Hello! I'm back in the Admin seat
I'd just like to thank @walktall for doing such a brilliant job over the past five months; he will stay on as Deputy Admin

So... Changes. There'll be a lot of them, over the next 16 days!

The updates will take effect over three phases:

1) Merging of the website and adoption of .co.uk domain. Other visible minor changes (1 week)
2) Revamp of the entire site including some new features. New site pages go live. (1 week)
3) We may launch a trial Facebook Group. New promotion banners available, and update wrap-up (2 days) 

There will be more information on the updates on this thread if needs be as a new phase is entered/completed. This may include a summary of key elements.

Be sure to report any issues/suggetions/I'd Prefer on this thread - your voices are always louder

Important updates, if any, will otherwise be noted on the homepage.

However, there will be no disruption to forum life, and hopefully there'll be plenty of discussion during this period! Exciting times for CacheWalker! 

Right, we have nearly finished Phase 2!

Just need to really look at some of the CSS to combat some raised points (the user box  ) and sort out a few formatting issues before making the new webpages live!

On the note of the .co.uk domain, you CAN now reach this website via cachewalker.co.uk BUT the .createaforum address will be displayed in your URL bar. Initially, we had it on frame redirect, which means that cachewalker.co.uk ALWAYS displays in your address bar - which is good, BUT page names and links never change  so decided that this was the better option.

The forum does have a service to 'park' your domain, which would result in the official adoption of the domain, but does anyone know if, say, we parked it here and then for some reason we needed it to take you somewhere else, could you un-attach it from a service like this 

Phase 3 is now underway, we have launched the Facebook Group!

The group will exist for a minimum of two weeks from today, and a variety of factors will influence its future there after: such as, is there enough interest, are people posting, has forum activity increased or decreased etc... 

It'll be interesting to see how it goes - watch this space, and if you are on Facebook, request to join!

Phase 3 is now underway, we have launched the Facebook Group!

The group will exist for a minimum of two weeks from today, and a variety of factors will influence its future there after: such as, is there enough interest, are people posting, has forum activity increased or decreased etc... 

It'll be interesting to see how it goes - watch this space, and if you are on Facebook, request to join!

How is the FB group going? I have not seen any difference in activity here, is posting happening there?

I am surprised that the FB group was not more popular going by what I keep hearing many people say which is "FB is the place all Geocaching talk is now."

Something I want to do more on CC which could also be done here, and does increase activity from what I have noted during just the couple of times I have done it, is set up a competition with real prizes. Prizes do not have to be big, and they do not have to cost you anything. Contact any geocaching items suppliers and ask if they would like to donate something as a prize for a competition, and in return you will place an ad for their business on here for the duration of the comp and promote that they have donated something to you via social media (your FB group, twitter etc). I have had a couple who have said they would be more than happy to do that. I am sure they would if you asked, as long as you don't be cheeky and ask for a new Garmin GPSr or such like 

I think regular (monthly or bi-monthly) events would boost the awareness of CW. I have no doubt that it would do the same if I got myself organised and did for CC too. I know events can take a bit of your time up, and time is something I flap about at the moment, but the events would not have to have a long walk associated with every one. There is a monthly event that is held in Swindon, there's another in Devizes, and another in Melksham. They are just get together's, and very popular. I don't know of any regular 1 to 2 hour pub events that take place between the north of the Cotswolds and the West Midlands. I think there's a gap there to be filled. Pick a date that the regular meets I have mentioned are not held on and go for it... a pub event with no quizzes, raffles, themes, just short meet 'n' greet with friendly chatter. If such meets took place I would get myself to as many as I could and we can talk face to face about ideas.

I don't think merging needs to happen. Time is not on my side, but I am more than happy to head up another CW bannered event in my area of the Cotswolds some time next year, and still help promote the group wherever I can.

It will pick up. It is summer and people are out more of the time at the moment. Even if they are not getting out to do much caching -> am getting for a dog show shortly.