[Andrew-Scott-Music]

Hello People.
My name is Andy.
I am the new landlord of nextgfx.com.

i am keen to upgrade the site to make it a more interesting and functional experience for all our members.

Some of the plans I have include:

• re-instatement of design/artwork/picture/graphic of the week/month, with small cash prizes
  
• attachment of a store to provide for the needs of artists and designers;
  
• introduction of a moderator to improve communication between us;
  
• any other ideas you may have that are practical (translation:cheap to implement)
  
• consultations/polls with you to survey your ideas.

I am interested in all your ideas about enriching the site, and would like to hear from you.

The first change you will notice is some Adsense on the site. Yes, I know it might spoil the appearance, but I need to find the income from somewhere to plow back into the site to enhance it.

It will be good to make up an action plan/wishlist to implement our ideas.

My background is as a musician and music teacher. You can see a little of my work at http://andrewscottmusic.com/

I look forward to working with you to enhance the site.
regards,
Andy

[Shade]

Sounds pretty cool. I'd imagine that some sort of cash prize reward for Sotw etc.. would give the site a bit more traffic.
Personally, I'd like to see the forum look a little less cluttered and more uniform. Mainly I'd get rid of all the sub forums in the gaming forum and just make it a gaming forum. Or just remove that forum altogether and let general discussion be used for gaming as well. One of the biggest issues with the forum that I can see is that there are far too many forums/subforums and basically little to no active posters to post in them.
Also, maybe consider sending out a mass-email to registered users to try to get them interested in the site again.
Good luck

[Andrew-Scott-Music]

Thanks Shade. for your input.
I'm all for decluttering.
My wife tells me I do it too much, but I can't stand useless junk lying around.

What about a competition to redesign the site?
Entry would be in the form of a JPG or two or three.
Prize would be $50.

I'm also thinking of a gallery for each member, where they can upload their images for display to everyone.

I'll send out the mass email when we have something new that's worthwhile for everyone to come and check out.

[StriK.eR]

Are you keeping old staff members? or whats going down as far as that?

how do you plan on reviving this site? because its pratically as dead as a doorknob right now.

[Andrew-Scott-Music]

What about a competition?
1st prize $20.
For the best ????????? each month?

All staff are welcome to stay.
anyone interested in joining them is welcome.

[Crazzzy_DucK]

Andrew-Scott-Music, on 10 May 2010 - 06:57 AM, said:

Thanks Shade. for your input.
I'm all for decluttering.
My wife tells me I do it too much, but I can't stand useless junk lying around.

What about a competition to redesign the site?
Entry would be in the form of a JPG or two or three.
Prize would be $50.

I'm also thinking of a gallery for each member, where they can upload their images for display to everyone.

I'll send out the mass email when we have something new that's worthwhile for everyone to come and check out.

JPG is Ewww...
PNG is the way to go

I'll enter the skin the site competition, but as it is currently is sleek and nice.


As for gallery, I recommend using coppermine. It's free and easy to use. But I'm not sure how many people would actually use it :/

[Andrew-Scott-Music]

OK. PNG or JPG, you artist guys can take your pick.
I still need to investigate how to have the entries displayed on this site, and organise a voting method.
I'm thinking an incentive to vote would attract viewers other than the entrants just voting for their own works.
Every entry gets one vote.
not much of a competition.
So, how about - one mystery voter gets $5?

[Andrew-Scott-Music]

It would look good on your CV:
Winner of the June 2010 NextGFX People's Choice Award for Best Signature!!

[Crazzzy_DucK]

Andrew-Scott-Music, on 20 May 2010 - 05:10 PM, said:

It would look good on your CV:
Winner of the June 2010 NextGFX People's Choice Award for Best Signature!!

Signature of the month essentially.

[Angelo]

What happened to Freak?

[Andrew-Scott-Music]

I sent him an email a few days ago. Haven't heard anything.

[union-jack]

I have him under lock and key, stowed in an oak chest down in my cellar (basement), gagged and sucking on a large red snooker ball.

[Andrew-Scott-Music]

You're all heart.

[union-jack]

indeed

... in addition to the pending changes to the forums here at nextgfx, please feel free to add your wishes on other content that you would like to see here.

Site Suggestions

[sPo0t]

I must say, it looks pretty sleek. Minus the ads, of course, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. Good idea with the money incentive, it should grab a few designer's attention

Edit: Also, I agree with the earlier post to consolidate the Gaming Subforums into one. As it seems, only half of the subforums are being used and even those are producing high traffic. Also, what happened to the music thread? I remember that being pretty popular as well