Thread prefix's

[ADz]

I think it would be a good idea to enable thread prefix options on sections like the BSG forum so that we can see at a glance which topics are for Sale/Sold/Wanted/Trade/Gift etc.

[jus_young]

I know I have just woken up but....

What?

[Silverback]

I lost you at 'it' care to enlarge on your feedback

[Adam Savage]

I think I know what you mean. Generally though, a thread in the BSG (buy, sell, gift) section should include "for sale", or "wanted", etc. Once an item is sold, it can be closed by a mod, but that's only done if the original poster asks for it to be close (at the moment).

All post listed in the "whats new" section, tell you which sub forum they are under too.

9127

[Silverback]

Ahhhhhh !....next question...Why, What does it bring ?

[ADz]

Ahhhhhh !....next question...Why, What does it bring ?

Sorry guys, was a late night post, Looking back it could have been allot more clearer lol, Here goes...

It's basically for separating multiple types of topics rather then having subsections in a forum like the BSG. It brings easy and simple at a glance organization to a forum section. Its a inbuilt feature of vBulletin (The forum code this site uses).

It enables you to put a color word/tag automatically at begining of your post in title by choosing a prefix like [WANTED] , [FOR SALE] , [SOLD], [TRADE] , [GIFT]. (Note to Ash: To color you will need to use html tags)


This is used on many forums and makes browsing/posting in some types of section much more organized because you can see at a glance which topic is which type.

A quick example is the classifieds section on BCUK but its also used on many other vBulletin and other forums, however it must be enabled on a per forum basis in Admin manager and you can pre-define the prefixes that are chooseable by user when creating topic.

Example...

http://i.imgur.com/JTo4euu.png



I think I know what you mean. Generally though, a thread in the BSG (buy, sell, gift) section should include "for sale", or "wanted", etc. Once an item is sold, it can be closed by a mod, but that's only done if the original poster asks for it to be close (at the moment).

All post listed in the "whats new" section, tell you which sub forum they are under too.




Yes I know this but the point is that all threads in a set forum are uniformed and organized, All the poster does is choose a category when creating topic (the tags I mentioned earlier) and then it has the colored tag at beginning. Then once the for sale item is sold etc they can edit topic (Or mod do it) and choose the "Sold" or other such tag or alternatively close the thread.

[Silverback]

Mmmmm....one of the reasons I joined this forum is it seemed more personal and less 'commercial' (not that it doesnt look good, it does )- that feel is primarily because its not for profit and done as a project and a favour to its community by Ashley......recently the existing mod team decided that more mods were neede because they simply dont have the time.........


Unless you're volunteering your services Adz .....FOC of course

Im sure Ashley will be along shortly to put forward his view - he is after all the administrator

[ADz]

Mmmmm....one of the reasons I joined this forum is it seemed more personal and less 'commercial' - that feel is primarily because its not for profit and done as a project and a favour to its community by Ashley......recently the existing mod team decided that more mods were neede because they simply dont have the time.........


Unless you're volunteering your services Adz .....FOC of course

I'm sure Ashley will be along shortly to put forward his view - he is after all the administrator


This hasn't anything to do with commercial ability of forum its to do with usability and experience. You probably wrongly assumed that because I used BCUK as an example (Probably should have used another type of forum) which is yes more commercialized however this thread prefix isn't related to that in the slightest. The suggestion was 100% purely for improving useability, Its a little thing but can make a world of difference to certain forum sections where sub-forums are not needed but some sort of at a glance distinction between threads is useful.

And yes if you ever need more helping hands I would gladly accept and yes ofcourse FOC. T^

[Silverback]

You probably wrongly assumed

Sadly once again it is you assuming.

[Adam Savage]

I think I see what Sapper is saying. To me these prefixes would only really be needed in the sales orientated threads, and that area of the site was only added to assist people in forwarding their used/hand made goods to fellow shcrafters. Being that this forum is all about free knowledge/skills sharing, this section doesn't really need to have so much focus on it. Especially with the limited time that each mod can spend online to maintain any "extras" that may be available.

In theory it should be easy to identify the threads you want, as long as the OP includes the correct wording in the title.

Just my personal views, and my take on why Sapper mentioned that nasty word (commercial) :)

[Silverback]

I think I see what Sapper is saying. To me these prefixes would only really be needed in the sales orientated threads, and that area of the site was only added to assist people in forwarding their used/hand made goods to fellow shcrafters. Being that this forum is all about free knowledge/skills sharing, this section doesn't really need to have so much focus on it. Especially with the limited time that each mod can spend online to maintain any "extras" that may be available.

In theory it should be easy to identify the threads you want, as long as the OP includes the correct wording in the title.

Just my personal views, and my take on why Sapper mentioned that nasty word (commercial) :)

Exactly

[suggy]

I agree with Adze, my 2p worth ! If threads can go off on a tangent with NBC merchandising, then a bit of highlighting 'aint a biggi.

:)

[ADz]

I think I see what Sapper is saying. To me these prefixes would only really be needed in the sales orientated threads, and that area of the site was only added to assist people in forwarding their used/hand made goods to fellow shcrafters. Being that this forum is all about free knowledge/skills sharing, this section doesn't really need to have so much focus on it. Especially with the limited time that each mod can spend online to maintain any "extras" that may be available.

In theory it should be easy to identify the threads you want, as long as the OP includes the correct wording in the title.

Just my personal views, and my take on why Sapper mentioned that nasty word (commercial) :)



Yes, I'm talking about the private sales section (Buy/Sell/Gift Kit) where it would be useful. It isnt really the site that would be commercialized its basically making it more organized for people who want to buy/sell/trade their gear.

Yes in theory it would be easier if people titled things correctly but this doesnt really happen or at least not consistent. The thread prefixes makes it much simpler as all you do is choose which prefix to use when creating post and its automatically added instead of relying on user to use correct wording. Plus they're colored and easily see-able at a glance.

I dont really see what harm it would do, It's just a small thing that can make big difference.

[Ashley Cawley]

Chill folks. :blabla: :p

I think understandably some our mods weren't particularly interested in raising the profile/focus of the buying/selling area, I know your saying it's a usability/experience issue not a commercial issue but you can appreciate if all of a sudden a service facilitates a function so much better it could potentially get used for that function a lot more with the end result of a lot more buying/selling here on the forum which is what the mods were talking about... you both had your points :rolleye:

I will put it on the list of things to do but it's not high on the agenda.

I think I may have found a developer I can trust to help me out with some of the admin & more complicated coding problems with the site, I will try using some of the donations to pay them for 2-3 hours work a month so hopefully the more important things may get fixed.

[Adam Savage]

I dont really see what harm it would do, It's just a small thing that can make big difference.

It would make things a lot clearer, I agree. I would still be concerned that it would make the site look more commercial to the outside world, or make it more appealing for people that just want to come here to sell, and not contribute :confused:

I'm not saying it's a really bad idea, that should never be added. :)

EDIT...just saw the post above by Ash. Pretty much what I was trying to put into words, but fell short :p

[Silverback]

It would make things a lot clearer, I agree. I would still be concerned that it would make the site look more commercial to the outside world, or make it more appealing for people that just want to come here to sell, and not contribute :confused:

I'm not saying it's a really bad idea, that should never be added. :)

Likewise......

[ADz]

Chill folks. :blabla: :p

I think understandably some our mods weren't particularly interested in raising the profile/focus of the buying/selling area, I know your saying it's a usability/experience issue not a commercial issue but you can appreciate if all of a sudden a service facilitates a function so much better it could potentially get used for that function a lot more with the end result of a lot more buying/selling here on the forum which is what the mods were talking about... you both had your points :rolleye:

I will put it on the list of things to do but it's not high on the agenda.

I think I may have found a developer I can trust to help me out with some of the admin & more complicated coding problems with the site, I will try using some of the donations to pay them for 2-3 hours work a month so hopefully the more important things may get fixed.


Ah, I see and understand now. Thanks for clarification Ash.

I do feel though that been able to sell/trade gear with each other is or should be a part of the community but also understand that you dont want it becoming a big part.

[Ashley Cawley]

I do feel though that been able to sell/trade gear with each other is or should be a part of the community...
It already is and will continue to be so.