Administrators Eric Posted August 11, 2017 Administrators Share Posted August 11, 2017 Several people have suggested keeping the number of forums relatively small. It is not something I have ever really considered. Remember, I am the guy who brought you one of the most massive number of forums on a single site (GT). I'm kicking around the idea though and I am warming up to it. What if we kept the total number of forums limited to just fifteen or twenty and kept it that way? I think it could be accomplished without anything getting lost or not receiving its due coverage. One of the reasons I compartmented GT's content into so many different forums was that back in those days, the software and the servers had problems processing and rendering forum indexes with really large numbers of threads in them. Spreading them out over more forums reduced the load. The servers and the software have gotten better though. Also, there are many things that could be done to attach keywords and filters to threads, so that a lot could be done with how we filter and present the data. What do you guys think? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I am not sure how much work it takes to add a room and then if you added a room whether you would want to parse threads into it that already existed in other rooms or simply start with anything that was new and leave the old threads at where they started. One of the advantages of a relatively few number of rooms is that when someone new comes here they are probably more likely to find something that keeps them coming back. Another issue as I am sure you have spent far more time pondering than have I, is how fast and how much this will grow. My opinion would be first to do whatever is easier for you, especially if adding more rooms is no more work later than it is now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elsolo Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Too many subforums, there will be some that get no traffic and threads remain unseen, too few and the specialized threads get buried in joke of the day type threads. If the search function is decent, that latter problem is less of an issue. I generally prefer fewer subforums to browse through, just a personal preference. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy969 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Fewer is better. Even on GT when users begged for a separate forum it got little use after being established. Regardless you will get complaints either way you go. So just do what is easiest for you. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speleothem Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I rarely go to a sub-forum, unless I'm lookin' for something in particular. I always go to "New Posts." That's where I set my bookmark for most sites. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevekozak Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I'm in favor of fewer forums. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huskerbuttons Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Fewer forums works for me. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonS Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 There used to be a lot of posts that got "You might try posting this in. . ." as the first response. I don't enjoy forums where there is a room for left handed 1911's and one for Hungarian 7.92 pistols. R. A. H. "Specilization is for insects" We do need a Bullet Packing forum because that requires a disclaimer about blowing your face off. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudel Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I'm in favor of fewer forums; but would want to limit to the right ones. So, how about a test forum with subforums? People can suggest a new subforum. Give it 60 days. If it doesn't have traffic or activity, then it gets closed. If it turns out to be a popular and active forum, then promote it out of the test forum group. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC Tiger Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Too many subforums, there will be some that get no traffic and threads remain unseen, too few and the specialized threads get buried in joke of the day type threads. If the search function is decent, that latter problem is less of an issue. I generally prefer fewer subforums to browse through, just a personal preference. The best way might be to just do all the subforums that people seem to want, then combine or eliminate the ones that don't have traffic. It's just code, man.....:rofl: I like the idea of the following forums in addition to what I have seen: Religious/Political - keep that stuff out of "The Bored Room". It would be more of a "sineater" forum. Test Forum - try posting pictures, etc. Maybe an Introduction forum, though that could be done in The Bored Room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stick430 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I live in the UK so for me you can just keep it to this one, an airgun forum and a pointy stick forum. (j/k it's not actually quite that bad) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestor Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 (edited) Less is better. Watering down into 40-50 sub-forums never worked for me. I'm just not too good following so many conversations in so many places. Edited August 11, 2017 by Nestor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hines57 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I think in the 15 years on GT, I looked at 2 forums on a regular basis. General Firearms and Okie Corral 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmohme Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 One of the things that has kept me coming back to GT is the large number of Forums. When I first started to frequent that site, there was a forum for almost any interest I had. Now with that said, less forums with fewer restrictions could eliminate the need for as many specialized sections. It would be a balancing act for sure, but done correctly. less could very well be more. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gun Shark Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I'm in favor of fewer forums; but would want to limit to the right ones. So, how about a test forum with subforums? People can suggest a new subforum. Give it 60 days. If it doesn't have traffic or activity, then it gets closed. If it turns out to be a popular and active forum, then promote it out of the test forum group. I like this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NPTim Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Fewer is better. Even on GT when users begged for a separate forum it got little use after being established. Regardless you will get complaints either way you go. So just do what is easiest for you. Can those rooms be closed down for lack of use? I know we tried to get a medical su forum and that seemed to fizzle out, yet there are plenty of medical threads. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NPTim Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I live in the UK so for me you can just keep it to this one, an airgun forum and a pointy stick forum. (j/k it's not actually quite that bad) Y'all are allowed airguns? Not in NJ. How fucked up is that when the U.K. Has more lenient weapon laws than we do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stick430 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I live in the UK so for me you can just keep it to this one, an airgun forum and a pointy stick forum. (j/k it's not actually quite that bad) Trust me, you don't want to swap laws with us. Airguns are already being controlled in Scotland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave.1 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I would think fewer is better. I mostly go to gunsmithing or tech forums but there isn't usually lots of activity on them. I spend lots of time reading the Okie Forum on GT. Don't post much but find it entertaining and informative. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxterriermom Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Less is more 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janice6 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Less is more I agree. Less is more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TX OMFS Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I'd model it after the 15-20 busiest forums at GT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
true believer Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Eric, are you going to have a for sale section. And if this was asked, sorry for missing it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBianchi Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Fewer works for me. The Outpost and few other sub-forums worked until active members/moderators started dying off. A lot of us old guys have free time, but we are old. So one day we may not post for a good and final reason. Keep it simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy969 Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Eric, are you going to have a for sale section. And if this was asked, sorry for missing it. Your virginity ain't worth much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now