Possible solutions include (1) drastically cutting down the number of forums, (2) upgrading the BB software to something easier to use/customise like phpBB or vBulletin, (3) changes to allow short replies (which lets be clear: are funny, valuable and worthwhile to the discussion) without rolling off the detailed posts which are designed to get the discussion flowing. Maybe a thank you button too when you don't want to really say anything, but want to slap the OP on the back without drowning out what they were saying.
Of course this is ChefElf's board, it's obviously his say in the end. I also gather that ChefElf serves a non-StarWars community too and if they're happy with the existing setup, that may present a problem for us. The board is struggling (and I was glad to hear JYAMG say what I was already wondering), but I really do appreciate being able to shoot the breeze with you guys and gals, so lets see what is possible.
Possible solution: Make the member's blurb on the right-hand side of each post smaller, so we can fit more posts per page. Drop the Group+Posts+JoinedDate+MemberNo and even the avatar on the shorter posts. The one-liners are often funny so we don't want to lose them, but we need to stop them drowning out the good stuff. Also the limited page width (the posts only use half my screen width) doesn't help either.
BTW did speak to the Chef a while back about an easy way just to see the new posts, but Chef said the BBS software is limited with what you can do with it. Also given the low volume of posts, wondering if all the separate areas for each movie is appropriate (since we often talk across movies or make comparisons anyway). Might be time for the BBS to go a bit of renovation. There is much better forum software out there these days (which I find much easier to use), so maybe time to upgrade? Of course I volunteer to help.
(Yes, the irony of me posting this on the end of the "SW books..." thread isn't lost, but it's a perfect example)
Example: I wouldn't start a thread in a subforum, because I know if someone else posts to that forum it'll disappear into the bowels never to be found again.
And yeah, we probably could probably drop most of the sub-categories now. I remember when they were created, they were a necessity because the board was being flooded and new users (mostly annoying gushers) were joining up every two minutes and starting fifty threads just for the hell of it. Awful, awful days...
Anyway, I think now that the last of the prequels has been and gone and 'Star Wars' isn't the latest hot topic on everyone's mind anymore, the necessity for the sub-divided forums has probably gone too.
Over to you...
This post has been edited by Toru-chan: 06 September 2007 - 02:49 AM