Feedback requested - Forum Improvements

Firstly as newly elected moderator for this section, I'd like to thank everyone for your votes and posts in support! Although I never even considered nominating myself for it, I so flattered with the results, I decided to accept the position! I'm very happy that bull_harrier accepted my request to be a fellow moderator as well, as he's a great contributor here and I'm sure will be a good moderator as well! We will do our best to too look after this section, and hopefully can come up with some  improvement to make it even better.

This is where I'd like some feedback from the members here... What are the things that you currently like or don't like about this sections, and what would you like to see improved? Any ideas on how we can make this section  better?

I would personally like to see it a little more organised. Some of my ideas would be:

• Some of the most popular topics stickied at the top of the thread, at least during the time that they are of the greatest interest.
• Encourage people to think a little more about the title of their post to make it a little more meaningful and also encourage them to post in the right section. This makes it a lot easier and quicker to find stuff, and you're more likely to get answers to your questions as well.

I'm not looking to make major changes here, as things are running quite well, but if we can tweak things a little to make some improvements, we all win in the end...

So I'm keen to hear your ideas, or to hear if you like my ideas listed above... Please post any feedback or ideas in this thread, or PM myself or bull_harrier if you prefer to discuss things privately...

Cheers guys!!!

instead of people posting topics like "need help" or "big problem"
be more specific in the title so that we can read it off straightaway, and we know we can help or not, rather than going into the thread and reading one massive paragraph of "oh this aint working blah blah"

A thread has been created for the guys who have dealt with me to provide some feedback. The thread has ended up with irrelavant posts.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

varghesep: I think a small number of irrelevant posts is to be expected, and most people don't mind this... If it get too far out of hand, a simple and friendly post within the thread, requesting to get back on track is usually enough... This would usually be done by the person that started the thread, or in this case, it could be yourself since it's about you and effects you most.

If it does not work, you can request the mod for that section to look into it, and perhaps post a firmer warning or PM if required... Usually a friendly reminder is all that's required, as most people do the right thing...

Thanks for your thoughts 99g33k! These are things that perhaps admin can look at as it would apply to the whole forum...

You can already use a search engines such as google to search for results JUST within this forum, by going to google.com and type in

site:http://mytabletennis.net your-search-words

where "your-search-words" is the phrase you want to search for.

As far the "post reaper" is concerned, I was not aware this was implimented, as I've seen posts much older than 4 months... perhaps it's only implimented in certain section... it's is sometimes done to conserve space... Can admin advice on this?

haggisv wrote: Thanks for your thoughts 99g33k! These are things that perhaps admin can look at as it would apply to the whole forum... You can already use a search engines such as google to search for results JUST within this forum, by going to google.com and type in site:http://mytabletennis.net your-search-words where "your-search-words" is the phrase you want to search for. As far the "post reaper" is concerned, I was not aware this was implimented, as I've seen posts much older than 4 months... perhaps it's only implimented in certain section... it's is sometimes done to conserve space... Can admin advice on this?

I guess I could do this:

site:http://mytabletennis.net ST Handle Korbel

It is a bit cumbersome, but it works ok.

Since we are talking about making THIS site better...I just thought this would be the #1 thing on most ppls list. So if I was making a request, it would be either a replacement search feature or better integration with a Google type search.

Thanks for asking!

haggisv wrote: Thanks for your thoughts 99g33k! These are things that perhaps admin can look at as it would apply to the whole forum... You can already use a search engines such as google to search for results JUST within this forum, by going to google.com and type in site:http://mytabletennis.net your-search-words where "your-search-words" is the phrase you want to search for. As far the "post reaper" is concerned, I was not aware this was implimented, as I've seen posts much older than 4 months... perhaps it's only implimented in certain section... it's is sometimes done to conserve space... Can admin advice on this?

The problem is not how old the thread is.  Actually it is how old the last post on that thread is.  The thread (the opening post) can be old, but if people keep posting before the reaper appears that thread will continue to live and be findable via the search.  I guess this is an unavoidable situation as the database will grow out of control if there is no a time limit (thread life expectancy) imposed.  Anyway...

Personally I would like to see a bigger PM box.

Varghesep,
I've actually come close to taking it outside, I must admit. I have been pushed to that point a few times. I just think there needs to be a code of conduct like the 10 commandments . . . #1 being RESPECT!!!

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

Since I'm only a moderator here, I can't impliment some of the suggestions here, but i can suggest them to admin.

We can certainly encourage people here to choose meaningful and appropriate title of their posts, and I'll make an effort to suggest this to members that don't do this.

I agree it's most important to ensure people here show each other respect in their posts... this would solve almost all forum arguments...
A code of conduct is not a bad idea tommyzai, but I believe that those people that are disrecptful, are usually alos the ones that don't read rules or abide by them...

As moderators we'll try and keep a close eye on all the thread in this section, and send a friendly reminder to those that are disrespectful in their posts... we can all help here by notifying one of the mods when this happens...


Any more suggestions for improvements, especially for this equipment section? Cheers!
 

pongcrazy wrote: I am still irritated when opening a thread and being sent directly to the last post.

Agreed. If you want to see the last posts, just switch to view last posts first.

Interesting... I had wondered what forum software was used here...

pongcrazy wrote: I am still irritated when opening a thread and being sent directly to the last post.

+1

I have a suggestion. I've seen on other forums (not TT) the thread - hot sales/hot deals. If you see some sales/good deals going on - let other people on the forum know about it. This would benefit mostly EJs, but other folks as well. This could be a permanent thread. I am not sure which section it should go to, may be SALES?... You, mods, decide.....

kenneyy88 wrote: pongcrazy wrote: I am still irritated when opening a thread and being sent directly to the last post. Agreed. If you want to see the last posts, just switch to view last posts first.

Same here. It's very annoying!

stan1551 wrote: I have a suggestion. I've seen on other forums (not TT) the thread - hot sales/hot deals. If you see some sales/good deals going on - let other people on the forum know about it. This would benefit mostly EJs, but other folks as well. This could be a permanent thread. I am not sure which section it should go to, may be SALES?... You, mods, decide.....