New Forums And An iPod Contest
This morning I am excited to announce that we now have an official forum for The Office. That’s right, LITO land now has a place to go and chat about our favorite show.
Of all the emails that I get, the request I get most often is “Do you know how I can get a hold of Jim?” But only slightly less requested is, “You should start a forum for all of The Office fans.” So, I decided to give it a try. You can find the forum here.
A few things as we get started:
- While I’m familiar with running blogs and websites, I’ve never created a forum before. After some work, I was able to get it working and looking attractive. If there are any hiccups, please let me know so I can fix them.
- As you sign up for the forum, you can choose your username and an avatar. An “avatar” is a little image that goes next to your name each time you post. It helps to add color to the site and helps people be identified. I’ve made available a ton of great choices courtesy of The Office Icons group, but you can always add your own if you’d like.
- I’ve created several “Ranks” on the forum. At each interval of 5 comments, your rank will change to something new. I hope you get a few laughs from that.
- There is an RSS Feed for the forum in case you want to follow it that way.
- When you sign up for the site, be sure to introduce yourself in the Introductions Section.
I admit it’s a little risky trying to create a new community like this. I suppose I’m a little nervous to see how it will do. Having everyone go to the forum and seeing only one topic in each category is even a little embarrassing. But, we have to start somewhere right? I guess it’s better than me going and populating all the categories with made up topics and replies.
And now for the exciting part…
To get the forum up and running, I thought I’d start out with a little contest.
For each real comment made in the new forum, that will be an entry to the contest. Then, on January 31st I’ll randomly select a name from all the entries and the winner will receive a brand new Office-packed iPod. What is that you ask?
I’ll send the winner a brand new iPod. It will come pre-packed with every episode of The Office. Also, it will have all the Office Audio clips and one-liners ready to go. The winner can choose whether they’d like the black or white 30GB iPod.
There are only a couple rules. First, only “real” comments will be counted. This means that comments made that are obviously there to pad numbers will be omitted. Second, I suppose I need to reserve the right to cancel this contest if it’s necessary. (Though I can’t think of a reason why it’d be necessary.)
Well, I think that’s it. So let’s get this party started. You can head over to the new Office forum now, get registered, and introduce yourself.
This site updates often with fun Office news. If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to updates by email. Also, check out the forum. Thanks for visiting!
January 3rd, 2007 07:59
SWEET! You know I’ll be there.
“Second, I suppose I need to reserve the right to cancel this contest if it’s necessary.”
Kind of like the $100 sales contest that Michael had when Packer stunk up his office!
January 3rd, 2007 08:38
Just don’t cancel Christmas!
I am so excited…this takes my entertainment at my boring job to an entirely new level! Thank you!
January 3rd, 2007 08:51
Janie, that is exactly the scenario I was thinking about. There are a lot of Office folk stuck in offices.
January 3rd, 2007 09:31
Brian this is so awesome. You are awesome
January 3rd, 2007 09:48
thanks Brian.
great idea!
January 3rd, 2007 10:52
Great idea.
Can i play even if i dont live in the US? I live in france so i have to buy the episodes on itunes.
January 3rd, 2007 10:56
Sure, you can play. I guess I can send the ipod just about anywhere.
January 3rd, 2007 11:47
Great contest.
Maybe the rules should look act 2 or more real post. That way the ball will roll faster to grow the forums.
January 3rd, 2007 12:07
Ohh, good times! I love The Office and this website is a great addition to my addiction.
Thanks for all your hard work…and hey, your photographs on your other webpage are awesome!
January 3rd, 2007 12:36
I’m a big fan and would love the office packed fun filled ipod!!
Thanks for the contest!!
January 3rd, 2007 19:25
So, with all due respect, why do we need yet another Office forum?
There are already well established and active forums at Television Without Pity, NBC.com, Northern Attack and probably a few others I don’t know about. Is something to be gained by spreading our discussions over even more sites? Does this bring some value beyond what already exists on the other sites?
January 3rd, 2007 22:50
Stanley, competition is good, and a second cliche’ the cream will rise to the top.
Combined in Michael Fashion. the cream of the competition will float on top of the milk./
January 4th, 2007 09:55
Are there any other prizes? Maybe a 14th-century Maybaisho Katana, or maybe a year-long meditation with Sosei Masutatsu Oyama, where I can learn to kill a bull with my bare hands…
Of course, I do know of a Russian web-site that lets me download songs for seventeen cents each….
Too bad they’re all in Russian.
Why don’t you just give me the iPod.
January 5th, 2007 12:31
but if I’m at the office watching The Office ( non my new iPod) won’t that create some rent in the time space continuum?
January 5th, 2007 15:21
that sounds great! i mean a NEW video ipod with ALL the office episodes and u dont have 2 pay a penny!
btw, PAM AND JIM 4EVA!!! (thats 4 my pal, yoshi :))
January 5th, 2007 18:09
So when you say all of The Office episodes your only counting the US Office not the BBC Office right? iTunes doesn’t have the BBC Office for sale so if you could pack them on the 30G iPod that would make this the best Office iPod every (or until the next season that is)
Funny BBC Clip
January 5th, 2007 18:38
Yazz, The UK Office is goo, but it’d just be the US Version on the iPod
January 6th, 2007 17:20
wow Brian, this is awesome, I love the Office
January 6th, 2007 17:20
Really Cool! I love the Office
January 8th, 2007 10:05
Thanks for starting this and the PRIZE opportunity. I assume episodes up until the prize is shipped will be loaded. Is there a provision to get future episodes for it for free? How will you contact the winner? I love the way you prop guys have been able to fit everything with the other branch being consolidated into about the same space.
January 9th, 2007 18:23
This is an awesome site and an awesome contest.
“That’s what she said!”
January 9th, 2007 21:11
Wow! An ipod is nice, one packed with the Office - nicer yet!
Great idea
January 10th, 2007 09:32
awesome.
this a really sweet contest.
good luck to everybody…
personally i would prefer to receive the teapot filled with goodies.
January 10th, 2007 09:45
Neat! I’m so addicted to the Office, I watch the few iTunes episodes I have over and over…it would be great to watch them during my commute to my own office…which is not nearly as hilarious as Dunder Mifflin
January 10th, 2007 10:03
Thanks Brian!!
I’m very excited about the contest!
I’ll leave you with a fantastic quote from last week’s episode:
Michael: Officially, I did not see her. But I did see Jan there. In our room. At night. And in the morning. That’s all I’m going to say. Sex. We had sex. I had sex with her. I had sex with Jan.
I seriously almost peed my pants.
January 10th, 2007 10:26
Thank you for starting a new page regarding my all time favority show.
Calling all JAMMERS! Calling all JAMMERS!
January 10th, 2007 10:59
Absolutely i do …. want to win an iPod
January 10th, 2007 12:19
First off I just want to say that this is an AWESOME site (just took a glance at everything offered) and an AMAZING contest. And Brian, I just want to let you know that I need this iPod like I need a whole in the head.
J/K - It WOULD be cool to use during rehearsals and stuff, haha.
Anyway, glad to be a member of this great website, and hopefully it’s gonna be a place for opinion, news/possible spoilers, and those crazy Office quotes that you KNOW we use in everyday life (you know you can’t even COUNT the number of times you’ve used “Does this place smell like up-dawg?” with friends/family).
Can’t wait to talk to everyone about the best show on television.
January 10th, 2007 18:01
The Office is the best show EVER!!!! I think the third season is the best season thus far, and I love the Jim-Pam-Karen triangle. Awesome contest idea too!
January 10th, 2007 21:10
This is going to be a great forum. There can never be a shortage of Office talk.
January 10th, 2007 21:30
Everyone wants the iPod. It’s a huge hit. It is almost a [post]Christmas miracle.
January 10th, 2007 21:43
haha “Do you know how I can get a hold of Jim?” I think ladies everywhere can agree that this is a very important question.
Thank you for doing this iPod game. I have the old school 3rd generation ipod which I use practically everyday and it’s been puttering out on me lately.
January 10th, 2007 22:04
Totally random, but along the lines of The Office humor: My team at work thought it would be funny to mirror one of Jim’s pranks on Dwight in our office. We’re sending our boss faxes…from himself…from the future. Yesterday we told him NOT to buy his favorite lunch because it was inadvertently contaminated. We’re going to keep it going for as long as possible. If anyone else has any suggestions for what my “future” boss can send his “current” self, feel free to share.
January 10th, 2007 22:10
Laura, be sure to start a forum topic with that question. I think there would be a ton of great suggestions!!
January 10th, 2007 22:33
Thanks Brian. I’m new to forums, so I hope I did it correctly. I posted a new topic in the Non-Office Chat forum. Thanks in advance to anyone who provides any suggestions.
January 11th, 2007 07:48
This is a great website. My co-workers and I love to discuss the office on a daily basis. We are even thinking of pulling the jello prank from the first season on a “dwight” like coworker. So excited for tonights episode!
January 11th, 2007 08:41
Yes! Thanks for giving me somewhere to do something other than working at work! I love the office and look forward to chatting with other folks who work with erstwhile Dwights, Angelas and Michaels!
January 11th, 2007 22:35
I love phpbb. The only downfall I’ve had with it is the amount of spam accounts joining.
Thanks for the forum, and of course for the best fansite.
January 12th, 2007 12:22
What is the only thing that could make an iPod better? THE OFFICE, of course
January 13th, 2007 17:17
Well first of all I think this is great that LITO now has an office message board. I am a huge fan of The Office, I have been a fan of the office since the UK version and will be forever and ever. The Office is probably the best show out there and to have a chance at winning an iPod with every episode ever made is a very cool idea. Thank you guys for doing this contest and good luck in everything!
January 13th, 2007 23:06
Well, this is the biggest Office fan ever, so this is basically my homepage on my computer
But i have just one question…
would it be possible to get these episodes from the ipod to the your computer, without the username and password of the account that bought it?
i dont have an ipod, so i dont know how it works, but i have read online, and it said you need to type your name and password to authorize it, but that was for music…
January 14th, 2007 00:36
I had to post here to try and get in the contest. I have not seen all of the Office episodes but what i have seen i really like. Dwight is the best simply because my friends and I know someone who looks eerily similar to him.. plus we all are from Pennsylvania as well (which makes it funnier even for us), in Wilkes-Barre, about 20 minutes from the Office’s setting of Scranton.
Oh and LauarLSU, how about future boss telling present boss to “Stay away from the windows today. A sniper will mistake YOU for a cheating husband he’s been hired to shoot”. Not too morbid I hope!
January 20th, 2007 14:11
I love the idea of this contest. The Office is the best show EVER! I work in an office and have to laugh every day when I look around and see many of the same antics going on.
P.S. I need an ipod!!!
January 21st, 2007 02:52
Yeah, i agree that the idea of this contest will bring more office fans to this awesome website. Great job Brian!
I love The Office and i’ve been watching it since the 1st season.. You just gotta love Michael Scott even if he acts like a jerk at times and immature. lol.
January 23rd, 2007 22:12
I really enjoyed the return. I do sort of felt sorry for Karen…
January 25th, 2007 18:44
I like Karen, just not for Jim.
January 30th, 2007 17:52
Hi. I really enjoy your website. I even subscribe to your feed on livejournal. It has the best Office news :] This contest sounds like a great idea. Keep up the good work!
December 16th, 2007 15:11
Hey,
I’m Gerry.
Just saying hello - I’m new.