Over complicated forum?

[Bushboy]

Am I the only one who thinks this?

I like the forum software. It's always been great, but I feel some of the sections are a little confusing. For example, if I wanted to know query a problem with my Punto, I could potentially post it on any number of sections and neither would be wrong.

Tech talk seems to defeat the point of having model specific forums really, even Lets Talk Fiat does the same.

I also tend to notice topics appearing in a number of forums due to the tagging/prefix system. It works but I'm not sure its a good idea and as said, kind of defeats the point in having model specific sections.

Maybe it is just me but compared to how most forums work, there is just so much going on in so many places, it seems a little overwhelming sometimes.

I also think it would help boost the community which seems to be lacking from a few years ago

 

[Eklipze3k]

A lot of that is down to mis-using the forum sections. For example, 'Let's Talk Fiat' is meant to be for general discussion about the Fiat Group as a whole, and its activities, not for posting problems with your car. 'Tech Talk' is the same, as it's meant to be for discussions about automotive technology in general rather than vehicle specific issues.

The prefixing/crosslinking was designed to encourage for interaction between members as a lot of Off-Topic discussion would happen in model forums, where it should really be in Leisure Lounge, so now those threads are linked there for everyone to see. The same is true with Newbie and MM threads, which now crosslink into the model forum so that they also get more exposure.

In all, I think the community is stronger now than it ever has been during my membership. All my own opinion of course.

 

[Bushboy]

Maybe just me then.

I'm not a fan of the cross linking really. I think clearly defined sections would work better and probably ease confusion and abuse of the wrong sections

 

[dave]

Tech talk dont work because revelent posts dont get moved there, often you see people posting out side of their cars section into another cars section, because they have a cross models problem, that is what tech talk is for problems for same thing in every car.
other forums split it by engines, with seperate section for each engine, maybe that would be better here?

Lets Talk Fiat has been a mess for years again bad house keeping, may aswell bin it after all isnt most of the site talking about fiat

 

[Bushboy]

I would also like to add that the Forum list could do with some rearranging. Seems like it is almost backwards. It has always been like this but for new members, finding the right section can often be a long scroll to the bottom of a pretty long list.

If it were up to me, I would probably have the following :

Fiat Cars
Fiat MPVs
Fiat Commercials
Abarth Cars
Misc
Clubs & Events
Buying and selling
Members Zone
General
Site ideas

When you list it out like that, you realise just how big this forum is. There is a lot that could be condenced imo.

 

[dave]

I would also like to add that the Forum list could do with some rearranging. Seems like it is almost backwards. It has always been like this but for new members, finding the right section can often be a long scroll to the bottom of a pretty long list.

If it were up to me, I would probably have the following :

Fiat Cars
Fiat MPVs
Fiat Commercials
Abarth Cars
Misc
Clubs & Events
Buying and selling
Members Zone
General
Site ideas

When you list it out like that, you realise just how big this forum is. There is a lot that could be condenced imo.

you found that broken record, ben keeps burying that

 

[ben]

Thing is - how it is, 95% of people find the right section.

If it was the other way around, most wouldn't ever realise there was more to be found under their model forum.

 

[dave]

Thing is - how it is, 95% of people find the right section.

because people tell them where to post after their first post in wrong section

 

[ben]

No - that is the 5% .... obviously.

95% post the right section first time
5% don't - then get moved.

I've now added a "Model Jump" to the top - so people can now easily get to their forum.

As said - Lets Talk FIAT is for generic FIAT conversation, could be stuff like "FIAT have just redone their website" or "Profits this year" or whatever.

 

[dombooth]

No - that is the 5% .... obviously.

95% post the right section first time
5% don't - then get moved.

I've now added a "Model Jump" to the top - so people can now easily get to their forum.

As said - Lets Talk FIAT is for generic FIAT conversation, could be stuff like "FIAT have just redone their website" or "Profits this year" or whatever.

Any chance of having the other sections in there too?

Dom

 

[dave]

As said - Lets Talk FIAT is for generic FIAT conversation, could be stuff like "FIAT have just redone their website" or "Profits this year" or whatever.

we know whats meant to be in there, have you seen what is actually in there though? its a mess

"FIAT have just redone their website" threads always get posted in sections like 500 as the people who visit it are the ones buying new cars

 

[Bushboy]

Not wanting to go too far off topic, as what Dave is talking about isn't exactly what I meant in the OP.

Regardless, I do agree with what he says and it does help prove my point...



As of when I wrote this post, this was the Lets Talk Fiat forum. I have greyed out the topics that belong in model specific forums or other forums on the site. The 2 left highlighted potentially belong in Lets Talk Fiat.

It looks to me that new users (and some not so new...) start at the top, scroll down and post in the first section they see even remotely related to what they want to discuss.. ie, a Fiat... Lets Talk Fiat.. thats the one.

Surely, if the model related forums were at the top of the list, people would more than likely post in the right section rather than going straight for the first place they see. Afterall, this is a forum for discussing Fiat Cars. Why hide them down the bottom?

 

[ben]

Sure, some people get it wrong. But look at the dates, less than one a day.

There will always be people who make mistakes - the fact it says in bold "NOT FOR MODEL SPECIFIC DISCUSSION" still doesn't stop them.

 

[dave]

Sure, some people get it wrong. But look at the dates, less than one a day.

on every other website mods clean up and move things to the right places, if its less than 1 a day it cant be much work for some one to actually do it:idea:

 

[dave]

the fact it says in bold "NOT FOR MODEL SPECIFIC DISCUSSION" still doesn't stop them.

not for this then