07-24-2008, 03:34 PM
The idea of Eyeballking is indeed interesting and to keep in mind. But it is about the 'way' of bringing our message(s) to our customers.
First thing, in my opinion, is the analysis. In what way(s) can we make things better? (But they were already good??! Isn't it?
)
Now, suppose you are (rather) new. How do you arrive here, at the Midnight Mansion Forums? The most obvious way is, coming from ActionSoft's Midnight Mansion website.
Okay. In the upper left corner of the MMF homepage the Newbie sees:
That doesn't feel good. Guests are clearly supposed to be able to read all information and downloading all custom mansions WITHOUT any need to login or register. (A request from Vern.) I don't know if we, admins, are able to change this text. I'll try to check it out.
Why is a MM-player visting MMF?
1° Downloading custom mansions.
2° Reading of and searching in the posts.
3° Asking questions or making posts in general.
4° Uploading mansions.
Only for point 3° it is necessary to login or register. I know from at least one listed custom mansion of which the designer never was registered! So, even for point 4°, you do not need to login or register.
I think that the currently most important mistake is, that after clicking on the 'Forums'-tab at ActionSoft's MM-site, one is immediately directed to the MMF-site. For the sake of all Newbies there should be 'something' in between.
At least I'am thinking of the major fork between:
a) going to the homepage for MM-players who want to read or post;
b) going straight to the custom mansions.
For that 'missing link' I have a few ideas. About a) here could come all the needed information about registering, posting etc. And b) would feel perfect if there should be a complete list of all custom mansions and clicking on e.g. 'A Curious Observatory' should start the downloading of it. Or should we ask Vern for an extra tab that links to the custom mansions?
Brings me finally back to the upper left corner of our MMF homepage. If the page between the 'Forums'-tab and our MMF homepage is complete and clear enough, then we may use this free space to inform all guests (including our members) about the attendence of the administrators.
This may be the right moment to appologize me (us) for forgetting to show that info at the current place. :-[ Going on holidays is almost always shown, but abscence because of busy-busy-busy or illness has too often forgotten. Guilty as charged. :
At last, and not least, also a word about Eyeballking's idea. Speaking only for myself, I think we must avoid to bring stuff in it, that is already in the Tutorial. So, no objection at all against the idea, but before an Info-mansion got created, we, members, need to know for sure about what to put in it.
Comments please-please-please!
First thing, in my opinion, is the analysis. In what way(s) can we make things better? (But they were already good??! Isn't it?
)Now, suppose you are (rather) new. How do you arrive here, at the Midnight Mansion Forums? The most obvious way is, coming from ActionSoft's Midnight Mansion website.
Okay. In the upper left corner of the MMF homepage the Newbie sees:
Welcome guest. Please login or register.Hmmm.
That doesn't feel good. Guests are clearly supposed to be able to read all information and downloading all custom mansions WITHOUT any need to login or register. (A request from Vern.) I don't know if we, admins, are able to change this text. I'll try to check it out.Why is a MM-player visting MMF?
1° Downloading custom mansions.
2° Reading of and searching in the posts.
3° Asking questions or making posts in general.
4° Uploading mansions.
Only for point 3° it is necessary to login or register. I know from at least one listed custom mansion of which the designer never was registered! So, even for point 4°, you do not need to login or register.
I think that the currently most important mistake is, that after clicking on the 'Forums'-tab at ActionSoft's MM-site, one is immediately directed to the MMF-site. For the sake of all Newbies there should be 'something' in between.
At least I'am thinking of the major fork between:
a) going to the homepage for MM-players who want to read or post;
b) going straight to the custom mansions.
For that 'missing link' I have a few ideas. About a) here could come all the needed information about registering, posting etc. And b) would feel perfect if there should be a complete list of all custom mansions and clicking on e.g. 'A Curious Observatory' should start the downloading of it. Or should we ask Vern for an extra tab that links to the custom mansions?
Brings me finally back to the upper left corner of our MMF homepage. If the page between the 'Forums'-tab and our MMF homepage is complete and clear enough, then we may use this free space to inform all guests (including our members) about the attendence of the administrators.
This may be the right moment to appologize me (us) for forgetting to show that info at the current place. :-[ Going on holidays is almost always shown, but abscence because of busy-busy-busy or illness has too often forgotten. Guilty as charged. :
At last, and not least, also a word about Eyeballking's idea. Speaking only for myself, I think we must avoid to bring stuff in it, that is already in the Tutorial. So, no objection at all against the idea, but before an Info-mansion got created, we, members, need to know for sure about what to put in it.
Comments please-please-please!