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Divide Technical Forum into sub-categories?

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by YachtForums, Jul 10, 2016.

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Divide the Technical Forum into sub-categories for engines and electronics?

Poll closed Jul 17, 2016.

  1. Yes

    17 vote(s)
    56.7%

  2. No

    13 vote(s)
    43.3%
  1. YachtForums, Jul 10, 2016
    #1
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Sprucing up the forum architecture in preparation of launching The Shipyard; our new classified listing system. I was thinking about sub-forums for the Technical Forum, separating engines and electronics into their own categories, but still leaving a General Technical forum in place for questions that aren't specific to engines or electronics.

    Cast a vote!
  2. Loren Schweizer, Jul 10, 2016
    #2
    Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

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    Kudos on the name change for the new MLS. Much better.
    Like the idea of sub forums, goes hand-in-glove with YF and JF.

    Oh wait...
  3. Fishtigua, Jul 10, 2016
    #3
    Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    These days, there is no divide between engines and electronics. Modern engines all have electronics intergrated in them.

    Sadly.
  4. Capt J, Jul 11, 2016
    #4
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I agree, and I think sub forums might get overlooked by someone who has knowledge of the OPs issue, but doesn't bother looking in say the electronics forum just the engine forum. Also a lot of issues cross over. I don't think there are so many new posts each day where going through the technical items is a chore.
  5. Sea Gull, Jul 11, 2016
    #5
    Sea Gull

    Sea Gull Member

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    Divisions are useful when posting and searching for specific topics. Day to day I just scan all the latest posts from all categories.
  6. P46-Curaçao, Jul 11, 2016
    #6
    P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    +1
  7. YachtForums, Jul 11, 2016
    #7
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    I agree with everyone (mostly because it'll be a bunch of work to dissect all the threads!), but a new visitor may be daunted by 25,000+ discussions on various aspects of maintenance and repair. So far the poll is split. Let's give it a couple more days.

    BTW, I was thinking about several sub-forums...

    Engines & Interfaces
    Generators & HVAC
    Navigation Equipment
    Running Gear; transmissions, props, etc.
    Hulls; bottom paint, zincs, etc.
  8. menkes, Jul 11, 2016
    #8
    menkes

    menkes Member

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    carl
    Between us, I don't know who thinks like whom.
    But I like the way you think in that matter !
  9. olderboater, Jul 11, 2016
    #9
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I think most people start with "New Posts" rather than going to a specific forum and looking in it. Otherwise they use the search feature. I looked over a recent period of time and the technical forum had an average of just over 1 topic discussed per day. I generally think of dividing into sub forums when the activity is too great for one forum and that's clearly not the case in this situation. By dividing too, you're just increasing the issue of people starting topics in what you consider to be the "wrong forum" and having to move them.
  10. Pascal, Jul 11, 2016
    #10
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    There isn't a lot of traffic in tech, a few posts in the last week. For regular users I don't think it matters especially when using the New Post page as the main page. Personally that s the only page I use

    For searching, I am not sure it's going to help much

    The only way it will help is when browsing, I guess if you're looking for general info on air con or engines then yes

    But then where do split some topics? Transmissions and engines are more tied together than transmissions and running gear for instance. Stabilizers? In running gear? Miscellaneous ?

    if it ain't broken don't fix it :)
  11. C team, Jul 11, 2016
    #11
    C team

    C team Senior Member

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    I do think sub-categories would help in searching out info but I'm sure some topics will end up in the wrong place and maybe see multiple postings of the same subject in different categories.

    jmtc
  12. Loren Schweizer, Jul 11, 2016
    #12
    Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

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    +1 Olderboater & Pascal...

    Us regulars look for the "news", not the "olds".
    The search function works well for all else and, perhaps, those new to YF.
  13. RER, Jul 12, 2016
    #13
    RER

    RER Senior Member

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    That's exactly how I use YF. In fact it's set up in my favorites to load directly on the new post page.

    Sub categories make search results more specific. Fewer categories means more content in one place and less chance of missing something in a sub category. I prefer the wider approach. I favor less categorization.
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2016