Forum Organization Suggestions

[WmAx]

A while back I posted a thread in SUGGESTIONS:

Need a GENERAL AUDIO forum....

In probable futility, I will try this again, and in a little more detail....

I don't pretend that my suggestions were in anyway perfect, but it still remains that there is not a main GENERAL forum. Cross posting is occuring because of this. Additionally, I have noticed it to be non-convenient to try and find the discussions for many articles/features that have been posted(they are divided up and announed only in the respective forum topic). Alert of a new article should be posted in the GENERAL forum(which is non-existant). The discussion of this should be sub-diverted and made to the respective subject forum(which might be GENERAL in some cases, BTW a little bit of subtext under the forum heading(Philosophers for example has GENERAL in subtext) is NOT readily noticable or satisfactory. Do you think a new user/visitor notices this all of the time?).

A GENERAL(clearly named for new users) forum IMO is needed. Deletion of Front Page News & Discussions seems like a good idea -- it's a very sparse forum in itself and would fit into GENERAL perfectly. It would also ensure every user sees the notice of a new posted topic, etc.. I know, I know, you probably like that 'sophisticated' name(Philosophers and Wisemen), but people expect a universal GENERAL forum, clearly named as such. Boring name, but EFFECTIVE.

Format Wars and New Technology -- this is a sparse section. Delete and condense to GENERAL. This is a GENERAL audio topic. It's definatel not popular enough on it's own to warrant a seperate forum section.

Here is an example of the forums, as I think they should be named/ordered(it's mostly identical to the current format):

---Home Theater Hardware Hangout---

General Audio Discussion (formerly Philosophers and Wiseman, this should be the 1st forum at the top)

deals, Deals, DEALS!(Isn't this better situated closer to the top to ensure more people notice it(2nd after GENERAL?)?)

Amps, Pre-Pros & Recievers

Loudspeakers & Subwoofers

CD/DVD & Associated Hardware

Displays & Projectors

Write Your Own Review

CLASSIFIEDS - SELL YOUR OWN GEAR

---Software, Movies & Music---

Musical Goodness

Movies, DVDS & Theatriks

---Set-Up Tips---

Room Acoustics, System Layout & Setup

A/V Interconnects & Cables

---News & Headlines---

NOTHING HERE Delete News & Headlines Header. Refer to the explanation in the beginning of this post.

---Audiophile Hangout---

Beginners and Audiophytes

DIY Corner - Tips, Techniques & Technical(condensation of DIY CORNER and TESTING & MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT).

The Steam Vent

Member Systems Gallery

Site Suggestions & Feedback

-Chris

P.S.: Please excuse me if this sounds rude(I realize it may); I'm only being direct to the point. No rudeness intended.

I'm listening, I would like some more feedback and then we'll likely make some adjustments. - Admin]

[RandyStacyE]

A good addition to that would be a heading for “Crossovers” (in general and maybe some more specific). Me … I’m a newbie and have recently been trying to soak up as much as possible from the DIY sections everywhere.

I have searched and searched to learn AMAP about crossovers and their differences. Would you believe it – I have come up with “near zero” results. No one talks to anyone about the basics; at least not in a tutorial fashion. Not just the forums either – do some searches to see what you come up with just for the heck of it. Your results will be companies selling crossovers or people “asking” questions about them. Sure sure many suggest reading some books etc… when asked about the basics, but I can’t find one thing (so far) about crossovers online and I’m not afraid to say that “yes – I don’t know everything (well much of anything) regarding audio properties”.

[MDS]

That's pretty odd. People ask about xovers all the time and I know I and a few others have answered the question more than a few times.

It depends on what kind of information you are seeking too. If you want the details on what they are and how they work that should be easy to find with a search. If you just want one answer to what setting to use (and don't really care about the details that go into making the decision) choose 80 Hz with all speakers set to Small.

Trust me...if you start another thread about xovers you will get lots of replies, including 'Pick which sounds best to you', which of course is not an acceptable answer in my book.

[anamorphic96]

I like your ideas. Format Wars and Front Page News definitely seem like wasted space and tend to be dead areas.

The only suggestion I would like to add would be a dedicated Subwoofer forum. This topic is talked about so much I could see it being quite popular.

[Clint DeBoer]

More changes to come - but who says we don't listen to good feedback. Testing & measurement forum is a bit useful for some of our venders, though it is severely under-utilized.

[jaxvon]

Hmm, just wondering why you moved the Beginners section down to the audiophile hangout again. It got a lot more traffic when it was at the top of the page, and I think it functions better up there.

[WmAx]

My format suggestions were actually used... this caught me off guard(considering the age of the suggestions and the sudden use of them).

Any more suprises for Thanksgiving Day?

-Chris

[mulester7]

Hmm, just wondering why you moved the Beginners section down to the audiophile hangout again. It got a lot more traffic when it was at the top of the page, and I think it functions better up there.

.....the thought came to me, that new members might dig-right-in up-top reading, before asking questions, with the changed form, Sir Jaxvon......

[mulester7]

More changes to come - but who says we don't listen to good feedback. Testing & measurement forum is a bit useful for some of our venders, though it is severely under-utilized.

.....Clint, I commend you for using every suggestion I made in our many PM's....

[Buckle-meister]

I know, I know, you probably like that 'sophisticated' name(Philosophers and Wisemen), but people expect a universal GENERAL forum, clearly named as such. Boring name, but EFFECTIVE.

Actually, I did like the Philosophers and Wisemen Forum. I was just hunting for it when I found the explanation for its absence in this thread. Hmm, so you're to blame eh WmAx? Well, at least I know to post in the General A/V Forum now.

Hmm, just wondering why you moved the Beginners section down to the audiophile hangout again. It got a lot more traffic when it was at the top of the page, and I think it functions better up there.

I agree. It was much better when it was there.

Regards