GM forum development - your thoughts please

[brendy]

Whatever mikeh chooses, Ill back, but I dont see it as splitting the forum, its adding more scope and depth.

 

[viscount17]

Just to throw another spanner in the works.

This forum should remain essentially as is - all new posts should start here.

There is one exception - a separate Sales and Wants.

Other than that, a spill over so that, for example, the car and football posts (sorry guys but it gets boring!) that start and remain off-topic can take their threads across, (maybe call it Fantasy Land if you think Spurs are going to win anything).

One final thought, anyway of setting up a subject key-word search - if there isn't one already. That way we can play catch-up or add to existing threads rather than starting afresh.

 

[viscount17]

Brendy, what I actually meant was to keep the forum the way it is, but for the popular posts like this one allow all the posts to be on the one page, a bit like a google search, most people only read the first page.
By the way what course are you a member of, I am also from NI, a member of Spa, Ballynahinch.

julsk10. To display all posts in a thread, open the thread, go to the bottom and select ( show all )

 

[time_vans]

i use an angling forum and that is split into various sections ie
competitions
venue advice
gear advice
gear wanted
gear for sale
non angling subjects
jokes/funny stories
etc
it doesn't indicate how many new threads just the newest or how many posts/replies just the most recent so i often have to trawl through pages and pages to find stuff of interst. if it was to be split i personally would keep it very simple with just a few sub headings...its a tough call but remember divide and conquer.

 

[John_Findlay]

Good comments, Viscount. Agree about the sales section. And brendy, I see your point but I just think that, having had a look at a few of the American sites which have gone down that route, that they have been diluted rather than improved by doing so.

 

[Marko77]

Agree with Viscount, maybe introduce an off topic section for whoever wants to chat about non golf things with golf minded people and a sale/swap section but keep the main golf talk in one place - personally wouldn't like to see it split out into different subjects.

 

[The23rdman]

Yes, I'm all for splitting it too. Allthe best forums have this as they grow and it's a natural development.

One feature that's much more user friendly than the "active topic" button is a Since You've Been Gone icon. This allows you to catch up on everything you've missed should you wish too.

I'm also a big fan on a sale/swap section.

 

[GB72]

I can understand the view that splitting the forum would dilute it and risk the good atmosphere that has built up over the last few months but can also see a time where a good post is started in the morning and is off the first page by the afternoon. Perhaps the answer would be to bring a thread to the top of the page when it is posted on then the popular threads would remain in easy view.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Mike

Have to agree wit J_F entirely on this point. I tried Todays Golfer's forum (I have already given myself a stern talking to) and frankly after nano seconds I was dazed and confused.

Everything is here in front of you. I agree it is sad when a hot topic is shunted off the front page but I regularly scan page 2 especially if it is a thread I started just to see how much reaction my post got.

The best suggestion I have heard is that if a post gets a hit it automatically transfers back to page 1(I presume in these hi tech days these things are possible??). That way it encourages people to delve past the first page and keep lively, interesting and dare I say even controvesial (custom fitting anyone) threads alive

 

[clubchamp07]

Great Idea Mike, I just hope you make it as easy as possible for all to use.

Thanks gor the prize it arrived yesturday and I cant wait till the good weather to wear them on, I will feel right royalty knowing where they came from

Cheers Mike

 

[Atticus_Finch]

I've already explained how to get the most recent posts back to the top of the page if you want to look back in this thread.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

A_F

Many thanks I have made the changes. Are you ok you don't seem your normal ebullient and happy self?

 

[Golfer2112]

The Today's Golfer "website" has to be one of the worst sites ever. Do not try to copy this in any way.

Have a look at these links for some ideas. I think that both have too many sections. The Rockgolfer one does have very good forum software.

http://www.virtualgolfsociety.co.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=76

http://www.rockgolfer.com/forums/?

 

[Toad]

Anything like that would drive me away, add a for sale section other than that site is good.

Better to leave it and come to Blairgowrie instead Mike.

 

[stevelockie]

I don't think it should be split, apart from a Sale/Swap section.

I like the randomness of the posts. I've been on other forums with various sections, and I don't like them

 

[madandra]

I would like to see the forum given a face lift but am not in favour of multi room formats as this just becomes cliquey and dividing. At the moment the forum is very busy but as it did lasy year, it will calm down and steady itself.

I would like to see avatars working, and also additional icons such as thumbs up/down and yellow and red cards to bee shown to abusive members insulting or name calling people. Some golfing icons would be good.

We could also make thread rating on following ratings

Excellent thread ... Eagle
Great thread ....... Birdie
Good thread ........ Par
Poor thread ........ Bogey
Shite thread ....... Double bogie


I think the buy/sell section is good in theory but who would police it if someone bought a fake or damaged item. It could bring ebay shops onto our forum thus saturating the relevant forum and bastardising the web site.

 

[madandra]

Mike , Open a new thread and add a poll.


All those for the multi room format and those for a newer version of this forum.

 

[medwayjon]

I think the buy/sell section is good in theory but who would police it if someone bought a fake or damaged item. It could bring ebay shops onto our forum thus saturating the relevant forum and bastardising the web site.

You have a very valid point there Andy. The only way to stop a mass-marketplace would be a limit on items a person can sell in a set time-scale but even this would be difficult to police. What is to stop some scrot infiltrating the forum and trying to offload his brand new TM Superquad driver that he got on ebay for £39 (as if) that turned out to be fake, to somebody purchasing in good faith.

A can of worms has firmly been opened on what, in its simplified form, would be a good addition to the forum but with further consideration could be a liability.

 

[medwayjon]

Like the yellow/red card idea also by the way along with the ratings.

I nominate Madandra to become the forum police from now on as that man has his head screwed on for sure.

Jon

 

[Smudge]

I like it as it is. All in one place read what you want dont read what you dont want.