i understand the issue, but i am solid on the categories - i am working on them being easier to access though, but it won't happen until the next upgrade - a limiting factor is the size of the font on the page, and how much i can fit on one page - as an example, there is NO way to have everything for the engine in one category, and have it of any use to search - there must be several subcategories under each main category - how they are displayed is the decision to be made
to help explain the goals, one of the big things i am trying to accomplish is that i am basically trying to build an encyclopedia for the 968 - but, i refuse to accept the concept that if it can't be seen on the first page, it isn't worth doing - i am not interested in a "quick fix - thread of the day" website - there is already one of those out there - it is totally useless as a resource library though
one of the biggest problems is that we have WAY TOO MANY threads about the same thing - this is because too many people have forgotten how to go to the library - i will be merging those threads and sifting through them over time, so that the information somebody is looking for is actually easy to glean, but it takes time
what i want to see stopped is "will these wheels work?" or "my car is running hot" - those have been done to death, the information is already out there, and people need to use the search feature and read for themselves - i do not want this to become the useless burying of repetitive threads that the other site is - docents jumping in and directing people to the information they seek would help a lot
perhaps a key would help - something akin to dewey decimal or library of congress filing - i am not sure how it will shake out, but rest assured that ultimately it will be easy to look something up
another huge problem is the failure of many to connect with other members - part of this is due to enabling people to only see one thing, lurk, and/or remain apathetic, without interacting - a big problem in being able to keep a car supported is the direct connections between owners - it is only through those connections that we will be able to keep interest in the car alive, and stand any chance to have parts availability or support in the future
to that point, we'll always have the chat areas, event areas, and such, but i am working on those actually being more of a real chat area, and dividing it from the library - i am also trying to get a live chat room set up
until then, using the "view new posts" feature accomplishes the task of letting people see what is new - if somebody is only looking at specific forums for updates, they are missing out on a lot more
as to the "less used" sections, please realize that i have over 1500 threads still to sort out and move around to their appropriate areas - i have only hit about half of the threads so far - a couple hundred of those will end up in the "less used" areas - i just haven't gotten to it all yet- i focused on sorting some specific areas, and will get to the rest soon
also keep in mind that as the cars become older, every area will see more traffic and posting, as each part of the car begins to fail - these cars are old - it is already beginning to happen - to cite an example, just look at how many threads there are about clutch failure - 2-3 years ago, there were none
i am taking all of this to heart, and will always be making changes that work, but as somebody who was really trying to find specific solutions and information, the way it was did not function well - it was nearly impossible to find anything - now, it is fairly easy, but still getting buried far too often
admittedly, i need to spend more a LOT time sorting and refining - i have been a little busy lately, but i see more time becoming available in the next couple of weeks
