We are now Interfaith.org

[I, Brian]

I've finally finished moving the forums and got them to work - and we are now longer CR, but Interfaith.

I mentioned a few times over the past year or so that I was concerned about CR as an identity - namely because if you removed the hyphen you ended up on an evengelical site.

In business terms, CR as a brand was weak and suffered potential brand confusion.

I've always had it in mind to turn the work begun on CR into a charity one day, and again, as an identity, it seemed weak.

Anyway, as I mentioned to some people, I bought the domain "interfaith.org" last September for $8,000.

While a bit pricey, I thought it offered very strong brand potential

- it is defined by a single word
- the word defines the site purpose
- as a .org it communicates non-commercialism (the ads were already removed)
- it communicates charitable aims (as in future aims at present)

While I really liked typing the word "CR" as a name, I guess we're just going to have to call ourselves something new - I.org or IO or I.ORG.

Not Borg, though, please.

In the meantime, I've also upgraded the forum software to the latest version of vbulletin, which has a range of cool social features:

1. Tags - tag a thread with helpful keywords that will help other members of IO find content by keywords - as well as people coming in via other tagging services

2. Photo album - you should now have the ability to upload a whole album of photos to your member profile

3. Social groups - you can set up social groups to try and connect more directly with other similar minded individuals

4. Social personalisation - a range of social tools, not least creating friends lists and the ability to post messages to people's profiles, rather than in public discussions - a way to communicate off road and more personably.


Anyway, no doubt there will be a few bugs, so I'll try and get those ironed out over the next few days.

I'll also set up a few new things:

1. All previously banned members will be unbanned - mainly spammers, but anyone who wants to be part of IO in a constructive manner can be, and I'm happy to provide a second chance

2. New rules - I'm going to try and simplify the rules so that there's less to enforce, but less confusion when something is enforced and as to why

3. New warning system - the forum now has an inbuilt Infraction system - while PM's may be sent to help cool things down before they get too hot, I want a clear, transparent, and accountable warning system in play. The Infractions system will mean anyone who breaks rules and whom a moderator gives an infraction for, will have this infraction automatically registered on a special private board for the moderators, so we can all see exactly what action has been taken. Cumulative infractions will result in the forum software automatically putting that user on a temporary ban.


Anyway, while I try and set up and iron things out, please do report any bugs, feedback, concerns, or similar here.


(PS, oh, I've been running a modest news section on the front end of IO for a few months now to help warm up the site - anyone wants to get involved in that process, let me know. )

[lunamoth]

I like the new digs.

Thanks for creating this community Brian.

I think this calls for a hot tub party!

[17th Angel]

Ok well it is pretty obvious but incase you're not aware of it every thread has this issue on it...

[Saltmeister]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

I've finally finished moving the forums and got them to work - and we are now longer CR, but Interfaith.
..........
While I really liked typing the word "CR" as a name, I guess we're just going to have to call ourselves something new - I.org or IO or I.ORG.

Oh Brian did you really have to (ok, question already answered, but I just wanted to say that)?

I'm aware of the benefits as described, but I really liked CR. I particularly liked the look-and-feel of CR. Now what I get is a narrow strip down the middle of the browser window!

[17th Angel]

I like the modifications to the member pages where you can view them leave messages and so on even make your own albums! I'd do that but too much work to resize all my stuff anyway love that new idea....

[Dream]

Originally Posted by I Brian

2. New rules - I'm going to try and simplify the rules so that there's less to enforce, but less confusion when something is enforced and as to why

Lets try something new! Pick a whipping boy (or girl) who will be banned every time anyone does something wrong. Justice must be served.

[Saltmeister]

Originally Posted by Dream

Lets try something new! Pick a whipping boy (or girl) who will be banned every time anyone does something wrong. Justice must be served.

You didn't mean a scapegoat did you?

[seattlegal]

Lots of interesting new features to the site.
(The stock avatars from the old site aren't coming through, though.) Will those who use the stock avatars have to reload them in order for them to show on the forum?

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

I've finally finished moving the forums and got them to work - and we are now longer CR, but Interfaith.

I mentioned a few times over the past year or so that I was concerned about CR as an identity - namely because if you removed the hyphen you ended up on an evengelical site.

In business terms, CR as a brand was weak and suffered potential brand confusion.

I've always had it in mind to turn the work begun on CR into a charity one day, and again, as an identity, it seemed weak.

Anyway, as I mentioned to some people, I bought the domain "interfaith.org" last September for $8,000.

While a bit pricey, I thought it offered very strong brand potential

- it is defined by a single word
- the word defines the site purpose
- as a .org it communicates non-commercialism (the ads were already removed)
- it communicates charitable aims (as in future aims at present)

While I really liked typing the word "CR" as a name, I guess we're just going to have to call ourselves something new - I.org or IO or I.ORG.

Not Borg, though, please.

In the meantime, I've also upgraded the forum software to the latest version of vbulletin, which has a range of cool social features:

1. Tags - tag a thread with helpful keywords that will help other members of IO find content by keywords - as well as people coming in via other tagging services

2. Photo album - you should now have the ability to upload a whole album of photos to your member profile

3. Social groups - you can set up social groups to try and connect more directly with other similar minded individuals

4. Social personalisation - a range of social tools, not least creating friends lists and the ability to post messages to people's profiles, rather than in public discussions - a way to communicate off road and more personably.


Anyway, no doubt there will be a few bugs, so I'll try and get those ironed out over the next few days.

I'll also set up a few new things:

1. All previously banned members will be unbanned - mainly spammers, but anyone who wants to be part of IO in a constructive manner can be, and I'm happy to provide a second chance

2. New rules - I'm going to try and simplify the rules so that there's less to enforce, but less confusion when something is enforced and as to why

3. New warning system - the forum now has an inbuilt Infraction system - while PM's may be sent to help cool things down before they get too hot, I want a clear, transparent, and accountable warning system in play. The Infractions system will mean anyone who breaks rules and whom a moderator gives an infraction for, will have this infraction automatically registered on a special private board for the moderators, so we can all see exactly what action has been taken. Cumulative infractions will result in the forum software automatically putting that user on a temporary ban.


Anyway, while I try and set up and iron things out, please do report any bugs, feedback, concerns, or similar here.


(PS, oh, I've been running a modest news section on the front end of IO for a few months now to help warm up the site - anyone wants to get involved in that process, let me know. )

What, no Brian's org? lol

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

What, no Brian's org? lol

Well, that would be B.org, and he said no

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Well, that would be B.org, and he said no

lol, he was teasing, and I was teasing back... He knows many of us are trekkers...

[Dream]

Originally Posted by Saltmeister

You didn't mean a scapegoat did you?

Yes, I was thinking a salty seasoned surrogate.

[greymare]

the b.org will assimilate you.

[greymare]

lol. I love the new look Brian. Very Cool. I might get a little lost at first, but Ill have fun looking around. LOL. Thanks for all your hard work.

[Penguin]

Many thanks Brian, all looks great!