Yodariquo said:

I'm looking at implementing a fixed signature dimensional size limit (primarily height).  I want feedback on how this should be handled.

Do you want it to be a community-based thing where we generally ignore it and let it go as long as nobody complains?

Should there be an enforced strict limit?  If so, how should this be done, there are a few ways:
1 - Anything that extends past the height limit is simply hidden
2 - Anything that extends past the height limit scrolls in a box the size of the height limit
3 - No programmable implementation and enforced by contacting the user

There are pros and cons to all.  I like 1) from an aesthetic perspective, but it makes moderation harder because it's exploitable (hide a tonne of crap underneathe the barrier to cause loading issues). I like 2) as you get to see all the content, but it's a little ugly and makes scrolling through a page annoying. 3) is more flexible and community oriented, but can get more personal and leaves gaps in time where users can be bothered.

I want to put this before everyone before going ahead with any changes.

For reasons you clearly already understand an enforced limit is preferable.

I would say that in the signaure upload area you specify the limits and reject anything that doesn't fit that criteria (if there is a way to do that).  For existing members, if any are out of compliance, just make a post in this thread telling them the change in policy and scale the current ones.  If it is less work, drop them a PM.

As for limits, I'd use other sites as a guide, I'm not aware of what they are off the cuff.

aspro said:

Suggestion; What about a chat room? It would be particularly useful for event discussion (like e3 and TGS keynotes), co-ordinating podcasts, MMA events etc...

It might cannibalize ggweekly though, and I'm sure it is not technically a cinch to pull off (and may be a bandwidth hog for the server).

Variations on the idea have been considered.  If I were to do it, I'd write my own so it wouldn't be as bad as off-the-shelf though site load is definitely an issue with background JavaScript calls happening all the time.  But my main concern is actually not really so much cannibilizing GG Weekly, but not having the paper trail as it were.  We want people to come by and see all the content, as well as search spiders to pick it up as well.  Not that it's out of the question, just putting the concerns out there.

That said, some of the ideas were the basic embedding, obviously, but also being able to include one in a PM, for example, for a private chat -- a sort of instant messenger, as it were.  An alternative was also a comprimise, which is background detecting new comments so you don't have to refresh the whole page.

And thinking now, perhaps a variation on that, which would allow you to go into "Chat mode".  Everything would still be visible in the forum completely normally, but also have the option of switching to a windowed mode where it automatically loads new messages.  This one I like.

The main idea does stem from the big events, though, you're right.

aspro said:

So anyway, I was wondering if we could start a new forum called "Game Tips and Strategies" (or similar) with each thread being for a game.  The main motivation being to increase traffic, but maybe it would help out our current community as well.

As acting admin, I look at things more in terms of organization and management, and this works for me as it filters out threads that come across as spam-ish in other forums because it's not really a discussion thread, and consequently on the side, those topics get ignored in the fray because people aren't there for that.

The only issue I have is whether or not there would be enough participation, or if it would just sit relatively idly.  That said, it caters to a different market, because now you're not arguing or anything, but trying to solve a problem.

I think this is one where we need more input.  Would anyone here use this?  Do you think you'd ask questions in a Gaming Help board, and would you go there and answer?

Yodariquo said:

I've created GGWeeklyBar, a Firefox toolbar that lets you submit GG Weekly articles directly from the browser without having to be on the site (though you do have to be logged in).  It autofills the title and link when the page loads.

Awesome! That makes news posting a whole lot easier.

Yodariquo said:

aspro said:

So anyway, I was wondering if we could start a new forum called "Game Tips and Strategies" (or similar) with each thread being for a game.  The main motivation being to increase traffic, but maybe it would help out our current community as well.

As acting admin, I look at things more in terms of organization and management, and this works for me as it filters out threads that come across as spam-ish in other forums because it's not really a discussion thread, and consequently on the side, those topics get ignored in the fray because people aren't there for that.

The only issue I have is whether or not there would be enough participation, or if it would just sit relatively idly.  That said, it caters to a different market, because now you're not arguing or anything, but trying to solve a problem.

I think this is one where we need more input.  Would anyone here use this?  Do you think you'd ask questions in a Gaming Help board, and would you go there and answer?

I agree. I went driving 6 hours today (for good purpose) and really wondered about if the community would support this, or if it would end up a forum ghost town with nothing but posts from me. I don't know how many of our actives visit this thread, so I'll reflect on this more and whether or not to ask this in a more public arena to see if we can get support from the heavy hitters (in terms of game completion) like Vader.

aspro said:

How do I add it. When I search for addons in firefox ggweeklybar doesn't come up.

I followed Yoda's link, put a check in the box saying,"Let me install this experimental add-on," and then added it to Firefox.