Comments on: Forum Suggestions

The problems seem to arise from poster's wanting to discuss the ideas that Snape is good, or Snape is working for the Order--and the title of the thread makes it pretty clear that discussion is not warranted or wanted.

The whole idea behind the creation of the thread was to give people a place in which to discuss Snape in the context of his being good, since this was desired by many people. There is a similar thread here (http://cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=95230) on the opposite side of the fence that has done very well in terms of discussion. There is a thread for whether or not Snape is on the side of the Order or not, and this is here (http://cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=94450&highlight=snape%2A). Therefore it is felt that all the bases have been covered in terms of Snape's morality.

Why not eliminate the unnecessary, troublesome discussion altogether? Far less for the moderator(s) to attend to, in that case.

Hardly fair, is it? I wouldn't call it unnecessary since so many people enjoy it. I don't think we want to curtail members' ability to involve themselves in a discussion about a topic that so many find interesting. As for canon speculation, there are so many threads on the forum that this could be applied to, so I really don't see why it should count against the thread itself.

The thread is currently under review, and will most likely open again soon. Any issues will be dealt with by the staff, and not discussed here.

In addition to what leenielou said, any suggestions or problems with the thread should be sent to her or I (or preferably both) as per the first post in the thread.

Sorry--Didn't mean to cause offense. Obviously, I don't have a problem with the thread, since all I've done is given it a quick skim--and I didn't intentionally set out to break forum rules by posting here.

Again--sorry for causing the aggravation and for, apparently, the unintentional insult to the moderators.

Again--sorry for causing the aggravation and for, apparently, the unintentional insult to the moderators.

Oh sweetie, we're not insulted. We just want everyone to be happy :) We're trying to remedy this in the best way possible :)

:clap: Hooray for our lovely aurors! :clap:

Again--sorry for causing the aggravation and for, apparently, the unintentional insult to the moderators.
Don't worry, I intentionally insult the Aurors and mods EVERY DAY. They're very, very tough because of the constant abuse.

You'll have to do better than that.

Don't worry, I intentionally insult the Aurors and mods EVERY DAY. They're very, very tough because of the constant abuse.

You'll have to do better than that.


This is true. I still have scars.

This is true. I still have scars.So do I. Why do you think I retired? ;)

This is probably unnecessary but I just wanted to make this suggestion. With all these off-topic posts, I wondered whether we could have this "Off-topic discussion" thread? (that is when there isn't another thread specified already) :D

We've already got one; http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=95143 :)

We've already got one; http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=95143 :)

Oops :blush: Thanks for that unconvinced :)

I have an idea for a contest you guys could run. Since you have one for predicting the title of book 7, how about having one for predicting the plot.

Everyone would breifly answer a few of the questions we know must be answered in book 7, the person with the highest precentage of correct answers would be the winner.

- Predict Snape's true allegiance
- Name all 6 horcruxes
- What is the status of Slytherin's Locket (already destroyed or not?)
- Who is R.A.B.?
- Will hogwarts re-open? (Y/N)
- If hogwarts re-opens, will Harry return? (Y/N)
- If hogwarts re-opens, will Ron and Hermoine return? (Y/N)
- If hogwarts re-opens, who will be the DADA teacher?
- Will Harry die? (Y/N)
- Will Voldemort be defeated for good? (Y/N)
- Which non-magical character will perform magic?
- What's up with dumbledore (Portrait, ghost, etc.)
- Predict all new romantic hook-ups.

Maybe it's a little early but I think it would be a good idea.

I have a suggestion for a contest too.

I love all of the different layouts we can choose for the forums, but it would be cool if we had some character themed ones. I know that there are tons of very creative people who would love to submit ideas for new layouts - and the winner's of each category could get their layout actually on the site! We could have everyone who wants to, vote for their favorite in each category.

I have an idea for a contest you guys could run. Since you have one for predicting the title of book 7, how about having one for predicting the plot.

Everyone would breifly answer a few of the questions we know must be answered in book 7, the person with the highest precentage of correct answers would be the winner.

- Predict Snape's true allegiance
- Name all 6 horcruxes
- What is the status of Slytherin's Locket (already destroyed or not?)
- Who is R.A.B.?
- Will hogwarts re-open? (Y/N)
- If hogwarts re-opens, will Harry return? (Y/N)
- If hogwarts re-opens, will Ron and Hermoine return? (Y/N)
- If hogwarts re-opens, who will be the DADA teacher?
- Will Harry die? (Y/N)
- Will Voldemort be defeated for good? (Y/N)
- Which non-magical character will perform magic?
- What's up with dumbledore (Portrait, ghost, etc.)
- Predict all new romantic hook-ups.

Maybe it's a little early but I think it would be a good idea.

We did something similar to that for OotP. I agree it would be fun to do something similar for the Book that Must Not Be Named.

I have a suggestion for a contest too.

I love all of the different layouts we can choose for the forums, but it would be cool if we had some character themed ones. I know that there are tons of very creative people who would love to submit ideas for new layouts - and the winner's of each category could get their layout actually on the site! We could have everyone who wants to, vote for their favorite in each category.

Bah, someone smarter than me on layouts and stuff will have to answer whether that's feasible.

I have an idea for a contest you guys could run.
:welcome: to the Forum Chopinzee its a great suggestion that you have made :clap: but almost all the questions you have suggested have an entire thread dedicated to it and here are a links to few so that you might find exploring the Forum a bit interesting.:D

Since you have one for predicting the title of book 7, how about having one for predicting the plot.

We already have one thread that discusses the future plots and our ideas about the development of future Plot- ARE YOU A SEER? Post your list of theories, then check to see if you were right v2 (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=89630)

- Predict Snape's true allegiance
There is the triumvirate threads for that.

Name all 6 horcruxes

Identifying & Tracking Down the Remaining Horcruxes v3 (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=93807)

Who is R.A.B.?

If R.A.B. isn't Regulus A. Black, then who is s/he? And who helped them? v9 (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=94150)

Will hogwarts re-open? (Y/N)

Future of Hogwarts and the new headmaster (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=60245)
or
Will Hogwarts end? (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=95374)

If hogwarts re-opens, will Harry return? (Y/N)-
Will Harry Return to Hogwarts? v 2 (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=87209)

If hogwarts re-opens, who will be the DADA teacher?

If hogwarts re-opens, who will be the DADA teacher? (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=89258)


Will Harry die? (Y/N)

Will Harry die in Book Seven? v4 (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=82826)

Will Voldemort be defeated for good? (Y/N)

Will Harry kill Voldemort in the end? If so, how will he do it? v2 (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=82824)


Which non-magical character will perform magic?
Predict all new romantic hook-ups.

I don't think we have any threads dicussing those topics.

Maybe it's a little early but I think it would be a good idea.

Nope it was a great idea especially the fact about rating one's answer but I think that you are right about the fact that its a bit to early but things like this will take time to compile and manage (especially on a site as big as this):D and therefore it can be started.

-Who would suit a beard more, Daniel Radcliffe or Rupert Grint?
-Do the twins lisa and Jess from the veronicas suit Oliver and James Phelps?(Fred and George?
-Funniest seventh book title competition
-Who is your favourite out of Dan, Rupert & emma and why?
-caption Contest
-What do you think is the funniest thing someone says in the Harry Potter books?

Yowsers! That's a nice image, but it's large. Can you reduce it in a size a little, please? Say 600x400 or add it as an attachment.

Yowsers!
Holy corrugated iron, Morgoth, you've morphed into a cartoon character from the 60s!

To the blimp mobile!

Holy corrugated iron, Morgoth, you've morphed into a cartoon character from the 60s!

To the blimp mobile!
And here's me thinking he was chanelling Inspector Gadget. :lol:

Inspector Gadget ... in the 60s.

OK. Any more suggestions?

(I'm such a bad role model)

OK. Any more suggestions?
Dunno - does he wear his underpants outside his trousers?

Dunno - does he wear his underpants outside his trousers?Only in times of great peril. ;)

Only in times of great peril. ;)
Or when he forgets his utility belt. :p

We did something similar to that for OotP. I agree it would be fun to do something similar for the Book that Must Not Be Named.



Shouldn't that be the book that won't be named??

Shouldn't that be the book that won't be named??
Or, The Book We WANT Named?

Or, The Book We WANT Named?

:agree: thats an excellent point!

The book that has two potential names but we don't know either of them?

OK. Any more suggestions?

Suggestions? As in Forum Suggestions? As in, maybe, the thread topic? ;)

Would it be a good idea to put a link to the mugglenet home page on the Cos home page, similar to the one on mugglenet for Cos. It would make sense to have it going both ways I think.

Would it be a good idea to put a link to the mugglenet home page on the Cos home page, similar to the one on mugglenet for Cos. It would make sense to have it going both ways I think.

You mean how if you goto the bottom of every single page of CoS you can see a link to Mugglenet?

You mean how if you goto the bottom of every single page of CoS you can see a link to Mugglenet?

... or the fact that we have a link to MN under the Floo Network menu at the top.

You mean how if you goto the bottom of every single page of CoS you can see a link to Mugglenet?
See, I'm not the only blind Freddy around here. :D

that's unfare again because that makes it 2:1. :lol:

:lol: I never realized the links, too.

Was there anything like a topic here somewhere?

Well AlastorD, I had a suggestion and the only reply I got was from Jessica who said that someone who knows more about the topic will have to respond. So that could be a topic :)

I have a suggestion for a contest too.

I love all of the different layouts we can choose for the forums, but it would be cool if we had some character themed ones. I know that there are tons of very creative people who would love to submit ideas for new layouts - and the winner's of each category could get their layout actually on the site! We could have everyone who wants to, vote for their favorite in each category.

I'm afraid you'll have to wait for an admin to answer that question. :)

I have a suggestion for a contest too.

I love all of the different layouts we can choose for the forums, but it would be cool if we had some character themed ones. I know that there are tons of very creative people who would love to submit ideas for new layouts - and the winner's of each category could get their layout actually on the site! We could have everyone who wants to, vote for their favorite in each category.

The various layouts that the forum use are all created by Ali and Kizz. While we arnt against people creating their own skins the ones created are designed specifically for this forum with buttons and such created for specific hacks Ali and Kizz have installed. This takes alot of work on behalf of Ali and Kizz and the admin arnt going to make a competition that increases their work-load. Sorry.

I have a suggestion for a contest too.

I love all of the different layouts we can choose for the forums, but it would be cool if we had some character themed ones. I know that there are tons of very creative people who would love to submit ideas for new layouts - and the winner's of each category could get their layout actually on the site! We could have everyone who wants to, vote for their favorite in each category.

To be honest, I'm tired of the movie themed styles myself.

However, to make something that pleases people requires a) time b) a good artist, and by that I mean someone who can draw well - almost anybody can photoshop these days. ;)

So yes, I dont mind, so long as there are people with artistic skills who can come up with items for the banner, some background images etc. I'll be more than glad to spend some time and make a style then.

You mean how if you goto the bottom of every single page of CoS you can see a link to Mugglenet?

Um yes exactly like that one... sorry I guess I've never have had to scroll down that far :blush:

Why don't you have a signature guide with the rules(of course) but like how to uploade images and other stuff.

Why don't you have a signature guide with the rules(of course) but like how to uploade images and other stuff.

http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=85426

Off topic, but just I noticed that it's someone's b'day today! :D A very :birthday: to Ali! Thanks for all that you've done for CosForums!:clap:

It's Ali's birthday!? :birthday:, Ali!

The various layouts that the forum use are all created by Ali and Kizz. While we arnt against people creating their own skins the ones created are designed specifically for this forum with buttons and such created for specific hacks Ali and Kizz have installed. This takes alot of work on behalf of Ali and Kizz and the admin arnt going to make a competition that increases their work-load. Sorry.

That's ok. It was just a fun suggestion. :)

I think that it would be great if we had a link to HP-Lexicon (http://www.hp-lexicon.org/)and Quick Quote Quill (http://www.quick-quote-quill.org)or Madam Scoop (http://www.madamscoop.org/)on the Forum. This would make searching for Quotes from JKR's interviews a bit easier.

Just a suggestion. :D

I think that it would be great if we had a link to HP-Lexicon (http://www.hp-lexicon.org/)and Quick Quote Quill (http://www.quick-quote-quill.org)or Madam Scoop (http://www.madamscoop.org/)on the Forum. This would make searching for Quotes from JKR's interviews a bit easier.

Just a suggestion. :D

<shamelessplug>

Any good potterphille will have these added to favorites long ago. Plus if members are running Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/)they can open these in tabs for easy browsing! :)

</shameless plug>

<shamelessplug>
Plus if members are running Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/)they can open these in tabs for easy browsing! :)

</shameless plug>

Or IE7...

</shameful plug>

Or IE7...

</shameful plug>


Ali may well just ban you for that ;)

Or IE7...

</shameful plug>
That browser's banned on here :p

Ack! Someone spoke of t.eh evil!!

*hides*

I repent my sins! I have seen the light, the firey orangey light of the fox :D

Any good potterphille will have these added to favorites long ago.



:elaugh: So true, so true.

How about drawing up a Marauders' Map style map of the forums and use that for the 'who's onine now' screen. Too much hassle I'm guessing but if it can be done I'd love to see it!

I suspect it'd take up way too much bandwidth, also, especially for our dial-up users. You're right, it would be quite cool, though!

We should have a place to post all the Sports. Almost like a Sports section. Mabey you can call it Quittich Practice. I don' know just a suggestion.

Discussions amongst the admin are currently underway to work on something in that department...

Discussions amongst the admin are currently underway to work on something in that department...

Were you talking to me?

Yes, I believe he was.

Apologies. Forgot the quote button...

Apologies. Forgot the quote button...

No problem thank you.

I like the Legilimency section, but is it possible to make the threads there show up in the "Latest Discussion" part of the main page? I've noticed that they don't.

I like the Legilimency section, but is it possible to make the threads there show up in the "Latest Discussion" part of the main page? I've noticed that they don't.

I think that requires Ali to add the forum ID into the code, so that threads can be pulled into it. I'll speak to him and see what he says.

I think that requires Ali to add the forum ID into the code, so that threads can be pulled into it. I'll speak to him and see what he says.
Thanks. :D

With the onslaught of so many new Aurors, I think it would be a good idea to assign the Unspeakables a new colour to make it easier to distinguish them. Green is pretty; just a thought. :)

Not that it matters much, but in the HBP skin I'm using, your name is in green, Rastaban. :)

With the onslaught of so many new Aurors, I think it would be a good idea to assign the Unspeakables a new colour to make it easier to distinguish them. Green is pretty; just a thought.
Good idea. Since pegasus shot green down, maybe purple?

I wasn't actually shooting it down, I was just making an observation.

We once had green for the those members who tried to keep the RPG area in order. It was visible enough in all skins, me thinks. But doesn't the bold vs italics make enough difference?

Anyway I do like green.....

Pegasus is right. Simply by switching skins, all the usernames change in color.

Gryffindor = Dark Red
HBP = Green
CoS Christmas = Black
Ravenclaw = Navy Blue
CoS Forum Lite = Navy Blue
Stylemarillion = White
CoS Halloween = White
Slytherin = White
Hufflepuff = White
CoS Forums = White
Mods/blue; Admin/red...I think the former RPG mods were teal.

Green wouldn't fit in with me being Superman at all ;)

Well, make the Aurors green, eh what? ;)

Hehe, I guess the bold vs. italic writing is enough, but a third colour would be more contrasting and fun.

How about pink?

I would love pink. :p

:scared: Pink is NOT metal!!!

:scared: Pink is NOT metal!!!But it's authoritative, isn't it?

But it's authoritative, isn't it?

As authoritive as Arnold the Pygmy Puff. :rolleyes:

Please, no pink! :no: I beg you!

You mean we should be called Pygmy Puffs instead of Aurors then? :evil:

Pink is cool but Yellow is authoritative and it stands out. ;)

Can't we keep blue? :upset:

Pink is the coolness! :cool:

The imagination of countless fluffy Pygmypuffs rushing through the Forums is really exciting. :eyebrows:

:lol:

Keep it blue, that way I can actually read it.

:lol: Ditto, because the pink gertie used doesn't stand out on my CoS Lite layout.

I am a bit upset you don't like it, but guess we can live with blue. ;)

*steps in to support he aurors against the thread of pink* Pink would undermine your authority! Nobody takes serious a pygmy puff, it would create anarchy and havoc on CoS, believe me!

Attica! Attica! You know I am all up for pink, but I am just getting used to seeing me as blue, change my color again and I will lose myself :(

For Chocolate Lover Gertie. ;)

Shhh, don't give the buggers ideas or they'll be changing the members to pink next and taking our cool white.

Bugger, I shouldn't have said that. :D

Language Deevo...

No! Please! Not pink! Not yellow! No pastels! :(
Pastels hurt my eyes, and I rather like being blue.

Neither the pink or yellow show up well on the lite layout anyway. And the blue is quite pretty.

I should be bright pink. That would be AWESOME.

You want to be this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stade_francais) sort of pink? (look at the away strip).

Ah yes, I think we've exhausted the color topic.

If the Admins care about this highly important issue in the slightest I'm sure they'll think about it. :lol:

I thought pink was for quidditch pitch rule breakers :p

sorry, on to the topic...

You want to be this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stade_francais) sort of pink? (look at the away strip).

too purple

*looks askance at people still talking about color*

Could we have a strongly symbolical B&W theme, where only those two colours are allowed. As an alternative, there could be another one where everything would be in different shades of grey.

Could we have a strongly symbolical B&W theme, where only those two colours are allowed. As an alternative, there could be another one where everything would be in different shades of grey.

Styles are the domain of Ali and Kizz and while they enjoy making them it is time consuming and they both have RL things they need to attend to... We cannot promise anything :)

As for the usertitle colors. Its gonna be blue... ^_^

ts gonna be blue...

That sort of settles it. :p

I had a suggestion- Can we have a Forum Jump. So as to directly move from one forum to another without coming back to the main page :)

That sort of settles it. :p

I had a suggestion- Can we have a Forum Jump. So as to directly move from one forum to another without coming back to the main page :)

Someone asked about that, several years ago, and the answer then was that those jumps were either server-intensive or bandwidth-intensive, I don't remember which now. Anyway, that's a question for Ali or Kizz, our technical admins. In the meantime, I have bookmarked all the subforums that I frequently visit, and that helps me out. :)

I have bookmarked all the subforums that I frequently visit, and that helps me out.

How do you do that? :huh:

I think clicking on the forum you want and then making a bookmark in your browser would do the trick. :)

I think clicking on the forum you want and then making a bookmark in your browser would do the trick. :)

What she said. :D

Styles are the domain of Ali and Kizz and while they enjoy making them it is time consuming and they both have RL things they need to attend to... We cannot promise anything
What are RL things? (In other words, what does RL mean?) I'm probably going to feel really stupid after you answer this.

Real life ;) That time where we must tear ourselves away from CoS and deal with friends and family...

And school and work.

And chocolate. :)

Why do you have to have 300 posts until you get a avatar? Not that I think we should be able to have one right away. Whatever, that is something I'm -willing- to work for. But since my access to a computer is very limited (IE: I work 7-5 everyday and don't really get computer time that often), I'll probably get to 300 in...3 years. Ok, over-exageratting a bit there. But it will take me an incredible amount of time. I mean 150 I could handle even thought -that- is a lot too...

I have so many things in RL I have to do, responsibilites and such where although I'd love to be on this site (among others) all the time instead, I have to do them. Granted the majority of the fans of HP are much younger then me (and don't have to pay bills), that doesn't mean we all are. I love this forum. Pretty much the only HP forum I've joined. And yes, I have joined it before (but among other circumstances, I can't remember my password or which email I used), and I've seen it be revamped twice...so I guess it frustrates me even more. Since I shouldn't even have to go through this because I know I've posted before...

Anyhow, I'm sure you'll just tell me that those are your rules, and you don't plan on changing them. And I'm sure you'll back that up with more things on the reasonable reasons you have those rules. And I'm sure that most of those reasons will make sense. Still. Although after this I'll post happily in other areas of the forum, I just felt I had to say something. Ok. I'm done. Still love this place.

Yes it is the rules ;) but I also work all the time and yet I was able to enter Hogsmeade and become staff. Just pick a few thread that interest you and concentrate on them, you will get there before you know it!

I think clicking on the forum you want and then making a bookmark in your browser would do the trick.

Thanks. :D It really works as good as Forum Jump.

I think for the people who havent been on in the last year there account should be removed it dosent have to be it's just a suggestion;)

Well the account of people who don't post does get deleted so as to save some space. But I don't see a point in deleting the account of the people who have posted once in a while because there are some people who do pop in after long-long time. ;)

Why not let everyone be able to go to the COS arcade. I just clicked on the username of someone and it said that I couldn't view the page. But that someone was a hogwarts graduate. So does that mean only hogwarts graduates can view that page and the shoutbox(If COS has a shoutbox)

Well the account of people who don't post does get deleted so as to save some space.

What if they post but havent been on in 1-2 years?

Why not let everyone be able to go to the COS arcade. I just clicked on the username of someone and it said that I couldn't view the page. But that someone was a hogwarts graduate. So does that mean only hogwarts graduates can view that page and the shoutbox(If COS has a shoutbox)

The arcade is for use by Hogsmeade students. Here's the Hogsmeade FAQ (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=68023), and here are the Hogsmeade Review Guidlines (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=22994).

What if they post but havent been on in 1-2 years?
No, I don't believe people who have actually posted get their accounts deleted, no matter how long since they have been here. Just the other day I had an OWL from a friend who hadn't been here for nearly 2 years, so you never know who will come back and when :D

Oh okay I read it.

Why cant we have a list which shows us all the people who have read are fanfic? If you ever do make one or if there is one in the making can it be private only the aurors ect. and the person who wrote the fic see the list?

Why cant we have a list which shows us all the people who have read are fanfic? If you ever do make one or if there is one in the making can it be private only the aurors ect. and the person who wrote the fic see the list?

It is a good idea to have a counter that tells you how many people have read it, but seeing that we already have the feedback area, one gets the general idea as to how many people have read their fanfics. ;)

What mysterious said. I'm not very talented in the technical things, but I assume it would be impossible to count who really has read the whole fanfic or who just clicked on a fanfic thread to see what a story is about. I can understand that it would be interesting for the authors, tough. You can at least see how many people have seen your thread, when you look at the views counter on the right in every subforum, where the threads are listed. :)

(Just to add to all of this - if someone is looking at your fic whilst you are online you can normally tell by looking at the bottom of the page and the "Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread" bar :)).

Oh okay thanks :)

This may have been asked before but why is the post count off in the "casting couch" which is under "muggle studies" when its on in fx this forum where people are just asking questions with regards to the forum?

This may have been asked before but why is the post count off in the "casting couch" which is under "muggle studies" when its on in fx this forum where people are just asking questions with regards to the forum?

The Casting Couch isn't really a key forum, just an indulgence for people. The WizzyWiz area as I affectionately call it (or is that the "Oooga Booga" area?) allows members to contribute ideas or help others, which is part of the process when studying candidates for staff or other such worldly pleasures the demonic leadership may bestow upon unsuspecting souls. As such we allow post count to be on here as it's P.P.C - Positive Post Counting. There, I just coined a management phrase. Yay me!

I must strive to use PPCs Oooga Boogas and WizzyWizs more regularly in conversation.

I must strive to use PPCs Oooga Boogas and WizzyWizs more regularly in conversation.

You bet we are all trying the same thing, so that we can get some meaningful discussion carried out. ;)

The Casting Couch isn't really a key forum, just an indulgence for people. The WizzyWiz area as I affectionately call it (or is that the "Oooga Booga" area?) allows members to contribute ideas or help others, which is part of the process when studying candidates for staff or other such worldly pleasures the demonic leadership may bestow upon unsuspecting souls. As such we allow post count to be on here as it's P.P.C - Positive Post Counting. There, I just coined a management phrase. Yay me!

Thanks for clearing that up. Oh look, my PPC just went up one more! :D

Thanks for clearing that up. Oh look, my PPC just went up one more!
You post count booster you! :p

Obviously there have been some posters who have posted here more than others, but that's why post count alone doesn't make a difference to Hogsmeade access etc. It's quality that counts!

It's quality that counts!

Is that implied and indirect bragging or are you merely taunting other poor non-Hogsmeade souls, er, members? :eyebrows::p

Can we get back on topic please ;)

Mine's more of a question than a suggestion. I see the Book Recommendations thread in the Leaky Cauldron section. How about having one for music? I know File Sharing is taboo here, but I was wondering if uploading could be made 'legal'... If there is a thread for sharing music (Sendspace, Rapidshare, etc.), people could get to know new bands that way.

Mine's more of a question than a suggestion. I see the Book Recommendations thread in the Leaky Cauldron section. How about having one for music? I know File Sharing is taboo here, but I was wondering if uploading could be made 'legal'... If there is a thread for sharing music (Sendspace, Rapidshare, etc.), people could get to know new bands that way.

Sorry No. I'm not going to allow CoS to be used as a middleman for file sharers.

I just have a few suggestions/questions. :D

Why is it that when we post twice in a row, that annoying message comes up? It was fine the way it was before, when the posts would just merge. Is there a particular reason why it was changed? If not, is anyone considering putting it back the way it was?

Secondly, would it be at all possible for the Student List to be...well, I don't know how to explain it (can't find the words) but here's an example (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/bbs/phpBB2/memberlist.php). Look at the upper right-hand corner, where there's a menu that says "Select sort method". You'll be able to see what I mean.

Secondly, would it be at all possible for the Student List to be...well, I don't know how to explain it (can't find the words) but here's an example. Look at the upper right-hand corner, where there's a menu that says "Select sort method". You'll be able to see what I mean.

Unlike your example site, our forum software lets you do that by simply clicking on the column title (ie. User Name (http://www.cosforums.com/memberlist.php?&order=ASC&sort=username&pp=50) | Join Date (http://www.cosforums.com/memberlist.php?&order=ASC&sort=joindate&pp=50)Posts (http://www.cosforums.com/memberlist.php?&order=DESC&sort=posts&pp=50) | Last Visit (http://www.cosforums.com/memberlist.php?&order=DESC&sort=lastvisit&pp=50) )

*Slaps forehead*

Why is it that when we post twice in a row, that annoying message comes up? It was fine the way it was before, when the posts would just merge. Is there a particular reason why it was changed? If not, is anyone considering putting it back the way it was?



Since this place is quite big, there are some changes done to help the staff to be more efficient, so nope, it won't change. Sorry.

Not to be a pain or anything but how does that message help the staff?

Not to be a pain or anything but how does that message help the staff?

It helps us in the sense that Ali doesn't have to spend his time getting rid of it :lol:

Also it lets members know the rules on double posting.

:lol:

I suppose I could see it being somewhat helpful, it's just a pain to deal with. What's even more annoying is when I post twice in a row (Mind you, I only do it when I get tired of staring at the same post. I think and think and think but can't figure out what to say in return even though I know I want to say something so I move on. I come back to it later, once I've figured out what I want to say.) and only get told there was some sort of error (I think). I click "Okay" and nothing happens...

:lol:

I suppose I could see it being somewhat helpful, it's just a pain to deal with. What's even more annoying is when I post twice in a row (Mind you, I only do it when I get tired of staring at the same post. I think and think and think but can't figure out what to say in return even though I know I want to say something so I move on. I come back to it later, once I've figured out what I want to say.) and only get told there was some sort of error (I think). I click "Okay" and nothing happens...

Perhaps you should just edit your original post and add the new stuff you wanted to say . That way you'ld avoid the double post problem all together ?:huh:

Just trying to be helpful :D

twins:p

I could but that little message at the bottom bothers me too.

*Is strange* :lol:

I don't even like editing my messages on other sites because I hate those unsightly "Edited by [insert name]" things that appear. On other forums, I copy and paste my post into Notepad and then delete my post and repost it. :blush:

What about a technical forum? Like a forum where if someone were having computer problems or something they could post a question and hope someone has an answer?

What about a technical forum? Like a forum where if someone were having computer problems or something they could post a question and hope someone has an answer?

If you mean people having a technical problem with the forum we already have a thread like that.

If you mean an entire sub-section devoted to computer problems I'm gonna have to say no. The staff at CoS Forums do not have the needed expertise to ensure that what a person is telling another is correct. We cannot and will not be responsible for advice passed out by others. If we allowed such advice there is the possibility it can leave us open to lawsuits in certain countries. Sorry.

I'm a bit ambivalent if this would be a good idea or not but I thought it might be worth throwing out there to see what the resident petabees think.

Might it be worth having a 'Declare yourself' thread on some of the more contentious issues that are discussed? It seems to me that discussions on certain subjects, for example the issue of who's side Snape is on, can lead to some unnecessarily heated discussions. At least some of this is caused by misunderstanding between people on opposite sides of such discussions where it's easy to assume a comment has malice where none was intended.

What I was thinking of was brief posts made by those who wish to make their position on such issues clear in a firm yet polite statement that they can then link back to, maybe in a signature or similar, to at least make their position plain.

Maybe a format like this.

Snape, good or evil: I don't think he's either; it looks to me like he's primarily out for his own gain.

Dumbledore, alive or dead: I think he's dead, not only is it a well known literary standard but the addition of his portrait in the 'gallery of departed headmasters' makes me believe it's unlikely that he'll be coming back.

Lily and Snape: I'm not sure, yet the reason Harry surmised that Dumbledore trusted Snape seems so inadequate for the level of his trust that there must have been something more behind it than simple remorse.

So, what do you think? I can see where this might be misread somewhat yet I also think such exposition could possibly reduce some misunderstandings. Like I said I'm a bit ambivalent myself but I thought it at least worth putting on the table.

I'm a bit ambivalent if this would be a good idea or not but I thought it might be worth throwing out there to see what the resident petabees think.

Might it be worth having a 'Declare yourself' thread on some of the more contentious issues that are discussed? It seems to me that discussions on certain subjects, for example the issue of who's side Snape is on, can lead to some unnecessarily heated discussions. At least some of this is caused by misunderstanding between people on opposite sides of such discussions where it's easy to assume a comment has malice where none was intended.

What I was thinking of was brief posts made by those who wish to make their position on such issues clear in a firm yet polite statement that they can then link back to, maybe in a signature or similar, to at least make their position plain.

Maybe a format like this.

Snape, good or evil: I don't think he's either; it looks to me like he's primarily out for his own gain.

Dumbledore, alive or dead: I think he's dead, not only is it a well known literary standard but the addition of his portrait in the 'gallery of departed headmasters' makes me believe it's unlikely that he'll be coming back.

Lily and Snape: I'm not sure, yet the reason Harry surmised that Dumbledore trusted Snape seems so inadequate for the level of his trust that there must have been something more behind it than simple remorse.

So, what do you think? I can see where this might be misread somewhat yet I also think such exposition could possibly reduce some misunderstandings. Like I said I'm a bit ambivalent myself but I thought it at least worth putting on the table.

Yes... Your suggestion might have the desired effect, yet it could also be used by some to merely see/create friction where there might also be none. EG: Person A has never had problems with Person B, yet now A knows that B likes/hates Snape. This therefore means all posts are taken in a hostile manner... Still let's see what others have to say :)

Personally, I like to reply to the post based on its content. I don't think I would go and check someone's Declaration before replying to a specific post, unless it was very unclear.Yes... Your suggestion might have the desired effect, yet it could also be used by some to merely see/create friction where there might also be none. EG: Person A has never had problems with Person B, yet now A knows that B likes/hates Snape. This therefore means all posts are taken in a hostile manner... Still let's see what others have to say
Debate is much more fun when we see past the labels and just talk.

:hmm: ....

I'm afraid some members might think they are not allowed to change their minds anymore after laying their cards.

Freedom of choice is always a good thing. To limit it would be counterproductive to open discussions.

Besides, it's a woman's perogative to change her mind. :lol:

Besides, it's a woman's perogative to change her mind. :lol:

Must... restrain myself... Violence... Likely... ARGH! *SNAP* :yuhup:

Aw, Master, you just wanted a chance to use that smilie. :eeep:

:lol:

Topic: forum suggestions
Um,...well, ah....Could we have the stars turn a different color when someone reaches 1500 days? (This would affect some who have already passed that mark, of course.)

Would it be possible to have more whole forum contests, like the book 7 title one, which don't require entrants to have good computer art talents etc. These just seem to bring everyone together and add a bit of excitement, especially when there are user titles at stake :)

Why don't you guys organize it in Hogsmeade. We're better off not discussing Hogsmeade-only issues in here.

There is an ask the staff thread in hogsmeade too, in case some of you have missed it -
http://cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=98061

Why don't you guys organize it in Hogsmeade. We're better off not discussing Hogsmeade-only issues in here.
I know I'm geting my nose in something it's not my bussiness and I understand it's an old topic but... I think what he meant by "whole forum contests" was a contest open for everyone, not just people in Hogsmeade.

There were some suggestions after that post about contests that would only involve Hogsmeade features, which is why Jessica made that post.

There were some suggestions after that post about contests that would only involve Hogsmeade features, which is why Jessica made that post.

I'm not really sure which Hogsmeade only features you mean but what I meant was something similar to the guess the title contest where anyone could enter and just have some fun :)

Like the Cover Art Contest? :)

No worries - we've actually got a few things in the pipeline between now and book 7.

Like the Cover Art Contest?

No worries - we've actually got a few things in the pipeline between now and book 7.

Ooh sounds exciting

I think I asked a while back about something I have seen on another forum site but I can't remember what the response was: wiki tags; that is, you could type in Harry potter and it would create a link to the wiki article on Harry potter. With the new pensieve section up and running now, I think it could come in handy to provide links to wiki articles without having to open up a new tab and cut and paste the URL.

So far I see aren't the Wiki tags working on CoS. I tried it a few days ago too.

It was Link Name I found.

You can still recreate that with ordinary link tags, though.

Yes, but the wiki tags are supposed to link directly to the wiki article without going to the side at all and copy the URL. :)

Yes, but the wiki tags are supposed to link directly to the wiki article without going to the side at all and copy the URL.

Clever!

Jessica replied to that in the Ask the staff thread :):
A wiki link is a good call for explanation - expand tags are also a way to deal with the off-topic explanation. :)

Basically it's the same deal as the rest of the forums - as long as it's clear that you're discussing the topic of the thread you should be fine. My general rule of thumb is that someone who has never posted in the thread should be able to read the last page of posts and see how it relates to the topic of the thread. As long as you meet those criteria you should be fine :)

(On the wiki tags - seems like a lot of work for Ali with not that much benefit since the member could just post the link the old fashioned way)

Quick question: In the pensieve, there is a thread comparing HP to Star Wars and LoTR. Would it be possible to separate them into two separate threads?

For Wikipedia, basically everything is going to be: "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/name_of_article" and you could just type that in and then click on it to make sure your link works.

I dunno if this has been brought up anywhere before but would it be possible if the Pensieve is a success to make a similar area for magical places? I think that would be a really cool thing to have and could include threads on Hogwarts, the Ministry, Hogsmeade etc. :)

I have seen things like that on other board that I use....but it is in the RPG area...and since we don't have one here...I am not sure that we will have anything like that....:shrug:

I have seen things like that on other board that I use....but it is in the RPG area...and since we don't have one here...I am not sure that we will have anything like that....

Well it doesn't have to be anything to do with RPG just somewhere for discussion.

i think we should have an RPG area it would be a lot more fun

and i was wondering why posts dont count on F;ourish and Blotts Bool Club....we are still discussing Harry Potter and possible plots in the stories on the feedback

So one might only do that and stay a first year the whole time.....or you could have it when you are active in the site not nessecarily posting on the other stuff and you are and you are there for a few months...you coud get up a grade...but not active you dont...?? know what i mean?

I dunno if this has been brought up anywhere before but would it be possible if the Pensieve is a success to make a similar area for magical places? I think that would be a really cool thing to have and could include threads on Hogwarts, the Ministry, Hogsmeade etc.

Not sure what you mean. You could always start a couple threads like that in the Common Room and see how they go :)

i think we should have an RPG area it would be a lot more fun

We had one and unfortunately it was a disaster. We had a lot of non family friendly things happening even with an inordinate amount of supervision.

and i was wondering why posts dont count on F;ourish and Blotts Bool Club....we are still discussing Harry Potter and possible plots in the stories on the feedback

Mostly because it's so easy to spam those areas with posts like "great story!" "nice job!" etc. Post count is on in areas where more thought is required in posts. This isn't to say you can't make a thoughtful post in there - just that not all posts in the area will be well thought out.

okay......

I did a rough search in this thread to find out if this had been suggested or not before, but I couldn't find anything... So:

Idea 1:
I was wondering if there could be a sub-forum in the Flourish and Blotts forum which would contain only stories that were complete.

Why?

First of all, it's nice to know ahead of time whether or not you're going to have to wait patiently for each new bit of the story you're thinking about reading.

Secondly, there are finished stories out there, but there are abandoned stories out there too. For example, I could say to myself, "Well, I hope to find a story that's already complete, so I'll just go to the 'Last' page in the F&B forum and read those. Afterall, if they haven't been updated in a while, they're probably complete." But that's a bad assumption. The stories on that page could also have simply been abandoned or haven't been updated in a while for whatever reason. There's no way of knowing, short of opening up the thread itself and going to the end to see if it sounds finished. And either way, you've just spoiled the ending for yourself. :(

Additionally (if it's even possible...), it would be helpful if we could have the option of showing the stories in the order each thread was started, rather than only by when the last post was. It's helpful to know when the story was initially created, because that strongly impacts what happens in the story. (For example, if I said, "I want to read a story where Dumbledore is still alive", then I could look for stories created before the release date of book 6.) This wouldn't be crucial, but it's an idea. (But like I said, I don't even know if it's possible.)

Anyways, maybe there could be a special account that an author could Owl to say, "I'm done with such-and-such-story!", then if they said they're done, a moderator could move the story to the "completed stories" sub-forum.

Or... Idea 2: There could be one thread that the authors could post to, with a link to their story, when they're finished with it (Or, using the Owl method above, the moderators could do it). (That would make it so that the story doesn't leave the regular Flourish & Blotts section (which it would, if my first Idea were to be used)--since people would obviously still browse through that to find things to read.) (And if the author would be so kind as to inform us of when the story was started, that would be nice too, for the reasons I mentioned above.)

Basically, I'm just looking for a way to know before I start reading a story whether it's complete or now. So these are just two ideas of how that could happen. Maybe there's other ways it could happen too. Like a special icon beside the thread name or something...

Sorry this was such a long post...

I second the idea about a subforum for completed fanfictions. I've always fancied one too just because it makes browsing easier. :D But I guess that would mean extra-work for the staff. :(

The idea of a sub-forum for finished stories is now being discussed in the staff area. We'll get back to you.

I suggested it months ago, remember? :shrug:

I suggested it months ago, remember? :shrug:
Not really. But certain things have changed in the last month meaning that new sub-forums are more of a possibility without the expense of bandwidth and such. Your suggestion must of come at the wrong time. Nothing personal...

I suggested it months ago, remember? :shrug:
Don't take it personally, man, it has been suggested quite a number of times over the years I've been here. I think I did as well, long ago, when I was young and innocent. There were other priorities, since this is more of a discussion board than a story board.

No, not taken personal, I understand :).

I was wondering if there could be a sub-forum in the Flourish and Blotts forum which would contain only stories that were complete.


We're going to be doing both your suggestions.

1) We will be creating an area where people can request their finished stories be locked and placed for easy finding.

2) We will also have a thread which will contain a list of the finished stories (And if I get ambitious I might even index them *gasp*)

Rules will go into place for those wishing to have their story moved. But you can see them tomorrow when I get around to making the area and stuff...

Or maybe the next day. Depends how busy I am :relax:

when I was young and innocent.


:relax: HA! :relax:

Wow! You guys are quick!

Thanks so much!! I'll have to go check it out!

(Good point about COSForums being "more of a discussion board than a story board", though. I hadn't really thought of that. But it just makes me more grateful that the idea of a completed stories section was implemented!)

A suggestion regarding the skins, we could have a back ground image in the Reply Box instead of just the skin color. ;)

Wouldn't it be really hard to read what you were writing?

Wouldn't it be really hard to read what you were writing?

Aye, people have problems as it is with different fonts and colours being used for posts. I think if we made the reply box more than what it is designed to be then it might cause some problems, especially for people with visual impairments

I have recently seen a number of different people ask different questions about things relating to Mugglenet. Maybe you guys should add an announcment or something like that explaining that CoS is not directly run by the same people as Mugglenet and is only affiliated with it. It could potentially help the admins from constantly answering these questions.

I have recently seen a number of different people ask different questions about things relating to Mugglenet. Maybe you guys should add an announcment or something like that explaining that CoS is not directly run by the same people as Mugglenet and is only affiliated with it. It could potentially help the admins from constantly answering these questions.

It might be an idea to try and get some guys from MuggleNet to come answer questions asked. I was thinking of adding a thread to this area where people can ask questions. Of course, it's dependant on MuggleNet agreeing.

It might be an idea to try and get some guys from MuggleNet to come answer questions asked. I was thinking of adding a thread to this area where people can ask questions. Of course, it's dependant on MuggleNet agreeing.

I would love this, since I've been trying for days to get their desktop countdown to work and failing miserably. It would be good to be able to ask someone, because I bet they get way too many emails to even contemplate.

Is it possible that the staff can make a Deathly Hallows category already, so just in case information comes that would make it spoilers, but people want to discuss them... it can be in that category?

The staff wants not only to protect all members, but also themselves as far as possible. I'm very much afraid the answer is NO.

In any case, there'll be plenty of opportunity for that after the book has been read.

I've got a suggestion. When you search for posts, it's sorted by date updated. I think it should be sorted by relevance instead. It would make finding threads much easier.

it's sorted by date updated.There are other ways to sort, but you have to change the option(s) in Search Options, especially the "Sort Results by" section. Once you find a setting you like, you can click on "Save Search Preferences" at the bottom of the Search page so that it will become your personal default setting. :)

Hallo, what's up all? :D

In my very long absence, I came across another vB forums which basically uses the same features as CoS Forums here (though they still use the term PMs instead of Owls.. :p).

However, reading the above about the Wiki tags, it reminds me of the Spoiler tags used here, and perhaps in many other vB forums. I've noticed that in CoS Forums, the usage of [ *spoiler] text [ /spoiler] will whitened the texts. It serves its purposes, but I am curious whether [ *spoiler=spoiler] text [ /spoiler] compatible with CoS Forums layout? I've tried that in my sig but didn't seem to work. (actually this post is just my test entry for the below):

test 1 2 3

Edit: meh.. it didn't work. Basically it should show something like the below:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/perilousperi/spoilertagshow.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/perilousperi/spoilertaghide.jpg


Well.. I think it's a lil' bit less clutter with the 'click' button instead of entries with glaring white boxes in them. Just a thought.

test

You can't put a text tag inside the spoiler tags, just the word spoiler.

We do have something similar to what you are decribing, the expand tags.

If there really were spoilers in here, I'd be banned by now.

The code I used for that is:

If there really were spoilers in here, I'd be banned by now.

I don't know if this has been tried before or not, but I think it would be a good idea to have one thread in Magical Masterpieces for "My new Signature" (or whatever you'd call it) with rules similar to the Poetry thread--must give your critique/praise of a previous sig at the same time as posting your own for critique.

There are always tons of threads with 2 or 3 replies to people asking for comments on their signature. I think (if you could get people to post there) it would clean up the page quite a bit. :)

test

You can't put a text tag inside the spoiler tags, just the word spoiler.

We do have something similar to what you are decribing, the expand tags.

If there really were spoilers in here, I'd be banned by now.

The code I used for that is:

If there really were spoilers in here, I'd be banned by now.
That's interesting, I wonder if you could put a spoiler tag inside an expand tag like this.
If there really were spoilers in here, I'd be banned by now.

If there really were spoilers in here, I'd be banned by now.

Could tidy up a long winded post I suppose. :cool:

Could tidy up a long winded post I suppose.

But would making answering to it a bit difficult....:shrug:

I noticed, that it's possible to put Aurors on the ignore list, but not Unspeakables and Admins. Isn't it better to include the Aurors too, as they also give warnings?

Edit: With warnings I mean sending owls, posting in threads etc.

I've a suggestion, don't know if it's a good idea or feasable though :)
What about a thread or notice or generic welcome owl to new members, with recommendations of where to go and descriptions of the sections and pointing out the most important threads? (Ask the staff, Forums rules, search engine, JKR webpage, FAQ, Little questions answered, etc) Like an initial orientation :)

I've a suggestion, don't know if it's a good idea or feasable though
What about a thread or notice or generic welcome owl to new members, with recommendations of where to go and descriptions of the sections and pointing out the most important threads? (Ask the staff, Forums rules, search engine, JKR webpage, FAQ, Little questions answered, etc) Like an initial orientation

You mean for the people who can't find their own way to the rules? Yes, I think that's a good idea, because it can be a bit of maze finding your way around the forum. And we've seen how things like year/post lists and Prefect/Auror names aren't always updated in the rules straight away. A slight restructuring of the rules with everything in one place, would help. I've been around a good while now, but if I go looking for a particular rule to check if I've remembered it right, I often have trouble finding it and have to click my way through several links before I end up in the right place.

I think it's hard to overlook The Notice Board, but maybe the FAQ could be a little bit more visible.

By the way I noticed that the FAQ still has Ali's old name TheWizard and doesn't include Kizz as Admin.