subforums

[Ted]

this was discussed a while back in a thread about improving SU, but there were so many ideas in the thread it got lost.

can we add 2 subforums? specifically...

1. Insurance and Warranty Claims
2. Audio and sound quality

This will better organize these two very frequently discussed topics that some would like to focus on and make them easier to avoid for those who don't.

Just my $0.02

[Ted]

Thanks to Yummi and Dave for fixing the poll.

[Ted]

Well, I guess no one cares. It's all good. I just keep hearing people *****ing about reading these topics, thought it might be a way to organize them.

[Dave]

Don't fret... we are working on this and hope to have something created within the next few weeks.

[tuolumne]

you all know which I voted for :hee:

It might get a little intense in that thread... ;)

[Ted]

Don't fret... we are working on this and hope to have something created within the next few weeks.

No fretting. :) I'm just suprised more people didn't vote or post in this thread. There are many users who would like to see these topics corralled off in their own section. And just as many who want to talk about them all the time. *shrugs*

[Dave]

Well there are a couple ways we can do this.

1. Set it so that so when a user clicks the link for the General Forum, they are presented with a list of some subforms over the list of general topic threads.

2. List the other forums (not as subforms) all on the forum home page. May be easier to navigate like this.

[mcurtiss1970]

the one downside of lots of subforums is that users will inevitably post in thewrong area and the mods will be called on to move the threads. i see it as a lot more workfor very little payoff.

oh, and a "audio quality" subforum is a recipe for disaster.

[Ted]

Well there are a couple ways we can do this.

1. Set it so that so when a user clicks the link for the General Forum, they are presented with a list of some subforms over the list of general topic threads.

2. List the other forums (not as subforms) all on the forum home page. May be easier to navigate like this.

Either way sounds good. If you put them all on the main page it will be more obvious to everyone and chances of threads going in wrong sections may be reduced.

Also, going to the general forum and then having to select a subtopic would make an extra step for everyone and some users would howl about that.

[Dave]

So now we must come up with some logical new forum titles...

[tuolumne]

I think this site alreay has enough forums...more would be nonsense...

[kiesha]

the one downside of lots of subforums is that users will inevitably post in thewrong area and the mods will be called on to move the threads. i see it as a lot more workfor very little payoff.

oh, and a "audio quality" subforum is a recipe for disaster.


I totally agree !! the audio quality forum could get very very intense.

[Ted]

hey we got a few more votes :woohoo:

[Aeternavi]

Audio quality should stay under ringers. Although warranty may have a place, I don't think it would be needed that much to warrant it's own topic.

[Ted]

Audio quality should stay under ringers. Although warranty may have a place, I don't think it would be needed that much to warrant it's own topic.

yeah but the ringers section is more like downloads, that's why it's lumped in with wall papers and such.

i meant audio quality as in earpiece quality, sound issues, which would include blown speakers, sanyo earpieces, and stuff like that.

[Aeternavi]

But the technicallity side of that says that there should be one topic for MIDI ringers, QCP, MP3... so on. They are all indeed different, but it is just not enough of a "hot topic" (at least not right now) to need it seperate.

Of course, it it IMO. :D

[Jaggrey]

By subforums do you mean like in the trading post where when u click on it there's a User Feedback option?

[mcurtiss1970]

By subforums do you mean like in the trading post where when u click on it there's a User Feedback option?
i think so.

can someone explain to me the benfit of having an earpiece quality subforum when the likelihood of EVERY thread in it being closed within a week is so high?

[Ted]

By subforums do you mean like in the trading post where when u click on it there's a User Feedback option?

no, maybe i got the terminology screwed up, i just meant a separate section of the forum... right now we have general, ringers, readylink, etc etc... to add two more to those was what i was proposing. but whatever works for the users!

[Ted]

can someone explain to me the benfit of having an earpiece quality subforum when the likelihood of EVERY thread in it being closed within a week is so high?

the idea was to isolate the topic. i think the user base is split - half of us don't want to talk about it or read about it - we can easily ignore it if it's in a separate section. and for the other half who want to talk about it every day, they could more easily find it if it's all in one place.

thus making it easier to avoid for those who avoid it and easier to find to those who (ugh!) feed on it for their very existence.

[mcurtiss1970]

thus making it easier to avoid for those who avoid it and easier to find to those who (ugh!) feed on it for their very existence.or easier to find people to temp-ban

[Ted]

or easier to find people to temp-ban

:hee: yeah i hear that. no doubt that would be a heated section - all the more reason to isolate it a little bit, IMO

[Jaggrey]

no, maybe i got the terminology screwed up, i just meant a separate section of the forum... right now we have general, ringers, readylink, etc etc... to add two more to those was what i was proposing. but whatever works for the users!
I think it'd be easier to have it under General Forum, cuz more than likely people will look there 1st without even reading the Ringers and the Ready Link and all that. Maybe at the top once you come into General Forum there will be the subforums you suggested.

[Ted]

I think it'd be easier to have it under General Forum, cuz more than likely people will look there 1st without even reading the Ringers and the Ready Link and all that. Maybe at the top once you come into General Forum there will be the subforums you suggested.

If that's the case, how about a complete reorg? Here's a thought for a logical structure:


Sprintusers.com

News and Announcements
Frequently Asked Questions
Forum Info / Feedback
Wireless Store
Trading Post

Sprint PCS Basics

General Discussion
Phone Discussion
Phone Reviews
Phone Warranties and Insurance (new section)
Phone Audio / Sounds (new section)

Sprint PCS Enhanced Services

Vision, SMS, and Shortmail (formerly PCS Vision & Messaging)
Ready Link
Picture and Video Mail (new section)
Ringers and Downloads (formerly Ringers, Images, Videos...)

Advanced Topics

PDA Phone Discussion
Computer/PDA Connectivity
Tips and Tricks (formerly Underground PCS)

Related and Unrelated Topics

Watercooler
Other Carriers and Comparisons (new section)
Off-Topic Electronics
Test Forum

[Dave]

Wow that is a GREAT layout Ted, but I wonder if it would be too complex... let's see what others think.

[xman]

If that's the case, how about a complete reorg? Here's a thought for a logical structure:


Sprintusers.com

News and Announcements
Frequently Asked Questions
Forum Info / Feedback
Wireless Store
Trading Post

Sprint PCS Basics

General Discussion
Phone Discussion
Phone Reviews
Phone Warranties and Insurance (new section)
Phone Audio / Sounds (new section)

Sprint PCS Enhanced Services

Vision, SMS, and Shortmail (formerly PCS Vision & Messaging)
Ready Link
Picture and Video Mail (new section)
Ringers and Downloads (formerly Ringers, Images, Videos...)

Advanced Topics

PDA Phone Discussion
Computer/PDA Connectivity
Tips and Tricks (formerly Underground PCS)

Related and Unrelated Topics

Watercooler
Other Carriers and Comparisons (new section)
Off-Topic Electronics
Test Forum

Structure looks good, I can easily follow that pattern not to complicated at all for me.

[Ted]

Wow that is a GREAT layout Ted, but I wonder if it would be too complex... let's see what others think.

If it is here is one with only 16, which is what we have now... my original layout was 21 subforums, and yes, virginia, that IS too many.




Sprintusers.com

News and Announcements
Frequently Asked Questions
Forum Info / Feedback
Wireless Store

Sprint PCS Basics

General Discussion
Phone Reviews
Phone Warranties and Insurance
Rate Plans and Discounts

Sprint PCS Enhanced Services

Vision, Messaging, and Ready link
Ringers, Images, Games, Apps
PDA Phones and Computer Connectivity
Tips and Tricks

Related and Unrelated Topics

Watercooler
Trading Post
Off-Topic Electronics and Carriers
Test Forum

**ALSO, IMO you can merge

News and Announcements and Frequently Asked Questions into one section by making the FAQ stickies in the section.

Wireless Store and Trading Post - by making wireless store posts sticky in the section.

[tuolumne]

Wow that is a GREAT layout Ted, but I wonder if it would be too complex... let's see what others think.

I think that we already have too many forums, but don't beleive that you should spit the general forum into more...

[Ted]

well, my second recommendation is only 16, same as now, and if you merge as i suggested you can actually get down to 14.

[tuolumne]

well, my second recommendation is only 16, same as now, and if you merge as i suggested you can actually get down to 14.

I like the latter list you posted...

[macaddiict]

Just to chime in... I like the proposed re-organization a lot. I think it would help infrequent users use the site to its fullest capacity.

[Aeternavi]

I am mixed about the new layout. Yes, it will help group similar topics... but at the same time I understand the headaches that it will creat for our wireless posters.

Dave, can we keep the WAP site the same and just split the online side?

[Dave]

I am mixed about the new layout. Yes, it will help group similar topics... but at the same time I understand the headaches that it will creat for our wireless posters.

Dave, can we keep the WAP site the same and just split the online side?
I'm not sure but will check with Thaddeus on this!

Thaddeus: Is it possible to reorganize the forums for www, however make them appear differently via wap?

[Thaddeus]

Since the layout structure is stored in the shared database, the WAP forum would also concede to the proposed layouts. However SU WAP members should make use of the wireless forums' forum subscription feature. It allows you to gain quick access to your favourite forums/sub forums via 'My Forums'.

[Ted]

Since the layout structure is stored in the shared database, the WAP forum would also concede to the proposed layouts. However SU WAP members should make use of the wireless forums' forum subscription feature. It allows you to gain quick access to your favourite forums/sub forums via 'My Forums'.

Can the my forums option be turned on for the regular website?

[Thaddeus]

Can the my forums option be turned on for the regular website?

"My Forums" on SU WAP is interoperable with the web forum's "Subscribed Forums" list which is accessibe via your Profile link (next to Messages) at the top of the page.

[Ted]

"My Forums" on SU WAP is interoperable with the web forum's "Subscribed Forums" list which is accessibe via your Profile link (next to Messages) at the top of the page.

Right but what i'm saying is is there something we can click on and see only the forums we have selected?

[Thaddeus]

I do not have administrative access to a vBulletin based forum so I have no clue if a subscribed forum listing only page or link is available (or even possible without modification) .

[Ted]

I do not have administrative access to a vBulletin based forum so I have no clue if a subscribed forum listing only page or link is available (or even possible without modification) .

it's all good. you can subscribe to different sections and go to the user cp and see the ones you signed up for, but there is so much other stuff on the page it makes it unwieldy. back to manual pick and choose :)

[Matt]

As an extensive wiforum user I can see how this could be very confusing. I myself mostly use the "Latest Hot Topics" feature, but just browsing the forums with these subforums would be a nightmare.

[Ted]

that's why i don't think there should be more subforums. the new sections i'm talking about should be forums, not subforums.

[Matt]

You should try using the wiforums Ted. This new structure will not make it any easier. I am not really sure why we need a change at all. The general forum should cover all these issues and has done so well in the past.

[Ted]

You should try using the wiforums Ted. This new structure will not make it any easier. I am not really sure why we need a change at all. The general forum should cover all these issues and has done so well in the past.

I can see the point of that, I don't use the wiforums because I don't use vision. I originally suggested adding two sections to separate out the earpiece stuff and the lock/line stuff. The idea kinda grew from there.

I would be most in support of what most users want - and i'm glad those who use the wiforums are speaking up, because i have no idea what the experience is like that way.

[Ted]

at the request of the OP... please close this thread. i've broken down the question into parts in a new thread:

http://www.sprintusers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54511

[Guy]

I think this site alreay has enough forums...more would be nonsense...

I feel the same way.

[Dave]

Thread closed per original poster because he wants the thread restarted at the link 2 posts up.