Thread: New Year New Changes - Open to Public Discussion

Ok got a test for you guys to look at. @BenFenner @Kyle @Chriscar @gomba

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Driveline

Method 1:
New Subsection that is a link "Driveline Manifesto". This method lets me link the subsection directly to a single post. Issue is the amount of space it takes up with this "fake subsection".

Method 2:
Stickied thread with link to specific post as the text, Thread: "Sticky: Driveline Manifesto". Sadly I can't create a thread that links directly to a post, at least I haven't found a way. Thus as it stands it would have to be a link within another post.

Opinions, which route is better in your opinions?

I like the look of the 2nd method. However, I think it should be called "Driveline Stickies" or similar. And once you follow the link you should find links to threads that would otherwise be real stickies in that subsection. I don't think linking to The Manifesto is useful or appropriate (right now) for this.

I agree on look, but function wise I do like the first method. If I can have a stuck thread that redirects automatically to a post (not whole thread), then it would be the best way to go.

If we go with manifesto links in each section, I would change how we sort the links within the manifesto itself. As in create posts in manifesto for every section, and move the related thread links to those section based posts.

No dice. The Manifesto stays alphabetical and organized as it is. It is easy to wholesale re-arrange the forum, it's subsections, and whatnot with the forum tools. It is much harder to do that with The Manifesto. Any changes to the forum would require laborious changes to The Manifesto. By design, The Manifesto is not supposed to mirror the forum layout. If it were to do that, it would be redundant. It would basically be a smaller, more concentrated forum within the forum. At that point, you should just be using the forum proper. It exists to give an alternative to those who can't/won't navigate the forum layout with the normal forum tools. It is supposed to be quick and easy for those who can't/don't want to navigate the forum normally (and obviously it isn't supposed to contain every thread in existence).

It is also able to give a much finer grained organization by allowing subsections for even the smallest of topics and it doesn't require an act of congress to add a new section (dedicated brakes section anyone?) or split up a section or merge sections. Where the main forum has no use for a subsection dedicated solely to brake pads, or clutch cables, or fuel filters; The Manifesto can be that specific and that fine grained even if only one or two good threads exists for that topic. Doing all that requires no change to the forum structure, and tying The Manifesto the forum structure severely limits it's flexibility in that way, and again would render it redundant.

So you are wanting one thread within each section that has another list of threads relevant to that section? Like this? http://www.sr20-forum.com/driveline/71766-driveline-information-threads.html

I don't mind this method, but now we have two spots to maintain the links at, at the manifesto and at each individual section. This is why I think linking directly to the manifesto post, that is most relevant to each section, is a better route.

Yes, that is exactly how I was describing it.

Now the admins and mods have a place to put threads they want "stuck" and the list can get as long as it wants (maybe a bad thing?) without cluttering up the forum subsection with a huge list of stickies. Yes it takes an extra click to get to, but I think that price is worth paying.


As for how it interacts with or duplicates The Manifesto... I wouldn't worry about that. That is for me to worry about. Do your thing, and make it easy for forum users. The Manifesto will do it's thing. Ideally, it will also contain links to those threads too, but maybe in some cases it won't. I'll add them as I see necessary (as can you and the other staff if you're feeling up to it) and other folks will post to The Manifesto if some are missing and they will be added. Don't worry about The Manifesto. It will live (or die) naturally as the forum resource it was created to be.

We'll lets see what others say, this is a dictatorial democracy afterall.

I <3 the idea of the Manifesto. It is a tremendous resource for the members that actually use it. It is a constant work in progress that will only age like a fine wine. At the end of the day, though, it is just a thread and it can be massaged into anything we want it to be. Having said that, I don't think changing it to conform to Master stickies or anything related to individual sections is a good idea.

As far as linking specific sections to correspond with relevant sections in the Manifesto (i.e. Turbo -> Turbo), I think that is a great idea. Unfortunately, I believe that you would force the Manifesto to be spread out into many, many separate posts (in order for direct linking) and that would destroy the somewhat compact nature of the Manifesto. We kind of discussed it here.

I like the idea of the Master Sticky for each section and while it may not be the most perfect of ideas, it seems to be the easiest in implementation and the best format (for which to contain specific threads) for each individual section. As @BenFenner stated, having to click one extra time to get to where you want to go is not the end of the world. I like the Master Sticky better than completely fuxing with the Manifesto; I also like the master Sticky idea better than having 10 stuck threads at the top of each section. In fact, I now think I want to cuddle with the Master Sticky idea as it is growing on me as I type. There is also no reason that each forum sub-section couldn't have the Manifesto, the Master Sticky and maybe one or two other stuck threads that should be more visible and therefore receive their own individual stickiness. A wee bit of redundancy is inevitable and not necessarily a bad thing.

On a side note, can I get an Amen on my first post in this thread? More specifically, in regards to having the Manifesto more visible (in the form of a direct link) on the cover page of the forum. Also, in regards to new members being forced to view the Manifesto before being allowed to post in ANY threads. Yay? Nay?

IMO forcing new members to view The Manifesto will never work. We force them through a Terms of Service too, but we all know how good that does. People, by nature, just skip it. For those familiar with forums, they know to look for stickies, and they will find The Manifesto and other resources easily on their own. I'm not sure we can hope for any better.

As for making The Manifesto more visible, I think it is perfect the way it is with the global sticky. Again, those who are used to forums will find it, and those who aren't are a lost cause anyway, and will eventually be shown the way.

That being said, I do find myself looking for it very often, and it does take a while to click a few links to eventually get to it. I hate to say it, but I would make use of a link to it up by the New Posts | Private Messages | FAQ | Calendar | Community | Forum Actions | Quick Links | Forum Rules links somewhere. I have no idea how popular that would be though, so don't do it on my account. How's that for non-committal?

And while we're on the topic, we have two links to the forum calendar up there? One of them should be removed...

@B15NEOVVL Sorry to say Ben has valid points against your points.