Perhaps a login/sign-up form on the front page? (I apologise if there is one already, but perhaps a more obvious one?)

This might help make the forums more active, and may help you win that bet rei!

Edit: I've seen what's on the front page properly now, but how about something a bit more eye-catching?

thanks.

[ Edited Dec 14, 2007 ]

働きすぎた。タバコない。無念。

Lol its already there. Next to the forum button.

Yeah i'm aware of that. But it doesn't really stand out.
I was suggesting something a bit more eye-catching.

It is only a suggestion though, so feel free to trash it.

働きすぎた。タバコない。無念。

Hmm... agreed. About all I can do is changed the background color, change the text color, and change the text size. I'll give red bold text a try.

Also, if your logged in it changes to a logout button. If you're not logged in, a Login and Signup button show up.

私は日本語を少し読むと書くをできます。あなたも？

What would really help to get more people to sign up is a "Spread the Word" / "Link to Us" campaign.

Any suggestions for button / banner sizes, and captions?

ATM, we're getting 100+ new visitors daily from Google. Not all check out the forums, mind you. If more people talk about the site and the forums, we could easily see 1,000+ new visitors daily within a month or two. Believe it! ^_^

私は日本語を少し読むと書くをできます。あなたも？

Thats kinda why I was looking for a possible, good userbar a while back. I lurk I dont know how many forums. I could always put said userbar in my sig to try to get more people to join or at least visit the site.

Here are the few I have. I'm open to ideas on new ones of course.

私は日本語を少し読むと書くをできます。あなたも？

The sign up button is much better. Nice work rei, my eyes were drawn to it as soon as the site loaded up!

I'll do my best to promote the site too.
The banners are looking good.

働きすぎた。タバコない。無念。

Another thing I'll do is change the welcome message on the front page to have a big "Join the ACDB Community" link in clear view.

In January, the focus will be on building up a community here. I'll be making the database much more interactive and allow members to get more involved in the development.

私は日本語を少し読むと書くをできます。あなたも？