How should XMTS grow and improve?

**Cynthia** · 11th March 09, 02:00 PM

I don't think we should add too many more sections, although I do have to admit, I would love a re-enactor/historical spot if we do end up adding something

I use the "new posts" feature to keep up with all of the newest threads, but too many sections and links all on one page might make it hard to really find everything. I think having collections of threads and links together in certain posts like a few folks mentioned would be great, as well as some more articles too.

I don't mind discussions, but I think careful wording and understanding can go a long way. I've seen some of the discussions that get heated on this board and I can see everyone's point.

Aside from a little organizing and setting things up for easy access for folks looking for specific information (aside from just using "search" I mean), I think this board actually is pretty good as-is. It's never going to be perfect and you're never going to please everyone. You'll also always have disagreements and some pretty heated discussions. You just have to take what you need from that thread and make your decisions based off of it.

I do agree that having the chance for everyone to come together and discuss the board's future in a thread like this is wonderful. It is nice to occasionally take a look and see if there can be any improvement made or just keep going as is.

**JRB** · 11th March 09, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Cynthia

...I use the "new posts" feature to keep up with all of the newest threads, but too many sections and links all on one page might make it hard to really find everything...

Actually, I have to respectfully disagree with you. Here's why: I use the "new posts" feature to keep up with what I missed as well. No matter how many forums or subforums exist (or are are added), I'll end up with the same number of threads to look at if I click the "new posts" button. Using that feature I can see every new post on all forums and subforums since I last visited X-Marks regardless of which forum it was posted. That allows me to thoroughly scan X-Marks without bothering with individual forums or subforums. In fact, I've never looked at individual forums as long as I've been here. If a thread is interesting to me, I'll look at it regardless of where it's posted. So, the names and number of forums on X-Marks The Scot is completely irrelevant to me. I'll bet a lot of us peruse X-Marks the same way.

**Sylvain** · 11th March 09, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by JRB

If a thread is interesting to me, I'll look at it regardless of where it's posted. So, the names and number of forums on X-Marks The Scot is completely irrelevant to me. I'll bet a lot of us peruse X-Marks the same way.

I do.

**pastorsteve** · 11th March 09, 04:53 PM

[QUOTE=JRB;686004]Actually, I have to respectfully disagree with you. Here's why: I use the "new posts" feature to keep up with what I missed as well. .......................QUOTE]

Okay JRB I'm sure you're a big boy so I'll use you to pick on for this one. These threads get heated because of posts like this (

). Now easy JRB.

YOU CAN'T DISAGREE WITH SOMEONE'S 0PINION. You can state your position, or post an opinion - but someone's opinion is exactly that - their opinion.

From my point of view, in my opinion.... yes. But it's generally not a debate - it is someone's opinion and that's why some of thes threads become heated because some folk feel that their opinion is being disregarded or stomped on. Let's let everyone say what they like and just respond in our own way - not demeaning or discounting someone else's view.

Okay - now let's have it.

**Cynthia** · 11th March 09, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by JRB

Actually, I have to respectfully disagree with you. Here's why: I use the "new posts" feature to keep up with what I missed as well. No matter how many forums or subforums exist (or are are added), I'll end up with the same number of threads to look at if I click the "new posts" button. Using that feature I can see every new post on all forums and subforums since I last visited X-Marks regardless of which forum it was posted. That allows me to thoroughly scan X-Marks without bothering with individual forums or subforums. In fact, I've never looked at individual forums as long as I've been here. If a thread is interesting to me, I'll look at it regardless of where it's posted. So, the names and number of forums on X-Marks The Scot is completely irrelevant to me. I'll bet a lot of us peruse X-Marks the same way.

I do this too, but I have also seen some people wonder about a specific subject or link they're looking for and don't see it because there is a lot of stuff to look over.

**JRB** · 11th March 09, 06:18 PM

[QUOTE=pastorsteve;686019]

Originally Posted by JRB

YOU CAN'T DISAGREE WITH SOMEONE'S 0PINION. You can state your position, or post an opinion - but someone's opinion is exactly that - their opinion.

This just seems argumentative for the sake of arguement so I'll say my piece and move on...

Actually, I absolutely can disagree with someone elses opinion. People have been doing that for as long as opinions have been publically stated. I can't disagree that someone has an opinion (and I would never presume to disagree that someone has a right to state said opinion), but I can and will disagree with the opinion itself if that's my conclusion.

**JRB** · 11th March 09, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Cynthia

I do this too, but I have also seen some people wonder about a specific subject or link they're looking for and don't see it because there is a lot of stuff to look over.

That's for sure. And the X-Marks forum is divided into many less subforums than some other online forums I look at. Maybe a better search function could be dreamt up. I know nothing about the technical side of making a forum but I'd bet there are updated search features available.

**turpin** · 11th March 09, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by RockyR

Your question about 'how to use the bathroom while kilted' has been addressed and is already in the tutorial section about 2/3 the way down the page:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/u...x.html?t=28856

I think the fact that so many people (not just sathor) have questions about things that ARE already in the tutorials section speaks to the fact that perhaps they aren't 'visible enough' or easy enough to find... or maybe people just aren't looking.

BTW... when it comes to chairs I have some words of wisdon to impart: Hot leather car seats and cold metal bleachers are NOT your friend.

I'd agree that a FAQ section would be a welcome resource for newbies. I would suggest that where a FAQ is addressed by an existing tutorial, that a short summary answer to the question reside in the FAQ section with a link to the tutotial. Conversely, if a question rises to the level of FAQ and doesn't have a tutorial, perhaps a relevant tutorial could be solicited from appropriate forum experts. Perhaps also when a newbie registers, part of the registration process could include an INVITATION (not requirement) to visit the FAQ page prior to asking general questions about kilting.

**CameronTaylor** · 11th March 09, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by JRB

Maybe a better search function could be dreamt up. I know nothing about the technical side of making a forum but I'd bet there are updated search features available.

Now that would be an improvement, the search function is difficult at best - argumentative at worst.

CT - and an anti-hypocrisy clause

**Robinhood** · 12th March 09, 10:13 AM

I would like to see the Title field shortened, and a Description field added (with a smaller font, but a lot more characters). This way, we could get a better idea while looking through the list of those posts that are of interest. The little hover thing doesn't really work that well, and it is slow.