New Forum over at DT.net

puppyonacid · October 15, 2013, 08:11:20 AM

I was on the DT site and had a look at the new forum.

I don't understand why it's there since this is pretty much the go to DT forum. Why didn't they just link to this site?

Just seems kinda silly to have an "unofficial" forum that's bigger than the official one. Not saying this place should go, but I don't see why they put one on the web site.

Ħ · October 15, 2013, 08:27:28 AM

I'm not sure why there haven't been arrangements to make this the official forum.

rumborak · October 15, 2013, 08:29:10 AM

Trust me, DTF really doesn't want to be the official forum. It means far more meddling in daily affairs than it's worth.

BlobVanDam · October 15, 2013, 08:32:56 AM

This forum is officially unofficial, which is sort of like especially special. I think it's for the better this way.

Prog Snob · October 15, 2013, 08:35:50 AM

I completely forgot about that forum.

Ben_Jamin · October 15, 2013, 08:36:09 AM

Quote from: rumborak on October 15, 2013, 08:29:10 AM
Trust me, DTF really doesn't want to be the official forum. It means far more meddling in daily affairs than it's worth.

But MP's not in the band anymore...

I don't really mind, cause if it continues people will come here making the site forum obselete so then the site snaps to either abandon the forum or consider at least linking this forum. Remember, this used to be the official site forum, then MP made the webmaster take forums off because of some unnecessary bashing.

Perpetual Change · October 15, 2013, 08:36:40 AM

I don't think it's new.

I don't think it's very active, either.

Orbert · October 15, 2013, 08:38:45 AM

I created an account on the new official forums when they went up, and discovered that they totally blow. Out of all the different forum software out there, much of which is free, they chose what is easily the worst I have ever seen.

Well-designed forum software should have certain features. I realize that not everyone uses all of these, but I use them all and consider each of them important, if not essential:

The ability to quickly see all threads you're currently following. Ideally, you should be able to "subscribe" to a thread, but at the very least, you should be able to see all the threads you've posted in. These are the conversations you're following.
The ability to go to the first New post in a thread, the first post that has been made since the last time you logged in. You should not have to scroll through pages of posts and try to find the last post you read and go from there.

Um, that's it. Not a huge list, and every forum I visit has both of these. It's always bugged me that we can't subscribe here, but there's "Show new replies to your posts" so I post something stupid and/or (hopefully) clever so I can follow certain threads I'm interested in. Not being able to go immediately to the first new post in a thread, however, is just stupid. A decision was made to create new official DT forums, someone was charged with finding the best software, and this is what they chose?

puppyonacid · October 15, 2013, 08:42:02 AM

I remember them closing the forums at DT.net. I also am aware that this forum basically came about for that reason.

Weren't they originally closed because of the reaction to ToT?

I get what you're saying though about not being official. Keepin' it indy!

Ben_Jamin · October 15, 2013, 08:43:57 AM

Quote from: Perpetual Change on October 15, 2013, 08:36:40 AM
I don't think it's new.

I don't think it's very active, either.

Its not very active, which is why I don't see the point anymore since this is THE place for DT info.

Ben_Jamin · October 15, 2013, 08:46:44 AM

Quote from: puppyonacid on October 15, 2013, 08:42:02 AM
I remember them closing the forums at DT.net. I also am aware that this forum basically came about for that reason.

Weren't they originally closed because of the reaction to ToT?

I get what you're saying though about not being official. Keepin' it indy!

It was after 8vm was released. I remember cause that's when I joined, for like a few months then it shut down...I'm glad I found the community again.

bosk1 · October 15, 2013, 09:03:52 AM

It isn't a "new" forum. It has been there since ADTOE was released. And, FYI, my understanding is that it is basically run by Road Runner, so the band does not really have much direct input into how it is set up or run.

Quote from: puppyonacid on October 15, 2013, 08:42:02 AMWeren't they originally closed because of the reaction to ToT?

No. Here's the basic story: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=32366.msg1304192#msg1304192

puppyonacid · October 16, 2013, 02:02:30 AM

Thanks bosk. Quite an interesting read actually. I had no idea that the 5/8 forum came about that way. I've never even been on there.

If you would allow me a moment of ass kissing though........It's really only just dawned on me how open and yet focused this forum is. I love DT obviously but what keeps me reading here is the general level of intelligence, open mindedness and good humour present on these forums. This is something that I don't really see too much on other music forums. Reading that this was by design as much as anything, and the fact that you have achieved that, I guess must go to show how well you guys run this place.

So, good job! I'm very happy to be here.

Viking of the Sagas · October 16, 2013, 02:43:15 AM

See there, a little bit of history helps people understand the present!

Sycsa · October 16, 2013, 02:44:28 AM

I was surprised by some of the stuff I saw on the 5/8 forums. I guess the relationship is still tight.

https://www.fiveeightforums.com/threads/dtfers-say-the-darndest-things.91227/page-25

puppyonacid · October 16, 2013, 02:55:21 AM

I can't figure out what i'm reading there. There seems to be no continuity in that discussion.

Viking of the Sagas · October 16, 2013, 03:05:07 AM

That forum is full of trolls, seems to me.

hefdaddy42 · October 16, 2013, 03:49:45 AM

ENOUGH about that forum.

puppyonacid · October 16, 2013, 04:05:57 AM

Are we not friends with them?

Viking of the Sagas · October 16, 2013, 04:48:36 AM

...officially.

SuperTaco · October 16, 2013, 06:15:34 AM

Quote from: Viking of the Sagas on October 16, 2013, 03:05:07 AM
That forum is full of trolls, seems to me.

That place has a whole lot of negative energy. It feels like a haven for those who relieve their real life stresses by trolling online. I mean this in a factual way, not an insulting way. Of course, they aren't all like that.

This will always be the official forum to me. The leadership bred a culture, and the culture has been upheld. It's a comfortable place to have a logical discussion about Dream Theater (And anything else).

Sycsa · October 16, 2013, 07:03:11 AM

Quote from: puppyonacid on October 16, 2013, 02:55:21 AM
I can't figure out what i'm reading there. There seems to be no continuity in that discussion.

The point of the thread is to put in posts from this site and make fun of them.

Orbert · October 16, 2013, 07:12:04 AM

Well, we do say the darndest things.

TAC · October 16, 2013, 07:24:31 AM

Thank you to Bosk and everyone else involved. I remember it was a crazy time.

OsMosis2259 · October 16, 2013, 08:44:36 AM

Brought back a lot of memories...I remembered the split and was getting all confused at the time

Good to be here!

hefdaddy42 · October 16, 2013, 08:55:57 AM

Quote from: puppyonacid on October 16, 2013, 04:05:57 AM
Are we not friends with them?

We can be. There are certainly lots of cool members there, whom I miss.

But every time anything gets posted about them here, some people here go over the line with their opinion of that site and how they hate it, and it gets out of hand and I'm just tired of it.

Go there or don't go there, but please don't talk about it here.

Sycsa · October 16, 2013, 09:07:54 AM

But that's just like, your personal opinion, right? Not a moderator ruling or a forum rule.

Orbert · October 16, 2013, 09:12:25 AM

Hef is a moderator, and he has expressed his opinion. Even if it were not an "official rule" it still makes sense to pay it some heed.

Besides, it also makes perfect sense. We have an opportunity here to take the high road.

Sycsa · October 16, 2013, 09:34:51 AM

I'm a little uncomfortable with the idea of censoring topics, other than illegal activities. Of course I'm not advocating bashing and flame baiting, those are forbidden anyway, but the idea in and of itself bothers me.

hefdaddy42 · October 16, 2013, 09:55:47 AM

It's not an official forum rule.

But don't do it. For my sake, if nothing else.

bosk1 · October 16, 2013, 11:59:18 AM

To summarize the post I linked to earlier, as well as another helpful post on the subject, and to make it easier to find, I consolidated the history of the site in its own thread in the Rules and Annoucements section here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=39518.0

bosk1 · October 16, 2013, 12:06:13 PM

Oh, and...

Quote from: puppyonacid on October 16, 2013, 02:02:30 AMIf you would allow me a moment of ass kissing though........

Permission granted.

But seriously, thanks. No place is perfect, and the guy who runs this one (aka, me) definitely isn't. But I do my best. I definitely make mistakes sometimes, and fully admit that the way I run this place is sure to not please everybody. But, it runs close to how I want it to, and the members of Dream Theater are happy enough with this site that they were not only willing to do an Internet chat with all of you, but were genuinely enthusiastic about doing it. So at the end of the day, I think we can all be satisfied with the result.

RoeDent · October 16, 2013, 12:31:08 PM

Really fascinating read, that. I understand now why I've seen a bit of mild "bashing" (if that's the right term) of that other place on rare occasions.

Lucien · October 16, 2013, 03:41:00 PM

lolwut

Shadow Ninja 2.0 · October 16, 2013, 03:43:37 PM

Dude edit that now.

News:

New Forum over at DT.net