Should we start TechNutopia over from scratch?

[Brian]

In this thread (http://technutopia.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6441) iissmart has proposed starting over from scratch with TechNutopia. See his posts (and our replies) to get a better sense of what he's proposing. Part of me thinks it's a good idea, and part of me doesn't. My arguments against it have been sensibly rebutted, so I'm out of ammo, lol.


So what say the rest of you? Should we make a clean start? Your vote counts.

[limefan913]

I vote no. We currently have content and at least a way of bringing in SOME people now, which gives us a foundation to build on. I think a transition is a much better choice. It gives us solid ground to stand on while working on improving and stitching up the quilt so to speak.

Additionally, a huge part of TechNutopia (and the old BearShare forums) was and is the community, the history we have together. I've known Nets for 6 years or so now for example, and I knew Joel just as long. Yes, TechNutopia is a company, but it's also a family, something that although not fiscally relevant, is a large part of the reason I'm here to this day (even after multiple spats with multiple members etc). That's why this site was originally started (as BearShare Expatriats if anyone still remembers that far back), to keep the community together. I personally don't want to lose that (or even diminish it's importantance), as it's our greatest strength.

[web_girrly]

word

[iissmart]

Essentially what I'm proposing is still a transition. All the old information would be in /old, untouched, and locked so nothing can change. Initially, we will be using it as a reference point, but as we build fresh content on the "new" site we won't need /old anymore. We would still have that "ground", all the history, etc..

The community will continue to stay together. People that come back will simply re-register, and the people that won't come back...won't re-register. I can't see us "losing" anything, since we're not blocking anyone from re-registering, or deleting any of our old content. It will simply give us a fresh page to start on. Zero post counts, everyone starts on a level playing field (I'm not saying post count is important.. but people do look at those, you know) and builds from that.

Besides, with a new staff, completely redesigned site including a new forum theme among others, we're pretty much starting off fresh. This will just make things look a lot cleaner. The history will still be there whenever we need it.

[web_girrly]

[DISCLAIMER] My answer, no, was based in sentiment rather than a business standpoint. Whatever you choose to do in the best interest of making Joel's dream come to its full realization I will support.

[limefan913]

Essentially what I'm proposing is still a transition. All the old information would be in /old, untouched, and locked so nothing can change. Initially, we will be using it as a reference point, but as we build fresh content on the "new" site we won't need /old anymore. We would still have that "ground", all the history, etc..

The community will continue to stay together. People that come back will simply re-register, and the people that won't come back...won't re-register. I can't see us "losing" anything, since we're not blocking anyone from re-registering, or deleting any of our old content. It will simply give us a fresh page to start on. Zero post counts, everyone starts on a level playing field (I'm not saying post count is important.. but people do look at those, you know) and builds from that.

Besides, with a new staff, completely redesigned site including a new forum theme among others, we're pretty much starting off fresh. This will just make things look a lot cleaner. The history will still be there whenever we need it.
It sounds more like an out of sight out of mind proposal to me, personally. If we're building on current foundations and still keeping many things (such as titles like Founding Member the same, which I assume is the case), it makes no sense to start with an empty user db. If nothing else the ranks, reputation etc should be carried over. For users like MBP, I don't think that 3 years of hard earned credit should be wiped clean so quickly. Yes, sure, some posts could use to be hidden, but overall, I think keeping the vast collection of posts we've got isn't a major issue, and if anything is a benefit. vBulletin is pretty robust, and I've seen forums much much larger run and not have issues with the size of the database.

This debate really boils down less to business and more to philosophy. Personally I favor letting users not only see what we've done over the past 3 years, but build upon that and join in, while we expand. I honestly can't think of any reasons to wipe the slate clean to justify setting up a whole archive forum (and keep in mind, even if we don't allow posting on it, you need a license for the copy of vBulletin that would be powering the archive of this iteration of TechNutopia, which I can't justify spending money on).

[malvachat]

I say no.
There is so much information here.

[Julie]

I wish you would have mentioned this to me in private and it really isn't up to a vote.

I am going to say no.

[MoreBandwidthPls]

Technutopia forum content is a valuable resource that people refer to, even if they don't join. Just have a look at how many guests are on at any given moment - it is usually at least five times the number of members.

Another resource is the people that participate and contribute.

I for one occasionally go over some of the well used threads and add updated information to my FAQ posts that provide solutions and point people in the right direction. Locking these would over time make them obsolete.

Technutopia is an organic being, living and constantly changing. You cannot lock it in time and expect it to thrive unless the new model is far, far better than the existing.

[Brian]

I wish you would have mentioned this to me in private and it really isn't up to a vote.

I am going to say no.
It's not meant as a written-in-stone decision maker, just a way to feel out the membership on where we stand, how they feel, etc.

[limefan913]

Technutopia forum content is a valuable resource that people refer to, even if they don't join. Just have a look at how many guests are on at any given moment - it is usually at least five times the number of members.

Another resource is the people that participate and contribute.

I for one occasionally go over some of the well used threads and add updated information to my FAQ posts that provide solutions and point people in the right direction. Locking these would over time make them obsolete.

Technutopia is an organic being, living and constantly changing. You cannot lock it in time and expect it to thrive unless the new model is far, far better than the existing.
Agreed. We rely pretty heavily on this, and it's what gives us any advantage we have. We grow based on this foundation, and improve on what's already here. I think that's a necessity.