This software sucks!

[Nebulous]

I often see people frustrated and exclaiming "This software sucks!" when they can't figure out how install, edit and operate things. How about instead of blaming the software itself, take the time to learn and figure out what you're doing wrong? Seems everyone wants instant gratification these days. Why take the plunge into running a forum yourself if you refuse to be patient and learn all the in's & out's?

 

[Kirito]

Often it's not even that. Sometimes they don't like the "feel" of it. Idk, I don't get it. I've been on all major forum softwares and they're all decent, maybe IPB is a tad on the heavy side if the admins installed many plugins but that's it really.

 

[Nebulous]

Often it's not even that. Sometimes they don't like the "feel" of it.

Those are the type of admins who convert their forum to each software out there in a short time span because they can't figure out what they like. They end up alienating and frustrating their members and eventually losing them in the process. Admins shouldn't impose big changes back to back like that. Space em' out.

 

[Jazzy]

Those are the type of admins who convert their forum to each software out there in a short time span because they can't figure out what they like.  They end up alienating and frustrating their members and eventually losing them in the process.  Admins shouldn't impose big changes back to back like that.  Space em' out.

I know an Admin that changed software at least three times in a very short period of time. A big problem was that the forum content didn't convert over to the new software. Everyone lost all their posts and threads they had. Not once, not twice but three times. Each time the forum was reinvented with new software, less and less members were willing to return. Now there are only couple of members posting.

That Admin has lost credibility in my eyes and I would never join their forum.

 

[Nebulous]

^ Sounds like he was running a science experiment, not a community.

 

[~KAGE-008]

If someone has zero knowledge of how a software works, well. He/she shouldn't be running a forum in the first place.

 

[Nebulous]

If someone has zero knowledge of how a software works, well. He/she shouldn't be running a forum in the first place.

It's a good idea for new admins (even experienced admins) to have a private test board handy for learning and experimenting purposes.

 

[CommanderMadi]

Many online community admins think that they are just going to install the forums, post few articles in each category so there is nothing empty and then sit and expect the audience to flow to your forums. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way at all. The community software literacy doesn't only depend on your tests on localhosts for example but it mainly depends on continuous practice of how to use the software properly and how often you keep yourself updated to the latest features, updates and releases.

Before you just go spend a hundred bucks on a paid forum software, pay for hosting, domain and most probably "A forum theme", you just have to make sure that you will be determined and committed to work as hard as you can to take your forum off. You must entirely and completely believe in the niche you are creating the forum for. You must conduct heavy researches and feasibility studies, check how many people around the web have the potential to be interested in your niche and then take the decision of either launching the forum or not.