shuffling some forums around

[Dixiecat]

Just had a look at the shuffling of the forums and if I may state my opinion, I don't think I like where the Kilt Makers' forum was placed. It just doesn't seem to fit the section in general. I'd like to see it back to it's own section as before or a new section created that would lump all the DIY-type forums together.
Example:

DIY Section:

Kiltmaking

Jackets, Waistcoats

Sporrans

Hose and other Knitting Projects

Miscellaneous DIY Projects

What think you?

Otherwise, I'd like to say, thank you for making this site a better browsing experience.

[wildrover]

Good work on the new look!

[Dixiecat]

Steve, I can't say as the sections you've been mapping out are any better than they were before. In fact, I think you're complicating the sections too much instead of making things simpler as you mentioned.

I used to QA usability of websites and this one just got more involved for the user instead of less.

Also, naming the section Help for Our Professionals and Advisors is misleading. You're implying that only your professional people can post or advise on those forums. It seems to be making that section a bit more 'elite' than it really is.

A handy technique for creating sections is to write each forum down on it's own index card and sort them out into logical groupings. You also need more than one person to do this and to record the groupings to find commonalities and to make allowances for individual variations. Right now forums are being hodge podged all over the place making things needlessly convoluted.

I don't mind changes, but when changes are affecting usability, you're gonna run into problems.

[Steve Ashton]

DixieCat,

Would you mind sending to me via PM your suggestions on making the forum listing simpler.
I'm willing to look at almost anything right now.
We currently have far too many forum sections. With all the US States and Canadian Provinces just loading the pages for each time a member logs in is using incredible bandwidth.

If anyone knows of a good mapping system available today I would love to replace our current system with some sort of map. We used to use frapper maps but they have not kept those updated. No one uses them anymore.
I would be great if we could replace all the separate sections with one map. Then if someone wishes to announce a Kilt Night or Meet-up it could all be done on one map.
Any suggestions?

[Hothir Ethelnor]

Getting rid of all the state and province sections sounds like a good idea by me.

[fluter]

Getting rid of all the state and province sections sounds like a good idea by me.

Me, too, if it would help performance. I'm willing to contribute research, skull sweat, and modest software skills to finding something better for consideration of the software wizard(s).

I routinely check postings in 5 US states, so I would enjoy having some method for keeping current in the same way. That is, I live in South Carolina, rather close to neighboring states Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee; so I like being able to lurk and keep up with events nearby.

A simple distance criterion would do just as well for 97% of my reading. The other fraction is locales where I might find myself every couple of years, but involving air travel and long-range planning.

[BEEDEE]

Getting rid of all the state and province sections sounds like a good idea by me.

We are considering replacing the individual states with regions. The US Census uses this map:

Would that work for most?

Brian

[ccga3359]

We are considering replacing the individual states with regions. The US Census uses this map:
Would that work for most?

Brian

Wouldn't work for me, Canada is not yet the 51st state! I think most kilt nights are with small groups that have named themselves, like SOKS, DEKS, SEKS, NOR-CAL etc... I've always Pre-faced my kilt night announcement with "SOKS" then the additional info like date, town or establishment. Then only those people of SOKS and those interested in putting their comments would easily find it, open it, read it. Each group doesn't need a forum, nor does each state and province or region. If all were prefaced with the group name, they could all go in a "Kilt Night" forum, deleted after 3 months from original post. Would that not be tidier and save on bandwidth?

[Dixiecat]

Regions are indeed a good way to group the US states seeing that there are quite a few of them.

Canada of course would have it's own section broken into East, West and Maritimes? West is all the provinces from the Pacific to Manitoba, East is Ontario and Quebec, Maritimes are the provinces east of Quebec. Oh, and include a section called Territories, for obviously, the territories. Then the other sections as already done seems good.

Putting the name in the title is nice suggestion Grant, but how many know what group or region they stand for unless they're already members?

I'd be glad to lend my hand Steve, but it will take a week or so. The original sections weren't that bad actually. Can you maybe put them back that way until it you've got a working tree? Not counting the country sections though, that one you can change..

[ccga3359]

Putting the name in the title is nice suggestion Grant, but how many know what group or region they stand for unless they're already members?

Why thank you, not often around here that someone notices that I'm not a speed bump. A sticky in "Kilt night forum" could easily direct newer members of "kilt societies" in there area.

e.g. SOKS (Southern Ontario Kilt Society) is a group that meets roughly every month for drinks and get together in various towns around the Southern Ontario, and Western New York area. These kilt nights are open to anyone with an interest in kilts, kilt not mandatory. Those interested in setting up a kilt night in their area is advised to preface a post with "SOKS" to gain the attention of thirst members in the nearby vicinity.