*If you are not prepared to read this through do not try support or no supporting and you will not be properly informed.

I decided to have a little bit of a search on addons for blogs. But the add on cost a bit and I think there is another way to do this.

The idea is to have a Blogs section.

What the section may look like:

Intro
Blogs will just be threads where users can write what they wish within the confines of the forums rules.
Ratings will be disabled on blogs and post count will not be affected by posting. I believe that this suggestion will give users something to do that is a bit more constant than the off topic section and can also involve more of a mix of server and in real life.

Blogs
My proposal requires a few things.

1. A separate sub section under the sections "Off Topic or Discussion", or make it a section of its own
2. A prefix which will state if the blog is open for comments
3. Ratings and post counts off

As said above blogs will be a thread, much like introductions. A user will be allowed ONE personal thread which they may start up a blog. Like moderator applications, blogs are not limited by gravedigging so there is no risk of losing your blog because you left it.

You may either run a blog that you want to allow people to comment in, which will be defined by a green/yellow prefix called "Open" and a red/yellow prefix called "closed" for no comments. Or there may be just a prefix for open blogs (in this case prefixes will be optional).

Blogs will have to follow forum rules so content of blogs must be suitable, sensitive and must not pick on players, promote hate/racism, or other topics. Blogs are not for personal issues either, talk of self harm or suicide methods, expressions of intent or desire to inflict physical harm on others, and posts that are rude, are not allowed.
Venting and ranting are allowed however only in closed blogs and in spoilers with a warning.
Content can contain media, but videos will need to be kept to 3 a page.
You can only post blog posts in your blog. Unless you run a joint blog (see below). If a blog is open then you may comment.

Joint blogs
A joint blog is one that several users can update. This is done by the thread owner specifying who can update their blog. Even if the blog is open, actual blog posts need to be written only by the people listed. This list of people can be done in the title (eg. Krissy and Lycel 's blog) or in the first post of the blog somewhere. This is a necessity for ease of moderation.
There are no limits on how many joint blogs you can be a part of. (Eg. I own the blog "Krissy's blog" but i am also part of " keeper_of_flame 's and Krissy's blog and part of lycel's and Krissy's blog)
Just like a coop you may have up to 8 people in running one thread/blog or you might as well make an off-topic post.
Example of the first post of a joint blog:

Example of Joint blog title

These are just example ways. As long as there is the correct info, its all fine.

Rules
These are the basic rules that would be in place for the section

General rules:

• All blogs must follow the forum rules (insert link)
• Users may only make ONE thread in this section
• All blogs must have a prefix stating if you wish to allow comments or not
• No posting in blogs that are closed
• No making blog posts in someone elses blogs unless you are part of that persons joint blog (see joint blog rules)
• All mature content, venting and ranting must be enclosed in spoilers and a warning given
• You may gravedig your own thread
• Limit video media to 3 videos a page
• Be respectful to all players (no offensive content, flaming, personal attacks, racism, rudeness, personal issues etc)

Joint Blog Rules

• Must specify who is allowed to post blog content in your thread either in the first post of blog title (use forum names)
• Up to 8 people to a blog only
• No limits on how many joint blogs you are part of

Breaking of these rules will result in disciplinary action which may involve deletion of blog, or removal of posts and warning points applied for repeat offences.

Pros and cons
I believe this will be a simple addition to the forums however there are few considerations
The good things is this idea incorporates a few other suggestions in one (suggestion on an art/creativity section and the rant section) and people can express themselves without fear of ratings. Also it gives something for player to add into their signatures, show off their personality etc. You do not have to be good at writing, maybe you want to share some pictures or something else you have done.
The cons are mainly to do with people breaking the rules of the section and it requires a little bit of moderation.

For those who say, just use the off topic section, off topic threads are different. You cannot gravedig off topic, meaning you would need to keep bumping your blog, and you cannot restrict people from posting, and there are ratings enabled meaning people can rate your content.

Conclusion
I believe that this suggestion will add some life to the forums that is needed. More people could possibly get involved with the forums through this type of thing.
Even if you do not intend to use the section, I hope you will give it some thought, I know I personally would love to have a blog.
Thank-you for reading

 

I plan to tag you in almost every thread i make from now on... deal?

 

I also will be making a few templates people can use if this suggestion is accepted. I may jump ahead and make a few examples tonight

 

Limit is 20 images a post. But if your blogs gonna have so many of them you will suffer as well as people who want to
Look. You have around 15000 characters? You can just use 2 posts for one entry, not a worry. I think you will find a way around it because the image or character limit should be set as it is for all sections

 

limit to 3 videos a page. I think a page is 20. SO if you do vblog, you can post around 3 videos a page but this idea is mainly for written blogs and image blogs.

 

I will try get a working example of this suggestion going and uh see how it does.