how long have you been here?

I'm your friendly neighbourhood derailer! (Am I'm one of the honest ones!)

(May 9, 2018 at 9:16 pm)*Deidre* Wrote:

(May 9, 2018 at 8:16 pm)KevinM1 Wrote: I like the idea, but implementation isn’t as simple as flipping a switch.  It would require either installing new prepackaged software (I’m not sure how well WordPress (ewwww) can handle potentially hundreds of users logging in), or writing some custom software.  And then theming it to look more or less like the forum.

In any event, it’s something that would take some time and/or money to do.

Not saying it’s impossible, just that it’s likely a bigger ask than most people realize.  At least, if it’s done right.

Yea, not sure of the logistics of it all, so if it's too much to add that separate feature like ''chat,'' the thread option works, and all that would be required is a subforum to be created. 

The shoutbox in MyBB is, I believe, an integral part of the forum software. No extra programming steps necessary. Moros Synackaon did, IIRC, program a plugin which gave access to a standard IRC web client as a chat function, but a) that required a good bit of work on Moros Synackaon's part, and b) even then, was not provided by the forum software itself but by an external chat client. Currently, chat functionality beyond the shoutbox is provided solely by an external app, and the 'chat' link on the forum web page only provides an informational text box advising the user how to access it.

So there is little support for chat functions in the forum software, and my observation is that it is seldom used. I don't know if there exist blog plugins for the MyBB forum software, and I haven't looked, but if there isn't, then I suspect the only reasonable way to provide such functionality would be to appeal to an app that is separate from the forum like the Slack app is used for chat now. Somehow, I don't think this is what you're looking for with respect to member blogs.

I will point out that we do have a convert's corner section of the forum which hosts member stories of their trip to atheism, and that is somewhat blog-like.

D, what if there's a rule that's put in concrete treating any persons' threads under a new "blogs" category like the introductions threads...

A little more work for mods ... but doable.

(May 10, 2018 at 1:44 pm)Jörmungandr Wrote:

(May 9, 2018 at 9:16 pm)*Deidre* Wrote: Yea, not sure of the logistics of it all, so if it's too much to add that separate feature like ''chat,'' the thread option works, and all that would be required is a subforum to be created. 

The shoutbox in MyBB is, I believe, an integral part of the forum software.  No extra programming steps necessary.  Moros Synackaon did, IIRC, program a plugin which gave access to a standard IRC web client as a chat function, but a) that required a good bit of work on Moros Synackaon's part, and b) even then, was not provided by the forum software itself but by an external chat client.  Currently, chat functionality beyond the shoutbox is provided solely by an external app, and the 'chat' link on the forum web page only provides an informational text box advising the user how to access it.

So there is little support for chat functions in the forum software, and my observation is that it is seldom used.  I don't know if there exist blog plugins for the MyBB forum software, and I haven't looked, but if there isn't, then I suspect the only reasonable way to provide such functionality would be to appeal to an app that is separate from the forum like the Slack app is used for chat now.  Somehow, I don't think this is what you're looking for with respect to member blogs.

I will point out that we do have a convert's corner section of the forum which hosts member stories of their trip to atheism, and that is somewhat blog-like.

Yea, it'd be a more convenient option then to have a subforum marked ''Member blogs'' or ''Member Journals'' and then people could start their thread and have the thread itself act as their personal blog. And the blog could read like a diary of sorts, or status updates like FB. Thanks for sharing all of that, I didn't realize the logistics of it all.

I LOVE this idea. I would for sure do one. I think just a section called blogs would be good enough. It wouldn't need anything special at all. Just make a thread "capn awesome's blog" and write a long ass post and everything else would be comments. It would be sweet. Jst need the subsection.

(May 10, 2018 at 10:12 pm)CapnAwesome Wrote: I LOVE this idea. I would for sure do one. I think just a section called blogs would be good enough. It wouldn't need anything special at all. Just make a thread "capn awesome's blog" and write a long ass post and everything else would be comments. It would be sweet. Jst need the subsection.

Agree! It would be really fun. And every new entry, let's say you want to update it...then, you just post that at the top of the page.

This would be way easier than adding the separate feature.

(May 10, 2018 at 10:19 pm)*Deidre* Wrote:

(May 10, 2018 at 10:12 pm)CapnAwesome Wrote: I LOVE this idea. I would for sure do one. I think just a section called blogs would be good enough. It wouldn't need anything special at all. Just make a thread "capn awesome's blog" and write a long ass post and everything else would be comments. It would be sweet. Jst need the subsection.

Agree! It would be really fun. And every new entry, let's say you want to update it...then, you just post that at the top of the page.

This would be way easier than adding the separate feature.

You two are cute.

Now I want to rub your bellies and give you treats!

One thing I really like about this idea is that while I know a great deal about the opinions of the people on here, generally I only know small bits and pieces about their lives. I'd love to read what people are up to.

(May 10, 2018 at 6:02 pm)ignoramus Wrote: D, what if there's a rule that's put in concrete treating any persons' threads under a new "blogs" category like the introductions threads...

A little more work for mods ... but doable.

That'd be great! Not that healthy debates and discussions couldn't ensue, but treating it like the intro section would make it a bit more welcoming to potential new bloggers. 

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(May 10, 2018 at 10:21 pm)The Valkyrie Wrote:

(May 10, 2018 at 10:19 pm)*Deidre* Wrote: Agree! It would be really fun. And every new entry, let's say you want to update it...then, you just post that at the top of the page.

This would be way easier than adding the separate feature.

You two are cute.

Now I want to rub your bellies and give you treats!

(May 10, 2018 at 10:21 pm)The Valkyrie Wrote:

(May 10, 2018 at 10:19 pm)*Deidre* Wrote: Agree! It would be really fun. And every new entry, let's say you want to update it...then, you just post that at the top of the page.

This would be way easier than adding the separate feature.

You two are cute.

Now I want to rub your bellies and give you treats!

My belly is hairy, like bear.