How can the forums be made better for DefCon?

[TheCotMan]

This has been suggested quite a few times in the past. I'm not entirely sure why it has never been implemented, though.

My suggestion: Fix the search button in the toolbar so it isn't all uppercase. We wouldn't tolerate it in a forum post, and we shouldn't have to tolerate that eyesore every time we visit.

The change to the search link is a recent one. There was desire to draw attention to the search link and this was being tested. Another idea that was suggested by another mod was to mute the other navbar links, and brighten the search link. Many ideas have been discussed to draw attention to the search link, including use of blink.

Do you have other ideas that can be used to draw attention to the search link at the top, in the navagation bar?

[converge]

I think the fact that it is an eyesore means we totally accomplished what we wanted to do without any drastic measures ... go CotMan!

[TheCotMan]

I think the fact that it is an eyesore means we totally accomplished what we wanted to do without any drastic measures ... go CotMan!

Heh. I don't have my heart set on the all caps; if a better idea is found, I'm ready to test it instead. The preliminary work for the muted/bright suggestion has been done, and that is possible. It is only a question what is desired.

[bascule]

Heh. I don't have my heart set on the all caps; if a better idea is found, I'm ready to test it instead. The preliminary work for the muted/bright suggestion has been done, and that is possible. It is only a question what is desired.

Sounds good to me. Just make all the other links #CCCCCC or #888888 or something...

[TheCotMan]

This has been suggested quite a few times in the past.

Yep. I am one of those people that suggested it wayyy back when. :-)

I'm not entirely sure why it has never been implemented, though.

Time, planning and feasability.
In the forums, there is no pre-built "add a test for users to complete correctly before they can become a member."
I've thought about this. One idea I had was to have the e-mail verification send the user a URL to a test web page, and have that URL contain an encrypted copy of their Account activation ID as part of a HTTP-GET based submission, and abuse cookie information to cross check before loading a testing web page, and if their results are "correct" then decrypt their activation code, and use a META redirect to the activation URL with activation ID.
This has many problems. First, I'm lazy. The rest don't really matter, but they include high risk for failure on upgrade, and reliance on code and/or API and cookie format that is subject to change.

I think I have a new idea on how to abuse the forum's software to make a "test" possible, and work to decrease spamming attacks and rule violations by new users.

It is simple, easy, and should work well through upgrades with little or no effort.

If the mods like the idea, you'll hear more. If not, you won't. (It may take 1 or 2 months before a decision is made and implemented.)

My suggestion: Fix the search button in the toolbar so it isn't all uppercase.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL UPPERCASE?
Oh. Sorry. I was yelling there. ;-)

Converge's idea from weeks back, that was encouraged here has been implemented. Other navbar links are less bright while "Search" is white. Let's see how it works.

[TheCotMan]

:-)

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. Decisions will be made by the mods, and anything that is approved will be implemented.

Instead of having an ongoing todo list that is never completed, we'll finish this one out, and then consider starting a new one.

If/when a new todo list is created there may be future opportunity to submit more suggestions.

Thanks for participating!