The Future of DiscusForums.com

[Tommo]

Indeed , they have a few different types

[nicholas76]

IMO dont change a winning formula.

Discus focus with minor sub sections.

A revamp, with a new design to make it shiny and new is my preference.

[pignoselover]

how about puting up an auction section sort of like ebay but for fishtank stuff it would be great

[Hansen]

It is a shame that the other forums have taken the hit from the global downturn in the fishkeeping hobby. Consolidation would give a larger front for 'a' fish keeping forum, but would it loose the expertise and specific knowledge we now have. Making a large generic forum might just make a larger less used place to be.

So true!

[Exotic Aquatic]

im only new here, but am a long time member on several other forums over the last 8 years. Personally i dont feel that merging is the answer. People find this place and come here for discus specific knowlege and specialised know-how. If we generalize it muddies the waters of who knows what, misinformation will be harder to police. In the end this may result in more stressed fish, and more stressed keepers in the market place, and eventually less hobbyists be it due to frustration or death of their expensive pets at the fault of poor unfiltered advice.

I feel as though there is enough bad advice out there at the moment as it is. Having specialised individual sites allows for closer scrutiny of whats posted, and a higher concentration of experience in a specific field, which in turn will attract more new hobbyists seeking experience, not just a big website.

On another note, the boutique industries in Australia are far more popular these days with the larger department stores suffering both on the share market and in-store sales.

I think you guys are doing a GREAT JOB!!! and that it would be best to stick with it. PLEASE DONT MERGE. I will do my best to get the word out and get more members in, if we all get just one the site will flourish in no time.

Also happy to advertise the forum in our new store opening next month, if the admin cares to send me advertising material...hell i'll even use discusforum bags if we can make them financially viable and recyclable (try to keep it green!).

Regards,
Exotic Aquatic

[Proteus]

As per PM, no sponsorships or advertising is being offered until we get around to upgrading things here.

You, like a few others have been granted permission to post in a commercial manner until such a time comes around that we can re-evaluate this.

The forum will be staying Discus specific, however a few areas will be opened up to other aquatic species, but nothing over the top.

I realize this upgrade has been a long time coming, however a lot has been going on behind the scenes in relation to work and our real lives.

[Old Dave]

I realize this upgrade has been a long time coming, however a lot has been going on behind the scenes in relation to work and our real lives.

I don't hear anyone complaining about the delay, the gay chickens & ac/dc frogs aren't in a hurry either.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Just a face-lift and a bit of positional marketing !!
If we have to be a little less exclusive, so be it.
And the expansion into new technology sounds great!!

DiscusForums Rule

Old Dave

[Exotic Aquatic]

Proteus: Love the forum man, i mean only good mate!
I didnt mention sponsorship here or my advertising, and i thank you for your informative PM the other day. I only spoke above in relation to some of the members concerns stated in this thread about more exposure for the site (not me) im happy to promote you in my store (not the other way round) If you so chose.

Happy to do my bit to help.

[TW]

PS: I must not swim with the school because I dont have facebook, twitter or an iPhone *sigh*

hehehe steph. I only recently got an iPhone (contract was up & I lost my old phone - so an upgrade was forced upon me) but I have absolutely no intention of doing facebook or twitter either. So there are at least 2 of us swimming against the school

I don't do Facebook or twitter either, but I do have an iPhone and I really wish the forum was mobile friendly. There are several Apps out there that that work. I have a few of them that I use on other forums an IMO, Tapatalk is the best.