We don't hate the rp'ers on TGC. We don't even know half of them.
But realistically, knocking the whole TGC/Ceel problem out of the picture for a moment (which means there's no need for reconciliation), and focus on the 'unity' aspect, does a revitalization necessarily require boards giving up their identity in favor of a "super board" the way SWFans was way back when?
Besides having affiliate links which people may or may not view, (and keep in mind I am no where near the surfer most others are like Ahnk, Gue and Sam) but I've seen webrings linking like boards before.
Do these work?
A central portal for Star Wars Roleplaying and then linking each "galaxy" board equally?
Each board offers something different and unique and each has their good and bad points. The choice really is up to the lurker and what tickles their fancy.
I like having a central hub site, called something todo with Star wars role-playing and having a link to all teh sites there. A simple one page site with all the links and graphics to them would work I think
Hm... a portal page for all the different galaxies, with maybe a short description of each or something, could not only assist any newcomers in understanding what we do, but also perhaps encourage people to visit other boards and talk to members of other galaxies. There could be other things, too, like a timeline of the boards, or a hall-of-fame of famous (or infamous) individuals. I agree that that would work better than smelting TRF and the other sites into some giant board, I wasn't around during the SWFans days so I don't really know what those were like, but I like more or less the setup we have now.
If we expanded contact a little, though, or communication in some respect, that'd be cool.
And every board can contribute something to pay for the site unless someone has a server we can all help support. Something with Java with simple graphic gateways to each. It would be awesome
Thanks for the consideration. Regardless of however some may feel about his motives, (you lot are a cynical bunch, lol) Ceel did raise some valid points worth considering.
The idea itself is not a bad one.
The idea of having a portal linking all the communities together, to show a more united front, is probably the way to go, thats actually quite a good suggestion IMO.
How would it work though? An independent server that we all pitch in for for it? If its just a portal bandwith should be near minimal which is good for Costs
What about inter-board events like "best RP" competitions and the like? Interviews with board administrators about their respective communities and their histories. Showcases of high profile characters as someone just mentioned, etc.
On TGC I suggested an united association of boards, a sort of alliance or umbrella group uniting all our boards as a loose community within which movement was made easy and encouraged, and which had a shared promotional and advertising strategy. It seems to me that a centralised "portal" and page seems like a very good way to do this. A sort of United Nations of SW-RPG boards.
As for central hubs for SW RPG boards I think it sounds like a good idea as well. Jay brought up some good ideas for what to do when it's done other than just having it be a hub. I like the idea of also making the hub be an Out Of Character board as well where people from different communities can talk about things without having to post on other people's boards if they don't want to. Could set up a support staff with the hub to help people making new boards too.
