This is automatically the wrong place to put this, probably, but I am at a serious loss for where to put it. *blink*

Anywho. I was wondering if it is a bad or good idea to have a sidebar on a non RPG forum. I started out with regular forums, and I'm revamping one. It just feels kinda... plain. Now, maybe that's my sidebar addiction, but I really feel like I want it to have more.

How do you guys feel about non RPGs having sidebars? Superfluous?

It isn't superfluous if you're putting useful information into it.

Having not used a sidebar myself, I couldn't tell you what was frilly because I've never felt the need to have one in the first place. Given that, I don't think I've ever had a 'plain' looking forum as a result. Forums can be dressed up for a sidebar to liven it up, or they can be dressed up to take up all the space and not require them. It's best to hunt around for games that don't use them and see what they use. Best idea is to try looking at non-IF, because dude, IFers are mad about sidebars.

RPGD uses one, but the question is, do you currently have enough things you could put on it without it looking like you're desperately trying to fill the space? For instance, to fill it out nicely, would you need to introduce fillers such as, 'something of the moment'? or, 'featured member'?

I say, use it if it's, well, useful. If you're using it just for the aesthetics, it's going to be a pretty pointless addition. However, I think sidebars have a lot of perks. Most sites stick some sort of description in there, along with quick links for easy navigation and a cbox. Also, if you have any affiliates or credits that are due, you could put it there. I'm not exactly sure what else you would need it for in a non-rp forum, but in general I think sidebars are a nice way to organize things. Of course, when it comes down to function, there are other things you can use like a table.

Anyway, to answer your question, I don't think it's superfluous. Just because you aren't an RP site, doesn't mean you can't have the perks of a sidebar.

. . . righteo. Hmm...

Well.. I'm straying from the idea at the moment. I can't think of too many things it could be used for, other than any updates I may have, and important links and affiliates.

*shrug* That's about it.

You know, if you make proper use of your Portal, there really isn't any reason at all to use a sidebar.

Why people use side bars that decrease the width of the forum and slow down the loading speed (especially if it is loaded with graphics and an affiliates section and a cbox @.@, poor dial uppers!) is beyond me.

So, my suggestion is use the Portal. It solves the entire problem.

The problem being, if the information isn't right their in the faces of the players without them having to do anything, It's unlikely they'll see it.

When I had a website, for example, I'd put announcements on the website, but people would bypass the website to get to the forum--just bookmark the forum link to get to it. So I ended up having to make sure people saw announcements by putting them on the board itself. You get the same issue with the portal, surely?

I think since hardly anyone knows about the portal, and even fewer know it's proper function, this wouldn't be a good idea. I usually just ignore the link and never click on it, I would never think to regularly check it.
Members are lazy, they want their information right there. It's hard to get them to pay attention to annoucements even if you post them in a designated forum near the top of the board. There at least has to be a redirecting snippet graphic at the top or in the sidebar.
Maybe because we've spoiled them, in a way *shrug* I don't really mind.

I think it's just fine. I don't have anything against it. I put a sidebar on my website and really it looks fantastic I think, and so do a ton of other people that visit it.

*points to the left side of RPG-D*, we have a sidebar XDD, and we're not an RPG either. Sidebars aren't a thing just for RPG's, it's just that most RPGs use them nowadays, so it seems like only RPGs 'can' use them or something. I'd say, just like the others, if you can put some good helpfull stuff in there, get one! I like the sidebars mostly because it's a good place to organize things without getting a huge box at the top of the forums. It makes finding info for new (and old) members a lot easier if you put quick links to the rules, mandatory info, staff profiles etc etc. And you can also 'feature' things in there, like events, contests or a fun thread. Possiblities are endless XD.

I dabble in web design for fun and I usually use a sidebar to organize links and such, so if you could make good use of one, go ahead =)