I've already made some slight changes to the board, and cropped out a few things that I felt were unnecessary. These are all minor fixes that will help pave the way for the new site design that will be starting up just as soon as the bugs are worked out. Right now IDW is running on IPB 1.3.1, which is ancient by today's standards, and I absolutely refuse to let that continue (for very long, at least). We will be transferring to the sleek, sexy IPB 3.3 (the latest version), which will offer a wonderful set of new features that members can enjoy.
That said, I'm incredibly glad to introduce myself as the new owner and administrator of Initial D World Forums, and all other sites running under the GO2ID umbrella. A fair amount of you probably already know me and my experiences here. Perhaps you like my history here, perhaps you don't. I've taken many months off from the site to reflect upon everything I've done, and find what I have determined to be my true purpose. That purpose is to take this site and move it into the future. Yes, I'm admin, but I don't consider myself a moderator. I'm leaving those duties (for the most part) to the mod team, and keeping myself vested in improving the infrastructure of the site. It's already happening, too. You'll start noticing subtle changes throughout the site, even on pages you thought were dead, on a frequent basis. The store, for instance, is going to be updated with some exciting new options very soon. You thought DPs were worthless? Not anymore. Remember the propositions for physical IDW merchandise? They're becoming a reality. Design templates are being reviewed as I type this. Now put both concepts together.
So what's on the horizon? Right now, I have a moderation team refresh on the table, which the site has been in need of for years, set for April 5th. That gives me a week to accept and review potential candidates to fill out the new team. Note that my personal relations with other members does not guarantee a mod spot. I am basing this new administration on a lack of bias, so the buddy system cannot apply here. I am looking for four members to step up to the plate and show me that they can handle the responsibility. Remember, a friend card is not enough. You will need a conscience and maturity. No trolling. No bullying. No disrespect to the board or its membership. I will waste no time in revoking mod badges from those that prove themselves unworthy of the privilege.
Also on the table: donor rewards! Instead of just a pat on the back, I have put in rewards based on donation amounts, with a wonderful gift awarded to the member that donates the most to IDW before July 1. The significance of this date will be made clear in the near future, as it looms closer. As for donation rewards, members will receive unique IDW-themed gifts depending on how much they donate. At $5, you would receive a keychain, for instance, while the $25 level would get a t-shirt. I'm still ironing out what will happen at higher levels.
Show me what you've got, folks, and we'll pave the way to a new and improved IDW.
So say we all,
///Tessou///
