A software-oriented forum idea I'm pondering

[VLS]

Ok, here's my idea for a software-oriented forum:

- A forum-neutral zone.

- No method publishing allowed. Methods must be pointed to as they appear in other forums / websites.

- Main focus is code, leaving all "forum politics" behind. We don't allow "carry-overs" for arguments from other forums into this one. A very clear policy: if it's of a personal nature, both sides of the argument get erased.

- No links in signatures; including -of course- abidance by myself and other forum staff members, in order to show we're truly forum-neutral.

- Having the following sections for software coding:
   - Public (any member can post at no cost)
   - Private (for paid coders to attend their users)
   - "Bounty coding" (for members who want to donate a public feature and are willing to offer a bounty for it)
   - Subscribers (those are specifically for me to take).

- The actual content of the forum being programming tutorials/ lessons, the internals of our software explained, as well as other related discussion such as operating systems, new technology... Actual software discussion instead of systems discussion.



What could we achieve with this?

This model facilitates BetSoftware adoption without disrupting the flow at other websites. Members from other websites can link to us with their mind at ease they aren't taking discussion from their favorite place. Since BetSoftware is free and open source, it can transverse other forums seamlessly, gathering coders using disparate technologies who agree on the platform to work together.

Most importantly, it allows us not to be attached/pegged to any other forum in particular, hence we show we do not participate in "forum wars"; if any, it demonstrates we participate in "forum fomenting", since method tweaks and new ideas must be posted in the member's favorite website or forum board of choice, hence we actively foment member activity over there.



What's in it?

To me as admin: I can streamline my software efforts efficiently.

To us as BetSelection website: We can be hosted on the software forum's server for its life at no extra cost to us here.

To the community at large: Enjoying a neutral place where there is only genuine interest in fostering our common software development. Since it's free and open source, it's there for the taking for everyone to enjoy; once a program is published with editable sources it can't be taken back. The whole community wins with every release.



This thread is for gathering some feedback here. It can be a reality as soon as this month.

[esoito]

Sounds good to me and is certainly something quite different to SourceForge et alia that are also based on FOSS.


But...(there's always one, somewhere!)...how will you fund it?  (Hopefully history won't repeat all the funding difficulties you've had with keeping this forum on the road.)

And I guess the new site would offer more than just gambling software? (I sure hope so, otherwise it'll be too limited in scope.)

[Nickmsi]

Hello Vic . . .

I'm in.

Once you get the BetSoftware Bot completed, I will be happy to participate and tutor others who wish to code in Excel and make their own bot or tracker.

I already provide free trackers and bot sheets to members so it would be great to have a special section for members to access and ask questions or make requests.

Cheers

Nick

[Albalaha]

I would love to have it here, as early as possible.

[VLS]

Thanks for the participation guys. To address you and also expand a bit:

100% focused on software, zero "off-topic noise".

Since it doesn't discuss gambling methods at all, it wouldn't have to embed our current 3rd party ads. (i.e. not a competing forum)

While some communities such as poker or blackjack (plus others) wouldn't welcome a forum with roulette system selling ads, a clean forum would have open doors with them. Enhanced market.

We need a commercial offering for sustaining ourselves; not in the far future, but right now in this year 2014. Selling auto-updates and other server-based services is perfectly valid, even if the software itself is 100% free and open source.

We are years away from full-blown non-gambling commercial offerings, hence we focus in what we can sell to support ourselves right now. The new site would be streamlined to our gambling software offering only.

Discussion would be more focused in programming and technology topics. This niche doesn't have the traditional "aggro" associated with the quasi-religious "gambling systems wars". With a clear policy of removing both sides of personal arguments, only the on-topic posts would adorn the place.

Let's see if we can open it this very month; if we happen to complete the $25-or-so needed to spare for trying the venture after covering monthly expenses, I'm all-in for it.

[Bayes]

Good idea. I would definitely contribute to such a forum. 

[wannawin]

It looks like a good idea provided you have a business plan and not left to ask for donations in two places and end up worse after running two servers. Here the relevant questions:

Only betsoftware programs would be allowed? or you can publish programs that are not compatible with it such as Basic265, python, other? Anyone can post their programs without approval? If so how would be the subject of viruses addressed? Today websites are completely blocked with one virus. If it is a forum for downloading programs you have to think about how to stay virus free beforehand.

How long would the $ 25 USD cover? The new forum cost would be exactly $ 25 USD every month?

I recommend that prior to opening the forum you plan the financial side in fine detail. Please not for donations this time. If it is for donations you better not get into that. If it is a business plan with the potential to help members in this forum then go ahead. I agree that software operating in a forum of general gambling topics sees software topics lost in the pile. Better to have a forum specifically dedicated to software topics. I see myself supporting this initiative and I think that it is the general consensus.

Much success with this venture if it is for the common good. Greetings.

[alrelax]

I am sending you $50.00 to cover it, you will have it this weekend.  Alrelax.

[esoito]

...and you've already received my $10.

[VLS]

I am sending you $50.00 to cover it, you will have it this weekend.  Alrelax.

...and you've already received my $10.

wowowow

Thank you!!!!

This also sponsors a fresh forum re-install for us to enjoy clean sources and getting rid of bugs in this forum too.

Bright news guys. You're awesome!

[smiley]giga/Bravo.gif[/smiley]

[alrelax]

wowowow

Thank you!!!!

This also sponsors a fresh forum re-install for us to enjoy clean sources and get rid of bugs in this forum too.

Bright news guys. You're awesome!

I'm not awesome, I am just an unintelligent, karma wishing-rabbit's foot-voodoo preaching, uninformed and overpopulated gambler on the board, just ask Bayes!  He is the awesome Mathematician that the board needs more of! 

[VLS]

I'm not awesome, I am just an unintelligent, karma wishing-rabbit's foot-voodoo preaching, uninformed gambler, just ask Bayes!  He is the awesome Mathematician!

We're such a happy family... in our own particular loving way  

[VLS]

Here the relevant questions:

Hello dear Walter, doing my best to be clear for you when answering.

Only betsoftware programs would be allowed?

No.

or you can publish programs that are not compatible with it such as Basic265, python, other?

Yes, no restrictions on programming languages.

Anyone can post their programs without approval?

Yes, that's the idea of openness.

If so how would be the subject of viruses addressed?

Initially, each member should take their own protective steps as with any other site taking open software submissions.

If we are eventually flooded by virus publishers then yes, some actions would need to be taken.

Today websites are completely blocked with one virus. If it is a forum for downloading programs you have to think about how to stay virus free beforehand.

Let's first see the actual ratio of rogue gambling coders. We are so little in amount it would be pretty unintelligent for one of our community coders to seek banning by publishing virii. The best payoff is to engage in clean actions to ensure a long and prosper stay, with the attached positive feedback building.

How long would the $ 25 USD cover? The new forum cost would be exactly $ 25 USD every month?

It would cover first year of domain + initial paid email.

We start serving the site from this server; only AFTER the new site is successful should we consider reversing the main/piggybacking roles.

I recommend that prior to opening the forum you plan the financial side in fine detail.

We are having financial plans other than relying 100% on donations, rest assured.

Much success with this venture if it is for the common good.

It is for the common good. Thanks for the best wishes. 

[alrelax]

Vic, can we have a section for 'Voo-Doo', 'Magical Wishes', 'Karma' and 'Luck' statistical analysis???

[VLS]

Vic, can we have a section for 'Voo-Doo', 'Magical Wishes', 'Karma' and 'Luck' statistical analysis???

We have a "Special sections" space in our index. Surely a "Voo-Doo Lounge" board can be added to it.

What topics do you have in mind as content? I must confess this is one weird request for a board over here!!