I don't think the site is in anything like 'bad' shape. Certainly there are some things that could use tweaking in terms of navigation and integration of the video subdomain, but all in all the forum works pretty well.
I do not agree that we are in any sort of 'downfall'. We have been picking up new members at a steady rate for the past month or so. Postcount is up, pageviews are up -- things really aren't anything close to what I would call 'bad' or a 'downfall'.
There has already been a LOT done to this site. For example:
- We now own top 10 Search engine results for a number of highly competitive terms. (Search for 'halo forum' or 'halo 3 forum' for example)
- The site has gone from a
PR(Page Rank) 1 to a
PR 4 in the past 3 months making it easily one of the highest
PR Halo forums.
- The site has a video subdomain where people can host and feature their videos for free. We even re-encode them to play faster and look better than you're apt to see anywhere else.
- Unlike most forums, this one isn't littered with cheesy Adsense ads, crappy affilate/reciprocal link sections and misc. junk
- The forum sits on some pretty impressive hardware with nealry limitless bandwidth at it's disposal. Uptime, security and load speed are all extremely good.
- No offense intended to anyone, but the fact that this forum isn't owned/operated by a couple of teenagers on a $50 per month webhost is a good thing. We're an established, stable, professional company with a long history of building sites/communities. We aren't going anywhere and so neither is the forum.
- There is a weekly email newsletter (you should update your email addresses in your profiles if you aren't getting it)
Now, that isn't to say I'm finished working with this site but if you're looking for any major overhauls... you're probably not going to see that happen in the next week or two.
Here are some of the things on the to-do list:
- Tweak the design of the default template. Revamp navigation and integrate/highlight the video section.
- Add a blog at blog.halomega.com
- Run/sponsor HalOmega tournaments/contests/competitions once Halo 3 is launched.
- Continue to develop quality inbound links
Of course I am always available and interested in any feedback, suggestions, comments, compliments and/or complaints peolpe have about the site. This is going to be a great Halo community, I really have no doubt in my mind about that.
So... if there is something you want to chat about or some specific idea/change you'd like to see that would make this a better forum/community -- do let me know. I am a pretty busy dude... but I'm almost always around and I am always willing to listen.