Forum Index Clutter

[rVidia]

I personally feel the forum index (http://www.kickenhardware.net/forum/index.php) page is somewhat cluttered.

A forum's name should be able to describe what that particular forum is about, and this is true for almost all of the forums at KH.

In my opinion, the descriptions beneath the different forums just add to the overall clutter, and I feel it may be beneficial to remove these descriptions.

If these descriptions must stay in place, then these descriptions should be added to all forums, not just a select few, as it makes the site look somewhat 'incomplete'. However, as said, I feel they are not necessary in the first place and just add clutter to the site.

This is simply my personal opinion. Please let me know what you think.

Ray

[Dan18960]

Actually Ray this is a work in progress and the "end" result would be you coming into a web page and then being forwarded to the forum.

One of the things that has been an improvement is the top portion of the forum "front" page where a first time user can see the rules for posting. Originally, that was just a sticky that did not appear if you were coming in to the New Posts area daily.

But thanks for your suggestions and keep them coming - some of your points have valid concerns and will be discussed.

[Dudeking]

Personally I think there are too many subsections, and I find most of them useless as most of my threads end up in XP, Software or other topics, but the sections all have posts so ovesly other people use them :)

[mylanta]

Dudeking I have been saying that forever and no one is listening to me!!!

[Dudeking]

Most of the Specialized Forums are useless and why can't Windows 2k go in with 95 and 98 there are only 7 threads there.

[rVidia]

I agree. Some of the less-used forums could be combined with other forums.

[mylanta]

Keep it going guys....music to my ears but everyone else seems to feel the need to have all these, I certainly do not.

[Dudeking]

What's the difference between hardware and PC Building??
Arnt they the same thing?

Why not call Virus / Spyware / Firewalls Malware??

Why is there a section for tech news and a section for news???

I agree with Rich 100%

[mylanta]

What I have been saying for a year now is all this does is make the poster spend way too much time trying to decide where to put their post.

[rVidia]

My two cents: Combine forums and get rid of the descriptions; that makes for a cleaner look and makes it easier for users to decide which forum to post in.

[mommalina]

My two cents: Combine forums and get rid of the descriptions; that makes for a cleaner look and makes it easier for users to decide which forum to post in.

I'm for combining some forums also. However, some
descriptions may help and encourage the newbie and the
computer-challenged trying to decide where to
post. For example, it took a long while before I realized
what you guys meant by "malware"! No way would I
have known to go to a Malware Forum to ask about my
antivirus scanner or a virus.

As computer-challenged as I am, I've had to dumb-down
computer jargon when trying to help a friend or family member.

You have to remember that you are here to help everyone,
not just fellow gurus. .. ;)

Lina

[rVidia]

I see your point, Lina. :) I just felt that descriptions added to the overall clutter and, if removed, would make for a cleaner look. If forum names describe themselves, then there really is no need for such descriptions. Regarding the "Malware" forum, I think the name should be left as-is (Virus / Spyware / Firewalls) , as most computer users are familiar with the term "virus" rather than malware, as you mentioned.

[PeteF]

What I have been saying for a year now is all this does is make the poster spend way too much time trying to decide where to put their post.

Hi Rich,
When the new KH forum software was implimented I did some research
on this topic of multiple forums. This is when I discovered the pros
and cons of having multiple forums. Everyone in this thread seems
focused upon the functionality of the system as related to the forum
categories. Although functionality is an important issue, you also have
to think about promoting the forums and drawing in new people.
(i.e; Marketability)

For example, someone mentioned combining HARDWARE with PC BUILDING.
Well, the way it is now, HARDWARE is a HELP forum for problems related to
hardware and GAMING/PC BUILDING is a SPECIALIZED forum for building
computers aimed at use for gaming. Two totally different forums.
To combine them would be wrong and counter productive.

One major reason why so many different forums need to exist on KH or
the many other similar sytems on the Internet is for marketing purposes.
By having multiple forums it makes the system look more impressive
and also encourages people to read or post if they see a particular
forum that interests them.

Of course you can go too far by having too many different forums.
To determine whether you need to combine forums should be based
upon activity. If a particular forum has very little activity, it is a good
candidate for combining with another. By the same token, if a forum
has a huge amount of activity, it might be a good candidate for
splitting into two different forums. With that in mind, take a look
at the Forums list and focus on the values in Threads column.
I think the system is setup very well the way it is. Nothing seems
too far out of balance. It's well thought out. Congratulations to
whomever designed it. :clap2:

---pete---

[Terry Hanushek]

Pete

One major reason why so many different forums need to exist on KH or the many other similar sytems on the Internet is for marketing purposes. By having multiple forums it makes the system look more impressive and also encourages people to read or post if they see a particular forum that interests them.
That is the primary reason that we have developed this forum lineup. Our potential audience includes newbies and first time visitors as well as experienced users. We need to consider both.

With that in mind, take a look at the Forums list and focus on the values in Threads column. I think the system is setup very well the way it is. Nothing seems too far out of balance. It's well thought out. Congratulations to whomever designed it. :clap2:
Thank you. The design is collaboration between Adam and the mods. We have had several discussions on the format and will continue to review / adjust the forums.

We also have a short term project to add appropriate, helpful descriptions to all forums.

Terry

[PeteF]

We also have a short term project to add appropriate, helpful descriptions to all forums.

Good idea. I like the idea of having helpful descriptions for each forum
and and being consistant with descriptions. I reviewed the descriptions
you have so far and it became apparent that some are self explanitory
and need no descriptions. I'm talking mainly about the OS forums.

---pete---

[mylanta]

I agree there too the descriptions were something we had in the old software that we decided was lacking in our VBulletin because of the fact we had so many forums. It was meant to aid users in deciding where to post something.
We added those in a recent Saturday meet at the suggestion of the attendees.

[Dudeking]

i have a hard time telling where to post

http://www.kickenhardware.net/forum/showpost.php?p=20058&postcount=5

[Dee369]

http://www.kickenhardware.net/forum/showpost.php?p=20058&postcount=5

oooops...i guess that would be me...:D

hey eddie...i feel like i'm on candid camera....:wave: