A separate forum for public threads

[Cira]

With as many members we are getting daily, and as many posts go through the main roleplay area, it has gotten to the point where one thread posted in the morning could get buried by "faction, Dominions, Skirmishes, and Duel" threads often times to the fourth page or more.

In order for members to be able to find open public threads they can immediately join without being overwhelmed, would it be possible to have on a trial basis, a separate public forum thread that is specifically for these?

It just makes it easier for someone to be able to skim, jump in and see a thread that they might be interested in.

 

[Darth Metus]

[member="Cira"]

All a member needs to do is click on the green Public box on any visible topic and they will be taken to a listing of every thread bearing that same title.

I don't think an additional subforum is needed when the desired result is literally a click away.

 

[Cira]

[member="Cira"]

All a member needs to do is click on the green Public box on any visible topic and they will be taken to a listing of every thread bearing that same title.

I don't think an additional subforum is needed when the desired result is literally a click away.

This is very true. But no new member is aware of it off the bat.

 

[Audren Sykes]

This is me just throwing something out there.

This site has more filters than most others I've seen. A member can click on the 'public' prefix and get taken to a list of all public threads. However, if the closest Public prefix is pages back in line, as you say, they won't be able to do that. What could be done (theoretically) is to move the Topic Type filter into the list rather than hiding it under Custom. Alternately, one could make a hyperlinked list of the prefixes that's always at the top, so whoever's viewing it doesn't have to dig to sort by them.

I get where you're going with this, and agree completely, but don't think it needs a new forum, maybe just more visibility.

 

[Darth Metus]

[member="Cira"]

Then perhaps the focus should be on putting together something to inform the new members of this feature (and many others), as opposed to making a new subforum? A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Forums would probably be the way to go (in my humble opinion.)

 

[Louise]

You can lead a new member to guides, but you can't make him read.

 

[WolfMortum]

[member="Cira"]

Amusingly, I'd just posted a thread, gone to look for it in order to put it in my list of active threads only to be briefly disorientated by the others. I've been on Chaos a little while now, it'd never occurred to me that you might click on the tags and it take you to a list of all public threads. Admittedly it's a little common sense though I suppose I've not needed to do it in the past.

I can see merit in the compromise but also in the new forum being made specifically for public threads. Ease of access is something members look for initially when perusing a website and while it might not be hugely necessary as proven by [member="Josiah Denko"], it would certainly save others from asking the same question further down the track when this has been forgotten about. People are naturally lazy when it comes to the internet and surfing for content. The easiest solution is most often the more appealing.

 

[Darth Metus]

[member="Maleah Talith"]

What's easier from a staff perspective?

A pinned Guide or a new Subforum?

 

[Louise]

[member="Josiah Denko"]

Easier for staff doesn't translate as easier for members, but I can appreciate the sentiment of getting brownie points in the discussion by giving staff less to do.

While I keep track of my threads just fine, I joined this forum on day one (although I'm still finding new features even today). I've just found that through experience most new members typically don't read guides, pinned or otherwise.

Honestly, the suggestion is not something that would change anything for me, but I've always liked [member="Cira"] and her overly organised style.

 

[Vulpesen]

[member="Cira"]

All a member needs to do is click on the green Public box on any visible topic and they will be taken to a listing of every thread bearing that same title.

I don't think an additional subforum is needed when the desired result is literally a click away.

Besides, is it really a public thread if its restricted to factions, deulists, or affected by any other number of disqualifiers?

 

[Darth Metus]

[member="Maleah Talith"]

Oh you got jokes.

 

[Louise]

[member="Josiah Denko"]

Sometimes sassy.

MOSTLY ALL-CAPS.

 

[Catalys Maijora]

MOSTLY ALL-CAPS.

And a whole lot of bring me down. ;-;

 

[Connor Harrison]

[member="Cira"] I see the point in this - the amount of 'Public' threads there in the Open Forum right now is very over-shadowed by Dominions, Campaigns and specialist Faction threads.

A new writer to the boards or world of RP would feel pretty isolated I think, feeling they were in the right place but couldn't join in much of what was going on.

Of course, rules are there to help give them guidelines and Factions are there to join and write with, but if they aren't immediately ready for that, the Open Forum does look a little claustrophobic to new eyes.

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Maleah Talith"]

What's easier from a staff perspective?

A pinned Guide or a new Subforum?

...a new subforum. No, really. The creation of a new subforum ain't that hard, it's literally a few clicks and permission edits - the only point would be if there is a real need for it.

Whereas writing a guide, making it readable and comprehensive can take some doing.