China DOS Union

Item 4, adding ads, and item 8, adding the site-building history, can be done first. It’s easier to get things done once there’s money first; the economic base determines the superstructure. Adding the site-building history can also better win members’ understanding and support.
As for the others, I admit that several moderators are all DOS experts, but in other fields there may well be greater experts out there. Let’s discuss it on the forum and pool ideas together.

The following is quoted from tdj’s post on 2003-12-10 19:26:01:
Item 4, adding ads, and item 8, adding the site-building history, can be done first. It’s easier to get things done once there’s money first; the economic base determines the superstructure. Adding the site-building history can also better win members’ understanding and support.
As for the others, I admit that several moderators are all DOS experts, but in other fields there may well be greater experts out there. Let’s discuss it on the forum and pool ideas together.

The economic side was discussed before too. Earlier, moderator YYS even said they wanted to issue CDs to make a bit of money, but later I don’t know why it just ended without any conclusion...

It was discussed, yes, but not actually tried. Things are often like this: when the mountains and rivers leave you doubting there is no road ahead, if you don’t walk on, how can you reach another village beneath shaded willows and bright flowers? Gao Chunhui? Feiniao? DOS Museum? Their decline, or the success of NetEase, Driver Home, and Huajun Software, can all be used for reference.

I’m a newly registered member. I really like the atmosphere here, and I hope it can become an online home for DOS enthusiasts. So based on how the forum has felt recently, I’d like to offer a few small suggestions.
1 China DOS Union should not be a union just for DOS moderators. How to raise popularity should be the first thing all the moderators think about; this is the key to the forum’s existence. Otherwise, you might as well just make a guestbook, so why work this hard.
2 Set up a union links section. This reminds me of Master Rushi’s post about founding the Five-Colored Flag. Actually, the DOS Union itself is already a very good banner to show to the outside world. I think if all members’ webpages were centrally linked on the forum, and then all DOS Union members promoted the forum, the effect would be very good. You could also hold evaluations of outstanding webpages inside the union forum. In addition, the union logo should be made as early as possible for members to use in promotion.
3 Expand external publicity.
China DOS Union
20:00 31 online, 14 members, 17 visitors
20:20 40 online, 18 members, 22 visitors
21:00 30 online, 15 members, 15 visitors
22:00 43 online, 24 members, 18 visitors
23:00 46 online, 23 members, 23 visitors
24:00 32 online, 17 members, 15 visitors

The forum has a total of 14397 registered members, total threads: 8216, total posts: 51045

“Only Huajun Software”:
popularity
No. 330 software name: Super Universal MS-DOS Boot Disk 7.10 Build updated 2003.5.16 2003-5-31 software rating ★★★★ popularity 47396
The numerical comparison is out of proportion. I suggest every subforum pool ideas together. A newbie in DOS may very well be an expert at building websites; everyone has his strong points and weak points.
4 Add ads so the site can support itself.
Adding ads and using ad revenue to maintain the site’s development is the common practice right now. Sacrificing a tiny bit of page space to preserve this paradise is worth it. Only this way can the forum keep developing, instead of having to go around everywhere crying SOS and begging for hosting space. Personally, after using good software, visiting the author’s homepage and clicking the ads is my way of paying, and that’s also how I came to this forum. I believe most members would also be happy to do this.
5 Collect, organize, make, and Chinese-localize software
Language is the biggest obstacle for Chinese DOS enthusiasts, and also the biggest obstacle to spreading DOS. With the rise of Win2000 and XP, DOS Chinese-localized software is gradually being lost. I think collecting, organizing, making, and adapting Chinese-localized software so it fits today’s environment is the main focus for expanding DOS’s influence. If it can’t be widely used, it will be hard to develop. Chinese localization and mouse operation are the key.
In addition, many download links on the forum are basically useless and should be dealt with somehow.
6 Reorganize sections, liven up the forum atmosphere, and add interesting columns
7 Break down collecting, localization, programming, making, organizing, testing, etc. into small projects. Set up a reward mechanism
Right now the threshold for forum projects is too high, so ordinary members shy away. Chinese localization, programming, and making are certainly good, but collecting, organizing, and testing are equally important. Break big projects into small projects, so enthusiasts of every level have a chance to participate. For typical projects, have experts provide comments.
8 I hope the new version can include the site-building history, so every visitor can understand the site’s past development.

I strongly agree. The site really does need to support itself if it is going to have long-term development.
The publicity isn’t enough. Too many people don’t know about this place. But as long as they hear about it, once they come take a look they all say it’s a good place.
I also hope there can be a place specifically for newcomers to look over the union’s history. As things are now, if you want to know how this site has grown, it’s quite difficult. A few days ago I even thought this site was going to merge with Dandiao, and I felt awful. But then later I saw news that it would not merge. Sigh, honestly.

People have mentioned these things before, but actually putting them into practice is really hard....
Before, the server problem really did cost the forum quite a bit of popularity...
Right now the forum is basically relying on people being interested in DOS and then coming here because of that..

tdj, thank you very much for your suggestions! About ads, I’m not very clear on how to get in touch with advertisers. Could you introduce me to that a bit? Thanks!

Also, the union logo had actually already been basically decided before. Dark-Destroy, put it up and let everyone have a look.

The following is quoted from Wengier’s post on 2003-12-26 8:07:14:
tdj, thank you very much for your suggestions! About ads, I’m not very clear on how to get in touch with advertisers. Could you introduce me to that a bit? Thanks!

Also, the union logo had actually already been basically decided before. Dark-Destroy, put it up and let everyone have a look.

I posted it in the chatter section before, and I didn’t keep a backup on hand.

Also:


The forum design is very distinctive, and it’s also extremely convenient to use. I really like the prize quiz section. Everyone can go have a look. But as for the forum content... it’s like a group of monkeys living in a villa, noisy as hell.

tdj’s point is good. Nothing will develop if everyone fights alone. The forum should have a clear division of labor, especially what kind of people the forum is still lacking right now—it should be made public. Maybe I’m exactly the one that’s missing here /

The following is quoted from Wengier’s post on 2003-12-26 8:07:14:
tdj, thank you very much for your suggestions! About ads, I’m not very clear on how to get in touch with advertisers. Could you introduce me to that a bit? Thanks!

Also, the union logo had actually already been basically decided before. Dark-Destroy, put it up and let everyone have a look.

Wengier:
Sorry, I’ve been lurking for nearly a year. Recently while surfing online I did happen to find one thing that I think is pretty good. Wengier, you might as well go in and see whether it could work: “NetEase Website Union”
URL: http://union.163.com/faq.htm