b e a r d
if i have enough money one day i hope i can just like, fund a mod/game website that is censorship resistant and the only way something gets taken down is via DMCA or if it's illegal (although in that case it would more likely just be denied verification or something).
it doesn't even seem like it's that hard to pull off something like that. just put up some content filters for people that don't want to see certain things. or, better yet, make the more spicy stuff opt-in specifically. that way everyone can still enjoy the site.
why the fuck hasn't someone like notch done this yet? the dude totally could and it's not like he could come under any more fire than he already has, as if it would even matter goddammit.
@graf that's the reason why i said if i ever got rich i'd fund it lmao, i'm definitely not a person that could code something like that.
@graf but i will keep this in mind in case i stumble upon anyone 
@beardalaxy @graf I probably could, but I don't think PHP (the only server-side language I'm proficient in) would be a good language for this.
@beardalaxy @graf Okay, maybe I could whip something simple up. I can't promise any paywalled content because I'm not familiar with any payment processor or crypto APIs.
I haven't messed with backend dev in a while though. I'm just afraid that whatever I create won't be scalable.
@beardalaxy @graf Call me crazy, but I've actually started working on it. I'm just DESPERATE to put something on my resume. I only have parts of the front-end done, but the thing is written in PHP with the navbar and footer loaded dynamically.
@beardalaxy @graf I just got the database partially working. Actual file uploads aren't support yet and the logos are obviously placeholders. I'm going for a Wii Shop Channel inspired layout.
I'm actually feeling really guilty about this because this shows how much free time I actually have, but this is good resume experience and that's how I justify it.
@beardalaxy @graf Got the submit form, but the script to handle the form hasn't been written yet.
@beardalaxy @graf Script now handles submissions, but still no file uploads (still trying decide how to store them). You can also now browse by genre and a view game page has been created.
@beardalaxy @graf Uploads have now been implemented along with logos and screenshots. I just need to include tags, patch any possible exploits, and then I can move onto mods.
@beardalaxy @graf Tags have now been added, but they don't do anything yet.
@beardalaxy @graf Added a profile view. Right now, it only shows a list of games published by the user.
@beardalaxy @graf Profiles now have bios. This bio is just taken from a random MobyGames page.
(Ian Fisch, if you are reading this, I hope you don't mind.)
@beardalaxy @graf I am now proud to say that tag-filtering has now been implemented.
@beardalaxy @graf I'm still working on the site. I was working on my game and was busy with work for the past week. I'm trying to make it that you can upload more than 3 screenshots (I realized that there is a better way to do it).
@beardalaxy @graf You can now upload more than 3 screenshots. Previously, the game table in the database had 3 columns for screenshots. Now, screenshots are in their own table.
@beardalaxy @graf I'm currently patching some possible SQL injection exploits. After that, I will move on to mods.
@beardalaxy @graf Just started working on mod submissions and created a mods table in the database. Once I fully implement mod uploads, all I just need to do is finish the admin/mod panels, create an installation script, and I'm done. Unless you guys have other ideas, of course.
@beardalaxy @graf Mod submissions have been implemented along with a view mod page. Though mods can't be search, yet.
@beardalaxy @graf A browse mods page has now been implemented.
Here is a rough estimate of what still needs to be done:
* The ability to search for anything by title
* Pagination in the browse pages
* Edit game/mods page - Technically I finished it, but re-implementing the way screenshots work means that I have to modify it. I also need to create an edit page for mods as well.
* Delete game/mod script - Working on that right now. I need to make sure that deleting a game/mod also deletes the screenshots and other files
* Delete/ban user - Again need to make sure the deletion is a cascade.
* Admin control panel - This is a list on it's own. I need to make sure the admin has control of everything.
* Report tool - I have a report table in the database, but I haven't implemented reports yet.
* Client-side form validation - This is only for the benefit of the user. Basically, it's JavaScript that validates a form before sending it to the server so the user doesn't have to press the back button if they mess up
* The ability to change passwords
* User avatars
* Links on user profiles - Links to relevant social media, websites, and donation pages
* User comments - Haven't even started implementing them yet.
* User ratings - Haven't even started on this either
* Contact page - Either you or graf will need to set up email addresses to contact the site's staff
* Installation script - Finally, I will need to write a PHP script that will automatically create the database, the necessary file structure, and the first admin account.
Things I'm Considering:
* Moderators - Right now, there are only admins and standard users. I could add support for moderators, but I don't know what privileges they would have that admins won't. Admins can basically edit and delete any content along with banning any user. I feel like moderators would basically have the same privileges as admins in this case. On forums, the only difference is that moderators can't create boards or change ranks of other users. I don't know what the difference would be here.
* Forums - I could either have one forum per game/mod or have general forums for discussing things like game development, modding, or gaming in general. Though adding either of these would just add more complexity and more work for any admins or moderators. Maybe later if the site becomes an active place.
Take note that even though I have meager experience with back-end development, I was never an admin or moderator on any forum, blog, wiki, or any other community site, so my knowledge on this is quite limited.
Anyway, I plan on having this thing done by the end of next month, if not earlier.
@xianc78 @graf normally an admin would have power over the entire site, as they're usually the one hosting it. It's not just moderation, it's things like changing the site itself. They are also the ones with the final say so things like appeals would typically go through them. On forums at least, there are global mods and section mods who can do what you described just in their respective areas.
I wouldn't jump to forums quite yet, I'd just stick with comments on the game page for now.
@beardalaxy @graf
>it's things like changing the site itself
But most of those are done by actually changing the sites files on the server, which is either done through FTP, SSH, or direct (physical) access to the server, and those use completely different accounts. At least on forums, admins can create new subforums.
I could make the TOS, FAQ, and related pages editable through the admin panel, but I feel like only one person should be in control of that, and I am aware that a lot of sites have co-admins, but from my experience, they don't really seem to have a say in much and just do things under the blessing of the owner admin. So, they are basically elite moderators.
@beardalaxy @graf And I didn't realize that I haven't included mods in the profile pages yet, but I just added them now.
@beardalaxy @graf Users can now delete their games and admins can now delete any games.
@beardalaxy @graf Working on the report system right now. I'm also still working on the edit game page.
@beardalaxy @graf Working on an edit game page and an admin control panel right now.