Canonfire and the Newbie "situation" - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Canonfire and the Newbie "situation"

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Gnarley_Woodsman
Jul 09, 2003 10:15:15 I have started this thread for those who wish to continue discussing the ability or inability of Canonfire to attract and hold the attention of the "newbie" Greyhawk player.

I will reiterate one more time. I have always and will continue to hold the upmost respect for the Canonfire website. I will continue to visit the site and utilize it's resources as long as it is up and running.

What the "Newbies" need is a "Primer to Greyhawk" website. Something to "whet thier whitle". It needs to have slightly more detail that the Greyhak gazateer, but not enough to overwhelm the newer gamer. I personally thing it's a grand idea. If I can help it I will.
#2
grodog
Jul 09, 2003 18:35:51 Thanks G_W :D

My main point in posting here is to say that I've forwarded a link to this discussion to the CF! admin team, because I'm concerned about the perception/image that CF! isn't open to newbies. Regardless of whether that's accurate or not (in your opinion, my opinion, or Delgath's opinion) that perception is something that I consider a problem. A problem to be solved

I'm also not interested in derailing this discussion about the new web site too much. So, if folks would like me to open a new thread to discuss how CF! isn't serving GH newbies, I'll happily do so. It just seems to flow naturally from the given discussion, though, so I'm posting here for now.

That's what I wrote in the Our Greyhawk Fansite.... thread, in which I raised some points which, in retrospect, while good-intentioned attempts to remain on topic for newbies and CF!, simply helped the derailment.

So, one of the ideas we've talked about in our CF! editorial meetings before has been to create an intro and overview of Greyhawk, in terms of the general setting and its publishing history. I'm not sure if that's exactly the kind of newbie content that folks feel is lacking?

Please chime in, speak up, and otherwise let the CF! staff know about how we can make the site more newbie-friendly, user-friendly, etc.
#3
Gnarley_Woodsman
Jul 09, 2003 19:01:02 Thanks Grodog-

Delglath also started a thread about the same time, and it's pretty much already taken off.

Whereas your comments in my opinion did not derail that topic. It was the subsequent posts that really started the downward spiral.

I do have to say that your attention and willingness to provide this information to CF is outstanding.
#4
grodog
Jul 09, 2003 21:33:47 Sorry, I must have missed Delgath's thread. Perhaps we should move this over there?
#5
zombiegleemax
Jul 09, 2003 23:14:40 Ah, me an Delglath already killed that thread. Anyhow, I can't wait to see what comes of the suggestion Grodog. CF has always been a navigation nightmare ;) but since the switch to PHPnuke, its gotten a little more . . . I dunno, tricky. I know that nuke is a designers dream in some ways but I'm just not pleased with how many large sites turn out with nuke. Maybe that's just my personal preference (or non preference as it is). I know alot of people who like the new site though so I think I'm rather in the vocal minority here. Don't go fixing what isn't broken. Especially not on the account of what may amount to be only a few people.
#6
grodog
Jul 10, 2003 10:28:19 Well, this isn't the first time that the complaints have been raised that a) CF! isn't newbie friendly, and b) that CF!'s UI usability could be improved.

So, fire up the comments folks: be specific if you can, by listing exact URLs where you see problems, etc.
#7
chatdemon
Jul 10, 2003 12:26:48 For the record, Canonfire has always been a PostNuke site. We simply upgraded to a newer version and abandoned our customized "parchment" theme recently.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Gnarley_Woodsman Jul 09, 2003 10:15:15	I have started this thread for those who wish to continue discussing the ability or inability of Canonfire to attract and hold the attention of the "newbie" Greyhawk player. I will reiterate one more time. I have always and will continue to hold the upmost respect for the Canonfire website. I will continue to visit the site and utilize it's resources as long as it is up and running. What the "Newbies" need is a "Primer to Greyhawk" website. Something to "whet thier whitle". It needs to have slightly more detail that the Greyhak gazateer, but not enough to overwhelm the newer gamer. I personally thing it's a grand idea. If I can help it I will.
#2 grodog Jul 09, 2003 18:35:51	Thanks G_W :D My main point in posting here is to say that I've forwarded a link to this discussion to the CF! admin team, because I'm concerned about the perception/image that CF! isn't open to newbies. Regardless of whether that's accurate or not (in your opinion, my opinion, or Delgath's opinion) that perception is something that I consider a problem. A problem to be solved I'm also not interested in derailing this discussion about the new web site too much. So, if folks would like me to open a new thread to discuss how CF! isn't serving GH newbies, I'll happily do so. It just seems to flow naturally from the given discussion, though, so I'm posting here for now. That's what I wrote in the Our Greyhawk Fansite.... thread, in which I raised some points which, in retrospect, while good-intentioned attempts to remain on topic for newbies and CF!, simply helped the derailment. So, one of the ideas we've talked about in our CF! editorial meetings before has been to create an intro and overview of Greyhawk, in terms of the general setting and its publishing history. I'm not sure if that's exactly the kind of newbie content that folks feel is lacking? Please chime in, speak up, and otherwise let the CF! staff know about how we can make the site more newbie-friendly, user-friendly, etc.
#3 Gnarley_Woodsman Jul 09, 2003 19:01:02	Thanks Grodog- Delglath also started a thread about the same time, and it's pretty much already taken off. Whereas your comments in my opinion did not derail that topic. It was the subsequent posts that really started the downward spiral. I do have to say that your attention and willingness to provide this information to CF is outstanding.
#4 grodog Jul 09, 2003 21:33:47	Sorry, I must have missed Delgath's thread. Perhaps we should move this over there?
#5 zombiegleemax Jul 09, 2003 23:14:40	Ah, me an Delglath already killed that thread. Anyhow, I can't wait to see what comes of the suggestion Grodog. CF has always been a navigation nightmare ;) but since the switch to PHPnuke, its gotten a little more . . . I dunno, tricky. I know that nuke is a designers dream in some ways but I'm just not pleased with how many large sites turn out with nuke. Maybe that's just my personal preference (or non preference as it is). I know alot of people who like the new site though so I think I'm rather in the vocal minority here. Don't go fixing what isn't broken. Especially not on the account of what may amount to be only a few people.
#6 grodog Jul 10, 2003 10:28:19	Well, this isn't the first time that the complaints have been raised that a) CF! isn't newbie friendly, and b) that CF!'s UI usability could be improved. So, fire up the comments folks: be specific if you can, by listing exact URLs where you see problems, etc.
#7 chatdemon Jul 10, 2003 12:26:48	For the record, Canonfire has always been a PostNuke site. We simply upgraded to a newer version and abandoned our customized "parchment" theme recently.