Hello My GetDPI friends,
I trust you are staying well.
It has been a while since my last update but here it is.
As you have probably noticed we took our time before introducing any major changes to the forum. My team at the Medium Format Magazine and I have spent the last few weeks planning and consulting about the future of the GetDPI.com. The key plan hasn’t changed at all. It is still going to be a free, independent and unique photographic forum with minimal distraction.
The key objective of the consultation was the topic of redesign and introducing the forum to a larger audience. It is no secret that the forum needs new blood to stay alive and prosper and in order to attract a serious audience, the design must be modernized and simplified. At the moment, the process of uploading an image is not only annoying but confusing, to put it mildly.
I had the chance to meet with three forum experts who have firsthand knowledge of the modern forum experience and currently available platforms. I also consulted with some design experts. They all came up with the same idea. In order to look into the future and modernize the forum we need to take two major steps.
First Phase: We need to move the entire forum to a new platform called XenForo. It is flexible, constantly updated and most likely future proof. I won’t mention my experience dealing with the vBulletin and XenForo teams. In the first phase, we are moving the whole forum to a new place. It’s probable we will lose some minor functionalities. In fact, the forum could be “in construction” mode for a few days but you will quickly see some major design changes. In general, the entire experience will be simplified and cleaned up from a visual perspective. After all, we are here for great photography and the exchange of ideas.
Second Phase: Once the new forum starts functioning, we move to the customisation stage. This is where you see incremental changes over a few weeks. Some additional functionalities will be added, step by step over time, if needed.
The process will take a maximum of three months. By the end of the year we should have the new forum ready.
As with each change, we need to learn new ways of using the forum but it is not going to be different from any modern forum experience. I am well aware that every change creates some opposition – I understand this. I also love my routines and habits. Having said that, I promise that at the end of the change you will enjoy the new experience and amazing new content.
I am planning to create some sections of the forum to go beyond our usual topics to bring in some amazing guests and offer exclusive content for members of this forum. Keep in mind that the current functionality of having conversations, seeking advice, sharing images etc. will stay in place.
Throughout the process I will be communicating with Jack, who has been extremely supportive. I am counting on your patience and understanding because as with any transformation, there will be days when your feathers might be ruffled. I assure you that a drink or two or a walk with the dog always helps and when we are back on the forum, the annoyance of this transformation will quickly be forgotten. After all, it is for the sake of photography and the bond of committed and intelligent people. Let’s begin then. Up, up and away!
Respectfully,
Olaf
I trust you are staying well.
It has been a while since my last update but here it is.
As you have probably noticed we took our time before introducing any major changes to the forum. My team at the Medium Format Magazine and I have spent the last few weeks planning and consulting about the future of the GetDPI.com. The key plan hasn’t changed at all. It is still going to be a free, independent and unique photographic forum with minimal distraction.
The key objective of the consultation was the topic of redesign and introducing the forum to a larger audience. It is no secret that the forum needs new blood to stay alive and prosper and in order to attract a serious audience, the design must be modernized and simplified. At the moment, the process of uploading an image is not only annoying but confusing, to put it mildly.
I had the chance to meet with three forum experts who have firsthand knowledge of the modern forum experience and currently available platforms. I also consulted with some design experts. They all came up with the same idea. In order to look into the future and modernize the forum we need to take two major steps.
First Phase: We need to move the entire forum to a new platform called XenForo. It is flexible, constantly updated and most likely future proof. I won’t mention my experience dealing with the vBulletin and XenForo teams. In the first phase, we are moving the whole forum to a new place. It’s probable we will lose some minor functionalities. In fact, the forum could be “in construction” mode for a few days but you will quickly see some major design changes. In general, the entire experience will be simplified and cleaned up from a visual perspective. After all, we are here for great photography and the exchange of ideas.
Second Phase: Once the new forum starts functioning, we move to the customisation stage. This is where you see incremental changes over a few weeks. Some additional functionalities will be added, step by step over time, if needed.
The process will take a maximum of three months. By the end of the year we should have the new forum ready.
As with each change, we need to learn new ways of using the forum but it is not going to be different from any modern forum experience. I am well aware that every change creates some opposition – I understand this. I also love my routines and habits. Having said that, I promise that at the end of the change you will enjoy the new experience and amazing new content.
I am planning to create some sections of the forum to go beyond our usual topics to bring in some amazing guests and offer exclusive content for members of this forum. Keep in mind that the current functionality of having conversations, seeking advice, sharing images etc. will stay in place.
Throughout the process I will be communicating with Jack, who has been extremely supportive. I am counting on your patience and understanding because as with any transformation, there will be days when your feathers might be ruffled. I assure you that a drink or two or a walk with the dog always helps and when we are back on the forum, the annoyance of this transformation will quickly be forgotten. After all, it is for the sake of photography and the bond of committed and intelligent people. Let’s begin then. Up, up and away!
Respectfully,
Olaf