[Dallas]

So I been wanting to make my own avatar site for a while, and finally did. I came into to some mind-blowing problems, and wondering if maybe someone here can help. I need an avatar system, and can't find one for phpbb. I looked in two, nulavatar which is outdated, and dynamic avatar which is under construction still. I asked around, and even offered to pay to have nulavatar updated, but no one wants to. Another trouble, is getting the site layout done. I wanted something simlair to that of chloria ( screen shot below ). I don't know how to edit something like that, and wondering if anyone here knew how to, or know someone who is willing to help.

Chloria : http://s1099.photobucket.com/albums/...t=screenie.jpg

[Stalker]

You should definitely look into finding a developer and some other people that can help work on the site with you in the other areas. ( art / site layout / pixelllling/tooling ).

You need a developer to check over everything in regards of making certain that it'll work on the site, as well as it being safe to use and is bug free. You probably know the down-low in regards of what a dev does, though.

Shiisho is the person who made all of the pretty graphics on the site. It isn't really that hard, but it does take some graphics. A few programs you can use to make shiny layouts and buttons are GIMP and photoshop. ( although there are alternatives ) I personally use GIMP to play around with graphics and stuff. You can also search on youtube for some tuts. There are a LOT of people on youtube willing to make tuts and even give you suggestions in regards of making the graphics appeal a little more nicely. : 3

[Dallas]

Oh ok, right now. I have an artist that will hand-drawn all the art for the site, as well as items and bases. Thank heavens for her, but right now. It is only me doing everything, and I don't know much. For simple stuff, right now I have friends helping me. For graphics, I can make all those myself. I am not short on programs. I have 4 PSP, 2 Photoshops... and sai what ever that is :P...

[Game Over]

Whatever happened to Chloria? Every time I go to it, it's down. Did Shiisho give up on it for Elidiun? XD /somewhat off topic.

Anyways, you definitely need at least 1 dedicated developer for your site. Most avatar sites that pop up now a days are just a php forum with mods thrown together. You'll need a developer to make you custom things so that you can stand out. I'm pretty sure there are no up to date avatar systems available. You can always build nice layouts in Dreamweaver. It's what I use for site building.

You should probably also look for more than 1 artist. Only having 1 artist will lead to her being burnt out pretty fast if you plan on having regular updates item wise.

Also, from stuff I've seen on other sites, make sure the people you hire are mature individuals. Nothing like immature teenagers to ruin a site's reputation.

[Dallas]

Well one problem, we are having now is. I don't know how or where to start looking for dev's. And, Since I don't work... yet. I can't really pay, we figured. What ever money we get from donations, we can try hiring someone. As for the phpbb mods... that is really much what we are doing till we can get someone. I myself would love to create and be a dev.... but I don't know the first thing about coding... Well, My Sister. *Who is head artist*. Have a lot to get done. She takes breaks, and she doesn't feel burnt out... yet. We figured, artist's and all that. Will come later on, but right now. My sister says she knows what she got herself into, and accepts that till we can get more help.

[Vivaria]

You probably should have looked into hiring people to work on site before you took it over. Coders are -the- most difficult people to employ, because the trouble is it's a very specialised field and any halfway decent coder usually wants paying as they put a lot of effort in. Same goes for artists.

I have a great deal of respect for you for taking on Chloria, because that site is just one train-wreck after another.

If you're wanting to make the site work, you're going to have to sink some money into it, you can't open an avatar site in the hopes to make profit, because that never happens. It's very rare you'll get good artists and coders to work for free, moderators and writers yes, but with the art and development team you need -the- best. If you have any extra money and are wanting the site to take off, I'd suggest commissioning coders, not for a permanent time but just for specific jobs. Perhaps the same for pixelists to take the strain off your one artist.

You can't expect many people to donate to the site if you can't develop it or show some good return for their money.

[Kit Katy]

I'm not very good at making sites to begin with, but I did notice something that might keep members from joining. Every time someone posts, their IP address is displayed for the world to see. That's not safe because anyone could use the IP and hack the source.

[Dorian Pavus]

I've tryed twice now and couldn't get them off the ground. I'm a fairly decent artist and pixel artist so I had that covered and I have a hand full of people I could trust to be mods, I just don't know any coders that don't already work for a site.

Which sucks, I have some good ideas for a site, just no coder. ) :

[Red Calypso]

I hope you have a really outstanding idea. There seem to be more avatar sites than you can shake a stick out there, and in all honesty most of them suck. The avatars and items are poorly drawn, it's too hard to earn pure to buy anything, there's nothing to do but post, etc. I love this site because the avatar and items are gorgeous, I came in during an event where there's a game to play, and there's plenty of good conversation. I do wish they'd add a games page, but I can live without it.

[Dawn]

All depends what coding really.. I remember a friend was helping with a website awhile back but things went sour with the owner and he just got up and quit leaving me and my friend with an unfinished site. :/ And back than, I wasn't as familiar with CSS coding, I know a bit now, was suppose to be going into a career based on that but decided to change my course.

And I can kind of agree, I have joined dozens of avatar sites and I am sure I have talked to you before, Dr, on another site. I often kind up not being interested in the site because I can never find a group of people to chat with or it's too hard to earn currency. I get fits where I do return to a site and be active for a little bit before poofing again. And it's not always the items either, I have found many sites with beautiful items, either the RPG scene is dead or there's no games, etc to keep me interested in earning the currency.