The future of Non League UK!!!

[Guest]

Hi Folks,

 

I am seriously contemplating as to the future direction of Non League UK, so I urge you to read through this message, digest, and think about it, as I have always considered the site to belong to the users.

 

***New Forum Software***

 

Infopop (who produce the forum software), released the final version of their advanced Threads software a couple of days ago. As a result I hope to have a final testing area, that will be open to everyone, available during this weekend (8/9th June).

 

There will be a slight learning curve in the new software, as one or two features are different, but I will give as much assistance as possible in this.

 

The biggest disadvantage is that you will loose the ability to have both a login name and a public name - in fact your public name will no longer exist however this is due to either be resolved in a forthcoming release of the software or I hope to introduce a 'hack' that will enable you to change your name. I will however be able to change the names on a manual basis, but this will be a slow process, and will be as time allows.

 

However despite this there are many advantages, which of course includes threads. More on these features, when I get the public preview forums up later this weekend.

 

***The future***

 

You may have noticed a survey in this forum on the future of Non League UK - http://www.nonleague.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000032 , it would be VERY helpful if as many of you as possible could complete this short survey. This will tell me as to which features you like / dislike about the site.

 

The reason behind the survey is that whilst I would love to have all the results / reports / tables etc., from around the Non League scene, I simply do not have enough time to search out all the information and update all the sections of the site. Therefore unless a) the majority of people want them or some people are prepared to help out - these sections will have to go Of course this is not what I want, but I have to be realistic.

 

A few of you are aware that I suffer from ME or CFS (as it is now known), this has a major impact on my activities at times, and one of my own failings is biting off too much that I can chew - this is where I find myself now. The forums will always remain, and I hope grow, but in order for the rest of the site to grow I need your help.

 

As any webmaster will tell you their site needs virtually daily attention, and the people that run your club sites give up many hours of their free time to run the site. Of course this site is no exception. Despite all the many hours they put into the sites, they also get a lot of satisfaction from them.

 

If you would like to get involved then please let me know - it might be on a daily basis, or it might be on a far less frequent basis, but whatever the level, you will not need to be a genius at web design - in fact if you can cope with the forums here, you will find our other software just as easy. I regret that I cannot pay you, but with nearly 2 million hits in April, you never know <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

Please give it some thought - but I will not be offended if no one wants these other sections - the problem comes when everyone wants them, but no one is prepared to help!

 

Please fill in the short survey (5 simple questions) at http://www.nonleague.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000032 and let us know in that thread as to your thoughts on the site.

 

This topic will be closed, as to avoid comments in two threads. A copy of this message has been sent out to all members, that allow us to send information.

 

Regards,

 

Ian.

Non League UK

 

T. 0845 345 8888

F. 0870 458 1213

[Guest]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by admin:

<strong>The biggest disadvantage is that you will loose the ability to have both a login name and a public name - in fact your public name will no longer exist however this is due to either be resolved in a forthcoming release of the software or I hope to introduce a 'hack' that will enable you to change your name. I will however be able to change the names on a manual basis, but this will be a slow process, and will be as time allows.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Further to this, I have now put a hack togther, whereby all moderators will be able to change usernames to that of someones choosing. This will mean that for the first few days you will have your displayed name as your login name, we will be able to change both to a name of your choosing - you will then have a new login name, but your post count, PM's etc., will all be kept. This will still be a manual process though - but one that can be shared out amongst several.

 

The test / demo site will be live later today.

 

Regards,

 

Ian