Urgent - Your Help Please
February 18, 2008
When I started my blog at Home School Blogger a while back, I really wanted to have a Message Board instead. I am not really into the whole monologue thing. Blogs don’t have to be monologues, but it is hard to have a real dialogue with a blog. You can, but it gets hard to follow. Don’t you think?
So, I plan to open a Message Board. It will have a lot of forums that are relevant to a Christian lifestyle. A conservative Christian lifestyle.
General topics would include things like parenting, healthy eating, crafts, homesteading, homeschooling, marriage, etc.
Here is where I need your help…
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I need a good name. Something catchy, pertinent, easy to remember, and not too long.
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I need ideas for specific forums.
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I have in mind the program I will use but I want to know which message board programs you like using.
Thanks,
Jeff
February 18th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
A forum is a good idea, I can tell you what forum I do not like http://www.welltellme.com I love this site though and go there often I just don’t care for the set up, it’s hard to follow. Go to http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com and click on message boards, thats a good set up.
As far as a name: Christian homeschool families, Homeschoolers helping Homeschoolers, Families serving Families, Joyful News, something about ministering to each other even from across the country? there are lots of creative people out there unfortunately I’m not one of them it took us a week to come up with A mixed bag of nuts!
oooohhhh You could have an herb topic/section or a Nourishing Traditions section….
Sorry I wasn’t much help! But I can’t wait to be apart of it!
February 18th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
A forum is great, but make sure to use something like a vBulletin setup. So many message boards have other cumbersome formats (like whatever Yahoo! Groups uses, which is awful).
February 18th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
A forum would be wonderful. faithcommunitynetwork.com has a setup I like. I used to post there some and it is very user friendly. It’s not flashy but it gets the job done.
I’m very not creative. So I have no suggestions for a name. I just wanted to lend my support of the idea as a whole. :)
February 18th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Well nuts! I was afraid you were gonna do this. I can’t do forums. They suck too much of my time. I love coming here and only having one topic at a time to look at. I’ll stick with Katie’s blog tho. Love it!
February 18th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I am not saying that I will stop blogging, Ginger. If you were my only reader, I would keep blogging just for you. ;)
February 18th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
This sounds exciting, I like that we can have some interaction. I’d also like to see some bible study type stuff, a place where we can ask/discuss various verses for better understanding and implementation in our everyday journey in this life.
Can we have avatars? :) How private or public?
February 18th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Awwww! I’m touched. And very relieved.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Okay, I LOVE http://www.sewingmamas.com ’s setup. :) I know it isn’t related, but I love it! :) I would love to see homeschooling/bible study/cooking/general chit chat about life…etc. ;) I would love to have avatars. I probably wouldn’t join though unless it is semi private. A lot of people out there (as seen in Katie’s blog and here as well) just want to flame people that fit into a similar category. :( Maybe only let people join by referral only? IDK…. LOL As for the name…. I haven’t a clue…All my suggestions are too long… LOL
February 18th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Would it be possible to have one central website with a homepage welcoming us to Team Bettendorf, etc. Then there could be links to Katie’s blog and to Jeff’s blog, maybe even the kid’s blogs if you wanted, then a link to the forums area?
If you are sticking with the “Team” theme, how about, “The Huddle” or something team-like? Or, have you decided on what you’ll call your family camp? You might want to go with something connected to that?
I think you definitely might want to consider having a forum specifically for those who enjoy a good debate. That way, those who are a little more peace-loving can avoid that area yet still participate. :)
From what I’ve read from you and Katie before, I’d like to see:
Healthy Eating/Recipes
Adoption Issues/Blending Adopted&Bio Kids
Homeschooling/Curriculum
Family Camp/Building
Parenting Tactics
Sewing/Crafts/Hobbies
Okay that’s all.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I love vBulletin
check out http://www.thehomeschoollibrary.com
I love that format…same as Sonlight’s
~Becky
February 18th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Oh I love the forum or digest idea. Since my children think I only blog to have “imaginary friends”..cause who in their right mind does all of of the same things we do..hahaha.
I very much enjoy all of the topics and pictures you both have on your blogs too..these are our interests also.
The name..geez how can you encompass all with a single name…
The digests I enjoy are “Adoptive Momys” and “New Harvest Homestead” on Yahoo. I like Lori In KY idea, keep the blog with links to the discussions
February 18th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
My husband suggested “Salt and Light” for the name.
I’d like sections on recipes and organizing for a big family…..like how do you guys keep up with shoes?????????
February 18th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
I’d like topics like organizing, large family issues, recipes and NT, of course, homeschooling, parenting in general, adoption, special needs issues.
I am not very creative as far as names go…sorry!
February 19th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I think you should add a alternative medicine category.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Great idea! I sent my Mom the link to this post too. :) Providers: I like PHBB, but Vbulletin is also fine, and there are other great ones I can’t remember. Haha. :)
I like the categories you have, and I like LindaNJ’s idea of an ‘alternative medicine’ category, or ‘natural remedies’ or whatnot. :)
February 19th, 2008 at 9:59 am
What about the name “Faith and Family Forum”? That would about cover every topic in some fashion, I think.
Blessings,
Beth
February 19th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Lori in KY,
I’ve been asking for one main website forever!! Jeff acts like he is busy or something. ;)
I like all y’alls ideas.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I love the Faith & Family Forum name. Very succinct.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I like the Faith and Family Forum name, I like the team suggestion too….I’m glad I don’t have to choose.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Hello Jeff,
I like your idea for a forum. There are so many message boards out there. Most are many specialist boards. I think I am on about 6 of them.
You want a name. not very original I will grant, but why not “Oh My Dad”.
Stan
February 19th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
If I were your only reader would you keep blogging just for me?
February 19th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Jealousy does not become you Jenna.
LOL!
February 19th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
“The Whole Enchilada” …. A Christian Homeschooling Dad’s Perspective On….Well, Everything :) Hmmmm, maybe not. Sounds more like a cooking show. lol
February 20th, 2008 at 10:04 am
i am on a private message board that uses the http://www.proboards.com message board. it is very easy to navigate and i love the setups.
This sounds exciting!!!!
can i Third the main website motion?
February 20th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Jeff,
I am on a forum that I really like that uses invision board. It is easy to follow and navigate around. The way they do their sub-forums is nice too. I look forward to seeing what you choose to do. My husband and I both enjoy your and Katie’s blogs.