Oh, sorry Bryce. I missed you direct question to me: "If that doesn't pan out and inkscapeforum.com is indeed looking to be a lost cause, before we consider any further steps I'd like to hear from Brynn on her plans and wishes with regards to her forum site" I originally started my site, Inkscape Community (http://forum.inkscapecommunity.com/index.php) because I saw things missing from the Inkscape community, that I thought would benefit the community -- mostly an Inkscape gallery, and a centralized source of good tutorials (but also a chat room, additional forum features, e.g.). I first approached the IF admin about expanding his forum/site. But he wasn't interested, so I set out to learn about making a website. Because I had a lot to learn about making a website, it turned out to be easier (for me) to use the type of software which has the cms, more or less "built-in". I didn't think the community necessarily needed another forum. But because that was going to be easier for me, and because I was already well aware of state of IF, I decided to use an SMF forum/portal. So I could provide the gallery and tutorials, and have a forum sort of on standby, just in case. I knew the Inkscape Community forum would never be very busy, as long as IF is available. And as it turns out, that was just a year before Martin contacted me the first time, about ideas for the Inkscape website (which was about to be developed for the first time since I had used Inkscape). My plans for the future are flexible, at this point. The IC forum stands prepared to take over for IF, if necessary. Maren mentioned that IC is slow, which is something I need to look into. Personally I haven't noticed any slowness, but certainly I will investigate, and fix whatever the problem is. If it has more to do with the hosting, to be honest, I've been thinking of finding a new host. So that's definitely an option. And if there were any way I could expand IC, to meet some need of the community, I'd be glad to do it, if I can....try anyway. On the other hand, if a new "official" Inkscape forum is created, I would probably rather throw my time and energy into helping to manage, admin and/or moderate in that forum. And in that case, I would probably either close, or at least reorganize and scale down Inkscape Community. There's no need to maintain duplicate resources. *However, in any case, such a new forum will take some time, and we probably have a much more immediate problem to solve.* As for losing the "archive" of info represented by InkscapeForum.com, there are a few options, which you all are probably already knowledgeable and aware. If the option existed to take over IF (I mean in a friendly way, by permission), I would rather merge the relevant portions into IC. I realize that's a lot of work, and I would need help, because I don't know how. But I'm very familiar with SMF, and having seen the phpBB admin panel, it probably would not be an easy transition for me, to admin a phpBB forum. However, it seems to me like that archived info is going to become outdated anyway, at some point. Maybe it's not such a huge loss? It's been pointed out that threads like "Dillerkinds Image Pool" (http://www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9424) and Xav's thread with links to his tutorial series in Full Circle Magazine (http://www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11981) would indeed be sad losses. But those threads are not the only existence for those images and links. Dillerkind has his own site, and of course FC is not hard to find. But still, there would be some sadness to lose threads like that. Perhaps this is one good reason to go to all the trouble to create and maintain an official forum? There will always be management that doesn't go away, or get bored, or burned out. Both the software/forum and someone to manage, will always be there (theoretically). We would not have to worry about admins moving on (I'm no "spring chicken" as they say here -- almost 60, so who knows how long I can maintain any forum?) (Well, I will as long as I'm able, and the need exists, but heck, life happens!) Anyway, someone else will be able to come along, and take the place of an admin who is "retiring". I'm not sure if I've given you all the info you need. I know you don't like long messages :-p But if anyone has specific questions, please feel free to ask :-) All best, brynn -------------------------------------------------- From: "Martin Owens" <doctormo@...23...> Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2016 5:59 PM To: "Jill Davis" <jbrynn@...129...>; <inkscape-board(a)lists.sourceforge.net&gt; Subject: Re: [Inkscape-board] regarding the forum issue