Revised Forum Layout!

[CGP]

I have done away with all the topic subforums - it was far too time consuming & complicated to maintain.

It its place is a much more simple archive structure based on the main categories (HC, BO, Dems, Repubs etc) and organized according to the number of replies to posts.

In future I may re-add a "main room" to the HC, BO divisions but for now there will just be one political discussion "main room".

There is a separate "main room" for off-topic discussions.

[foxyladi]

it.s good to be back.
love you MURRAY..:D:D:D

[ZY123]

I'm a minimalist so less is definitely more....I like the changes.

[CGP]

I'm a minimalist so less is definitely more....I like the changes.

It may be a disappointment to some. But having one main room (for new threads) and then having to archive threads into subforums is simply too time consuming. And now that I have done away with all of those topic categories, there is no going back unless someone is interested in sorting 37,000 threads into topic subforums!

[Ikasu]

I like the layout.

[ZY123]

It may be a disappointment to some. But having one main room (for new threads) and then having to archive threads into subforums is simply too time consuming. And now that I have done away with all of those topic categories, there is no going back unless someone is interested in sorting 37,000 threads into topic subforums!

Give that job to a n00b....lol.

I never liked a lot of topics on a forum (including one I have I think has too many subtopics)...I think the interesting stuff floats to the top.

[CGP]

Give that job to a n00b....lol.

I never liked a lot of topics on a forum (including one I have I think has too many subtopics)...I think the interesting stuff floats to the top.

At least with the revised layout the threads with the most replies are given a division of their own. Threads with more replies are definitely more interesting to read, regardless of how old they are.

[ZY123]

At least with the revised layout the threads with the most replies are given a division of their own. Threads with more replies are definitely more interesting to read, regardless of how old they are.

Plus threads with more replies are the ones people have proven an interest in.

[CGP]

Plus threads with more replies are the ones people have proven a interest in.

Number of replies is the only real evidence that a thread was of interest to people!

[ZY123]

Number of replies is the only real evidence that a thread was of interest to people!

So we have logical proof that this is the way to go...QED. ;)

[CGP]

So we have logical proof that this is the way to go...QED. ;)

Yes, evidence-based assertions!

[foxyladi]

I like the layout.

ditto

[CGP]

I have done away with all the topic subforums - it was far too time consuming & complicated to maintain.

It its place is a much more simple archive structure based on the main categories (HC, BO, Dems, Repubs etc) and organized according to the number of replies to posts.

In future I may re-add a "main room" to the HC, BO divisions but for now there will just be one political discussion "main room".

There is a separate "main room" for off-topic discussions.

I am never settled on what's the best way to organize the 38,000 threads!

Any thoughts?

Sometimes I just want to do away with the categories altogether and just have 2 divisions: on-topic and off-topic!

[Folamix]

seems to me if the tag or search system works the way I think it does, there is no need for you to have separate forums....maybe I am not clear on how it works

[CGP]

seems to me if the tag or search system works the way I think it does, there is no need for you to have separate forums....maybe I am not clear on how it works

It's pretty easy. At the bottom of each thread there is a "tags" section in which anyone can place key tag words. When you click on the "tag cloud" you can find key words and when you click on one it will list all the threads that have been tagged with that key word.

The tag system was only added in Jan 2009 so most of the 38,000 threads are untagged.

Finally, the tag system is as only useful if all threads are routinely tagged by participants.

[CGP]

seems to me if the tag or search system works the way I think it does, there is no need for you to have separate forums....maybe I am not clear on how it works

Few subforums is definitely easier to look it!

I guess my question is how worthwhile is it maintaining separate archive subforums? So few of the old threads are posted on after they have been archived that it doesn't make a lot of sense to feature these threads in separate subforums.

[VotingHillary]

What about just 2 archive forums....Primary and General Election?

[CGP]

What about just 2 archive forums....Primary and General Election?

That's a possibility. That would involving organizing the threads based on time:

Democratic Primaries (Feb to Aug 2008)
General Election (Aug 2008 to Nov 2008)

There are many different possibilities. I want to do what is most useful for those people (members & visitors) who actually use the archives.

I think threads that have many posts are also more interesting to read than threads that have few posts in them - that was the rationale behind separating old threads into 3 groups (>50 posts, 25-50 posts, <25 posts) - that makes it easier for people to make a choice as to which threads they will look at.

[VotingHillary]

I think the two would work because those looking for Hillary info would be more inclined to go to the Primary archive and those wanting to look up PUMA info would know to go to the General forum.

(Just my two cents not worth a penny in this economy.)

[CGP]

I think the two would work because those looking for Hillary info would be more inclined to go to the Primary archive and those wanting to look up PUMA info would know to go to the General forum.

(Just my two cents not worth a penny in this economy.)

Any & all feedback is useful!

I am very perfectionistic and like things to be orderly & to "look right".

I am not satisfied with the current style of organization & want to change it.

[joeysky18]

I am not satisfied with the current style of organization & want to change it.

Wave the magic wand and things will fall in order. :D

That's the best advice I can give. I'm no good at organizing.

[CGP]

Wave the magic wand and things will fall in order. :D


I wish!!!

There are no simple solutions other than doing away with the organizing of threads altogether and dumping every single thread into one forum and allow threads to sink/swim without any input from admin.

[ZY123]

...doing away with the organizing of threads altogether and dumping every single thread into one forum and allow threads to sink/swim without any input from admin.

That's the way I like my forum for the most part (sink or swim)....but I'm a type B to the extreme....and despite wanting no categories somehow I ended up with a bunch.

[CGP]

That's the way I like my forum for the most part (sink or swim)....but I'm a type B to the extreme....and despite wanting no categories somehow I ended up with a bunch.

I can see pros/cons for both approaches:

There are definitely pros/cons for having categories/subforums...

There are definitely pros/cons for having no categories at all...

So what's the conclusion?!!!

[VotingHillary]

This forum has a huge history...that is why i advocate the 2-forum archive of Primary and General Election.

[CGP]

This forum has a huge history...

Yes, that's why I want to maximize its utility by organizing those threads in a way such that people can best make use of them.

[joeysky18]

Yes, that's why I want to maximize its utility by organizing those threads in a way such that people can best make use of them.

What did you do with it?! Now I see only 2 sections.

[CGP]

What did you do with it?! Now I see only 2 sections.

I'm just playing around with different options...

[mcgowan.swan]

i have no clue what you are talking about. lol. but i like one place and everybody in it. i go by before election and after, and stay in the main section. i am just so boring. lol. going with whatever you decide, muzza, as usual. :):)

[CGP]

I have simplified the organization of old threads to a very basic, stripped down format.

[Folamix]

I too am very simple....lol

I go by pre-election and post election. .....Within those two categories, the threads have a way of rising and falling on their own merit.

Or Primary, General Election, and Inauguration/Administration news

[CGP]

I too am very simple....lol

I go by pre-election and post election. .....Within those two categories, the threads have a way of rising and falling on their own merit.

Or Primary, General Election, and Inauguration/Administration news

Another possible division I am considering is this (2 categories only):

1. Forum Headquarters: main room & all new threads & all threads which don't become part of the "hot archives" below

2. Hot Archives: the most discussed threads across the forum (housing all threads with >50 posts in one section)

This 2 level division which mix all threads together and not separate by them subject - the main ordering features would be number of posts and date/time.

[Folamix]

Another possible division I am considering is this (2 categories only):

1. Forum Headquarters: main room & all new threads & all threads which don't become part of the "hot archives" below

2. Hot Archives: the most discussed threads across the forum (housing all threads with >50 posts in one section)

This 2 level division which mix all threads together and not separate by them subject - the main ordering features would be number of posts and date/time.

Yes I like that one too.

[foxyladi]

I'm a minimalist so less is definitely more....I like the changes.

ditto

[CGP]

I am always changing it up a bit, to find the best balance.

[CGP]

I am always changing it up a bit, to find the best balance.

The latest layout:

[joeysky18]

I am always changing it up a bit, to find the best balance.

I like this latest version.