Issues with a forum grouped by vehicle model

[kcdionysus]

I sometimes wonder if having threads grouped/categorised by model limits potential help from users?

What I mean is I suspect some users only look at threads within the category of the car they own themselves. Less assume a user is experiencing a problem on a Panda and puts a thread up. Some users may have experienced a similar/identical problem on another model, say a Stilo, but these Stilo users won't necessarily read a thread on say a Panda as they don't own one and so the problem doesn't get much in the way of a solution even though it is likely someone could help, or at least point the OP in the right direction.

I understand that each category is handy in one respect as all post would be relevant to your car but there is a lot of commonality and shared parts between models and there seems to be a wealth of knowledge that could be better utilised if the categories weren't so specific. Just a thought.....

 

[dave]

most who want to help wander around and/or use the new posts button. Forum is too busy to bung all the cars together.

there is a tuning section and a general tech section for asking questions about shared/common things across models.

 

[T14086]

Less assume a user is experiencing a problem on a Panda and puts a thread up. Some users may have experienced a similar/identical problem on another model, say a Stilo, but these Stilo users won't necessarily read a thread on say a Panda .

Then use the SEARCH function for fault description for all models....simples!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

As above really tbh.

 

[varesecrazy]

As above really tbh.

If you use the "advanced" search. and don't specify a model / variant..

then you'll see the similar issues threads for the WHOLE Fiat forum

pretty much perfect in my view,

charlie

 

[custard]

If you use the "advanced" search. and don't specify a model / variant..

then you'll see the similar issues threads for the WHOLE Fiat forum

pretty much perfect in my view,

charlie

Similar threads.
So a fuel system issue with an Uno, would be the same as a New 500?

 

[kcdionysus]

I think you guys are missing my point.....

I understand how to search for stuff which has led me to different threads in different sections and I can see how others have had similar issues but on a different model. But that's me with a specific problem and looking for similar threads.

But switch that around, how will a Stilo driver, who may well have knowledge on a similar problem that a Punto driver is having, know they could help unless he/she happens to be in the Punto section by chance to see the thread itself?

E.g - say I had an issue with my Panda and I find a solution and fix it. As I spend time in the Panda section, if I see a user who puts up a thread and he/she had the same problem that I experienced, I would see that and be able to offer some advice. But if a person in the 500 section has the same problem and puts up a thread, I wouldn't see it as I don't go into the 500 section cos I don't have one. So whereas I could perhaps help, I don't because I don't realise someone is having a similar issue but on a different car.

 

[custard]

Nobody is missing your point.You simply aren't making one.your idea is to have no sections in reality. Let's do way with any engine questions in model sections.
Then we can have engine only sections Etc. Etc
Then we have cross platform models.surely we need a Ka section in the 500 section,incase the Ka has similar problems.
Where does it end?

Or we could have split by model and a search function.

 

[dave]

every thing will get lost, forum will be like a facebook group with people bumping and reposting all the time trying to keep their thread at the top.

 

[kcdionysus]

Nobody is missing your point.You simply aren't making one.your idea is to have no sections in reality. Let's do way with any engine questions in model sections.
Then we can have engine only sections Etc. Etc
Then we have cross platform models.surely we need a Ka section in the 500 section,incase the Ka has similar problems.
Where does it end?

Or we could have split by model and a search function.

I'm not suggesting no sections at all but having 44 different vehicle model sections alone, then another 10 sections under Miscellaneous makes it less conducive for users to help each other out.

But no matter, it was only a suggestion. Do you always round on new users with a suggestion or alternative way of looking at things? Not very polite or welcoming is it?

 

[scout]

I think kcdionysus , what the problem is, is that with so many different models that a general forum would be very messy and while some generic faults may slip through the net for a while, the vast majority of problems will be covered in the relevant section.

 

[ben]

I'm not suggesting no sections at all but having 44 different vehicle model sections alone, then another 10 sections under Miscellaneous makes it less conducive for users to help each other out.

But no matter, it was only a suggestion. Do you always round on new users with a suggestion or alternative way of looking at things? Not very polite or welcoming is it?

I think what would help this suggestion, is perhaps if you gave an example of what you mean

 

[T14086]

But switch that around, how will a Stilo driver, who may well have knowledge on a similar problem that a Punto driver is having, know they could help unless he/she happens to be in the Punto section by chance to see the thread itself?

E.g - say I had an issue with my Panda and I find a solution and fix it. As I spend time in the Panda section, if I see a user who puts up a thread and he/she had the same problem that I experienced, I would see that and be able to offer some advice. But if a person in the 500 section has the same problem and puts up a thread, I wouldn't see it as I don't go into the 500 section cos I don't have one.

To be honest there's not a lot in common between a punto and a stilo unless you are referring to the engine (1.9jtd) in which case if you did a general search (EGR, misfire, injectors for example) it would come up in all models in the search results.

 

[portland_bill]

Highlighting deficiencies is always the easy bit. But do you have a solution? If not, neither does anyone else, as it hasn't been implemented.

One big forum would make it too difficult to browse, so would probably kill it. many of us use the "new posts" button and scan all to see if there are links or help can be given. Also, by scanning all new posts, I can digest issues and can search again for them if I encounter similar problems.
Where issues can be shared across models, with engines, etc., any thread will refer to the other possibilities if posters can't help directly. I think it works very well.

To really cross-refer all posts would been a database type structure. Then we'd have to input more detail, so that the database could recognise all similar applications of that item. That's a lot of hard work, outside of my abilities, so I can't expect someone else to do it. As well as hard work to create, each post would be more difficult, possibly losing members as a result. It seems impossible to encourage all users to set their location, so not much hope for extra data input.

Solutions please.

(The first complainant, is the first volunteer to fix it)

 

[kcdionysus]

To be honest there's not a lot in common between a punto and a stilo unless you are referring to the engine (1.9jtd) in which case if you did a general search (EGR, misfire, injectors for example) it would come up in all models in the search results.

I was using a Silo and Punto as an example. And didn't they also share the 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines? It's the mechanical side I am more referring to and I would say that probably 90% of the time if I am searching a car related forum for reference on a problem, it is a mechanical issue I am researching.

But as I have said, searching for a similar problem to one I may have isn't the issue. It's trying to get replies from other users on a thread I may have put up asking for help.

If I put a thread up asking for help as regards to a Bravo 1.9 diesel with a mechanical fault, I may get no replies. That's because users who may be able to help don't drive a Bravo but are driving one of the other 10 models with the same engine so wouldn't necessarily frequent the Bravo section. So I sit there, waiting for replies and getting no help and wondering why when the users who could help aren't seeing my thread because it hasn't been put up in their section.

 

[dave]

mechanical fault on a 1.9 are very rare, faults usually are with gubbings bolted on to them that are not always the same accross models so people wont answer if they are not sure,

Edit i've looked through all your posts but cant find one asking for help on a 1.9 bravo

 

[T14086]

I was using a Silo and Punto as an example. And didn't they also share the 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines? It's the mechanical side I am more referring to and I would say that probably 90% of the time if I am searching a car related forum for reference on a problem, it is a mechanical issue I am researching.

But as I have said, searching for a similar problem to one I may have isn't the issue. It's trying to get replies from other users on a thread I may have put up asking for help.

If I put a thread up asking for help as regards to a Bravo 1.9 diesel with a mechanical fault, I may get no replies. That's because users who may be able to help don't drive a Bravo but are driving one of the other 10 models with the same engine so wouldn't necessarily frequent the Bravo section. So I sit there, waiting for replies and getting no help and wondering why when the users who could help aren't seeing my thread because it hasn't been put up in their section.

your not giving any examples or what you are meaning, from the sounds of it you want engine sections, 1.2/1.4/1.6/1.9 etc and that is not going to happen. Personally I dont listen to the 'my mate had this problem in his punto' etc etc as this just leads to misdiagnosis and expense. I do know what you are trying to say but you have to take the whole Fiat community into account and what they want.

Like Dave I cant find this 1.9 bravo thread you are referring to either (or is it in a different section?) , maybe if you can point us to it when can help?

 

[scout]

Edit i've looked through all your posts but cant find one asking for help on a 1.9 bravo

Is this really necessary , the OP is only making a suggestion for the future. I could say that I thought it would be a good idea for a convertible section (I don't ) . I haven't had any problems with my soft top but it may happen in the future.

 

[dave]

is this really necessary ,

what! Spending my time trying to find his post he wanted help with

what are you on?

 

[scout]

what! Spending my time trying to find his post he wanted help with

No, Having a go at someone with an idea just because you don't agree. You've been around quite a while so have probably seen most things tried, some work some don't, but to be so dismissive is just rude.

what are you on?

I thought I was on the Fiat Forum, site ideas, why what are you on?