Classic-Castle.com

I was inspired to create this thread by Forestboy's "New Forum" one.

I have noticed that there are not enough multi-theme LEGO fan-sites where TFOLs are treated the same as AFOLs. C-C is a perfect example of a site where teens and adults get along well. But C-C is castle only. What I have in mind is the creation of a new site completely dedicated to advancing TFOL fandom. What I see in my head is a site that has frequently updated LEGO news, an active forum, and lots of other good features. There would be rules about cussing, grammer, and others; very similar to C-C. This site would probably require money to keep up; money I don't have. But if someone would create a site that is even similar to my description, it would be so packed with fans that it would garner a tremendous reputation as an intelligent, active, fun site.

If we hope for anyone to create this site, my fellow TFOLs, then we need to pack this poll with "Yays." If you are an adult reading this, then remember that if you vote against the creation of a TFOL site, then it would be the same as my fellow teens voting to take Eurobricks off the web. Consider your choice wisely, and take this thread seriously. And before someone suggests it: no, this thread is not anti-AFOL at all, I like AFOLs, it is just pro-TFOL.

I'd say go for it. Start your site and see how it goes, if people are joining.
I'll be happy to help you spread the word.

I don't think asking here if it's a good idea is really in place. You already know it's a good idea because you've found there is no such site, and there is demand for it. This poll will only be read by CC members, and a lot of them won't be interested in a TFOL site, because... well they're not TFOLs.

But I really think that if you feel you can start this site, you should.

This topic does not belong in the Administrative forum. I am moving it to General LEGO.

--Tony

Aliencat wrote:I'd say go for it. Start your site and see how it goes, if people are joining.
I'll be happy to help you spread the word.

I don't think asking here if it's a good idea is really in place. You already know it's a good idea because you've found there is no such site, and there is demand for it. This poll will only be read by CC members, and a lot of them won't be interested in a TFOL site, because... well they're not TFOLs.

But I really think that if you feel you can start this site, you should.

I would create it, but I have no idea how. I stink at technology, and it would probably require money. Could someone please give me a link to a free website-maker? One with a forum, and it has to have a forum feature. If you would help spread the word if I make one, I would be very grateful.

I don't know what percentage of C-Cers are TFOLs, but it's at least a few. And anyway, lots of the AFOLs here respect TFOLs; you wouldn't have posted here if you didn't care about TFOLs having a good time with their hobby.

SavaTheAggie wrote:This topic does not belong in the Administrative forum. I am moving it to General LEGO.

--Tony

Sorry, I was confused about where it should belong. I decided on administrative because I thought it's less about LEGOs than the business behind them.

I didn't answer the poll, as I dislike them, but I'd say to go for it. I grew up under the philosophy of "If you have an idea, run with it. Don't wait for someone else to do it."

Setting up a forum isn't hard. You will have to educate yourself about it, but that's a good thing. Start it up, advertise it, and see what happens. Initially, it will be free. If it begins to generate a lot of traffic, you may have to put some Google ads up or something, but that would take awhile.

Give it a go!

Josh

JoshWedin wrote:I didn't answer the poll, as I dislike them, but I'd say to go for it. I grew up under the philosophy of "If you have an idea, run with it. Don't wait for someone else to do it."

Setting up a forum isn't hard. You will have to educate yourself about it, but that's a good thing. Start it up, advertise it, and see what happens. Initially, it will be free. If it begins to generate a lot of traffic, you may have to put some Google ads up or something, but that would take awhile.

Give it a go!

Josh

Google adds. Woah, that sounds awesome! Although, it requires money. I still need advising about the best free forum-maker, though. Once that is done, it's only a matter of getting enough publicity and members.

Napoleon wrote: Google adds. Woah, that sounds awesome! Although, it requires money. I still need advising about the best free forum-maker, though. Once that is done, it's only a matter of getting enough publicity and members.

Google ads do not require money. They give you money.

Setting up and running the forum is the hard the part.

Also, regarding finding free-hosting and forums....google is also your friend.

Josh

PS. This is really about publishing a website, so I'm moving it to publishing.......

JoshWedin wrote:

Napoleon wrote: Google adds. Woah, that sounds awesome! Although, it requires money. I still need advising about the best free forum-maker, though. Once that is done, it's only a matter of getting enough publicity and members.

Google ads do not require money. They give you money.

Setting up and running the forum is the hard the part.

Also, regarding finding free-hosting and forums....google is also your friend.

Josh

PS. This is really about publishing a website, so I'm moving it to publishing.......

If Google gives me money, then Google is my friend. Very well, I shall Google free forum-makers; although, please, let me know of any really good ones. Man, this thread is becoming a globe-trotter!

Oops. I forgot that Tony had moved this once already. My apologies, Tony!

Josh

Well, I Googled every variation on "free message board/ forum creator," and there were a lot of results. However, there were too many results! There are too many that look like scams for me to be completely sure about any of them. I would prefer to not have any software, free or otherwise, involved, but is that possible? I would appreciate any help.

EDIT: Could someone give me a definition of software. Is it a disk, or is that hardware?

Napoleon wrote: I have noticed that there are not enough multi-theme LEGO fan-sites where TFOLs are treated the same as AFOLs.

This is because teenagers and adults are not the same. There are huge physical, emotional and intellectual differences that you won't really reconginze until you become a somewhat well adjusted adult.
...yada yada yada, [a lot of teenager double speak] blah blah blah [the old "exceptions to every rule" arguement] yada yada yada...You must be very tired from all the googling you did today. Good luck with your new TFOL forum, you seem like the kind of guy who would really like doing that kind of thing. Really.

What happens when you turn 18 though? Do you simply shut down the place? Or hand it over to another candiate? These could be issues that you need to think about if you start a TFOL forum and it gets hundreds of members.

Ye Olde Republic wrote:

Napoleon wrote: I have noticed that there are not enough multi-theme LEGO fan-sites where TFOLs are treated the same as AFOLs.

This is because teenagers and adults are not the same. There are huge physical, emotional and intellectual differences that you won't really reconginze until you become a somewhat well adjusted adult.
...yada yada yada, [a lot of teenager double speak] blah blah blah [the old "exceptions to every rule" arguement] yada yada yada...You must be very tired from all the googling you did today. Good luck with your new TFOL forum, you seem like the kind of guy who would really like doing that kind of thing. Really.

What happens when you turn 18 though? Do you simply shut down the place? Or hand it over to another candiate? These could be issues that you need to think about if you start a TFOL forum and it gets hundreds of members.

Probably hand it over to another teen when I turn 20, and that is a ways off. Sorry, I should have Googled software. My point was, that I am not the technology guy; I don't know what software is...that's pretty bad.

I know there is a big difference between TFOLs and AFOLs, but they both can act mature and be good builders. Your comment about "good luck with your new TFOL forum" sounded a little rude though, but you probably didn't mean it that way, so never mind.

Napoleon wrote:My point was, that I am not the technology guy; I don't know what software is...that's pretty bad.

The internet is the largest library in the world. Just type in what you don't know in a search engine and you'll get lots of results. Wikipedia.org is also a good resource to find out exactly what you need to know about this kind of stuff, give that a try and see where you end up.
Also there may be other TFOLs that do know those things you're looking for, and are willing to help you start a TFOL-oriented forum or website. You can ask around on some websites like Flickr or MOCpages where there are a lot of TFOLs.

Napoleon wrote:Your comment about "good luck with your new TFOL forum" sounded a little rude though, but you probably didn't mean it that way, so never mind.

I don't see what's rude about good luck don't read into it too much.

Hey,

I've always said 'Let a thousand flowers bloom' - start up all kinds of sites, forums, blogs, whatever. I do think Dave's point about aging out of a TFOL forum is a good one - you'll never have a permanent audience, but OTOH if you get a good six years out of people that can be a pretty good run for a forum.

There are lots of free services out there you can take advantage of. Google 'free forum hosting' and you'll get a lot of hits. I'm pretty sure I've seen someone use Forumer for a small LEGO forum, but I don't remember any details. You could, of course, take advantage of Flickr or MOCpages to help with hosting a forum, but then you'll be stuck with their formats and people would have to join those sites. Castle World, which spun off from here, uses InvisionFree. Someone over there may be able to help you with the details. If you find one service to host the actual forum, you may need another for the front page. I'd use blogger. It's a blog, but easily customizable to look like an easily updated front page.
Teach yourself simple html. there are tons of free tutorials online. Also, if you see a webpage you like, go to 'view source' in your browser to see how they coded it. That's how I taught myself.

As to the conduct of a forum once you've set it up, I wrote some advice here.

Bruce

Aliencat wrote:

Napoleon wrote:My point was, that I am not the technology guy; I don't know what software is...that's pretty bad.

The internet is the largest library in the world. Just type in what you don't know in a search engine and you'll get lots of results. Wikipedia.org is also a good resource to find out exactly what you need to know about this kind of stuff, give that a try and see where you end up.
Also there may be other TFOLs that do know those things you're looking for, and are willing to help you start a TFOL-oriented forum or website. You can ask around on some websites like Flickr or MOCpages where there are a lot of TFOLs.

Napoleon wrote:Your comment about "good luck with your new TFOL forum" sounded a little rude though, but you probably didn't mean it that way, so never mind.

I don't see what's rude about good luck don't read into it too much.

Sorry, Ye Olde Republic! I thought you were being sarcastic! My apologies.

I think I might use Invisionfree as Bruce suggested, because I just joined CW and I like the layout.