Return of the Icons [PLEASE READ]

[Ken'ichi]

Hello, fellow members.

I'm happy to see a lot of members returning to the boards and willing to pitch in to improve the boards and take care of it. It really makes me smile seeing you all contribute for the good of this place.

Now, thanks to Epesi we've recovered a good amount of icons and pictures that were used in the boards before the server crash. Unfortunately it doesn't include every single icon used before, but it's a big recovery nonetheless.

Also, thanks to Epesi we've recovered the custom Kenai emoticons. I also found within my old folders a backup of the Kenai and Koda emoticons. I don't remember the forum member who provided me with this, so I apologize and give special thanks to said member (If you're reading this please stand up and let me know so we can thank you properly).

All of these custom icons and pictures used were made by the forum founder, Spectrum. So full credit for these wonderful icons go to him.

As I said before, anyone is welcome to create and donate banners, icons, pictures, suggestions, anything to improve the boards. Full credit will be given to the creators.

Also, I have other things I would like to discuss with you all.

I have been thinking about something Oreius suggested to me a few months ago. Would you all be interested in an annual awards voting?

There will be awards for different categories. From Best Member, Best Roleplayer, Best Writer, Best Drawer, Friendliest Member, even Best Staff Member.

I'd like to think that this additional annual thing could encourage everyone to grow more active and not only participate for a chance to win, but also mingle with the other members and meet and make new friends.

So, what does everyone think?

[21aLfOx]

I'm glad to see this board going more active.

Talkin about that annual award? That would be awesome! *Though I know I definitely won't bear any awards*

But, I wonder what about the "Caption This!" section? I need those pictures. I'm also a member of Brother Bear FanGroup on Facebook. And I intend to upload them. I had asked "Walter1" and "Walter2". But, there was no further respond.

[Truttle]

I don't want to seem negative against ideas, but I'm not sure awards would be such a good idea. As per example of 21alfox, some people would feel neglected of not receiving awards. I feel it will cause problems.

We're all equals and share equal credibility for supporting our forum. Whether someone posts more or less.

[21aLfOx]

After rethinking again. What Truttle said is right. I'm not in on this point.

It would either make members become more active or make them feel ignored.

Truttle
Hey, my name is spelt with L and O capitalized. It's 21aLfOx

[czarine]

Awww, Epesi, that's awesome! ;D

And about those awards... Perhaps some more award categories, so the less creative members have a chance of getting something too. Ones that don't take some kind of 'skill'. Such as kindness, helpfulness, humor, activity, participation, etc.

That would make it a bit more fair, and people won't feel as left out because they don't stand a chance to win anything... I mean, it doesn't take a creative skill/talent to just be nice to people.

And maybe advertise a bit at other forums. Put AAAB in your signature! Or deviantART or whatever! The more members, the merrier, right?

[Anya]

In some respects the awards do sound fascinating.. Yet, I think I'd prefer not to have them. Like Truttle said, we're equal, and I'm doubtful about this idea of competition.

However, it's good to see this place more active.

[czarine]

There's nothing wrong with a bit of competition. This promotes good behavior and activity, and winning something doesn't make other people inferior.

[Midnight]

Woah! I've never even seen some of these icons, and I've been here for.. 3 or 4 years.
Anyway, I like the idea of the votes. ^^

Oh, and I'm not going to take credit because I dunno if I sent them or not, but I have a folder full of the kenai emoticons that I saved years ago. I could have sent them to you, Keni, or someone else who sent them to you, but I'm not sure. Might have, might not have. xD

[Epesi]

Heh, thanks, Ken'ichi and Czarine. ;D

I'm a little ambivalent about the awards, but it's not necessarily a bad idea. Perhaps there could be some sort of a compromise.

A forum I used to go to held awards, and their categories were generally sort of humorous, which I think made it less competitive and more fun. They were things like "Most likely to write an autobiography," "Most likely to marry a popstar," "Funniest Admin," etc. A handful of people volunteered to draw prizes. I wish I could remember more about how the awards were presented...in general, though, it worked out well and people had fun.

Another idea that could be fun: art and fanfiction challenges. For example, a challenge could be to draw Kenai as another animal, or draw Koda as a human, or to write an alternate ending to the movie, or write about a meeting between characters who never met in the films. We could do it like the contests at The Lion King Fan Art Archive, where the winner of the challenge gets to pick the theme for the next one.

There's also a party game I've been dying to try that I've been thinking of starting up here. Anybody familiar with, ahem, "Eat Poop You Cat"? XD (If you've never heard of it, don't be scared by the name. ;D)

[Truttle]

Those are excellent ideas Epesi! I could certainly go for those. =3

[czarine]

But these contests still leave out the less creative members, but it is a nice idea.

In fact, I host a SOTW (Sig of the week) contest on 2 boards (both Disney-related forums) and it's quite funny to do. On another board I participate in a similar contest and it's approaching it's 150th week! ;D

I'll be happy to participate or help organise such an event here.

The user awards you suggested indeed are quite humerous. We should go with BB-related ones though.

[mock]

the new emoticons and icons are verry good!

[Epesi]

But these contests still leave out the less creative members, but it is a nice idea.

I don't think it leaves anyone out. Everyone would be welcome to enter, regardless of experience or level of skill. Those who just don't consider themselves creative can still enjoy browsing the entries, and all would be allowed to vote.

The user awards you suggested indeed are quite humerous. We should go with BB-related ones though.

Yeah, those were just examples, not actual suggestions (especially since the forum I got the idea from used those awards already XD). Making them BB-related is a good idea.

It's great to see so much interest and discussion in here. ;D

[Ken'ichi]

They are all interesting suggestions and ideas. I'm happy to hear everyone here giving ideas and discussing them.

Recently me along with the other mods have been discussing an idea all members can get into and play, experiment, discuss and share thoughts with. A little something for fun and even perhaps prizes, depending on how the mods feel about it and if we actually agree and develop something for it.

Expect to hear about it soon.

[Anya]

I meant to say this before, but it somehow never happened.
Anyway, I'm beginning to like Epesi's suggestions about the awards and challenges. If we give them a try, I'm excited to see how they turn out.
I wonder how the BB-related awards would be like. xD

And I like the icons too. ^^ They make the place seem more vibrant.