[OS Master]

Forum Name:
Using Your OS Forum

Forum URL:
Using Your OS Forum

Comments:
My forum is a place where anyone can discuss operating systems. I also offer support for operating systems. My design is one of those free styles from vBulletin.org, as I don't have time to invest in a custom style. However, I've tried to pick the style(s) that would best suit the forum. There are two styles. I have quite a few modifications installed, with the most apparent being the arcade, point system, and a live support system. There are other mods installed, and we do have a forum where members can advertise their websites, but I'm not sure if I should keep it or not. I have tried to make the forum friendly for those who need support for operating systems, and I have a special forum called "Beginner's Corner" where those new to Internet forums or operating systems can ask questions. I have one staff member, who before wasn't as active as I liked. But now he's doing much better. He has also started a referral competition; hopefully this will get us more traffic. We do have other categories for programming, web design, and software/hardware, so there are plenty of opportunities for someone to post. I have tried to organize the forums the best I can, but if you have any suggestions let me know. That's it for Using Your OS. It's been around for over a year and a half, but we only have about 2,700 posts. I've seen other forums with many more posts in a shorter amount of time, but that could be because I've targeted a niche topic. I'm looking for any suggestions that would improve the forum, so suggest away!

Categories for Review
Design
Features and Modifications
Guest Friendliness
Guidelines and Staff
Organization and Navigation

[rockinaway]

Design
It is horrible. Sorry, but it isn't lively and I find it very boring. All greys and nothing to attract your attention. I got bored looking at it and wanted to leave. You need to make it much much much much much much more lively and add other colours in there. Also, make it look like it is related to the niche it is - you don't get much of a graphical indication of what I am visiting. I think you need to work on this! The copyright is also very long - can't you shorten this?

Features and Modifications
I am presuming the articles system isn't integrated into vBulletin and so users have to register again right? If so, isn't there a way you could integrate it or find an alternative? I couldn't access the shop - what is there?

Guest Friendliness
As I said, found it very boring on visiting and wanted to leave. However, you have pointed out the guest message well since it is the only thing of a vaguely different colour! Guests can navigate easily, although I find the number of bookmark options very annoying.

Guidelines and Staff
The rules are good and can be accessed quite easily - maybe you can add a link to the navigation. The staff seem active and working.

Organization and Navigation
Navigation is fine - main areas are covered. I also think you have the correct number of forums - not too many. However, a lot of the discussion is concentrated to the General Discussion area. You need to spread this to the on-topic areas of your forum so people find more content.

Hope this helps Remember, they are only my views.