PeteF
05-03-2006, 12:00 PM
Descriptions we have actually had before which is to say what should go in Hardware/Software reviesw, Windows XP etc, to help people choose where to put a post...in fact I thought someone had suggested a whole bunch a while back, but that needs to be done as we have a few seemingly duplicative headers to post in.
Rich,
This forum categories & descriptions issue is actualy a very interesting topic.
Initially when the new vBulletin software came online here I was suggesting
that we eliminiate overlapping categories to keep things more simple and
avoid confusion to the user as to where to post. On that note, I went to
do some research on various other very successful forums. In doing so
the light bulb went on in my head as I discovered the real value & purpose
to having multiple forums as opposed to just a few. It's not so much about
usability but more about marketing and attracting new members.
For example, someone stumbles upon a particular Forum, they look at all
the categories of the different forums and get an impression of what
"goodies" are there for them. They might even enter a few that look
interesting just to browse around. So having many different categories
give the impression that you have more to offer and this will attract
more people to join up. Having many categories also provides a seed
for thought for a person who wants to make a new post. For example,
we have no category for "Programming" but if we did, it might encourage
people to post on that topic. So the point I'm making is that multiple
categories are good for marketing purposes but not so great for
usability because it makes things more complex.
Ok, now let's look at it from a usability standpoint. More categories
creates all sorts of problems such as posts made in the wrong under the
wrong category, cross-posting, decisions as to what category to post
in, locating a post by having to navigate in and out of multiple categories,
etc., etc.. So now we might say that detailed descriptions and some
new rules might help to solve all those problems. Right?
Well, I say forget about it. No real need to. :)
In reality, in dosen't matter if a few posts here and there are made in the
wrong category forum. It doesn;t matter that much if there is an ocasional
cross-posting (same msg in multi categories). Why??? Becasue most regular
members are going to be using the "New Posts" feature or the Forum SEARCH
feature to locate mesages to read. No need for detailed descriptions on
the different categories of forums either because 90% of the people will
never read those descritpions anyway.
Ok, with all that said, I feel it's good to have many diverse forum
categories (even some overlapping) for making an impressive looking
system that would serve to draw in new members and also encourage
them to browse around and post. No need for detailed descriptions on
the forums or stifling rules about where to post, just let people decide
by giving them enough options. As for usability for the regular memebers,
post a few sticky messages about how to use the forum most efficiently
by using the "New Posts" feature and the Forums "SEARCH" feature that
both cut across all the different categories of forums.
Makes sense?
---pete---
Rich,
This forum categories & descriptions issue is actualy a very interesting topic.
Initially when the new vBulletin software came online here I was suggesting
that we eliminiate overlapping categories to keep things more simple and
avoid confusion to the user as to where to post. On that note, I went to
do some research on various other very successful forums. In doing so
the light bulb went on in my head as I discovered the real value & purpose
to having multiple forums as opposed to just a few. It's not so much about
usability but more about marketing and attracting new members.
For example, someone stumbles upon a particular Forum, they look at all
the categories of the different forums and get an impression of what
"goodies" are there for them. They might even enter a few that look
interesting just to browse around. So having many different categories
give the impression that you have more to offer and this will attract
more people to join up. Having many categories also provides a seed
for thought for a person who wants to make a new post. For example,
we have no category for "Programming" but if we did, it might encourage
people to post on that topic. So the point I'm making is that multiple
categories are good for marketing purposes but not so great for
usability because it makes things more complex.
Ok, now let's look at it from a usability standpoint. More categories
creates all sorts of problems such as posts made in the wrong under the
wrong category, cross-posting, decisions as to what category to post
in, locating a post by having to navigate in and out of multiple categories,
etc., etc.. So now we might say that detailed descriptions and some
new rules might help to solve all those problems. Right?
Well, I say forget about it. No real need to. :)
In reality, in dosen't matter if a few posts here and there are made in the
wrong category forum. It doesn;t matter that much if there is an ocasional
cross-posting (same msg in multi categories). Why??? Becasue most regular
members are going to be using the "New Posts" feature or the Forum SEARCH
feature to locate mesages to read. No need for detailed descriptions on
the different categories of forums either because 90% of the people will
never read those descritpions anyway.
Ok, with all that said, I feel it's good to have many diverse forum
categories (even some overlapping) for making an impressive looking
system that would serve to draw in new members and also encourage
them to browse around and post. No need for detailed descriptions on
the forums or stifling rules about where to post, just let people decide
by giving them enough options. As for usability for the regular memebers,
post a few sticky messages about how to use the forum most efficiently
by using the "New Posts" feature and the Forums "SEARCH" feature that
both cut across all the different categories of forums.
Makes sense?
---pete---