• this world is not my home

To do list:

• Buy domain name and pay for hosting the website. The first year is paid for.
• Install forum software and database. Configure.
• Install add-ons for desired functionality.
• Set up member groups and their permissions - guest, registered, admin. No moderators yet, but as the site grows...
• Install and set up spam filter...I had one installed, but it doesn't work well...still looking.
• Finish making new theme and put it into production, making sure all functions work with the theme.
• Create and upload custom forum graphic(s).
• Create sitemap.xml and submit to Google for future crawling.
• Write/adapt user agreement, aka site rules.
• Write "About us" page and post
• Remove calendar link
• Make and upload member rank images
• Write and edit member titles.
• Get better smilies and upload them.
• Fix the "Font Size/Font Face" labeling mix up in the input box selection panel.
• Set up basic categories for posting. These can be changed later.
• Turn globe and forum title into links to home page.

If you think of things you would like to add, or bugs that you find, please post in this topic and I'll do what I can when I have time. I am still adding to the list as well as trying to cross things off of it.

I have a custom theme that I am working on that is getting close to ready for everyone to see. I will make it the default soon. It won't be finished yet and will still need some polishing, but it will be complete enough by that time for me to want your comments.

I have made the custom theme the default, but there is a lot of work to do on it.

I made the globe at the upper left of the theme and I am really pumped at how it turned out.

The site is starting to take shape. I think I'll start inviting some friends shortly. Then I can quit talking to myself. Woo hoo!

If possible, you should think about turning the globe and the forum title right next to it, into links that lead back to main page. Even though there's a breadcrumb view right beneath it, a lot of people habitually look at the title or logo for links. I definitely tried to at first.

That's a very good idea. I'll add it to my list. Thanks!

Okay. I was able to make the logo into a link easily. I can link the title as well, but it turns it green, like all other links at the moment. I need time to either play with the css and php template, or I'll just need to leave the title unlinked. This will depend solely on when I have time, and how much.

if it works at all like normal html, you could give the <a> tag for the title its own id or class (don't remember which; my html is a bit rusty) and in the css file address that specific id, giving it it's own special color after being clicked.

Thanks. That's exactly what I've been working on. For some reason, a link in that spot reverts to the default colors for links regardless of what I put in the css. I've tried making a new <div>, adding tags, and a few other things.

I've got a crazy day today, so I can't give this the thought I would like, but ideas and thoughts are still simmering on the back burner. I still hope to make this work before too long. I agree that making the title a link would be very helpful.

The forum title is now a link on all pages. Woo hoo!

cheers and congrats

You know, I do okay at the site admin bits. I think the next thing on my to-do list needs to be to find some people who are as interested in this topic as I am, but who do a better job than I do of finding good content to post, questions to ask, and so on. I'll start asking some of my friends in the next week or two if they would be interested in joining those of us already here and see if I can't find a way to help lay a good content foundation.

Well, yeah, every site could do with more active members, but don't sell yourself short either. You've posted really interesting things so far. It's just really hard to create a community out of thin air. Using your friends as advertisement may well be the best course of action, though.  When they catch on to something as a small, it spreads like wildfire throughout the group, despite its quality or lack thereof. I suppose that's why we have so many chain letters online now.

On a consistently positive note, it's my last week of work, and then I'll be able to get back to a life without any external deadlines, and just my own internal ones. Which means an uptick in my forum activity across the internet, resumed work on old projects, and all that good stuff. Can't wait to do real work again.