Expanding the NMB and publicizing

[Brian]

Although it is already almost halfway through the year, one of my aims is to dramaticlaly improve the NMB this year. This means adding more content..getting more serious, having more items for sale and upgrading software for more features.

There are lots of old members drifting around, and I would like to draw many of them back. This means a lot of work, but a gain for everyone in the end.

I also want to promote the forum more.

One of the things you guys out there can do, is to make sure than we are linked in all the sword-related websites out there. If you have a page on Nihonto, or know someone who does, please ask them to make sure that we are linked in their "links" page.

Suggest using the http://www.nihontomessageboard.com link, but the http://www.militaria.co.za one will also work. If we get more links, we get higher search rankings, more members and that leads to more info and items on offer.

 

I have also suggested a section for "serious" discussions..on items that are above average. This would be less about debate, and more about appreciation. Still working out the details. It would need to be heavily moderated.

 

With better software, we can have oshigata and mei databases and other nice features.

Also looking to see if we can organize polishing and/or shinsa services through a broker in Japan at a better rate for members here. If anyone can assist with that, let me know. It comes with huge benefits for the service provider, and a lot more exposure, with a build in steady clientelle.

 

Lots to think about, but for now, please make sure we are linked everywhere out there. I have updated our own links pages, and added a facebook links section as this is a growing trend.

 

Good things coming for 2014.

 

Brian

[Thierry BERNARD]

could you please add a rss stream it could help following discussions!

[Brian]

The new software will have rss feeds. I want to go to VBulletin, which is far more powerful, but isn't free software. But has tons of advantages.

Would have purchased it already, but need to upgrade the server to the latest version of PHP and SQL.

 

Brian

[Ken-Hawaii]

The cost for VBulletin 5 is around US$200 for an upgrade & $250 for first purchase, Brian - are those the prices you're looking at? I'm sure there are many of us who are willing to contribute towards that purchase.

 

Please tell us a bit about your server hardware configuration, too. Who knows how we might be able to help...?

 

Ken

[Brian]

Hi Ken,

Yes, it is the $250 new license we will be needing. But no worries, I need to do it anyways, don't want those who do contribute to think that their donations go towards hookers and blow :lol:

All I am waiting for is to see if the hosts (hosted in the US..can you imagine if I tried hosting this myself from SA with the bandwidth we have here? ) can update the SQL and PHP versions to the recommended ones. They might need to move servers, which always panics me.

But it will happen, then I need to learn a new software. Think we will all benefit though. Would love to get a bit of a live chat thing going too.

Lots of plans, lots of ambition, so little time.

 

Brian

[drbvac]

Brian :

 

We can all thank you again for your long standing and much appreciated efforts to the work and quality of this site. That said - surely considering that there has to be some way to generate some income for the operation. Straight commercial activities considering the quality of the members they can access should really be willing to contribute something. In many organizations I am involved in the "mailing" lists of such an esoteric group as Nihinto collectors who may actually be interested in what they are selling is worth a lot of money in most cases. Immediate access with no strings attached other than joining up and linking to a web site of their own is really a bargain. Even the snipers that pop in and out getting information that for the most part they could not access anywhere else on earth as easily should show their appreciation in some way.

 

Just some thoughts - I of course will continue to support the board as in the past mainly because I do value what I get and am willing to pay for the privilege.

[Baka Gaijin]

Good afternoon all,

 

Sounds quite exciting and I look forward to seeing the new format.

 

Lots of plans, lots of ambition, so little time.

 

Well Brian, to quote Arnold Schwarzennegger:

 

"Sleep Faster"

 

I'll get the ball rolling and have given NMB a page with link in the useful links section of my main website http://www.antiquesinbath.com

 

http://www.antiquesinbath.com/mm5/merch ... y_Code=NMB

 

There you go shameless self publicity on my part....

 

Cheers

 

ps........

Hookers and Blow

?? Isn't that a Johannesburg firm of Architects?