FirstLoveMovies

Good reasons to move away from perv is to stay legal and advertising that a film has nudity with flashing neon signs is unnecessary. Someone almost always hints it's there without making a big deal of it and if they don't it's a pleasant surprise. The intent is what's important. If a film is released because it has nudity in it, that edges close to porn. If a film is released and happens to have nudity in it, the primary aim wasn't the nudity. That's why we discourage posting clips from "CiC" and similar because the only reason for the clip is the nudity. That's also why we've tried to define 'on-topic' as something besides just skin. It's not prohibited and it's not required.

FLM did have a reputation for being a perv board but we've moved away from that in the last three years. Before that, I wasn't ashamed for people to watch the films I got from here but I was uncomfortable showing them the board because some of the members couldn't see the value of discretion. The whole 'flavor' of FLM is much cleaner now and we've lost nothing in the change. Old posts haven't been 'sanitized' because I try to keep a light touch. That's our history too, and I don't want to be a censor. So what's the solution?

The arguments about staying with eMule have been going on for freekin' years. If someone doesn't want to use it, fine. Find the same stuff elsewhere if you can. Maybe the ones who hate eMule enough will buy server space and a fast link so the other FLM'ers can upload/download to it instead. It's a waste of time re-arguing the benefits/drawbacks of eMule.

The 'deadline' referred to is in no way 'official' - Art created the poll. I don't think many people realize how much work is required to make it happen. This is no 10-minute job. You have to install either LAMP or WAMP (Linux/Apache/MySQL/PHP or Windows/Apache/MySQL/PHP), configure it all so it works, install phpBB and configure it, set phpBB up pretty much identically to FLM, then start making changes including icons, style sheets, phpBB files, colors, fonts, and lots of other stuff. Then you have to package it all up and send it to mimzy, who has to test everything and integrate it all into the working board without breaking anything. If something's not right, go back and do it again. We're talking LOTS of time and effort.

None of us are paid to do this, and I guarantee that no matter what is changed or NOT changed, someone will have an objection, someone's feelings will be hurt, and tempers will be bent. FLM isn't broken and doesn't require fixing. Until/unless there's a need to make major changes, it's better to leave it alone. Yeah, it looks kinda frumpy. I had an old pickup truck that looked frumpy too, but it got me where I needed to go.

Agree with Phuzzy on all counts. I'm a rank amateur when it comes to web design but even I know how much of a pain it is. Hundreds of little details have to be kept in mind; miss one, and you'll spend days figuring out WHICH little detail you missed or configured incorrectly.

I'm more for content and functionality rather than aesthetics - the board can be as pretty as you want, but if it doesn't bloody work, what's the use. What we have, works. Let's keep it that way. Sooner or later some technical thing will come up that will force us to change - not sure what issues Windows 10 will bring later this year.

As always, the effort spent in backing up our board's data should never be considered wasted. Backups have saved our board several times. Many thanks to the techies who put in the work to keep the board alive.

Regarding the older posts by some of the members who are still here: the board has evolved and so have we, but the old posts are still there and reflect the attitude and tone prevalent at the time. Just like our posts and comments are tailored to the attitudes and preferences prevalent now, so it was back then - we posted what we thought would be interesting to other members. Also keep in mind that back then this was a private board - only members could see the posts - so we were less bothered about being politically correct. I'm not sure what, if anything, should be done about this. We can't go back and edit every post.

Apparently, face value is as deep as some can see. If you cannot see what is blatantly obvious then you are willfully ignoring it. Basically being selfish and needy. Read what Phuzzy wrote again and if you still fail to comprehend from his point of view perhaps you should find another site to get your attention from. There is more than enough to offer here at FLM for most people with like minded interests. To ask for more at the risk of others for your own selfish gain is not what this site is anymore. Poor attempts to change it for your needs using false rationalization to justify your actions is going to hit walls and burn political bridges. Not to mention bring to surface some serious mental problems.

As far as the board's aesthetic styling I think Mimzy is being extremely accommodating within his capabilities. Thank you

And as for Phuzzy doing majority of the moderating, administration work keeping 'everyone' in mind all while doing this gratis/free, big thanks.

Phuzzy, emuler, and ptguardian couldn't have said it better!!! Thanks to ALL who put in time and sharing!!!

Instead of just expressing a general desire for change, could people post screenshots of things they like? E.g. if you really like the look and feel of a particular board, take a screenshot, highlight the bits you particularly like, and tell us why you like them. Let us create a collection of ideas and suggestions so that they are all in one place for the convenience of the admins/technical team if and when a change is eventually implemented. ART: you started this thread; you start the ball rolling by putting up a screenshot of a board style that you really like.

Also, please take a look at the stuff that we are currently using - http://www.artodia.com/phpbb-styles/ - and tell us if there is something there that you like. It might be less difficult to implement something from there rather than from a completely different stable.

The reason I did not attach my post to this thread is I did not want to convolute Arts post. There was something specifically being voted on. Adding other things I thought would confuse.

Also I like the board or I would not have been here so long. I did not really come with solutions, in the post above,I was merely pointing out the reasons why I think activity is low. Please don't take my post as that I am dissing the board.

I posted my message because with the anon vote, I realized how few people really were interested in what happened here. With the old system of speaking up, some might not want to post up their thoughts because they did not want an argument or for other reasons. But with the anon vote, that doesn't give their names, those reasons don't apply and STILL we only have 9 people so far.

This was an eye-opener for me as I now completely understand admins reluctance to change things. As it does take work and is appreciated by very few. I don't know what it was like in the old days, maybe there has always only been a few people talking and posting, but I had the impression that there were many more.

I know darn well Admin and active members are not happy with the fact that very few interact here, and very few give back. How many of the people that hit your ed2k posts do you see here as an active member? I think this is disconcerting, and I know members and admin have expressed it in posts.


With the perv thing. I am all for the cleaning up of the board in recent years, I agree with you Phuzzy, I am just pointing out what a dilemma that it is as the history paints in words why and who this board was created for. Phuzzy you said you felt uncomfortable showing family and others the board before, and I understand. But has that changed? As soon as they read the older posts there will be questions. I am not saying there is a solution, like Emuler said to edit all those posts would be crazy. I do not want this to be a perv board, I am just stating that this is a dilemma with no answer that I can see.


Again, not dissing the board.

And mimzy, when I said "family religious board" I was using the opposite extreme of a perv board, I wasn't being literal. Also, on other ways to get these movies, you left out buying them.
In 2004 VHS was still a thing, and amazon was relatively new as was CVMC and their selection. But in 2015, literally hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of children's movies both, RFF OT or not, are now available on dvd with subs. And within the last 5 years, region free players are widely available so people can buy from all over the world.


Again, I am merely pointing out the reasons I think activity here is low.


I wish could help on the stuff you admin do with the re-style, but I know nothing. and although I would love to see it, what will it change? If this is the way it has always been here with the activity level of only a few people posting and doing the work (admin and about 10 members) then the board does not need fixing.


I would like to see the board be vibrant and active, but I may be the only one that feels that way. Or maybe everybody feels it is vibrant and active and I am in the wrong.

Everyone talking here is an old-timer on the board with knowledge of what the board used to be. I am the only newcomer at almost two years. Members left and leave and no newcomers are replacing them. Is this not a problem?

Basically, is this re-style for the few of us posters? Or are we trying to attract new members hoping for new posters with a more modern layout? I am for the re-style with the idea that it attracts new posters with material.....but if this is only for the few of us, then I agree with mimzy that this layout currently is conservative. I like the simple layout, everything is easy to find. But if we are trying to attract new posters, then the other issues would have to be addressed.




Two things I see that the board is good for. I should have included them.

1. The board is good for those that live in countries with slow connections, or Internet restrictions.

2. As mimzy pointed out, the other ways to get films. FLM creates a place to post verified links. Wheather you got your film from usenet, torrent, rip, or other...members know that if they use the ed2k or link provided at FLM, that they will get the movie and not spam or porn. This is a huge selling point.


And I do thank those that post.


And PTG - I have been vocal in the past on my struggle with alcoholism, but I have only shared with admin in none specific ways that I do deal with mental and physical health issues. Unfortunately, I feel that my issues have become public over the last two months as I picked up the vodka and went off my meds. I am back on the meds. but am still struggling with getting back on the wagon. To those I offended during this period, I think it is time I do apologize. Its been since funnydog days that I had the crazy come on like this but it is not fun or funny. Sometimes when I feel it coming on, I literally hide my keys and stack furniture to the ceiling in front of the doors to keep myself from leaving when the crazy hits. I won't remember where the keys are and for some reason I don't move the furniture so it keeps me in. Unfortunately, I have not conditioned myself to hide the damn computer. As I have been a regular for awhile now, I think you all know my typical nature versus when I go batshit. I think its night and day enough to tell. I can not promise it won't happen again as I deal with this in real life and can only ask for understanding. Many people do not understand mental health or alcoholism unless they deal with it directly. At least if it happens again, you know whats up and don't take it personal. Eventually I am able, with help from family and friends, to get my shit on track. Again apologize to those I offended.

I joined the two threads because it's all one topic.

No amount graphics or colors will get people to post if they don't already want to. People can get what they want without having to give anything back. If we make it more difficult, we'll get even less participation. I'm thankful for the new people who do join in and share info about films they've found, even if they can't share on eMule. That stuff usually finds its way to ed2k anyway. Even if people don't release new stuff, sharing old stuff is a significant contribution.

More participation would be great but it is what it is. We were busier before the July 2011 crunch but not by that much. Afterwards people either couldn't find us again or decided to move on. Other boards didn't want to link to the new FLM because of the old board's reputation. We began cleaning things up. I don't worry much now about someone looking over my shoulder and seeing naked pix or drooling perv comments because even though films with skin are still posted, people are discrete and don't make a big deal about it - it's not THE reason for the release.

Just because very few people responded to the survey means nothing. I didn't because I knew it wasn't going to go anywhere, and I'd wager other regulars didn't for their own reasons. I kinda liked the old board layout better than the generic phpBB layout (what you're looking at now) but it was custom-made and recreating it would've been a pain, not to mention the upkeep needed whenever there were updates to phpBB. Also, I've set up several phpBB boards, and it was relatively easy to toast things. Since FLM is on a leased server, not mimzy's own, if things get whacked, it can be a royal headache to fix.

I'd suggest anyone who wants to do this should set up a phpBB board - which requires installing Apache web server, MySQL database, and PHP too - and see what they can come up with. You have to have a working phpBB set up to test your changes. Maybe create an icon set to start, and play around with style sheets, or look through the pre-made ones on sites like the one emuler posted and modify one to fit FLM. Think of it as a learning experience.

The "perv" aspect has always been a part of FLM. If you want to stay 100% legal and not break any rules, just create a free forum at proboards.com or similar (some may remember loverboy's http://flmcontact.proboards.com/, which was unfortunately rather short-lived).

Anybody can edit his/her own posts, but I don't think admins should edit or delete historic posts in general.

Emuler has a point. Web design is relatively easy if you know exactly what you want to do. So far I haven't seen any concrete proposals, I haven't got a clue what exactly needs to be changed and I'm confused about what I'm actually voting for.

I reviewed many board styles back in 2011, but there was none I really liked. Finally I modified a style from Artodia. The current FLM style is thus the best I could do. Note that phpBB style packages that you can download from websites like Artodia do not work out-of-the-box, because of FLM extensions ("like" button, search, etc.).

The board activity has been stable for years. We have ca. 2000 unique visitors per month, whatever that means. Most visitors apparently come from search engines and other forums where FLM links are posted. There is a low number of new releases simply because there aren't many new FLM-relevant movies released anymore.

I'm actually surprised that so many relevant movies can still be found, thanks to our members.

mimzy wrote:Web design is relatively easy if you know exactly what you want to do. So far I haven't seen any concrete proposals, I haven't got a clue what exactly needs to be changed and I'm confused about what I'm actually voting for.

So, guys, let's get those ideas in here. Who knows, mimzy could look at some of them and say "Hey! That won't break anything. I can do that, no problem!"

Ok. I'll start the ball rolling. I don't care about cosmetic stuff, but here is something I would like:

When the 'view unread posts' link is clicked, a page opens up showing a list of posts. I want a link on that page that will mark those posts as read.

My typical workflow at FLM:
1. Open the index page.
2. Click the link to 'view unread posts'.
3. Go through the list. Open each post I want to look at in a new tab, read it, and close the tab. Back to the list.
4. When I have read all the posts I want to read, I go back to the index page and click 'mark forums read'.

My problem is, unless I remember to refresh the 'unread posts' page before doing step 4, I might be marking as unread any posts that were made during the time I was reading the various posts in the list.

I realise this might not be trivial - there might be difficulties in implementation. Maybe someone can suggest a workaround. A notification, perhaps, like on FB which tells you that new posts have been made since you opened that page. I.e. when the 'unread posts' tab regains focus, a check can be made and an icon could be made visible. Or the number of new posts could be shown in brackets on the index page itself, so I know there is more to be seen.