Customising the forum

[Novelty]

I guess this is more a question and suggestion for Gantry, but I suppose comments from the peanut gallery wouldn't be amiss either.

What I was wondering is if it's possible to customise the forum with Carcassonne specific images.  Specifically the "New Post" and "No New Post" icons (which at the moment uses the simple machine icon), and meeple specific smileys (e.g. it'd be cool to have a meeple pig or a wagon as a smiley).

I do however, know that post count/member status symbols already do have the yellow meeple and I think that's a nice bit of something on this forum.

[Gantry]

Yes! I've been intending to do this for a long time. I've been working like a dog for the past half a year to make up some cash so I can work like a dog for the next few months on my house renovations... one thing I've always been short on in my life is time! I am really well intentioned, just not a high performer when it comes to getting those extra things done. Changing forum defaults makes forum upgrades take a bit longer, as new template updates need to have any changes re-done each upgrade (does that make sense?)

I actually started making a set of Carc smileys, but didn't get too far. I'm even toying with making all the Carc & expansion tiles available as smileys. That way, it would make it so much easier for people to discuss things that involve specific tiles, but I still need to test if it is practical.

Some of you are very aware that I've chosen a Simple Machines forum standard theme, the reason is simple: it takes far less time to update it than with custom forum themes. It's all about time for me. (of course if anyone is an smf theme expert, msg me!)

I would love to hear your suggestions, feel free to post em!

[Bixby]

Here is a suggestion of another nature. I am posting in this thread as I did not seea "suggestion box" thread.

How about a Board called marketplace where all trade and selling type posts could be placed? This could have been helpful for Paulman and possibly prevented the angst that ended up with him leaving which is very unfortunate. Of course, it would certainly be a Caveat Emptor section, but there has been a certain cottage community business that has grown up around Carcassonne and it would provide a place for all of those types of products and links.

Tile Bags
The Carcassonne Box
Custom Tile Sets
Official Carcassonne product that people are looking to sell or trade
Coordination of Spielbox orders (sometimes that occurs)
etc...

Just my two cents.

[Wishmaster]

Whilst we're on the subject, there's another two area that could be considered :

1) Other Games. An area to discuss non-Carcassonne games. Yes, I know it's a Carcassonne forum, but by it's very nature that means everyone here plays other games and we get to discuss them as well. Point in case is the recent 'Stone Age' discussion.

2) Other. Yep simply that. A forum to discuss anything that's off-topic. I belong to some other forums and this works pretty well. Bit like the above saying we are all gamers, but in this case, we are all human beings so all have other lives!!

And that's just my 2 pennies worth. 

[Novelty]

Heh, poor Gantry... he goes away and we make all sorts of suggestions...

[Bixby]

Whilst we're on the subject, there's another two area that could be considered :

1) Other Games. An area to discuss non-Carcassonne games. Yes, I know it's a Carcassonne forum, but by it's very nature that means everyone here plays other games and we get to discuss them as well. Point in case is the recent 'Stone Age' discussion.

2) Other. Yep simply that. A forum to discuss anything that's off-topic. I belong to some other forums and this works pretty well. Bit like the above saying we are all gamers, but in this case, we are all human beings so all have other lives!!

And that's just my 2 pennies worth. 

Nice suggestion. I just started a Formula De League and we had our first race of the Season. A whole boat full of awesome. I would certainly use this "Other Games" section for a post or two.

[Wishmaster]

Formula De league!! Yeeessssss!!! A goup of us played a season with it last year over about 8 different circuits. Fantastic game!!

(and I now rest my case  )

[Bixby]

I will use this thread as a repository for "Suggestion Box" type posts for the forums. A couple of quick questions?

Are there any features or add-ons to the forums that would allow user location to be displayedby their avatar? Even a country flag would be helpful. It is nice to see where everyone is from and that would be a great visual clue.

[canada steve]

Bixby yes I think there is the option to display peoples locations, whcih I agree is a great idea, but unfortunately there are people on this and other forums who like their anonimity and therefore do not use names, photos in their locations. I dont have a picture up as Im just too good looking !! but my name is Steve and my location is Chelmsford in the UK. On the main page their is a link to a google type map app which allows you to see where some of us are from but not many have used it.

[Novelty]

Im just too good looking !!

You can also see Steve's photo (which maybe a bit more than you bargained for) on his facebook page, in addition to a few other things.