Forum improvement suggestions

stevens

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 4, 2005
Messages
799
I am a newbie here, but still brash enough to suggest some minor tweaking to the layout of this forum to make it a bit more user-friendly.<br /><br />1) How about numbering the posts in a thread so that it is easier to reference a specific post above?<br /><br />2) Could we perhaps have an indication of how many are online at any given time and, if they are registered, who they are?<br /><br />3) Could we have some indications of how many times a post has been read, in addition to showing how many have replied?<br /><br />What do you guys think?
 

umblecumbuz

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 25, 2004
Messages
1,062
Re: Forum improvement suggestions

Hi Stevens,<br /><br />I think that a forum like this is good, because it's so open and friendly. Some forums - you state your mind and you're out!<br /><br />Speaking only for the way I personally use this forum (other guys might use it in an entirely different way) I ask myself - what real benefit would I get from your three suggestions?<br /><br />I can't see any real benefit. But others who use the forum might reckon your ideas are great. Be interesting to see the responses.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Forum improvement suggestions

Nice thoughts, Stevens.<br /><br />I have see each of your suggestions on other fora and will pass this on to our Admins.<br /><br />While you are at it, how would you suggest we get folks to post in the correct forum?<br /><br />Moving this to Non-boating Technical discussions.
 

stevens

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 4, 2005
Messages
799
Re: Forum improvement suggestions

Stillfishing - thanks for the response. Yes, I suppose usage can be very different from user to user.<br /><br />Please allow me to elaborate a little bit on why I thought these suggestions might be useful:<br /><br />1) Numbering the responses to a thread would make it possible to say, for example: "In post number 13 above it said that..., while post number 16 said something else." In other words, just useful for being precise when discussing in a long thread.<br /><br />2) The indications of how many, and possibly who, are online could be useful for knowing who's available to discuss a given topic, or if there's anyone out there at all. Especially when operating across different time zones, it might be useful to know if there's anyone else at all online so that there is a chance of seeing some fresh responses within not too long. Kind of like knowing the answer to "Is there anybody out there?", or to "Is Mr. So-and-so still available to continue our discussion?". <br /><br />3) The ratings of how many times a thread has been viewed might indicate which topics are of interest to the group, and which are not. This might help the understanding of what makes the other boaters tick, and also of what kind of topic headlines draw attention and not. Finally, it might help people in understanding what kind of reach and impact a posting here at iboats can have.<br /><br />But, yes, I realize that these suggestions may not add value or benefit for everyone. Especially number 2 above might be controversial. Some might feel this option to be an infringement on their privacy and would rather be able to browse undetected and anonymously. For that reason it might not be right to name who is online. However, I think stating how many regulars and guests are online would still add some value.<br /><br />I have to add that I find this forum to function far better than the others, primarily due to the qualities of the people here and their generous responses.<br /><br />As for posting under the right forum topic, I obviously don't have much to add... :eek:
 

brother chris

Commander
Joined
Jul 28, 2002
Messages
2,063
Re: Forum improvement suggestions

Stevens,<br />This forum has little icons next to it if a post has more than 20 replies. <br />I do like the idea of "how many people are online". Sometimes I post a question and I am not sure if anyone is online to help out. That is probably due to the time zone thing tough. Although it would be nice to know who is online. <br />I also like the idea of numbering the replies in a post. It would make it easier to read them and follow them. <br />Good ideas all in all!
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Forum improvement suggestions

This is not a chatroom, guys. It is a message board. <br /><br />There are at times 30 to 50 members signed in. I think that would be counterproductive.
 

brother chris

Commander
Joined
Jul 28, 2002
Messages
2,063
Re: Forum improvement suggestions

Originally posted by JB:<br /> This is not a chatroom, guys. It is a message board. <br />
Good point JB. <br />I just usually refer it to a chat room, that's all.
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: Forum improvement suggestions

Lets see if we can be creative - I'd like to see a filter that would check all posts and replies for the following criteria. Any that don't make get tossed.<br /><br />1. Posts that are typed ALL IN CAPS (shouting).<br /><br />2. Posts that contain no punctuation and run on sentences.<br /><br />3. Posts from folks who have engine troubles and don't bother to tell us what engine they have.<br /><br />4. Posts that deal with "What is better - - or - -(you fill in the blanks)."<br /><br />5. Posts about Smart Tabs.<br /><br />.<br />.<br />.<br /><br />Any other ideas?<br /><br />By the way I would probably be the first one tossed. Notice I did not include one on spelling?
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Forum improvement suggestions

Posts about oil.
 

stevens

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 4, 2005
Messages
799
Re: Forum improvement suggestions

Oops, posts about "what is better", smart tabs and oil - I have to plead guilty as charged on all counts.... At least I can spell. :D <br /><br />If Smart Tabs and oil are such popular topics, why not establish these as separate fora/topics, hosted by NautiJohn and Lubedude? Toss in propellers as a separate topic too, and enlist Walleyehed to run this one.
 

eurolarva

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
4,182
Re: Forum improvement suggestions

Maybe we can start a new forum for crimp versus solder or both. That way it would be easier to avoid the topic.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,758
Re: Forum improvement suggestions

For future reference, I am always logged in. I may not even be awake, or home, but my computer is logged on to the iboats forum. How many of the 58,000 members stay logged in, waiting for a hot discussion about safflower oil?
 

llfish

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
695
Re: Forum improvement suggestions

I like it the way it is!!!!!!!!1
 
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