Forum Habits

I'm curious as to just how many hobbyists visit all, or even half of the forum topics here. I don't know if it's just me or not, but I find it a pain in the a__ to look through so many different headings, so I generally stick to a couple of main ones, and just accept the fact I won't get to see them all.
Heck, I'm not even sure if this is in the right forum.
It's probably easy for admin and mods to know right off which thread should be in which heading, but how many ordinary posters know?
I suspect a lot don't based on how many posts are moved.
It's either that, or, even though they know where to post, they post in higher traffic areas, knowing a lot of hobbyists won't see their post if they don't, but once posted, those wishing to view can follow the link to where it is moved, enabling a better chance of a more complete response to the thread.

 

Ray,
I always look at all the new posts first and then if I have been through all of them and I have time, I go to the Individual forums to see if I am interested in or can help someone else in a forum I want to learn about or know something about.

Jim

 

well I think in general there are people like me who run around and post in all the forums because I am new and have a thousand questions. knowing some wont be answered.

But your right its hard to hit up all the forums. Are you thinking there should be less categories? I could see some merged. Like sand and live rock. And maybe equipment could all be one big forum. I guess I also dont know how many new posts they are getting each day. it would be just as bad to lose posts down the list.

 

Being a newbie, I have so many questions, so I spend a lot of time trying to find answers before I post a question that has been asked before, however there are so many and I hardly ever find exactly what I wanted know.

 

I think your on to something Ray. I think a few of our heading could be combined...heck I still don't know where to post updated pics where we can show off our tanks.
this would be easier:

equipment
fish
corals
diseases
hitchikers
newbie
general
foods etc.

 

I agree it can be overwhelming. Usually I check out the home page to see any new topics. Then I check under the "unanwsered posts". Then I look into the different sections of the forum. Ususally though it is easiest to simply click see more on the home page and that way you can see all topics posted.

 

Well you could just use the New Posts link in the topnav. That has everything posted lately.

Or the active topics link. Found in the left nav and the forum homepage below the photos.


I can't have 100,000 posts in 6 forums because then everyone won't find everything either and say it's disorganized. And we will get tagged by search engines if I move too much around at once.

I will always have to move posts.

If more people took the time to think about the subject or title a little bit and then .. say ... put a sand thread in the sand board, this wouldn't happen nearly as much. But there isn't a forum administrator out there that hasn't said this.

I do still have some work planned for the boards. I'm not saying this is perfect. I am always working on the site. If you guys come up with something good, of course I will listen.

Lately there are tags, popular threads, a lot of ways for you guys to organize this. I'd rather give you the option.

And rayjay,

I am just glad you are posting again and got rid of that welcome header that you were bitching about before. You've started two threads here. Both were complaints. Can't wait for the next one!

 

Forum navigation

Me, I just like to wander around and see what useful and/or useless knowledge I can pick up. Its either this or television, and I'm not really into the boob tube. I usually start at 3reef home and go down the page reading new additions, and when I want to go further the next button is right there waiting for me. Now, I'm not a forum guru, but I haven't been so lost yet that I couldn't find my way home again. That being said, I still probably ask questions that have been answered a few hundred times in the past, but folks still answer them or kindly provide me with a link that takes me where I want to go.

Ray

 

I suspect the header will come back again before long.
I don't have much need to start a post very often on any boards I frequent.
I don't change my systems much and after so long with the same things, I usually know when/what about a problem I might encounter based on my previous experiences.
Also, my systems don't really conform to the norm which also limits my posting on someone elses threads as I don't experience some of the problems others have.
I won't post on a thread if I don't feel I'm qualified to help on a subject, or, if what I would say has already been stated. I hate it when multiple people say the same thing on one thread. (I AM getting up there in years so maybe that's my problem)
My area's of expertise lie in NO lighting, large home made counter current skimmers, and raising adult brine shrimp (oh yeah, and can't forget the bitching) and those topics aren't exactly daily occurances.
I think because of my addiction to the forums, I go to too many and don't have time to read each section of them all.
Almost all, I read the general and beginner and then a few extra's like on RC I also visit "Seahorse" and "Advanced" and my favorite site on the internet, Randy Holmes-Farley's Chemistry forum.
Anyway, maybe this reply will stall off the return of the header an extra day.

 

heh. Sorry for the late night jab. It sounds you you do have some expertise there. And I try to follow your way about posting actually as far as staying out of it if I don't have anything to add.

I'd love to see a thread about raising brine shrimp. I hope that the links I provided help in the short term until I polish the boards some more. Take care,

Matt