On DB I never even notice the announcements. They blend in too much with the background.
Why not make them bold so to appear "always unread"? That would make them stick out more.

Yes i agree, and because they are in a seperate area above all threads, people don't even see them because they immediate look down.

I think that if they where showing like unread (or maybe even a real read-marking) and where just between the threads on top of the stickies, people would better see them.

I highlight my announcements and stickies as to point them out the new users. However, most dedicated users see it right away because it sticks out of the crowd. For new users, it is best just to sticky a thread ( just as long as there isn't a ton of threads already stickied )

~Curt

it has nothing to do with the type (announcement/sticky) ... it's all about how it's displayed

Hmm - Announcements = More official but less noticed
Stickies = Less official more notice :p

Depends on what type of announcement it is really...

Before I we got our own forum I was a Forum manager of a very busy forum for a year. If I wanted to get an announcement noticed or a sticky or ordinary post noticed I would use a title to grab their attention ie:



Have you noticed its human nature to look at something if we are told not to. We just cant help it. LOL.

Its best to use this method on announcements or stickies that are to be there for a while so that the members dont get used to it, even then I bet even members who know the trick still cant help themselves at times.;)

regards
Karen

PS Forgot to mention if you do use this to also start the post with some light humour, a one liner etc before you start your post/announcement in ernest.

A suggestion/idea: When users hit newthread in a 'special' Forum, such as a Review forum, the announcement is loaded instead.

To post a Thread, they must click a link/button in the Announcement.

Something along the lines of

I too use stickies........the announcement's just don't work very well in my opinion......