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The way we categorize threads and separate the sections here has been mentioned quite a few times in the replies to the feedback request conversation I sent back in June. I created the image below to make sure everyone is on the same page as far as what's what. I'd like to use this thread to discuss the how and why, ideas, suggestions, etc.
So far it seems we're split about 60/40 on whether we have too many categories or not enough categories. It's always a challenge breaking making relevant information easy to find while keeping the clutter to a minimum. Too few categories and content gets mixed together. Too many categories and site performance suffers, everything gets cluttered, forums/subforums go unused, etc.
Current Categories
I think our current categories are sorted well.
- General Discussion Sections - Self Explanatory
- Legal & Political - Self Explanatory
- Activities & Information - This groups forums related to events and activities, actions.
- Weapon Specific - This groups forums related to specific types of firearms.
- Accessories & Maintenance - This groups forums related to firearm accessories, care, and maintenance, etc.
- Partners & Vendors - Self Explanatory
- Classifieds - Self Explanatory. Once our new classified system is launched this entire section will be reduced into a single forum with subforums (exactly like Resource Guide Discussions is now), greatly reducing clutter. Ads will be sorted and viewed through the classified system interface.
- Resource Guide Discussions - Self Explanatory
- Community - This groups forums pertaining to the Northwest Firearms community.
Current Forums & Subforums
I'm not going to list all of these, just look at the main page
This is where we may need to make some changes. The best recommendation I've heard so far is to create subforums for revolvers and autoloaders below Handgun Discussion and subforums for bolt-action and semi-auto under Rifle Discussion.
We could create additional subforums for other types (such as black powder, C&R, NFA, etc.), but that would further divide information on an already sparse topic (one for handguns, one for rifles, etc).
Another option is to leave these forums as they are but create thread prefixes (bolt-action, semi-auto, black powder, etc.). This would allow people to view threads with a specific prefix (like we do it in the classified section). I mention this more below (which I wrote before writing this paragraph).
Tags & Prefixes
Prefixes can be configured on a per-forum basis. For example, we could configure the Rifle Discussion section to have prefixes for semi-auto, bolt action, black powder, etc. We can choose to make these available to only that section, or other sections as well.
Tags are used to tag similar content (threads, photos, reviews, etc.) so that someone can quickly find all content related to that tag.
When someone creates a thread the system automatically pulls uncommon words from thread titles and uses them as tags. Tags can also be added manually by using the tag box under the large post box.
When viewing a thread you can see the tags below the title.
Clicking a tag will take you to that tags page, which includes a search of all content also using that tag.
Collapse Feature
This month we re-added the collapse feature to categories (seen in the top photo). This allows people to collapse categories they're not interested in viewing, reducing clutter.
Quick Recap
Apologies for the somewhat unorganized nature of this initial post. If I've left anything out or if you guys have any questions be sure to let me know.
Cheers,
Joe
So far it seems we're split about 60/40 on whether we have too many categories or not enough categories. It's always a challenge breaking making relevant information easy to find while keeping the clutter to a minimum. Too few categories and content gets mixed together. Too many categories and site performance suffers, everything gets cluttered, forums/subforums go unused, etc.
Current Categories
I think our current categories are sorted well.
- General Discussion Sections - Self Explanatory
- Legal & Political - Self Explanatory
- Activities & Information - This groups forums related to events and activities, actions.
- Weapon Specific - This groups forums related to specific types of firearms.
- Accessories & Maintenance - This groups forums related to firearm accessories, care, and maintenance, etc.
- Partners & Vendors - Self Explanatory
- Classifieds - Self Explanatory. Once our new classified system is launched this entire section will be reduced into a single forum with subforums (exactly like Resource Guide Discussions is now), greatly reducing clutter. Ads will be sorted and viewed through the classified system interface.
- Resource Guide Discussions - Self Explanatory
- Community - This groups forums pertaining to the Northwest Firearms community.
Current Forums & Subforums
I'm not going to list all of these, just look at the main page
This is where we may need to make some changes. The best recommendation I've heard so far is to create subforums for revolvers and autoloaders below Handgun Discussion and subforums for bolt-action and semi-auto under Rifle Discussion.
We could create additional subforums for other types (such as black powder, C&R, NFA, etc.), but that would further divide information on an already sparse topic (one for handguns, one for rifles, etc).
Another option is to leave these forums as they are but create thread prefixes (bolt-action, semi-auto, black powder, etc.). This would allow people to view threads with a specific prefix (like we do it in the classified section). I mention this more below (which I wrote before writing this paragraph).
Tags & Prefixes
Prefixes can be configured on a per-forum basis. For example, we could configure the Rifle Discussion section to have prefixes for semi-auto, bolt action, black powder, etc. We can choose to make these available to only that section, or other sections as well.
Tags are used to tag similar content (threads, photos, reviews, etc.) so that someone can quickly find all content related to that tag.
When someone creates a thread the system automatically pulls uncommon words from thread titles and uses them as tags. Tags can also be added manually by using the tag box under the large post box.
When viewing a thread you can see the tags below the title.
Clicking a tag will take you to that tags page, which includes a search of all content also using that tag.
Collapse Feature
This month we re-added the collapse feature to categories (seen in the top photo). This allows people to collapse categories they're not interested in viewing, reducing clutter.
Quick Recap
Apologies for the somewhat unorganized nature of this initial post. If I've left anything out or if you guys have any questions be sure to let me know.
Cheers,
Joe