Thinking Aloud - Possible Forum Name Change?

[Marc J]

As most of you are probably aware, the directory part of the MDD hasn't been working for some time now and is no longer maintained. Other directory sites have moved in to "fill the gap" and so, in my opinion, it's not worth the time developing a new directory site when it may not get much use.

As part off the on-going improvements / fixes for the forum, I plan on perhaps (in no particular order): -


Moving the forum to the "root" domain i.e. www.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk
Installing an SSL for HTTPS on all pages (this can't easily be done on the www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk subdomain)
Upgrading the forum software to XenForo (https://xenforo.com/), a much more modern and mobile-friendly system

All forum members and content will be preserved and, obviously, whatever happens there'll be redirects put in place so that members / search engines won't have a problem finding / re-indexing the final destination if it changes.

So, with that, I was thinking about a possible name change as the "directory" part doesn't really apply any more. I've put the alternatives in the poll - it'd be great if you could vote, and let me know what you think (good or bad) in this thread :)

[Benny Smyth]

If there is a name change, I'd prefer Mobile DJ Forum.

[Marc J]

If there is a name change, I'd prefer Mobile DJ Forum.

That sounds like you'd prefer no change, though?

[DJ Jules]

Sounds like a plan if you're willing to invest the time in doing it.

[Benny Smyth]

That sounds like you'd prefer no change, though?

I'm indifferent about it, to be honest.

[Marc J]

Sounds like a plan if you're willing to invest the time in doing it.

It's not much, time-wise. There's a bit of a cost if we go to XenForo but I don't mind taking the hit for that.

[ppentertainments]

With the forum names, just be aware that www.mobiledjforums.com is still on the go, albeit nobody uses it.

[Imagine]

If you're going for a name change, then I agree with Benny that Mobile DJ Forum would probably be best.
Obviously you're in the know about the redirects etc, so shouldn't be a problem and the name change might actually attract some new blood :)

[Marc J]

With the forum names, just be aware that www.mobiledjforums.com is still on the go, albeit nobody uses it.

Good to know. I did look at mobiledjforum.com & mobilediscoforum.com and they are both available, but decided against them. I'm not too concerned with .coms for here, as it's a UK based forum. I normally advise clients to get the .com of any domains they have but in this case I'm willing to let it slide, as that would mean 8 or 9 domains registered (I've already registered all of the domains in the poll - I'm not :daft:).

Re other forums, I'm not in the industry so don't know other than some quick Googling around - are there any other forums that see regular use? Or is it mostly on Facebook now?


If you're going for a name change, then I agree with Benny that Mobile DJ Forum would probably be best.

I'm leaning towards that option myself.


the name change might actually attract some new blood :)

You never know!

[Vectis]

IMO mobiledjforum is a tad too close to mobiledjforums

For as long as I can remember I've known this place as MDD Forum - obviously the second 'D' originally was for 'Directory' but then people still say "PIN Number" and "PAT Testing" so why not go with mddforum.co.uk?

Just my 2p.

Otherwise I have no preference.

:beer1:

[Excalibur]

IMO mobiledjforum is a tad too close to mobiledjforums

For as long as I can remember I've known this place as MDD Forum - obviously the second 'D' originally was for 'Directory' but then people still say "PIN Number" and "PAT Testing" so why not go with mddforum.co.uk?

Just my 2p.

Otherwise I have no preference.

:beer1:

Unsurprisingly, young Vectis talks a lot of sense. Unfortunately, I can't offer anything better than suggesting staying as we are,for the time being.

Marc, is " thelastbastionoftastedecencyandgrammartosurvivethe onslaughtofbloodyfacebook.com " still available? :whistle:

[Marc J]

For as long as I can remember I've known this place as MDD Forum - obviously the second 'D' originally was for 'Directory' but then people still say "PIN Number" and "PAT Testing" so why not go with mddforum.co.uk?

Except a like-for-like comparison with "PIN Number" and "PAT Testing" would be "MDD Directory", which is what we're trying to move away from :D;)

Seriously, though, you raise a good point. Some traffic comes from searches for "MDD Forum". Maybe we should keep the directory after all, or some kind of tie-in with an existing one...:eek:

Also, MDD does sound better than MDF, which is kinda wooden lol!

I still think the name might have to change if we drop the directory, though...

[Excalibur]

I still think the name might have to change if we drop the directory, though...

Well since we're a music related enterprise, it can only be:

The Forum formerly known as............................................:coa t:

[Vectis]

Well since we're a music related enterprise, it can only be:

The Forum formerly known as............................................:coa t:

Sorry to disappoint, but you can't have symbols in domain names* :beatnik:







* - not strictly true but to all intents and purposes for your average Westerner this can be regarded as fact :beer1:

[Nakatomi]

Also, MDD does sound better than MDF, which is kinda wooden lol!

I still think the name might have to change if we drop the directory, though...
Well if you made it MDF we'd get all the people Hawking shonky LOVE letters coming in...

[DJ Jules]

This crosses over with another post about SEO, but I should point out that if you do change the forum, it'd be nice if you did it in a way that maintained it's reputation with Google (it's pretty highly rated, probably because it's contains a lot of industry specific quality content).

Just thinking, if you change domains, flipped the software to something else and kept the posts, Google will probably miss the link, treat it as copied content and rate it down?

Julian

[Marc J]

This crosses over with another post about SEO, but I should point out that if you do change the forum, it'd be nice if you did it in a way that maintained it's reputation with Google (it's pretty highly rated, probably because it's contains a lot of industry specific quality content).

Just thinking, if you change domains, flipped the software to something else and kept the posts, Google will probably miss the link, treat it as copied content and rate it down?

While it could be done all at once, I'd likely do each change separately. Each time there'd be 301 redirects put in place, and if done separately probably about 6 months in between stages, to let things settle. Any old URLs will always be redirected to the same content at the new location, and the 301 code tells Google that the content has moved and to update their index accordingly.

[DJ Jules]

While it could be done all at once, I'd likely do each change separately. Each time there'd be 301 redirects put in place, and if done separately probably about 6 months in between stages, to let things settle. Any old URLs will always be redirected to the same content at the new location, and the 301 code tells Google that the content has moved and to update their index accordingly.

There's a man who's in control of his SEO :D

Julian

[Marc J]

OK, I had a look at the directory and it turns out it's not quite as broken as I thought it was. I fixed a few issues and it still needs a lot of work if it's to be kept, including a complete redesign.

Still thinking aloud, even if the directory part of the site were to be kept, it'd still be beneficial to separate the two both from a management and security perspective. So, www.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk would be just the directory, and (for example) www.mobilediscoforum.co.uk would be just the forum, with links between the two as they are now.

Or would that be confusing for visitors?

[DJ Jules]

Or would that be confusing for visitors?

I always thought the link between the directory and the forum was odd. The directory was always secondary to me.

[Excalibur]

Or would that be confusing for visitors?

Well just about everything Marc has posted since " Hello I'm the new boss " has :daft:ed the hell outa me! :confused:

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Call it exactly what it is............MDJF (which still exists I believe).

It's a forum and not a directory so I think it needs to reflect that?

[Marc J]

Call it exactly what it is............MDJF (which still exists I believe).
Chris & Martin mentioned MDJF (mobiledjforums.com), but as far as I can tell that's not getting much use? I personally don't have any issue with us being mobiledjforum.co.uk. It shouldn't be plural, anyway, a bit like entertainment(s) :eek:

.forum domain names are coming (https://www.name.com/domains/forum), depending on the pricing I might try and get mobiledj.forum when they are released?


It's a forum and not a directory so I think it needs to reflect that?
I tend to agree. Even if I do resurrect the directory side, I think the two should still be on different domains with links between them. It's easier to manage, more secure, and less confusing for visitors coming just for the directory (for the public looking for a DJ) or just the forum (DJs themselves). They're two different audiences.

[DazzyD]

Chris & Martin mentioned MDJF (mobiledjforums.com), but as far as I can tell that's not getting much use? I personally don't have any issue with us being mobiledjforum.co.uk. It shouldn't be plural, anyway, a bit like entertainment(s) :eek:



That depends if you offer more than one specific type of entertainment!! Many do on here. So "entertainments" is perfectly acceptable!


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The noun entertainment can be countable or uncountable. In more general, commonly used, contexts, the plural form will also be entertainment. However, in more specific contexts, the plural form can also be entertainments e.g. in reference to various types of entertainments or a collection of entertainments.

:zip::daft:

[Marc J]

That depends if you offer more than one specific type of entertainment!! Many do on here. So "entertainments" is perfectly acceptable!

My apologies, I was having a bit of a Rob James moment :rolleyes:;)

[Excalibur]

As Marc said, he's putting lots of bits back together, but much of the information in the Directory ( as opposed to the Forum ) is old and out of date. If you could all take a look at your area, and if anyone you know has had a name or more importantly email change, could you ask them to update the email ( and any other details ) in the Directory asap please?

This will be very important shortly, as Marc wants to do a mailshot. Quite probably he will expand on this, and use lots of words I don't understand. :daft:

Thank you, and your help in this matter will be appreciated.


Chapter and verse from Marc:


If they can still log in (have the same email) then all they need to do is login, go to manage their listing, edit (if they want to) and submit it. Even if unchanged, it must be submitted - this puts it into the approval queue on the admin side, so we know it's still "active".

If their email has changed, they should email [email protected] with info on the listing, some way to prove it's theirs, and a request to change the email on it. Or, simply create a new listing with their new email address - the old one will die in the purge.

[Marc J]

The last (and perhaps the most important) part of the MDD Directory that was broken, - the enquiry forms on listings - are now fixed and working well.

There will be a directory redesign coming soon (probably early in the new year), along with a separation of the Directory and Forum to different domains.

[Shaun]

I've never liked the term 'disco' it's so outdated (apologies and no offence intended to anyone who uses it in their business name). I'd be up for anything that got rid of that in the forum and directory name. Just my 2cents Marc. :)

[ppentertainments]

I've never liked the term 'disco' it's so outdated (apologies and no offence intended to anyone who uses it in their business name). I'd be up for anything that got rid of that in the forum and directory name. Just my 2cents Marc. :)
I think you make a very good point there Shaun, never thought about it but I think it is true.

[Excalibur]

I've never liked the term 'disco' it's so outdated (apologies and no offence intended to anyone who uses it in their business name). I'd be up for anything that got rid of that in the forum and directory name. Just my 2cents Marc. :)

None taken, Shaun. :p:mad:

Jesting, of course, but: Isn't that what we are/supply? :confused: Although I maintain that I'm an Entertainer, I do that by providing mobile discos, not juggling, or telling jokes. You may be right that it's outdated, but I can't think of a better one.

[Marc J]

I've never liked the term 'disco' it's so outdated (apologies and no offence intended to anyone who uses it in their business name). I'd be up for anything that got rid of that in the forum and directory name. Just my 2cents Marc. :)

I tend to agree with you there. The word 'disco' has always had the (perhaps now negative) "Saturday Night Fever" connotation, which was fine when that was popular as a genre, then establishments moved on from being 'discos' to being 'nightclubs' to try to shake this off.

You can offer a "mobile nightclub experience" but would you ever call yourself a mobile nightclub? The public tend to stick with "mobile disco", it's that term that they will usually search for when looking for your services (or mobile dj, or wedding dj / disco).

The forum will, I'm almost certain, move to www.mobiledjforum.co.uk. I think that's the better description for it.

For the directory, should I be looking at mobiledjdirectory.co.uk / . uk?

mobiledjdirectory.com is taken, with a UK based site, which seems to be connected with ukmobilediscos.co.uk as well. Doesn't seem too popular, though, with a total of 34 listings. Quite a nice site, actually, using WordPress and a decent directory theme (https://dt9.premiummod.com/?skin=directory_club). Might keep an eye on that!

[ianforest]

I'm guessing you never did this?

A move to Xenforo would be a good idea. I used with a spin off forum that Darren and I set up...still got two licences somewhere.

[Marc J]

I'm guessing you never did this?

A move to Xenforo would be a good idea. I used with a spin off forum that Darren and I set up...still got two licences somewhere.

Not yet, it's not high on the priority list but not forgotten about either. I don't know if Xenforo licenses are transferable but I might be interested in one of them (at the time) if you still have them!

[ianforest]

Not sure. When I log in it's $55 for a year extension.