Fansite Chat Thread - web advice, support, tips and more

[unofficialsims3uksite]

OK I have created this thread for the sole purpose Of fansite Webmasters and people who run fansite's to chat this will prevent people's up date threads getting cluttered.

If a mod finds this a usefull thread and agree we do need a chat thread for fansites to prevent up date threads going haywire please sticky this thread. If you find it not appropriate I do appologize, I just thought it was a good idea.

Share your tips with other fansite Webmasters, chat and learn more about running a Fansite.

Please Note This Is A Chat Thread For Fansites discussions Only.

[Aaron]

... what do we chat about, exactly?

[unofficialsims3uksite]

This thread can be used just like the old tips thread over at the old forums and we can discuss our sites in general, saves cluttering threads with tips and stuff and it gives new and upcoming fansites webmasters (or whatever you want to call them) the chance to post there questions so people like you with more experience can mabee help them out.

[Aaron]

I'd say one thing you should never do is call yourself a "webmaster". I really hate that word.

Site Admin, that's better ... probably. Web Producer, that kind of thing is good too - sounds more professional to me, and more modest. Nobody is a master.

So yes, tip #1 there.

[unofficialsims3uksite]

Originally Posted by nyaren

I'd say one thing you should never do is call yourself a "webmaster". I really hate that word.

Site Admin, that's better ... probably. Web Producer, that kind of thing is good too - sounds more professional to me, and more modest. Nobody is a master.

So yes, tip #1 there.

Yeh that's why I chosse to put in brackets Or whatever you want to call it. lol
In my oppinion a Webmaster is someone who has prob got some kind of qualification and studied web design and the like for years. I was thinking about just changing my title on simfusion to something that is not Webmaster because now im starting to realise that the title should be deserved. Im more of an Amature and a begginer, I have been doing sites for years but mainly using the old CMS which is good for me and it does teach me things like PHP, SQL, XHTML, XML and lots of other stuff to.
When I was at school there was no internet so I could not learn at school, and even if It was I would probely not be interested because I just was not into the computers in the old years, also I have only had the Internet for about 5 years. I just teach myself, however I hope to study Web Design and Grapic Design someday.

[Speshal Crayon]

You don't even learn web design the "right" way at school. We were just told to use Dreamweaver or Front Page (in WYSIWYG mode) to create sites. Most people's sites looked like they had been puked up from the 90s.

I just made sure I used the coder bit of Dreamweaver. I'm stubborn like that...

[The Star Hermit]

Originally Posted by SimfusionCraig

If a mod finds this a usefull thread and agree we do need a chat thread for fansites to prevent up date threads going haywire please sticky this thread. If you find it not appropriate I do appologize, I just thought it was a good idea.

I totally agree, I've altered the title slightly though just so folks know what to find in the thread.

[unofficialsims3uksite]

Originally Posted by The Star Hermit

I totally agree, I've altered the title slightly though just so folks know what to find in the thread.

Cheers Hermit im sure the thread will be popular and constructive.

First Tip's from me:

I learned most of these tips from Hermit I think,
Your site needs to be clean, simple, and well-structured. People use the internet to find information so make sure you have a search feature to because people tend to want information as quickley as possable.
The best Web site is one that includes lots of content, a simple layout, an easy navigation and fast loading graphics.

[dbuggy455]

Don't pretend your site is more important than it is, that just puts people off... i'm sure someone gets what i'm talking about.

I remember asking people what they wanted to do when they're older and about 10 people replied "web designer!!", and none of them are still around - shows how interested they reallty were :P

[unofficialsims3uksite]

Originally Posted by dbuggy455

Don't pretend your site is more important than it is, that just puts people off... i'm sure someone gets what i'm talking about.

HMMM! I wonder who? We don't want the thread to go to pot allready send me a PM and I will see if im right.

[dbuggy455]

i'm not naming names

[unofficialsims3uksite]

Well no comments like that then, coz that could be a lot of people from here.

[Aaron]

I think we all know what he was getting at.

[unofficialsims3uksite]

Originally Posted by nyaren

I think we all know what he was getting at.

AS I said there is no need for comments like this it could be one of free people I can think of at the moment, one is not such as good as he/she makes out and does not listen, one is typeing this post and the other person just thinks they are the best and is worshipped around here. So work that out.

[Aaron]

Just let it go - if you don't like the comment dbuggy made, ignore it, don't devote posts to it.

And I don't think I'm the best, so don't even start that.

[unofficialsims3uksite]

Good Good you are not out to get my thread locked thats nice. Thanks that his put you back on my christmas card list again.

Second Tip
listen and appreciate what people have to say about your site, everyone is entitled to there own oppinion.

[Aaron]

Oh no they're not - they're bullies. *bitter*

And why would I want to get the thread locked?

[dbuggy455]

Yes, stop talking about it or it'll get worse. The comment could have been directed at Aaron, or anyone else! if you think it applies to your site, take the tip and stop it - if you don't, ignore it.

I said someone should know, because i know of a few people that do it (and not just here) and i'd hope one of them realises it.

And it wasn't you, if that makes you feel better.

[unofficialsims3uksite]

Originally Posted by nyaren

Oh no they're not - they're bullies. *bitter*

And why would I want to get the thread locked?

Oppinions, oppinions, Oh! how I love them!

dunno why you would either that was just me thinking stupid. lol

[Speshal Crayon]

One tip I have is to not have too many purposes. If your main skill is creating custom content - do that. You don't need to post a news update whenever Snooty Sims is updated. If you're good at creating lots, do that. You don't need to offer layouts as well. Stick to what you're good at! Nobody wants rushed experimental dresses for their sims. Offer quality not quantity.

Same goes for tutorials. Only teach what you know, what you're good at.

[dbuggy455]

and if your only making downloads, i'd say go with a site thats offering downloads only and already has a good following, as it's easier to get your content seen.

TSR and TSC2 would be good choices

[Aaron]

TSC2 has the most amazing design - shame about the sloppy coding, but I hear the person who designed the site had nothing to do with that.

... Hi.

[unofficialsims3uksite]

Originally Posted by nyaren

TSC2 has the most amazing design - shame about the sloppy coding, but I hear the person who designed the site had nothing to do with that.

... Hi.

LOL Hehe!