Compilation of All Shire Tributes

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute
Issue I: Sept. X, IIOOV

The Grand Opening of the Tolkien Forums RPG

The Grand Opening of the Tolkien Forums RPG Banquet and Festivities is just around the corner. See a wonderous play performed by the Halflings of the Shire, a dance sequence performed by the Elves, a banquet prepared by the dwarves, and great fights by men. You can find this great banquet here.

New Forum and Category

A new forum and category has been prepared for guests, known as the Grey Havens. Here guests will communicate with members about issues or just socialty. Find the forum here.

Of Flying Stickmen and Dancing Cows

The Green Dragon Inn 2.0 is now up with a great new book! Check it out in this thread!

Admin Comments

Bacon wishes to remind everyone to please post in the many discussion threads of Lord of the Rings available in several forums. He doesn't wish this forum to turn into a clique social forum for a select few.

Also a reminder: Check out the Marketplace!

Thanks for reading the Shire Tribute and have a great day, fellow hobbits!

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute
Issue II: Sept. XVII, IIOOV

Reorganization of the Forums

The forums have been reorganized to include nearly ever major location in LOTR. There are now forums for discussion of gaming, Tolkien Languages, and Tolkien Music. There's also an extension to the Minas Tirith category, allowing discussion of IRL, other movies, etc. The Marketplace no longer has its own forum, but rather a single thread.

Avatars

Avatars have been organized into sections. See your profile for more details.

Most of the icons made already will soon be replaced with smaller ones. See the Official Icon Thread for details.

The Inn Goes North

Book the IIIrd is up! Check it out.

Admin Comments

Things are getting much better for this forum. We are starting to get into intelligent discussion in the Council of the Minds Forum. I hope that this will spread to all forums, save for the Green Dragon Inn, I suppose, for a healthy discussion forum for all.


Thanks for reading the Shire Tribute and have a great day, fellow hobbits!

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute
Issue IInd, Sept. XXIV, II00V

New Skin System!

Instead of having many unorganized skins for all to view, the administration has decided to reduce it to a rotating set of one a week. All skins will be cleaned up, new banners made, and all will be made to their best potential. Hobbiton Hill has passed, and Saruman of Little Color has arrived.

Our New Graphics Designer!

We have a new Graphics Designer, Minyalie! I'm sure she'll do an awesome job. Expect some awesome rotating skins from her soon.

New Name for Site?

A new name for this forum is being debated... not in the administration forum but Bacon's head. We will have the best name possible, not a cliche name that many have.

The Dam of Isen

An original idea by raditzsoldier, the Dam of Isen allows you to participate in mini-RPGs and plays. It will be quite fun when it is actually started.

Return of the Post Ranks

Because of the New Skin System, the Post Ranks have returned and will also rotate every week to fit with the theme. Admins will also change their custom title and name to fit the theme. All members are welcome to join the fun as well.

New Codes

There was an automatic marketplace, but it was not compatible on all systems, and it was removed. The fate of the marketplace is being discussed...

A new Level Up Meter has been added to your mini-profile. Not RPG, but posting wise. It's pretty cool.

Mini Profiles are now a bit more organized thanks to another code.

There is now an option to remove annoying images from sigs now in your profile.

A new table has been put at the top!

Book the IVth

This book will not last long, but go join in anyways.

Admin Comments

A particularly busy week for all, and the site is coming together. I wish to remind everyone that this is a discussion forum. Feel free to participate in them, or create your own!

Oh, and remember, if you have any news you wish to add to the Tribute, just PM me on Friday Nights!

Thanks for reading the Shire Tribute and have a nice day.

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute

[/size]
Issue IV: X the Ist, II00V[/center]


A Review of September

This is the end of the first full month that Tolkien Forums has gone through and I am pleased to inform all that we have made it. The forum first started back in August, but due to high spam activity, I restarted over. Think of it as God's flood that destroyed the earth to create something much more grand. And this is what has become of it. Better banners... better posters, better communication, a better forum for all. The move was successful, however the Official RPG is still in debate amongst the moderators and admins. Expect an update on this as time progresses. Many new codes were added, and this site became the best it could be, or is it? We obtained two new staff Folk, Minyaliel, our graphics designer, and Burhead, our Bridge of Khazad-dum Forum Moderator. More good news! We have won best board at Admin's Retreat! Congratulations all who have stuck with Tolkien Forums. As I write this, the forums are being reorganized to make a more tight, friendly forum for all. May the Valar protect all!

Best Board At Admin's Retreat!

By a very slim margin (a single vote), Tolkien Forums has won Best Board at the monthly competition at Admin's Retreat!

The admins would like to thank all users (Gorbin, raditz, DDL, Phoenix, Frosty) who have stuck with us during this time.

We hope to continue to improve this board until it's the best it can be. Congratulations everyone!

Reorganization of the Boards

The boards have been majorly reorganized to incorporate Proboards Sub-Board Feature, which makes us look alot more active.

One Skin Per Week System Done Away With

Yeah... that didn't work out. Choose your skins in your profile!

A New Menu Bar

We now have our very own custom menu bar. So long default Proboards Text Menus, hello paradise!

New Name For Site

A new name for our forum is still in debate. Toller's Garden is the best suggestion the admins have heard.

Burhead as the new Khazad. Mod!

Burhead has been promoted to moderator of the Khazad-dum forum. Congrats!

Reduction of Spam

Spam has been a growing problem in the Green Dragon Inn, and thus, it has been destroyed. Do not spam, or suffer the consequences.

Advertising Campaign

An Advertising Campaign will begin soon. Post with quality, not with quanity, on other forums and they will come.

Admin Comments

This is a discussion forum, not a social forum. Remember that.

If you want to submit your news to this newsletter simply PM me on a Friday night with what news you want to add, and it might be added, depending on if you're serious or not.

Thanks for reading the Shire Tribute, and have a nice day.

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute

[/font]
Issue the VIth: October the 22nd, 2005[/center]

~Return to the Old Forum

I welcome everyone back to the near-original Tolkien Forums Board. Invision Free killed us, and we're about to become alive once more. I would like to thank all who have stuck with us... once more.

~Concerning Staff

-Because of inactivity, Burhead has been demoted to member.

~A New And Final Info Center

-A Final Customizable Info Center has been provided. This is only available to members.

~Three New Skins

Three New Skins Have Been Added As Follows:

The Gates of Minas Morgul- A Sickly Green and Black Skin representing the castle of Minas Morgul from Return of the King.

The Plains of Rohan- This skin is for Horse Lovers. Brown and green, not unlike the Shire Skin.

The Walls of Gondor- Obviously, this skin details the walls of the castle of Minas Tirith. It's still being worked on, but it's pretty much finished.

Hope everyone enjoys these skins.

~A New Forum

A New Forum has been added to the Misty Mountains Categroy. It is basically a writer's resource and community. I hope all enjoy it.

All this news in just one day!

We'll hope to get things back to normal as soon as possible, and the fate of Tolkien Forums will not be it's doom.

Thank you for reading the Shire Tribute, and have a nice day.

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute

Issue the VIIth: Oct. 30, 2005[/center]

Though late, the Shire Tribute has still arrived!

~ The Collapse of the Many Skins

The administration apoligizes for the aprupt maintainmence last night. There were several problems installing a twelfth skin, and it eventually led to coding problems. We now have only one skin, and it will stay that way sadly.

~ The Skin Wheel

Yes, there will be a rotating skin 'wheel' as named by raditzsoldier. To see the whole schedule for the rest of this year, check out this thread.

~ Minyaliel's Skin

Hmmm... there is alot of talk of skins in this issue of Shire Tribute, and the one you see as of now has been brought to you by Minyaliel. Excellent job!

~ Halloween Skin

Yes, I am hard at work on making a Halloween skin that will be up tonight. Then we will move back to Minyaliel's skin on the 1st of Nov. and on with the rest of the schedule as planned.

~ Halloween Festivities

Though this has not been discussed in Barad-dur yet, I have planned (in my mind) several activities planned for tomorrow. Check out Tolkien Forums tomorrow for some interesting activities... hopefully.

~ A FINAL Info Centre

We have yet again another info centre. Though it's not too terribly different, I feel it's an improvement.

~ Visible Administration Boards

The boards for the administration are visible for registered users, however only Shelob's Lair and the Tower of Cirith Ungol are accessible.

~ Moderation Promotions

Though this was not mentioned in last week's edition of The Shire Tribute, Minyaliel was promoted to moderator of The Tomb of Balin and the Book of Mazarbul Forums at Invision Free, both writing boards. Her position holds true here as well.

~ What's Being Discussed in Barad-dur

Ever since the return to Proboards, the following has been discussed and debated in the Dark Tower:

• A New User Notes System: This makes sure that all bad and good things a user does is tracked down well and organized.
  
• Obviously, there was the big code disaster.
  
• A 'Version Two' of Tolkien Forums in which all old and locked threads and inactive boards are moved to their appropriate spot, and new boards take their place. If this happens, expect an announcement on maintainmence mode sometime soon.
  
• Problem user(s) were discussed as well.
  

Thank you for reading the Shire Tribute, and have a nice day.

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute

Current Affairs

The Inn Closed

Due to much spamming in the inn and a lack of activity elsewhere, the Inn has been closed down. Instead, we have gotten some new, interesting discussion topics in the other boards which you are strongly encouraged to participate in.

Skin Wheel and Other Graphic News

We are currently viewing the Woods of Lorien skin. I have finally finished my new skin named "Elfcraft", which I will set up on the 15th. I hope you will enjoy it.

Staff Changes

Well, unfortunately the co- admin grew unactive, so, to my surprise, Bacon promoted me admin to help him out. Of course I will do my best to make our community thrive.

New RpG

There is a new RpG in the Bridge of Khazad-dûm called "Seeking the Masters". There are still no participants, which is a shame. I hope someone wants to join in, the more the merrier

New feature: Sindarin lessons!

Yes, there is a lot of talk going on behind the scenes. Bacon and I have agreed on starting a Sindarin course in Rivendell. I will be teaching, the first lesson is currently being written and posted as soon as possible. Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated.

As you probably know, we really appreciate it if our members come with new ideas and suggestions. Don't be shy to tell us if you've got this great idea, tell us so that we can consider it.

That's all for today, guys, keep posting and have fun

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute

Issue the VIIth: Oct. 30, 2005


Maintainmence Mode[/center]

The administration has been hard at work on changing the forum so that it is better organized and more populated for all. The main page doesn't look too terribly different, but the insides have changed much.

The Skin Wheel Schedule

The Skin Wheel continues to rotate more and more! Here are the skins that will be seen for this week:

Nov. 5- Nov. 8: Saruman of Little Colors
Nov. 9- Nov. 11: The Bridge of Khazad-dum
Nov. 12- Nov. 14: The Woods of Lorien

Hidden Boards Visible

Some boards that were once hidden are now visible. The moderation boards have been separated from Shelob's Lair and Cirith Ungol and are now in their own hidden category. Shelob's Lair holds all old and locked threads for the forum, and Cirith Ungol holds inactive boards.

Helga

I am sure all are aware of the little incident last Monday, but rest assured it has been dealt with. Helga will not be returning to Tolkien Forums.

Writing Competition

Minyaliel, moderator of the Tomb of Balin, Library of Imladris, Bag End, the Bridge of Khazad-dum, and the Mayor's Office, is holding a small competition in the Tomb of Balin Forum. The thread may be found here.

Elf-Craft Skin

Minyaliel is also hard at work on a new skin that will be opened fairly soon. It is known as Elf-Craft.

Discussions in Barad-dur

Barad-dur is constantly growing and changing. The staff has been in deep discussion over several issues:

• More responsibilities for other staff members are expected to be issued. Staff will be responsible for releasing the Shire Tribute, as well as opening a new book in the Green Dragon Inn, along with their moderation responsilities.
  
• The maintainmence mode has been discussed and debated, and is now settled.
  
• The info box at the top is expected to change fairly soon.
  

Thanks for reading the Shire Tribute, and have a nice day.

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute

Issue the Xth: January 14th, 2006

This is the first Shire Tribute we've had in a very long time, and so it is I bring you all news from afar, of importance and of no importance, good and bad.


New Ideas For the Forums
Since DDL's promotion to manager, the Dark Tower has reawoken, while its evil inhabitants discuss many different ideas to improve the forums. Their numbers are growing, and here are a list of a few in development:

Tolkien Forums Survivor - A game in which six contestants will be stranded on a single board, struggling for survival. The administration is currently debating the location of this contest, and the rules and regulations of it.

Green Dragon Pub and Inn - This is a twist of a role-playing forum, allowing all who wish to enter and, in the form of a role-playing game, talk about anything they wish in RL. One may rent a room, or participate in the activities planned. Though this board is visible, it is still not accessible, due to a small 'bug' in the rooms idea. It should be accessible very soon, and you can begin. Minyaliel will be moderating this board.

Bombadil's Playground - This new forum will be a games forum. Slowly, but surely, the gamelike topics from the Fireplace will be moved to the Playground. The administration is currently debating whether or not it should be a product of the Marketplace, or whether it should hold all forum games, including the Marketplace itself. Your input is appreciated. DDL will be moderating Bombadil's Playground.


Suburb of Kings
The forum recently opened to the public, who seemed to have loved it. I look forward to having fun in my own house, as I am sure others are as well. Purchase it for 500 coins in the Marketplace.


More Reorganization of Boards
Because of inactivity, the role-playing category has combined into one forum, and moved to the Community Boards. The Prancing Pony and Square Forums have also been shut down and combined with the Fireplace, due to inactivity as well.


Moderator Promotions
DDL has been promoted to manager! Congrats!


New Avatar Galleries
Two new galleries, Tolkien Avatars, and the Silmarillion have opened, with a Hobbit One in the works. Expect more from the avatars soon.


The Super Mega RPG Thing
It seems, as always, that we are having trouble dealing with the massive RPG. It will not be cancelled. It will open... someday.


Open Call For Banners!
Reminding all that new banners will be looked into and accepted. See this thread for more information.


Web Site
A web site for Tolkien Forums is in the work, though the discussion is in somewhat primitive stages right now. Expect more news as time goes on.


Other
Remember that if you want to add something to the Tribute, just PM me sometime on Friday!


Thanks for reading the Shire Tribute, and have a nice day! [/center]

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute

Issue the XIIth: January 28th, 2006


New Banner
Thanks to Jedi Scoke Faofa, we have an awesome banner!! Looks awesome, eh?

Inactivity
While the Survivor contestants were gone, Tolkien Forums was hit with a odd case of inactivity, even with the efforts of Bacon and DDL to keep the boards active. It even appears than Minyaliel has disappeared..where could she be?

Survivor Game
Due to school and inactivity, the Survivor game has been canceled, and all of the contestants are back. Hopefully, we can get the Survivor game going again this summer..when everyone has more free time..

New PB Features
Here in the past few days, Proboards has added more features, including a warning bar, links for 'Link to post' and 'Back to top' next to the IP logged thingy, and a few other things. The question is, will Bacon decide to keep them (the links), or use hey's new codes to remove them..

Conclusion
I do believe that is all that has happened, please let me know if I'm wrong.



*Modified by DDL*[/center]

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute

[/size]
Issue the Thirteenth: January the Fourth, 2006[/center]

Around the Forums

• - A new book has started in the Fireplace. Check out Book the Eleventh: The Unsinkable Greendragoninntanic soon!
  
• - Bacon's motion picture, Day and Night, has now opened to the public. Contact DDL for downloading issues.
  
• - Remember that if you'd like to see anything mentioned in this corner of the Shire Tribute, just PM me anytime.
  

Technical Errors

• - RaditzSoldier has recently had problems with category names. Though the problem has not been solved, it is still being investigated.
  

Moderator News

• - Minyaliel has had difficulty finding online time to contribute to the forums recently. She apoligizes for this.
  

More Codes
Several new codes have been added to the boards recently. A rundown of them are:

• - Smilies in Post Reply/New Smilies
  I took the time to make all IGN Smilies visible on the Post Reply Page, rather than have most on an external link. We also have new Lord of the Rings Smileys, and yes, I realize Gandalf is misspelled.
  
• - The Google Button
  Put anything in the 'Google' Button, visible in the Add Tags section of Post Reply, and it will automatically take you to a google page with the word(s) in the mark-up tags as the item being searched.
  
• - Cookie Set Posting Abilities
  Some of our older members will remember the Cookie Set Posting Abilities Code we had in early September that was eventually taken out because of the color option. Because we now have only one skin working for us at a time, I am adding this code back for all to have once again.
  
• - 101 Info Center
  I've given the 101 Info Center a return... but given it a 'Tolkien' Feel with different titles for each section.
  
• - Main Page Links
  The Main Page Links were somewhat twisted and customized this week. They might be changed again in the near future.
  

What's Being Discussed in The Dark Tower

• - Problems with socks have been debated. We all came to the conclusion that if socks follow the forum rules, they should be okay.
  
• - Something 'fun' could be happening near the end of March.
  
• - Problem users were also discussed, though we have... none.
  

Other News

• - The rules for the forum have been updated to be slightly more organized. Check them out here.
  
• The possibility of a new skin is being discussed here.
  

Thank you for reading the Shire Tribute, and have a nice day.

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute!!!!!!!!!!1

[/size]
Issue the Fourteenth: February the Eleventh, 2006[/center]


Around the Forums

• - The somewhat new book, Love in the Air has opened for all to socialize in.
  
• - Nazgul, the RP, has opened for all to participate in.
  
• - The new forum, Gondor's Playground, has opened for all.
  
• - Remember that if you'd like to see anything mentioned in this corner of the Shire Tribute, just PM me anytime.
  

Technical Errors

• - Firefox Users have had difficulty voting in polls. Conflicting codes have been removed, and things should be back to normal.
  

Maintenance Mode

• - Maintenance mode for the forums is over.
  
• - The Tolkien Discussions Category has been condensed into a single forum, while the other forums now occupy space for discussion of all television, movies, literature, video games, among others.
  
• - The new name for the forum is the 'Green Dragon' Forums.
  
• - Several sticky threads have been updated.
  
• - Staff and VIPs no longer use the background color or border features concerning colors.
  

New Sock Policy
New Sock Guidelines were implemented for all users to follow:

• - Somehow state who you are, be it in your signature, username, or personal text.
  
• - You must abide by all forum rules.
  
• - Socks cannot talk to their owners, unless it is a global sock.
  

What's Being Discussed in the Dark Tower

• - We have decided that the new signature picture maximum size is 500x200. Any more than this will be removed as of today, even image randomizers.
  
• - Maintenance, obviously.
  

Problem Users

- And as always, problem users were discussed... and dealt with.

Thanks for reading the Shire Tribute, and Happy Valentine's Day even though it's not Valentine's Day for three more days![/size]
[/color]

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute

[/size]
Issue the 15th: February the 19th, 2006[/center]

Around the Forums

• - Welcome to our newest member, Trent!
  
• - The newest edition of the continuing social thread, the Green Dragon, is up and running here!
  
• - Raditz has posted his newest story, here, and I'm sure he'd like it included in the Tribute.
  

Technical Errors

• - The Green Dragon Social Thread has suffered a calamity. Two hundred posts have disappeared, and a strange post from 1969 has been implemented. It is being investigated by the Proboards Staff, or it should soon.
  
• 
  

Important Stuff

• - Discussion for the future of the Green Dragon can be located here.
  
• - This morning, some boards and categories have been reorganized.
  
• - We now have a chat room! Check it out!
  

Moderator News

• - Minyaliel will most likely be stepping down as your administrator due to several RL issues. Not final though.
  

The Dark Tower Discussions

• - Not much except the future of the social threads.
  

Thanks for reading the Shire Tribute, and have a nice day.

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute

[/size]
Issue the Seventeenth: March the 5th, 2006[/center]

Moderator News
- RaditzSoldier has made the ascension to moderator! Congratulations!

Important Stuff
- The custom avatar rule was diminished recently.
- A Green Dragon Wikipedia has been implemented here.

New Forums
- A new board is in the works. More details here.

Dark Tower Discussion
- Discussions of the new forum and of the new mod, Raditz, are all that's been going on since last night.

Well, it seems not much is going on, so... thanks for reading this quite short edition of the Shire Tribute, and have a nice day.

[bacon]

Shire Tribute
Issue XVIII

~Intro~

Hey, lookie! I've got myself my own shire tribute. It's time to tell you the updates you already know in a format you're used to!

~Leavings and Comings~

A big welcome to chuckles38 who recently squirmed out of inactivity and back with us!

Also, a sad goodbye to Min, who decided the forum was too spammy (I think, she never had a goodbye thread.), and deleted herself. We all hope she does well in her future endeavours.

~Houses~

[Dorothy]Caves. Cabins, and Palaces, oh my![/Dorothy]

Well then, folks! I guess there's no hiding it. The houses have experienced a schism. There are now three different types of places you can live in. Caves are cheap and pretty much no customization ability, whereas the Cabins are more customizable, and the Palaces are just plain cwazy! Check it out and see what I mean.

~Of Curses and Unsinkable Ships~

Baxon's site, the Titanic is finished and ready to open. Only problem is, it's not open until April 10. Well....that's awhile.

Also, DDL snuck into the headers and footers and inserted a code curse, which has made the Green Dragon Inn vastly inactive. In a desperate attempt to stop it, Baxon updated the boards.

~Other New Boards~

The RPG's got itself a new nifty spin, and you have to check it out. I had some doubts, but it has the ability to be much greater than the previous RPG board.

User sharings have also been added, in which you may post all the stories, poems, art, or websites that you've got stuck in your head!

~The Evil Admins Discuss~

In the dark tower, the evil admins are discussing a new great age for the GDF...a version three! Have I said too much? Hmm...

~Conclusion~

We're going smoothly to escape DDL's curse. And that's about it. Thanks for reading the Shire Tribute!

~Raditz

[bacon]

The Shire Tribute

[/size]
Issue the Nineteenth: April 30th, 2006[/center]

Reopening!

• After a decent period of maintenance mode, the Green Dragon Forums have reopened with some interesting news to behold. Welcome back, everyone!
  

Moderator News

• Both RaditzSoldier and DDL will be promoted to Global Moderator in the next month.
  
• DDL will be on extremely reduced activity this next week or so as he journeys out of town.
  

Forum News

• One of the rewards in the Marketplace Forum, the option of having your own board, is now diminished. Refunds will be sent out periodically throughout the next week, so do not worry.
  
• The colors option in the Marketplace has been reduced to 750 coins instead of 8000. Have fun.
  
• The forums themselves have once again gone through a sort of reorganization. We no longer have an admin's board for graphics and coding. All threads have been sent to Shelob from there as well as houses.
  
• Announcing the opening of the Debating Board!
  

Dark Tower Discussion

• Much has been discussed this last month. We are in the process of opening up new trivia contests and games. Expect more news soon.
  

Thank you for reading the Shire Tribute, and have a nice day.