[jfrahm]

This is just my opinion but I think there should only be 5-10 forums and all the content should be aggregated into them. Navigating all these subforums is quite tedious unless all you do his hit 'View New Posts' in which case the structure is totally flattened. In that case the board appears to have only one forum. One might be too few, but it is better than 60 or so. I can't imagine how a new user might dig through all this structure.



Just my opinion,

-Joel.

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[flash]

it makes sense if you approach it from the right perspective



you dig through it using the table of contents in the Tutorial - use it like you would in a reference book, which is the primary design model for this site - the search tool is like the Index for that same book



as soon as you stop thinking of it as a chat room, and start thinking of it as a reference book, it makes sense



with 9900 threads here, there is no way to have fewer categories, and in fact, as things finish getting sorted, we may have to add a few new ones



you can also expect more intervention to keep threads on track too, and more direction to members to start new threads when it starts to wander



we've even implemented a force search now for similar threads when you go to start a new thread, so as to try to prevent the same repetitive threads



all of this is designed to maintain a searchable database for the future



this is exactly what makes it stand apart and above other sites though - try reading up on something on one of those - can't be done

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[rhudeboye]

The lay out has been working well for me. I'm a big fan of it.



The "view new" button works for when we're all just socializing. However, when I'm trying to fix or trouble shoot, I start at the top level and logically navigate through the tree until I get the sub forum dealing with my issue. Typically takes about 3 - 4 clicks. With the new links under the sub forums now its even faster.

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[flash]

thanks - we are working to make it easier, but the outline format of the table of contents is the only way to keep things separate - for example, we don't want to mix up performance brakes with oem brakes - many people just want to know how to do their brakes, but other want to know about big reds - it's easier to find the exact thing you are looking for if they are separated - ultimately it may get organized by area of the car (and i have a cool idea on how to do that), and then split between oem and aftermarket, but for now, we have it set up as almost different "books" in simple outline form

take a look at the workshop manual - that's sort of the model we are shooting for

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[Langley968]

"Practice makes perfect", or almost! The more I use the site, the better it works. Thanks.

One of my year end resolutions is to make a financial contribution to assist in the maintenance of this site. Hold me to it... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

lol - will do - license and hosting renewal come up next month, so not bad timing

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[Langley968]

DONE! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/cool.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

lol - i just saw that!



wow!



thanks from everybody

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[Cloud9...68]

I also find the current format quite logical and easy to maneuver.

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[Eric_Oz_S2]

I'm with Joel - I can't be bothered navigating them all so I just use "New Posts".

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[flash]

that's fine for finding out what is new



but it isn't how you would do research - for that you go to the table of contents, find the area you want, and then start reading



or you use the search tool, and use the more advanced features to find what you want



fortunately we have both methods which serves just about everybody

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[Fox944]

i think the format is excellent and easy to navigate. I use view new posts everytime i log on, if i'm doing research...i just use the search function or use the table of contents and start scrolling through posts.



This is a much better format then other model specific sights i've been to. And much better then the other 968 forums out there. Makes it really easy to research. The Search Function works really well. I think i too will be making another donation at some point in the near future.

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[Cloud9...68]

One thing I've been meaning to mention is that I LOVE the way the subforums are so much easier to see now than with the old format. So while yes, there are a lot of subforums, they are quite accessible now. Compared to other sites with a much more "flattened" format, I really like how 968 forums is laid out. Great work, guys.

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