New Forums

[Mad Aussie]

I'm thinking the forum board is needing some division.

Just to be clear for those not certain on the terminology ... this forum is a big 'Forum Board' which has 'Forums' within it and within some of those are 'Sub Forums' which have 'Threads' (or Topics) and within those are our 'Posts' (or Reply's)

For instance ... the 'Show Your Photo' section is a 'Forum' ... inside that is 'Sub Forums' like 'Animals', 'People' etc and inside those are the 'Threads' like 'Just a Little Bird'

Looking at the Forum Board itself there's little division to section off forums into similar topics. This requires 'Categories' and currently there is only one ... 'Photography and Fine Art Photography'

I also find that the Members Choice threads and Marko's Choice threads are kinda shoved into the Show your photo forum and clutter up the top of that.

What I was thinking would help, is to have more of the Categories (in blue below) to help segregate all the Forums into similar topics.

Something like this ...


Administration
Announcements and site information

Suggestions & Improvements


General
Introduce yourself here

Off topic forum


Education & Technical
Camera Equipment & Accessories

Photography references + Resources

Podcasting


Photography & Fine Art Photography
Members Monthly Choice

Marko's Choice of the Month

Show Your Photo
- Animals
- Architecture & Man Made
- Landscapes
- People photography

Critiques

Photo Assignments
- Photographing Words
- Post-processing

Alternative photography

Digital photography

General Photography


This also allows people to 'turn off' each category they are not currently viewing if they want a simplified view of the forum board.

I know not everyone will like this idea but I do see things getting messy in a hurry around here as the forum grows.

[jellotranz]

I completely agree. As this forum grows its going to get a bit messy.

[Marko]

As always I value member input - Thanks MA!

I'd love to get MANY members chiming in on this one please.

Thanks in advance:highfive:

[AntZ]

I think it is a reasonable idea. It provides some structure, especially for any new forms.
One section that could be added is the "games" like A-Z and Eye Spy.
If this does happen it would still be great to be able to access the sub section from the main page in the way "Architecture and Man Made" is accessible under "Show Your Photos".

I mostly use "New Posts" and "Todays" for viewing, and only use the forum pages to post new threads.

[Mad Aussie]

One section that could be added is the "games" like A-Z and Eye Spy.
Perhaps we could change 'Photo Assignments' to 'Photo Assignments & Games' or something like that.

[Gem]

I like the idea too :)

[Marko]

Can more members comment on this suggestion?

many thanks

Marko

[Alex Wilson]

I like MA's list, it's a logical and intuitive organization.

I could almost see putting Critiques under "Education & Technical".

[Mad Aussie]

I like MA's list, it's a logical and intuitive organization.

I could almost see putting Critiques under "Education & Technical".
I actually debated that myself.

[casil403]

Sounds good to me.

[Iguanasan]

Sounds like a plan to me! Go for it!

[AcadieLibre]

Again a stickler for how things are, I don't see enough forums at the moment for any change from its present set up. The set up now is easy to view and just works. If another 2 or 3 categories were added I could see considering doing some changes but for now I really don't see the need. Since the change at Show Your Photos I rarely even go there anymore, so I like it how it is. As always just my opinion and sure you will all discuss it and Marko will do what he thinks is best all around but for now I would leave it. Change for the sake of change it not always a good thing, why make it busier then it needs be, nice and clean and easy to navigate right now.

[Gem]

Again a stickler for how things are, I don't see enough forums at the moment for any change from its present set up. The set up now is easy to view and just works. If another 2 or 3 categories were added I could see considering doing some changes but for now I really don't see the need. Since the change at Show Your Photos I rarely even go there anymore, so I like it how it is. As always just my opinion and sure you will all discuss it and Marko will do what he thinks is best all around but for now I would leave it. Change for the sake of change it not always a good thing, why make it busier then it needs be, nice and clean and easy to navigate right now.

:D I always enjoy reading your opinions! You make some very good points.

I'm fine with either. I always click on "Today's Posts" so I don't it'll affect me too much (if at all).

[Mad Aussie]

Well I'm sticking to my thoughts ... currently it's quite unstructured, and hardly clean to view.

[Marko]

I think Ma's structure suggestion is better than what we have going now, and the majority of members agree so the forum structure will change next week. Feel free to continue to comment and I hope this won't affect you too much A.L.

many thanks

Marko

[AcadieLibre]

And also never assume I may not be playing devils advocate at times, maybe not this time but sometimes, all discussions need an opposing view against the the majorities position and to keep tyranny at bay and never to lose our cherished democracy, oooopsss right this is about forum changes, sorry I digress ....... lmaoooo. Then again I usually never play the devils advocate but one never knows eh ..... lol ....

[Marko]

And also never assume I may not be playing devils advocate at times, maybe not this time but sometimes, all discussions need an opposing view against the the majorities position and to keep tyranny at bay and never to lose our cherished democracy, oooopsss right this is about forum changes, sorry I digress ....... lmaoooo. Then again I usually never play the devils advocate but one never knows eh ..... lol ....

That really made me laugh A.L. - thanks for that!
"..to keep tyranny at bay..." hilarious!

[scorpio_e]

Hi Marko

A category breakdown would help. I belong to POTN. They have a pretty nice set up. No sense in reinventing the wheel:)


http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

[Marko]

Thanks for that Scorpio

I believe tomorrow is the day for the forum to change structure.

Thx all
Marko

[Marko]

Just an FYI - as per the announcement, the forum structure is CURRENTLY in the process of change...so if things looks wonky, it's because we are in the middle of change.
Thx all - Marko

[Marko]

This went faster than imagined and 95% of the new structure is now done.

members should feel free to give opinions and suggestions about this new change.

I'd like to thank Mad Aussie for suggesting this structure as i find it considerably more intuitive than what we had just 2 hours ago.

Thanks everyone!
Marko

[jjeling]

Marko, I just wanted to say nice job on the new forum setup. This looks really nice. :1st:

[kat]

Marko, I just wanted to say nice job on the new forum setup. This looks really nice. :1st:

I second that! :highfive:

[Mad Aussie]

Cool. Going to take a few visits to get used to the new layout but already it looks more organized in a 'product association' sort of way. Kind of like finding the cheese somewhere near the milk and the coke in the same isle as the other softdrinks (soda's).

[Marko]

Given that the fine art photography section is busier than the education section I may switch the order around to make f.a.p. higher up on the page and therefore more prominent.

[Mad Aussie]

On the other hand ... if the FA Ph section is busy then it might be best to allow the other less used sections to remain more visible as it might help them get more interest.

[Marko]

Hmm not sure I agree at all on that point MA.
"Top of the fold" rocks while bottom of the fold is usually disregarded.

Regular members tend to use "new posts" but new members want to see what the forum is 'about'.
I'll keep an eye on it for the next few days but I'll likely change the order this week...

any other opinions on this point?

many thx - Marko

[MoinMoin]

I guess, guests and members are looking mostly at the active/new posts. I think with old posts it is like with old news: They are just old and only useful, if someone is specifically searching for an special question or answer. Just my opinion.

[casil403]

Marko, the new format looks great!
Thanks for rearranging it...I really like it!
:highfive: