I thought that RyanA's topic regarding what makes one leave a board was really good, and it led me to think about what makes people not join a board. Of course you probably won't join a board if you don't like the topic, so no need to mention that, please.

So when you come across the link to an interesting looking board (topic wise) and you scroll through it, what makes you decide not to join? Layout? Admin? The rules? Please tell so that it will help all of us in creating successful boards. Thanks.

So here, is my list in order of preference:

1. The Rules: The first thing I do when I get onto a board is look at the rules. You can tell a lot about how things are going to be run by the types of rules and the way the admin writes it. Personally, I don't like the F-word (weird?). It's a pet peeve of mine for some reason. So if the board allows the F-word, I won't bother reading anymore. Then I glance over the other rules and make sure that the more "adult" posts require warnings since I don't want to stumble over that when I'm RPing. Thirdly, I look at how the rules are written. Does the admin seem nice or cocky? Is there is something like "If you forget to do this you're obviously stupid" because if there is I won't join. I have enough to do in life without having to put up with more rude people than necessary.
2. The Plot: I always check the plot after the rules to see if this is something I even want to join. There has to be some sort of plot or else there is nothing to hold the RPG together. (As I have found out with my sites :D )
3. Activity: I don't really care how many members they have as long as they've been active recently. I've seen plenty of superb RPGs which are not active, and therefore not worth joining.

That's it for me. Now I want to hear from you guys :)

I think this is a good flipside to my topic so I may as well jump in.


PLOT
One thing that will make me not join is a plot that is too proprietary. What's the point if the plot is only built for the super-characters played by admins and mods.

DESIGN
The next thing is design. I won't write if the design bugs me and that can just be taste.

RULES
I also will click off of a board with rules that go on for ten pages.


WHEN I AM LAUGHING AT THE ADMINS

LAUGH NO.1
I have not joined boards where the application process is like running the gauntlet. They need a three paragraph description of your character's appearance, five paragraphs about their emotions and personality, ten more on their long and tedious history. OMG- please.

I don't think those stinking looooooooooooooooooog apps prove a writer's ability at all. I want to see writers who can think on their feet once they get posting. I like brief apps with the basics and a nice roleplay sample. Let people invent themselves as they go.


LAUGH NO. 2
And what makes me laugh most is Admins with all their big standards on grammar, spelling and stucture who can't achieve that themselves. I love when there are spelling, grammar and sentence fragments in the rules sections about spelling, grammar and structure area of their rules (and in Admin in character posting threads)

So if they are coming down hard but not meeting the standards, I am out of there and snickering as I go.

:lol: I love the "laughing at the admins" part. It's so true.

Laugh No. 1 - I so know what you mean. :/ I hate having to fill in a HUGE application when I don't even know what the character is like yet.

That's one thing that puts me off - long applications, and when the admins are unnecessarily anal about canon details to a point where you can hardly RP because of all the restrictions.

I'm also very shallow, and unless a site is very well organized and has a good design, I usually won't consider joining. I'm somewhat put off by the metallic-looking skins from skinzone, too. :/

Also agree. >< I HATE it when people do that. Rules are supposed to be informative, not insulting.

Well here's my list:
1. Rules. I like rules that are imformative, and I like to know what disciplin will be given to those who don't follow the rules. On mine I have adopted the three strikes rule. Three stuff ups and your gone. There are instances that go for instant termination...

2. Plot. A good site needs a good plot. I hate those ones that say "Your story, your way" Ok, so what if I wanna make a roleplay about aflesh eating monster that needs to fiund love, but cant because it eats that person before they can admit they love eachother." hmm, not a very good plot. But over plottygoodness is also a problem. One ones that say this is the way it is, and thats it!

3. Activity. I dont care if there are 4 members, or even two. Just as long as their is some sort of movement on the site.

4. Long completly senseless applications. I run alot of magically inclinded storyies. And so I do state in the rules, anything not in your bio, u can not do. But this is so someone cant say "I have this ancient sword that will kill you in a single blow." or some other godmod activity. But the ones that have "how others see you?" and such im like wtf??!! I dont know how others view me, since I haven't rped with them yet!!

We should send a petition to all the crazy people with 10000 questions on a bio! Something must be done to stop the crazyness!

Yes, that confuses me. On one board I'm on, though I think it's pretty much dead, the admin had that in the rules. But when you read her posts, the spelling and grammatical errors are horrible! Even some of her categories and boards are spelled wrong :sweat: . It agitated me so much to see 'territories' spelled wrong everywhere that eventually I corrected her. I had been holding it in so long, since it was a new board and I was sure she'd see her mistake on her own...

I also hate long applications and long rules. But about the grammer thing, i'm not huge on it, but my other admin is a grammer nazi and if he sees any big spelling errors people makes he goes and corrects them XD he makes me laugh.

I also hate joining boards that have a million members because i feel like i cannot intergrate myself.

Mine are pretty much the same as the rest...but...

1. Rules. I hate having to read them, but the more creatively organized they are, the less of a task it seems to be. If they don't cover the basics or they don't have some type of line in the application that shows you have read them (whether its saying a word, phrase, etc,) then I'm slightly dissapointed.

2. Applications. Honestly, I love filling out these things. I'm not gonna lie, they take a lot of work, but when I write one up for a character I liked to be as detailed as possible so I don't question myself later on. Having interesting catagories to fill in also makes it funner, and it makes me want to join the forum.

3. Skin & Graphics. I don't even bother looking at it if I see default anywhere on it. The same goes to crummy graphics. If the administrator can't take the time to try and make it look pretty, then why should I take the time to join?

4. Members. I have a bad habit of going down the members list and checking out what people use for avatars and signatures. If they're of a good quality then I'm more likely to join, but if I see stuff that just doesn't cut it in my opinion, then I'm gone.

Wow, you made it all the way to roman numeral number eight and there is possibly more???

Dang! And I thought I was picky..

Just kidding. I see your points. I know that if you RP enough, certain things can be redflags for boards you want to steer clear of.

A lot of what you say (except app length) I can agree with.

I have standards on my board about grammar but I won't be a grammar nazi unless it gets really bad. Rping is a hobby and sometime people are posting between doing nine thousand other things and they make a few mistakes. If the quality of the post it good, I am not going to get on them.

But your post reminded me of another thing that keeps me joining----I hate boards where each person's post is like two and half pages and it's mostly just a bunch of BS, tossing in three hundred adjectives, and using twenty dollar words where a nickle one would do. It is tedious and the members tend to full of the same BS they are writing.

I prefer small sites as well. Its hard to judge cause members come and go on boards. We are a real small group right now--maybe ten or so active members but it has been great because of it. We are getting to know each other and making the story happen and I really like it. I have no desire to have some enormous board.

The images thing gets to me, too. I have installed code that only allows the sigs to be displayed once per thread page.

I can't stand boards with too many members. I like teeny-tiny roleplays. Being one of only a few members makes me feel special.

Hmm... I have like NO experience on the topic and yet I can't help but reply. Oh well. Before I joined my first RP I went around looking at... I dunno, it must have been something like fifteen different boards and I ended up turning them all down for one reason or another. This is basically based on Harry Potter sites too... Since that's the only kind I've considered joining just yet.

Applications - Maybe it's because I've written on my own a lot but I absolutely despise places that accept these teeny tiny character bios. I understand that some people want to develop their characters more with time, I'm all for that, but I still think you need to have a decent bio before you should be allowed to RP. It shows that you have some kind of plan for the character... I mean, think about it, would you join a board with no plot? Probably not, right? It's the same with characters, they need to have some substance to them before they get thrown into the big bad world. Do people randomly materialize at the age of seventeen and then get to decide what they're going to be like as a person? Nope. That's why, at least for older characters, some things need to already be set down.

Powers - I'm also majorly bad when it comes to the whole powers thing. I don't want to join a board that allows every person who asks to become a half-Veela. Where's the fun in that? The poor (and probably few) boy characters on the board will be constantly tormented with lust (or should be) and the girls will complain because there are little to no guys to plot with. If there are going to be part-Veelas or werewolves or anything like that... keep it to one or two. Or just don't allow it at all.

Discrimination - This comes in many, many forms. Almost every site has in their rules that you shouldn't join if you're going to discriminate against people for their race, gender, sexual preference, etc. but it seems that so few actually follow that. It might not be intentional but when I see someone using Kiera Knightly as Blaise Zabini's daughter... I get annoyed. Before HBP came out I could understand not really knowing what race Blaise was but... Not after. If you're going to stick to cannon enough to pit the Malfoy kids against the Weasley ones then at least get simple things like appearance right. Also if I end up seeing in the rules (as I did once) that there aren't any bi/gay/lesbian characters allowed... Poof, no joining. I can understand saying no to slash with Cannon characters since they're already established as people for the most part, but saying no to originals just because they're bisexual? It's prejudiced and it's wrong.

Rules - If the admin sounds like they're got a stick in a bad place all through the rules... I'll be less inclined to join. I get the fact that rules are business and stuff but you should still sound friendly. At least I think so, apparently a lot of admins from different boards think differently.

Plot - There needs to be a main plot. Something that ties every single character on the board together. If there isn't things are going to fall apart, it's inevitable, just because there's no... glue, for lack of a better term.

Cbox - Look in the Cbox sometimes... It can be quite scary. lol and brb are okay abbreviations since they stand for some sorta-long phrases but when people are using '2' for 'to and too' then you've got a problem. Once and a while even that's okay, if you're rushing, but if the whole Cbox looks like an AIM chatroom for eleven year olds... Nuh-uh.

Skin/Banner - There are some skins out there that make me want to take my head and repeatedly bang it into a wall... Not fun. I'm not going to come back to a site like that because it either hurts my eyes, hurts my head or both. There doesn't even need to be a banner but if there is I don't wanna see the admins characters on it... Thats just conceited.

Admins - Whats the sense of having fifteen admins when you only have four non-staff members? And I'm not talking admin character accounts I'm talking ten separate users all having access to the admin control panel. When you've got a site that's uber-active then add in some of your friends to help sort applications and such. Till then... whats the use? I don't really see need for more then three if you've got a small-moderate sized RP going.

There are other things, like activity and such, but that kind of stuff I can deal with being a bit... off. I mean, my own grammer sucks so I'm not going to refuse to join a board if people have trouble placing commas... But yeah, those are my first... eight? Yup, eight. Wow, now I feel really picky... :sweat:

I find this thread really interesting, and helpful in a lot of ways as an admin of my own board. So I'd like to ask you all a question if you don't mind. ^_^

I've noticed that most of you don't like large boards, which is currently my problem. Guests will come on to my site and see that we currently have 413 registered members, and then flip out and leave. I'm constantly trying to make it so that we're always very welcoming and I always try to think of ways so that new members can really become a part of the plot. One thing I did was create an 'I'm new and I want to thread' thread, where veteran members signed up to help and are categorized by age, school, profession, etc etc, and a new person can come in and choose all their preferences and then someone fitting their requirements will make a thread for them within 24 hours.

Now, I think its working, we've had a lot of success with it, but agian, with 413 members, I don't really think it's enough. Do you guys have any other suggestions as to what may draw you into a larger board?

I really want to thank everyone who said that they don't mind the longer applications. On my latest RPG, well lets say the application is extensive. The one or two people that have joined to help me out dont seem to mind but while I was reading this topic in the beginning, I was starting to wonder if I should shorten it. Thanks for helping me keep it long! ^_^

Anyways, there are about a thousand reasons why I wont join. I have gotten extremely picky, especially since I have seen so many RPGs since I became Index Mod, but I will just point out a few...

1] Defaults. If I spy too many defaults I will not join. I mean, folder icons, emotes fine, I'm not going to hold that against you, but if your post buttons and forum markers are default, its a bit of a turn off.

2] Rules. Ok, I like order and structure, but rules need to be followed. I hate it when people allow people to slide past the rules just because they know them. I also love it when there is a key word or phrase, it makes reading the rules important, which I like.

3] Skin. I know this kind of goes with defaults, but it can be different. If you have all the defaults cleared for a crappy skin, I wont really consider joining. I dont like a lot of the older skins, but if you have one that is appealing to the eye, I may consider joining. Also on that point, if I have to scroll the page, I will not join.

4] One liners. Ok, I'm not saying that I am the most amazing RPer in the entire world, but even I can write a paragraph. Not saying that only one paragraph posts are everywhere on the board, I like a good amount to work with, but if one paragraph is slipped in there once in a while, I wont turn my nose up at it.

5] Layout. My friend says that I am a major stickler for this, but I think it is important. If the layout is pages upon pages, I will probably get annoyed with it in a few weeks and leave. I am a nazi for collapsing forums. I'm not saying that there cant be tons of places to RP in, just make more sub forums, its really not that hard. Also, if there is a link in the main forum for that sub forum, I am more likely to join it.

6] Grammar and Spelling. I am human, I make mistakes, but when there are gramatical errors in the rules/plot or anything else that is important it shows me that the Admin doesn't care that much about the board. I always run my important threads through a spell checker before I even think about posting it on the board.

On this note in posts/profiles. Once in a while is fine, but if its constant, it begins to bug me... a lot.

7] Application form. I like the longer ones. If they have interesting areas to fill out it makes it even more fun, and also, it shows that the person will be able to RP this character better because they know more about them. Sure, it takes a long time, but its worth it. If its too short, I may consider joining, but my character probably wont be the greatest.

8] Members. I hate it when people wont join a board just because it is small, it makes me wonder how they think a board actually gets the number of members that they so desperatley want. Also on that point, I hate hit and runners. What was the point of going through the five seconds to sign up and think of a name if you arent even going to post something? It just wastes my time, and yours. Active members is a must though. As long as there is someone to RP with, I am good.

9] Plotting. Lately, I have grown somewhat attached to a plotting forum, where members can make enemies and friends without having to RP it out. If these people are in certain settings, ie. school, they obviously knew someone before the year that they are in. It makes a lot more sense and it makes threads easier to carry out when you already know the relationship that they have had together.

Yea, I can't really think of anything else, but those are my top 9 I'd say!

Ah, it's so neat to see what people's preferences are to this kind of stuff. :]. Okay, so here I go. >> Ya, couple of mine have been said probably a million times XD but everyone likes their own two cents.


1. Organization. Most of my Staff will call me OCD on this kind of stuff. I can't stand a board that isn't organized with their boards or anything. Or if they don't write more than one sentence descriptions of their boards. It just looks..awkward! Or if boards are flying here and there without purpose, or these two boards can be sub-forumed to that. I just can't, ugh! It looks tacky, shallow maybe, but I can't stand to even look at a board or give it a chance when it's like that.

- Organization with Rules/Information. Especially with Original RPGs (as what I'm running.) Lengthy rules can be intimidating, but most make 10 threads when they can just compact them into one, semi long thread. Most of then only have three rules in the topic alone. Minimize your information or atleast make it look like it's not that much. I'll read anything lengthy in one topic, but once you have 15 USELESS topics floating..it gets to become an inconvience and that's one thing you don't really want to provide with guests and everything.

2. Administrators. I hate the intimidating type. Like, they're 'it' or something. You're not! Your members make the site. If they don't seem approachable, I won't look at it again. That's why in sites in the OOC area I usually make an Introduction Thread and I post a couple paragraphs worth of information on me, just letting members know that they can PM me or IM me on my alternative AIM name to talk anytime! (that or I'll approach a new member with a welcome PM.) In the rules as well as snide remarks (as said before) like, you're stupid if you can't understand that. When I write rules and read them, I look for that unbiased feel. Like it is, what it is.

3. Plot, Canon Characters. [Original RPG wise.] I'm all for creative, original plots, but too much can kind of be a bad thing for the Intermediate and the lazy. I won't neccessarily join if I have to read through 10 pages worth of history of the land, religion, culture and everything. On my RPG, me and my other Head Administrator made sure we made the Religion, Land, Government, Society and etc. was pretty simple then kind of grew from there. The religion isn't as long as the bible, just listed a few important events relating to up coming plot, a list of gods, goddesses and descriptions of them. Government, just described on how it worked with a little history. ANYWAYS! XD, you don't have to give us piles and piles of information just the works. INFACT, a summarized 'simplified' information topic with even more basic information is the key!

Also, Original RPGs have such a change to get everyone involved. I love it when they give a list of their own kind of special 'cannon characters' that let members try to get them for grabs. (And not when all the staff has every place filled.) That's what we did, and I only contain two, another admin one, and one other has one out of the MANY places that need to be filled. Also, I hate it when they give you no creative freedom though. Like, 'Empress Alia - OPEN, PM ADMIN FOR DETAILS ON HER PERSONALITY, AND EVERYTHING ELSE.' What's the point of getting that character? It's definately not your own. I mean, give me a guidline as in 'she's married to this person, and rules over this place.' Fine! I'm good, I'll get to work!

4. Applications/Expectations. I like long applications. Your character should be well planned and have a semi-clear purpose. I want to know the powers, how it's perform, under what circumstances? Why does she wear those clothes? Does it serve a purpose? Personalty is important. I, personally, like three paragraphs worth. Someone's persona is so complex. You can't compact a good one with in a paragraph, in my opinion. I hate when I see sites accepting mediocre (almost..downright SUPER bad just a babystep up) because they deserve better than that, and the role-player deserves to be corrected and given advice to be better. Usually, if sites have a basic template..I ignore it. :p Lazy Admins. I like it when they had pazzaz.



I have more. o_o But those are definately my top 4.

1. GENRE: It has to be original. The average "Realistc Horse RP" or "Realistic Human Life RP" or Warriors RP doesn't appeal to me. If its a feral cat roleplay that isn't Warriors, chances are i'll join.

2. MEMBERS: If it has 50 members already, chances are I'm not joining

3. PLOT: I like boards that are freeplay. A board with a long, complex plot just turns me away.

I concur.

I think I already said that on my post, but it's too long and I'm busy with my RPG to read it over >_>

anything cliche, I'll automatically turn away.

I also don't like boards with huuuuuuge story lines to read. You can be descriptive and get your point across while still being concise.

And I don't join boards with place names such as "Aasksffda" or some bizarre stuff. It's too confusing for me and I have a lot to memorize with school, so I don't need to be doing any extra memorization. :p

Ah, actually, I'm one for a big, original storyline. :] Well, background of the board and everything. Originality! Although, I do agree on being concise. Provide me a summarised version! Simplify these terms! XD, If it's way too confusing, I'll also put it away. Bravo for originality, but....I'm just too lazy!

I concur!
XD

I haven't joined any other RP boards since I'm so busy with mine but I usually don't join boards that look like they were just thrown together in a second. Or there is confusion. But overall if the site has a nice layout and the rules are plain and understandable I will at least take a look around since it grabbed my attention.

I've been told to leave off of one site since I was there to only look around. I was actually surprised because I take my time to read bios, RP information, and finding out what is expected of me before I even submit an application. It was presumptuous of this Admin to think otherwise. I've been to sites that ban me just looking around and I have found out I wasn't the only one they did that to. Some people shouldn't even have a board I've come to notice during my travels around the net. There is a way to treat people and if you are an Admin its even more important to be careful at what you do and say.

Most importantly, I believe if the staff and members are welcoming and friendly I like to stick around because its a great way to make friends. :D

Lack of Creativity. This is in the plot as well as the overall board. I join a few high-school role-plays if it has a twist. No twist, no joining. Same with Harry Potter. It has to either be really impressive or really original. None of this simple next generation crap.

Power Issues: If any of the staff are making themselves into nazis, I don't join. And then on the flip side, if they're way too lenient and tolerant of plain bad role-playing, I don't join. The rules will give guidelines and I like to flip through the topics to see if the quality is being upheld (I don't go by length, I go by content).

Bad Skinning: You know how you run into the same skins over and over? Or maybe you just run into a downright bad skin? I don't like it. I like the text to be legible and I like the colors to not blind me. The skin serves a purpose but it's not the selling point of the site.

On other notes, I don't really mind long applications. I agree ten paragraphs is way too long but I think three good-size paragraphs makes for a good history and personality. I have to squeeze every detail out of my brain to meet appearance requirements usually and then I feel tedious. Same with my posts, I don't like completely tedious posts of the whole day leading up to a point. Even when people include every little thought process and put setting description and movement in the margin...I really don't like that but I tend to write longer applications anyways (except appearance).

-twitch- I know what you mean. I wasn't originally going to post but this struck me as something that really bothers me. I like greattt sites, but I hate it when I'm being told, by the Admin, how perfect and wonderful it is. I like to find out for myself and to me, being told that comes off as arrogant, something that totally turns me off of a site.

I do like layout colours that don't scorch my retinas to smithereens. But I'll settle for a totally crap skin if the RP has one thing: freedom.

I don't like roleplays where the magic, battles, species, character abilities and even the damn plot are controlled entirely by the admin. I like roleplays where everybody contributes, and everyone's character has fair chance to alter the way the story pans out. If the admin has already pre-determined the destination of the plot before a single member has joined, why bother playing? I just feel like filler.

Otherwise, what makes me NOT join a board:
1. bad writing
2. nazi administration/ unfriendly community
3. total lack of originality

1.I want there to be Actual, good plot
2. If in between 30 and 60 members I expect it to be very active!
3. There betta not be a majority mean people
4. Good posting, at least one paragraph.

If everyoneonlyjoins boards with a lot of active members, then new sites never have a chance.

Have to agree with you, there. My site has been open for a week, and still no members. Why? They all want "active" sites. Even the person who promised to be my co-admin hasn't been online.

I don't like super-specific, extremely long plots. Simply because when they are like that, it's hard to get a character who isn't canon involved, and that's frustrating. So I do like for there to be some basic plot idea, but I don't want the whole thing lined out for me. What's the fun in knowing what's going to happen anyway?

I like activity, but I also actually prefer to join sites when they are first starting up. It's easier for me to remember all the characters and players and things like that if I get right in from the beginning. So I typically won't join if it's super active and has a hundred members already. I'm way too intimidated.

I don't like nazi-admins. Enough said.

And then (I know this shouldn't be a huge deal but to me it always is), I like pretty skins. I just can't join a site if the buttons are huge and awkward or the colors blind me. So that does factor in when I'm deciding whether or not I should join.

Oh I agree with the whole activity issue! My site just opened too and it is hard getting people because I do not have a lot of members yet. I personally like joining new sites because you can get in on the ground floor of it becoming bigger and better.

I love long plots. I am one that likes to read and see how much effort has been put forth. I will not join a board if the plot is really short and to the point. To me it just looks like not much effort was put in. I also do not like plots that are too detailed though because then it does seem a tad hard to get your character involved. I am kind of worried now. I do not think my plot for my site is that long..I tried to keep it pretty open ended. The plot pretty much told what has happened already so what is to happen is still up in the air. I wanted to make sure all members can have a say in what is going to happen.

I have been on quite a few sites where the admins just went overboard! They tried to control everything, which is why I left lol. This one site I was on had crazy rules about silly things. Then when it came to actual major stuff they just didn't do anything. It was all confusing.

I think that is all. lol.

Restrictions - I cannot stand a board iwth too much or too few restrictions. I like being able to do my own thing, but not have the whole place be one huge parody.

Activity - This doesn't always relate to the number of members, but it certainly can. How active the members are is extremely important, and unless the board was engineered to survive with low members, it also needs several.

Ideas - My main peeve, unless the RPG is something I'm into, I won't join. It has to be well-put-together.

This is just a thing with me, but I most likely won't join if I see that the admin has three or more characters. I don't know, personally it just comes off kind of indulgent. Even if they do manage to play them all regularly and it's a good way to stri activitty, sooner or later you get the impression you're Rping with the same two people the entire time. I especially don't like boards who allow members to have three or four characters max. That's pretty unrealistic for me because I know most people don't follow up on those characters. Also, the member count tends to be misleading.

Ditto on the nazi-admins. I understand that the more members you have, the more vigilant you have to be to ensure that the rules are folowed, but being too strict simply takes the fun out of it.And sometimes it isn't even the admins, but the members themselves. I think someone already raised the issue of overly-long posts and I feel the same way. These people are out to prove what good writers they are by dwelling on miniscule details like the weather or the meaningful pools that are so-and-so's eyes in three frigging paragraphs, and I think, "Whoa, this isn't a pissing contest."

Although I disagree with your statement I have to give you kudos on getting your point across, and congratulations for giving me a good laugh. That should be a quote of the month.

Contrary to that I prefer long applications, and I mean the real pain in the ass 700 word minimum kind ones. When I RP all my energy generally goes to one form at a time so if I want to RP there I’m going to put a lot of effort into my character, and I expect the same from my peers.

The Skin is the first thing I look at. If it’s default then there is no hope. If it’s from skin zone and been played out a million times I probably won’t join. If its home made and appealing I will must likely register.

The Rules should be decent, I like a long list of rules so I know exactly what I can and can not do. Although I can’t say the rules on an RP have ever stopped me from joining. Even rude admins are silly, and it takes a lot to insult me.

The Plot/Theme It’s not actually the plot or theme itself that appeals to me, but rather how it’s played out and what I can do with it. Example I don’t like Harry Potter, nor know much about it but I will join a board if I can create a character to my liking. In general if I can have fun playing then I will most likely join.

To date I’m a member on three very different forums, one a medieval fantasy, the other future sci-fi and a present day vampire RPG.

I don't do much joining other sites anymore, but there are still things that I keep in mind when browsing around.

Quality admins. I think the number one reason I wouldn't join a forum is if the admins didn't appear very knowledgable about how to run a site, and don't use good grammar / correct spelling.

Pop ups. Have 'em? Forget about keeping me around. :p

Rules. How strict are they? They have to keep the board in order and not allow flaming and such, but I don't like a tight leash either. This includes impossible applications and treating inexperieneced members like second-class citizens. I know of a board that immediately deletes any new members that don't post more than 200 or so words. Cut-throat survival is unpleasant.

Appearence of the board. If the skin makes my eyes burn, I will run away and never look back. Another thing I don't like is how I see everyone using skins from the IF Skin Zone. A lot of those skins are either over used, or they all look basically the same. Yuck. (I do, however, like this skin Nicola made, she's a good one. :D)

Activity. It doesn't have to be large yet, but when I check the "Today's Active Topics" and "Today's Top Ten Posters" links, there should be stuff in there.

Events and features. Basically, what kind of things does a site have to offer to keep its members interested? Good shops, celebrations, competitions, those kinds of things.

Plot: Has to be a good structured plot. Not too complicated but with meaning.
Design/Feel: Bright colours are not nice on the eyes. Too much dark is tacky. Glitter...I can out up with it to a certain extent....but gah! Too much tacky....its not good. Good graphics in general. Yes, I know all people aren’t good at graphics, but....blah.
Nice people: I like people to be welcoming and friendly. No admins who have big tantrums like drama-queens and drama kings. No groupie-ness, where the long term popular members are all high and mighty.
Rules: fair and firm rules. They have to be sensible too.
Activity: I want to join a board that will have members that will reply at least

1. I actually like bigger forums, as long is it's very active. I love to find someone I can role-play with. Most especially if it's really active then I can meet many more people and stuff.

2. I like applications which don't need essays, but little sentences either. On my site I prefer atleast a paragraph for appearance and personality, but my staff put atleast 3 paragraphcs for role model profiles.

3. Of course the skin and appearance is important to me. Unless they are under construction and still fixing up the skin. I want it to be organized and etc.

4. The forums and such have to be original. I don't want just an ordinary gym and school. Atleast put some depth and unique things that makes the RPG stick out more than others.

5. Admin activity, I spend atleast 4 hours a day on my RPG. I update it everyday adding many things. I want admins to interact with members and see what they want. Make the RPG for the members.

This is an incredibly interesting topic...

Here's what stops me joining a board.

1. Layout
If I have to squint/highlight or put my sunglasses on to read my text - I'm gone.

2. Activity
I usually look down the forum to see if anyone's posted in at least the last three days. I find this gives a pretty good idea of whether you can even expected anyone to come and look at your application once you've posted it.

3. Rules
I hate short sets of rules. To me, it says that the admins don't really know what they expect of their members. I like to see necessary information to be read. On a site that accepts werewolves for instance - I'd expect to see a topic that goes into exactly what a werewolf is... because different sources do say different things. I also appreciate the check sentence.. or passwords... I think they show that the admins value their rules enough to refuse applications from anyone who didn't read them properly.

4. Admins
Even with what I said above, I don't believe in admins who refuse and delete possible members without giving them a chance. I have a policy that states there is to be no outright refusal of an application - just a request for editing. Then it is up to the member to choose whether they can adhere to our standards or not. If it's not edited within a certain time, then yes - deleted. I also don't believe in admins who distance themselves from users.

I was actually abused in my own CBox by the administrator of another site (who came by to spam us.. how nice) who told me I was 'too friendly' with my members, and that it was 'unprofessional' for me to talk in the CBox, and share the details of my day. I don't do the whole Ice Admin thing, and I can't stand anyone else who does.

5. Community
Okay, yes... we're there to RP. But a board without a strong OOC community, is going to drown. Either that, or it's not going to be as fun. Things like member competitions, a place to post how you feel... discuss what's happening in the world and what it means to you, plotting forums and CBoxes are brilliant tools to bring the members of your board together as a group. This comes back to the Ice Admin thing as well... if the admins can't get down and dirty with the members, and there's no community happening... I'm already gone.

6. Spamming
I will NOT join a site that condones spamming. Enough said.

7. Applications & Post Size
I enjoy long applications as well... but there is such a thing as too much to ask. Same with posts. It's all very well to ask for a billion paragraphs on personality, and 1000 words each post.. but what you're going to end up with, is 0 members. Why? Because unless it's a character you've known for three or four years, you're never going to meet those expectations. Two or three paragraphs (up to 300 words a section) I see as decent. Also, with such high word expectations, members become more obsessed with meeting admin expectations, and don't put as much thought into what they're actually posting... often ending up posting complete and utter drivel to make up the word count. The post size should always suit what is happening in the thread.

But I will also click off a site with too many one-liners. They're a pet peeve..

8. Plot
I'm not a huge one for plots... I believe in organic development of the storyline. The admins should always have something interesting to throw into the mix, but otherwise... the members are usually more than capable of coming up with interesting storylines for them and their characters. Most sites with enforced plots end up being the staff's characters only, and that's not fair. I have been known to join boards with enforced plots... but left the second they became too revolved around admin and didn't allow for other members to participate.

9. HP Canons
Really not a fan. They drive me batty, but probably because it's over done and getting really, really old. There's a few good ones out there, I'll admit.. but the more original they are, the more interested I am.

10. Confused Details
My number one reason for not joining. I do a lot of cruising of other sites.. mainly HP RPGs, in search of the good original ones I like to play on. And occasionally I'll find a name that sounds good... says it's set in Spain... and then I read the house names. Gryffindor? Ravenclaw? Huh?!?! Are you original, or not? Unless there's a very good reason as to why Hogwarts is suddenly in Spain, you can bet I've moved on to the next link.

I just thought I'd say "amen" to this!

Haha, thanks.

It's good to see I'm not the only one with that view... it drives me crazy to see admins who think they're above their members. Just because you created a place, doesn't make you any better... and you always owe your members for them just being there and having fun.

And besides, if you can't enjoy your won site - who can? That's what I've always thought, and it really turns me off a board when I don't see the Admins being just as involved as members.

Activity has to be good and the Design.
Also how the forum is managed

I hate hate hate hate HATE boards where the rules say that you absolutely HAVE to have a sig and/or avatar with a person (especially a real person) to represent your character. I also hate it when you have to have the same screenname as your character name. It's damn RESTRICTING!

I actually find that the Character Name and Screen Name thing makes things a lot easier to manage. You know who is RPing with who and it makes things easier to understand.