplete submission is beyond my powers. That's why I think too much hands is always better than too little.
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Chroelle
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Post by Chroelle »

It seems I am the one that should be emberrased... I forgot Usul... :blush:
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Usul
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Post by Usul »

:faint:
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eMTe
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Post by eMTe »

Since new freeware forums were born and it seems "freeware games" forum will be used to discuss SINGLE games AND TOOLS slight changes are needed.

1-renaming to FREEWARE GAMES AND TOOLS
2-adding "and tools" after "...discuss the games..." in forum description ^^

Rules updated, both indexes are regularly updated. I also think of making indexes for every forum an subforum, even Marketplace (101 topics! :shock: ). I think of too much things and then forget half of them (or "forget" and wait for others to support the idea(s) and help me :pipe: ).

This is doable and will be more than useful, but requires time. But the idea is born...
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Chroelle
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Post by Chroelle »

I ask you pleaseto wait for a little while with this project. There might be some major changes that could lead to your work being in vain...

Also I see your point, but I feel that the freeware games forum is for freeware games (and exceptionally some tools). If we rename it I am afraid that we could give the impression that you can post your own tools there... You shouldn't...
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Post by moshboy »

If a tool is somehow related to freeware games (installation, running, whatever) - post it. If not - don't. That's my two cents.
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Chroelle
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Post by Chroelle »

And they look so much like my two cents.

There are som many sites out there that have both games and tools, and they end up either excelling in one of them completely forgetting the other (motly the tools) or they end up being mediocre in both.
I think we should only put certain tools here (if they are related to gaming) but as such they only need a single thread to be discussed.
I feel like I am shooting your idea down here eMTe. Please do not consider it that way!
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eMTe
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Post by eMTe »

moshboy wrote:If a tool is somehow related to freeware games (installation, running, whatever) - post it. If not - don't. That's my two cents.
Good point. This is actually what I had on my mind.

And as for graphic or music making tools (freeware of course) dev forum looks like better place. What do u think?

As for project, I'm not starting anything, drooping the idea as usual. ;)
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Chroelle
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Post by Chroelle »

Graphic and musicmaking tools should be in development forum yes. PLease do put alot of them there actually. Maybe we should mark those threads: TOOL: toolname
That would make it alot easier to contribute to gamemaking.

Dont drop the idea yet, but just dont initiate :D
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