new sub-forums??

[curiousme]

i would like to start by saying that my husband(Mr. Gone) and i love this forum. It has helped us immensely in our T journey and boy howdy has the search function been our friend! However, we find ourselves getting tired of potentially meaty conversations getting buried from the fast turn-over of more common questions/ threads. Some days, when the forum is really busy, we can't help but feel some of the topics get buried with only a handful of replies before some of the more knowledgeable members, who could turn it into an interesting discussion, get to see them. Honestly, when browsing the forum how often do you go past the first page? There will always be newbie threads and there will always be people that prefer to get their own personal advice instead of using the impersonal search function. That's fine, this forum is for everyone, but the high turn over questions/threads, shouldn't hinder the development of discussions. This is a discussion forum, but we feel there are few 'real' discussions. Keepers personal stories and observations about these pets we love so much are few and far between.

Couldn't the powers that be make a sub-forum for newbie/ new T questions? A place where all those high turnover threads, can be corralled to allow the remaining discussions to grow at a slower pace.

Along those same lines, what about an emergency/ medical question sub-forum. There is a high turnover rate on those as well, and it could be useful for those looking for answers to have it altogether.

We're not suggesting breaking it down/organizing to the extent the Tarantulas U.S. website does, but a little more organization could really help the development of interesting discussions on the topics remaining in the main Questions and Discussions.

So, what do you think?

 

[seanbond]

great idea, cus i def get tired of the same newbie questions. specially when people refuse to use the search function.

 

[xhexdx]

Wow, and I thought I was the only person around here who thought the search function was a good thing.

I have thought about sub-forums as well, but I didn't post anything or run any searches.

Curious; did you or Mr. Gone happen to search for previous threads like this one to see if this has already been brought up?

--Joe

 

[Moltar]

Agreed. Agreed, agreed agreed. Me too. I also feel this way.

What they said<---

 

[curiousme]

Wow, and I thought I was the only person around here who thought the search function was a good thing.

I have thought about sub-forums as well, but I didn't post anything or run any searches.

Curious; did you or Mr. Gone happen to search for previous threads like this one to see if this has already been brought up?

--Joe

LOL:8o No, we didn't. Though, now that i did search, i find nothing relevant under sub-forums.

 

[BrynWilliams]

I think a couple extra sections would be great! The only thing that may happen is that the more experienced keepers will avoid that area a little more and so the people needing help may be a little neglected. So provided the experienced keepers vow to drop in there from time to time a couple extra divisions would be nice.

 

[xhexdx]

Well everyone knows I'd still be in there telling them all to search. :}

I'm sure Ethan and Jason would be in there, too.

 

[Travis K]

It would have some pros and some cons. The pros have already been mentioned. The Cons in my mind would be less traffic over the threads, but sometimes less is more. Ultimately it is up to the site admins, but it might not be a bad idea to try it out?

 

[BrynWilliams]

Yeah, I have no doubt you'd be in there flexing the search muscle

The only other thing issue for the mods would be that it would generate extra police work as there would invariably be people who wish to post new-keeper questions in the inappropriate section.

 

[Aztek]

You tarantula people have enough subforums.

We are left with scraps.

Mods, don't listen to them.

 

[Moltar]

You tarantula people have enough subforums.

We are left with scraps.

Mods, don't listen to them.

Yeah, well you scorpion guys aren't deluged with 1000 new users a month. When I go to check out your scorp forum it's all educated, mature discussion. I mean, how many "my emp won't eat" threads do you get in a week? Maybe one? We get like, ten a day. ;P

I'm thinking of going scorp just so I can have intelligent discussions again...

 

[xhexdx]

Rofl!!

.

 

[curiousme]

It would have some pros and some cons. The pros have already been mentioned. The Cons in my mind would be less traffic over the threads, but sometimes less is more. Ultimately it is up to the site admins, but it might not be a bad idea to try it out?

i would think that the members that like answering those questions, would still answer them. Plus, it would still have the fastest moving threads for people that wanted something newly posted. Unfortunately, those threads sometimes end up as newbies regurgitating advice, but having very little experience themselves. i know i have been guilty of that and stuck my foot in my mouth, so i quit answering unless i had actual experience to base the advice on.

 

[Bird Man]

Wow, and I thought I was the only person around here who thought the search function was a good thing.

then you must have forgotten about ME!

You tarantula people have enough subforums.

We are left with scraps.

Mods, don't listen to them.

I'm sorry and you are? lol j/k


I think it sounds like a good idea, could at least give it a trial run.

 

[Moltar]

It's all up to to the admins. Maybe it's more work than we think to add new forums (although I doubt it), maybe they have other reasons it may be a bad idea. Maybe they'll think it's a great idea.

I for one will pledge to stop in the newb forum at least once a day (when I have a slow work day, that is) to do my part. Also with stickies like the one Joe made we won't have to beat every question to death all the time.

 

[Protectyaaaneck]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[kru008]

great idea, cus i def get tired of the same newbie questions. specially when people refuse to use the search function.

DOH [homer simpson sound] ><..ouchies!!

 

[MizM]

I'm thinking of going scorp just so I can have intelligent discussions again...

I've heard once you go scorp, you never go back!

Another search Nazi here, although I have to admit that when I joined in '03, I was so frantic that I posted my question first. Only after I was calmed down enough to breathe, I took the time to learn the rules. This was the first community I ever joined and I had no idea what "board etiquette" was!

If newbies would just read the thread directed to them (http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=153508), it would answer MANY of their questions. Or take 5 minutes to do a thorough search using different combinations of keywords, they would find answers to virtually EVERY T question ever asked. Except maybe "Do Ts fart?"

At any rate, your suggestion should be e-mailed directly to Scott or Debby, the owners of the site, and I'm sure they would be more than happy to talk to you about the structure of the boards. There is no possible way that they can read all of the billion posts, so posting a thread is not a good way to communicate with them.

 

[gumby]

So I can see how it would be benificial to some people but I think it might stifle the growth of the beginers if there werwe a section with advanced conversation they could not read. perhaps if they could still read it but not post in it I would feeol better about it. Id like to possibly see a tarantula of the month section with someone who volenteirs or is picked to go over a new species each month.

 

[MizM]

So I can see how it would be benificial to some people but I think it might stifle the growth of the beginers if there werwe a section with advanced conversation they could not read. perhaps if they could still read it but not post in it I would feeol better about it. Id like to possibly see a tarantula of the month section with someone who volenteirs or is picked to go over a new species each month.

Again, send your suggestion to the owners. They'll never see it here.