Isn't it about time DDRFreak made some changes...?

maxx freak · Trick Member Joined: 09 Aug 2005

As far as I know, DDRFreak.com has been exactly the same ever since it started. The interface hasn't changed, site structure hasn't changed, I mean I joined in 2005 and nothing has changed.

Are there any plans for change? Maybe upgrade to phpBB3 or vBulletin? Maybe change the site colors a little, make it more modern-ddr style...

I mean the site doesn't have to change much, but I think a new look would be interesting.

Please don't get mad at me or flame, it's just a suggestion...

[symphony] · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:20 pm Post subject:

psh I donno what you're talking about. I've seen the site change a few times. I think you're statement of "since it started" might be very incorrect.

Didder is doing just fine I think. The forum button is easy to find and so is the random chat link, I mean that's pretty much all we need.

maxx freak · Trick Member Joined: 09 Aug 2005

Well maybe not since the beginning, but it's been the same since 2005 when I joined.

I just think we can use a few cosmetic tweaks. Maybe upgrade forum software, get a glossier theme... we don't even really need a whole new theme, maybe just a few graphical tweaks here and there... something to make the place new and inviting again. DDRFreak is seeming really bland nowadays compared to bemanistyle or stepmania.com (no offense to the DDRFreak staff and members).

stuffmonger · Trick Member Joined: 08 May 2008

Edible Bondage Tape · Trick Member Joined: 26 Jan 2002 Location: Kerri

Zonic · Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject:

If there could be one thing I'd liked changed, I'd like to have the ability to read the 1st post of a thread/"preview it" by just having my cursor over the title of the thread.

Honestly, despite the fact that it's been the same for almost 3 years/as long as I've been here, I'm alright w/ it. The color scheme works just fine, & there's more in the profile.

What's the difference between phpBB2 & phpBB3?

VxJasonxV · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:51 am Post subject:

JustJeff · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:07 am Post subject:

I think old girl could use a new outfit.

LEEROOOOOY JENNNNNKINS · Trick Member Joined: 01 Nov 2007

Personally, I think just a few color changes here and there would improve the site drastically....it doesn't have to be a huge change, but something slightly new would be nice.

IguanaGrrl · Staff Member Joined: 17 Jan 2002 Location: Sacramento, CA

The whole reason why changes always were/likely still are slow to come is because of all of the modifications that were hand-coded... like the spiffy warning system and the like. It makes even cosmetic changes a pain in the tushy.

Not that I'm really involved with the site staffing or anything anymore, but I would venture to say that that would be the reason...
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LEEROOOOOY JENNNNNKINS · Trick Member Joined: 01 Nov 2007

I understand completely how much work goes into coding, but it doens't change the fact that this site could use a little bit of touch up work.

LEEROOOOOY JENNNNNKINS · Trick Member Joined: 01 Nov 2007

site double posted on me

BemaniManiac · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:39 am Post subject:

I think the site could use a face lift.

I think a lot of the time when communities like these get older they need a new look to help them stay current. A lot of people may randomly come back to ddr freak to look for some info on a new game or what not and when they see the site has not really moved in the last ~4+ years they don't really bother to stick around. They just think "that is the same old ddr freak" but when the site has been changed up, or in our case maybe upgraded to a new mix, it looks fresh and new again. It keeps people coming back and using the site.

Take for example the DDR games themselves. If DDR 1st mix came out and people started playing it Konami would invest in making the game better. Now say they made it to 3rd mix. They have the new digital arcade hardware so they can pack in more songs. They have at the time was a brand new interface and engine to run DDR on. What if they had left it like that? What if DDR:Extreme was with all the same songs but it was still 3rd mix running under the hood? How many of us will still be playing? Would DDREX even exist? Chances are not many of us would be playing and DDREX would have never made it.

You have to look at the site in the same light. If nothing ever gets cleaned up and nothing ever changes you don't get that fresh interface and that new user feel again. People need that feel of advancement and in order to keep this community alive you are going to need to advance it.

Just my 2 cents.
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Proud owner of a private first run DDR machine.

Joel Stud?! · Trick Member Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Location: The ILSTU

The forums here are just fine. They look clean, are easy to navigate and use, and have most of the features a person could want (honestly, I think embedded videos would just cause problems).

If any part of the site could use a facelift, its the actual site, not the forums, and I don't even know how many people use all of the resources there anymore.

And, while this site may not look as spiffy as something like BMS, it runs a heck of a whole lot faster (most of the time).

joshdogg · Trick Member Joined: 19 Mar 2002 Location: Hanford

Toraie · Trick Member Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Location: Savannah, GA

So I realize that moving such a huge forum, or doing anything to it period would be a huge pain, but it's one of the last few that I've joined that's still on PHPBB2. I think an upgrade would be reeeal nice. I can handle the load time, but it's all about convenience, y'know?

Also don't know about those hand-coded mods or how they'd translate, but hopefully so. Thought I'd mention it, anyway.

Edible Bondage Tape · Trick Member Joined: 26 Jan 2002 Location: Kerri

Toraie · Trick Member Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Location: Savannah, GA

joshdogg · Trick Member Joined: 19 Mar 2002 Location: Hanford

I do like it . I have been here forever. I dont think it is impossible to move I just think it would take somebody who is actually dedicated to moving the site.
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Suko · Trick Member Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Location: Lynnwood, WA

Agreed. I <3 DDR Freak, but it's definitely showing it's age. I'd love to see it and Beatspace combine to form a hybrid site for players like us. I like the social networking aspect of Beatspace, but the forums suck. Using the DDR Freak forums in conjunction with the Beatspace network would be a win-win IMO.
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