upgrading the forum software - what would you like to see added?

hi all,

I'm working on a forum migration to move the site to a new forum software since the one we've been using since we started in 2015 isn't really being actively developed all that much lately. we'll be moving to flarum: https://flarum.org/

with that in mind, what features/functionality would you like to see in the new software that'll make your time on DFS more enjoyable and useful?


thanks!

Easier photo uploading. Maybe auto-resizing of photos or size options when adding a photo to a post.

More options when liking a post.

More options when liking a post.

Ditto to this liking or not liking . Maybe some emoji choices there if possible.

In no particular order:

- expanded list of options for post reactions ( more reaction types/emojis beyond likes )

- multiple view formats of thread posts ( from compact and terse single line list with partial info for quick scanning to an expanded format post feed like Instagram)

- Reply to single post with automatic (and atomic) quote of that post. Hitting reply to a single post in a thread would automatically include a quoted version of the single post (which could be edited) and Not retain that quote in subsequent posts to that thread or other threads.

- The ability to use some form of table layout in thread posts

- Integrated media storage for posts (realize that one comes with a cost)

- Expanded site format themes and or customization of themes

- Tagging system for content beyond username. Maybe less valuable and is often debated but possibly a hashtag or tag for content type. This could enable search of themes that cut across thread topics. e.g. tag a post with a particular set of themed topics and then search across the forum for all references to that tag, grouped by thread or thread categories. While traditional search can support some of this, tagging brings more intention and captures related conversations that might not get picked up in a simple text search. It can also be a challenging site management effort if any tag can be created by a forum member.

Ability to do Polls.

I have seen one once but I can't find that function.

I am also a fan of "down votes" or "dislikes". It makes disagreeing more gentlemanly.

Silly thing, but I think the smiling emoji on this platform sucks  . I mean, all the emojis suck honestly, but this guy bugs me more than the rest. He's too full of himself. Get a nice normal grinning guy please : ).

Easier photo uploading. Maybe auto-resizing of photos or size options when adding a photo to a post.

what would make it easier?

on our current system, the photos are automatically resized based on the screen size after they're uploaded to imgur.

I believe the new system will allow you to upload more than 1 photo at a time (probably to imgur again).

More options when liking a post.

there will definitely be more 'reactions' for posts.

More options when liking a post.

Ditto to this liking or not liking . Maybe some emoji choices there if possible.

see above

Silly thing, but I think the smiling emoji on this platform sucks  . I mean, all the emojis suck honestly, but this guy bugs me more than the rest. He's too full of himself. Get a nice normal grinning guy please : ).

yeah, the smilies/emojis are pretty dated. these will all be updated.

In no particular order:

- expanded list of options for post reactions ( more reaction types/emojis beyond likes )

- multiple view formats of thread posts ( from compact and terse single line list with partial info for quick scanning to an expanded format post feed like Instagram)

- Reply to single post with automatic (and atomic) quote of that post. Hitting reply to a single post in a thread would automatically include a quoted version of the single post (which could be edited) and Not retain that quote in subsequent posts to that thread or other threads.

- The ability to use some form of table layout in thread posts

- Integrated media storage for posts (realize that one comes with a cost)

- Expanded site format themes and or customization of themes

- Tagging system for content beyond username. Maybe less valuable and is often debated but possibly a hashtag or tag for content type. This could enable search of themes that cut across thread topics. e.g. tag a post with a particular set of themed topics and then search across the forum for all references to that tag, grouped by thread or thread categories. While traditional search can support some of this, tagging brings more intention and captures related conversations that might not get picked up in a simple text search. It can also be a challenging site management effort if any tag can be created by a forum member.

all fairly good ideas.

integrated media storage - do you mean like having your own attachment space? if we did this, as you mentioned, it would come at a cost. we'd probably allow for that at some smaller number (let's say 25mb) and then offer more if people were to subscribe for a yearly fee or something along those lines.

I can definitely say that I won't be supporting more than 1 theme. it's just too tedious and time consuming. there will be a dark version of the theme we'll be using, iirc.

tagging system - I do believe flarum natively supports tagging and hashtags.