I didn't follow CD much, but I like the idea of self-moderating forums. Where users can up/down vote individual posts. Posts below a certain threshold get hidden, still in the thread and still expandable to read, but collapsed for normal viewing. And a reputation system where votes elevate/reward users with higher ranks so it's easy for new users to recognize those who to listen to a little more closely. I was trying to remember a forum that had up/downvoting and hidden posts that I used to visit, but I can't recall at the moment so I don't know which forum software it used.
Forum Theme ◆ Enhanced Forum Search ◆ VotD for Rainmeter
CD had "like" options. If you liked a post you could endorse it with a click. But all posts remained for any to see unless deleted by the original poster.
As Wolfgang S. said earlier: "participants on a forum such as this are not forced to read all posts nor are they forced to reply, etc. Each participant is free to write and actively participate in an exchange or else refrain from doing so and either just be a silent "read along" member or else not read certain posts or topics etc."
I'm not aware that any cencorship was going on on CD, but my view is that dialogue is more important than "guidance towards the truth". There are already enugh Christian forums out there, where controversial topics can't be discussed. We don't need another one.
The only exception really is SPAM, which must be censored out mercilessly.
Does anyone still have a copy of the CD forum rules, and a categories list?
I guess I can launch it then later today, once I have set up the categories.
I'm still trying to get a Single Sign On module for "Logging in with Faithlife", so when you register, please use the same email address to avoid a big disaster when SSO comes into place.
Past IT Consultant. Past Mission Worker. Entrepreneur. Future Seminary Student.Why Amazon sucks: Full background story of my legal dispute with the online giant
Jan, thanks for your work on this project.
I found this list of categories from the CD forum (Archived):
Also for etiquette I found this link that could perhaps furnish a guideline.
http://achievevirtual.org/7-rules-for-online-etiquette/
Randy W. Sims:I didn't follow CD much, but I like the idea of self-moderating forums. Where users can up/down vote individual posts. Posts below a certain threshold get hidden, still in the thread and still expandable to read, but collapsed for normal viewing. And a reputation system where votes elevate/reward users with higher ranks so it's easy for new users to recognize those who to listen to a little more closely. I was trying to remember a forum that had up/downvoting and hidden posts that I used to visit, but I can't recall at the moment so I don't know which forum software it used.
Actually, the Reddit software is one of the options I looked at. In the end I dropped the idea because it no longer is open source, and it uses a different technology (Python) than all the other projects that I host (PHP).
Next to the same technology, the second criterion I used is the size and reputation of the platform. There needs to be a sizable community involved in development and support, and a large number of sites that use the platform, so that one can be reasonably certain that the project will still be around in 5 or 10 years or longer into the future.
I looked at three platforms in detail: phpBB, Vanilla and SMF2. All of them have their pros and cons - none of them has all the same featurs as the Discourse platform (which uses yet another technology Ruby on Rails).
As for the "Login with Faithlife" module, I will probably pay a developer to code that. Therefore, I'll place a small amount of Google ads into the forum to recover some of the cost (one in the footer, and for discussions with three or more postings, one additional ad in the middle). I hope that's okay and not too intrusive.
Dave L:Jan, thanks for your work on this project. I found this list of categories from the CD forum (Archived):
Checking the internet archive is actually an excellent idea. Here are the original forum rules
<h1>What is Christian Discourse?</h1>
<p>This is your go-to place for respectful online theological discussion. Feel free to pose Bible questions, spark theological discourse, and connect with people all over the world who are passionate about the Word.</p>
<p>Christian Discourse is a hub for biblical learning, growth, and community. Please keep your questions and comments respectful and polite. Treat others in this forum like you would treat your neighbor at church—don’t be afraid to voice your opinion, but do it with love and kindness.</p>
<h3>This Is a Civilized Place for Public Discussion</h3>
<p>Please treat others with the same love, courtesy, respect, and kindness that you would if you were having a conversation in a church. Use these guidelines to keep this a clean, well-lighted place for civilized public discussion.</p>
<h3>Improve the Discussion</h3>
<p>Leave every thread better than you found it. With each new post, work to improve the quality of the discussion. </p>
<p>We care deeply about the topics discussed here. Be respectful about them and the people discussing them, even if you disagree.</p>
<p>Browse for a few minutes before you post a new thread to help us keep things tidy. You may find that someone has already started a thread about the same subject to which you can contribute. Use this forum’s tools to limit clutter—rather than commenting “+1” or “Amen,” use the “like” button. Rather than signing your posts, fill out your profile information and post an avatar.</p>
<h3>Be Agreeable, Even When You Disagree</h3>
<p>You may wish to voice a contradictory opinion. That’s fine, but remember to criticize ideas, not people. Please avoid:<br>- Name-calling<br>- Ad hominem attacks<br>- Reacting to a post’s tone rather than responding to its content</p>
<h3>If You See a Problem, Flag It</h3>
<p>It’s everyone’s job to make this forum a healthy, happy place for discourse. When you see bad behavior, don’t reply. A reply consumes energy and draws more attention to the offending post. Just flag it. When enough flags accrue, action will be taken, either automatically or by a moderator.</p>
Question to FL: May I use these community rules (copyright-wise)?
Question to the previous moderators: Do you want to resume your role? I'd be more comfortable as technical admin rather than (head) moderator.
www.christiandiscourse.net is launched! Enjoy!
Please remember to use the same email address as in your Faithlife account. I have asked for a developer to do the Single Sign On in a few places now, so this could be in place any time soon.
Your new site looks great!
I am wondering if it would be possible to request the addition of discourse/discussion categories like:
Textual Criticism and Biblical literary analysis
Bible Translations and interpretation
חַפְּשׂוּ בַּתּוֹרָה הֵיטֵב וְאַל תִּסְתַּמְּכוּ עַל דְּבָרַי
Sure. Now is the right time to set up new categories as desired. All I've done was copying categories and descriptions from the archive. I'm sure that can be improved.
Why not move the discussion over there, and collaborate on a condensed list of categories to add. (If everyone just throws in their ideas for specialist categories, we might end up with a few dozen new categories, which are gonna be dead in the water after the initial two or three threads are finished).
Probably too soon, but I am unable to post or even edit my profile so far. Maybe just need approved?
Gao Lu: Probably too soon, but I am unable to post or even edit my profile so far. Maybe just need approved?
Did you reply to the verification email?
The mail was in my spam box. Thanks for helping me think of that.
Gao Lu:The mail was in my spam box. Thanks for helping me think of that.
If there's any indication on why it was flagged as spam, that would be tremendously helpful to know.
Another question for FL: Would it be okay (copyright-wise) to use the icons from the previous CD forum?
Thanks Jan!
Jan Krohn: Another question for FL: Would it be okay (copyright-wise) to use the icons from the previous CD forum?
Please submit a request with details (including which icons and a description of the usage) to permissions@faithlife.com.
FYI, here's generally the place to find answers to permissions questions: https://www.logos.com/copyright-permissions
Dave,
After being away from CD for a while, I was surprised to learn of her demise. She had great potentials for bringing enlightenment to so many (pro/con).
LONG-LIVED CD!
CM, we've missed you on the old CD forum for some time and would like to see you and others join in on the new. https://www.christiandiscourse.net/ Jan did a great job setting this up and it has the same vibe as the original forum.