[Rhodes22-list]Rhodes sub-forums

[mputnam1 at aol.com]

Maybe it's just me, and maybe I'm not completely understanding how sub-forums would work ... but one of the things I like about the existing forum is that all topics are covered in one place and I can file the emails (that I want to save for future use) into my own organization system.  I use aol's online service, where I can create as many subfolders as I want.  And it seems the list of subtopics could be quite broad ... which would make navigating the discussions that much more difficult.  Also, it seems many discussions start on one topic and migrate to something entirely different.  How would you handle that?  
 
As an example of how many subtopics are possible (and remember, as someone new to sailing, there are a lot of subtopics I'm trying to learn about), here is my list of subfolders up to this point:

Anchoring, Autopilot, Bilge, Bimini, Boomroom, Cleaning, Cockpit, Docking, Electrical Issues, Engine, Fiberglass, Foam Flotation, Galley, Instruments, Head, IMF, Leaks & Flooding, Lines, Mast, Misc, Rotting Deck, Safety, Sailing Technique, Sails, Solar Cells & Batteries, Stays, Stove, Tiller, Trailer.
 
Some of these would be subtopics of main topics, but I guess my point is that there are countless possible subforums, and I think it would become more confusing, not less, to try and subdivide everything.
 
- Mark P.
 
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Bud <budconnor at earthlink.net>
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Fri, 23 Jun 2006 06:32:11 -0400
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Was Arrrgh, now is Rhodes sub-forums


Dave, 
 wow - a lot of good feedback. Yes, there should be more sub-forums, the question is 
how to organize them without it becoming too cluttered or too hard to navigate and search. 
I suggest a hierarchical structure, where you have general categories at the top level, 
then more specific topics as you drill down. This is possible because sub-forums can have 
their own sub-forums. The key is to make it straight forward and simple. Not too many 
categories and not too few, all well organized. At this point I would appeal to someone 
like Bill Effros who has organized writing skills and more sailing knowledge to suggest 
a second cut at a topic organization. Though, I will take a look at msog.org to see how 
they do it. 
 
On cost, I would wait to see what Michael knows about nabble and how they handle 
storage allotment. Nabble is free, but I don't know if they have storage limits. 
 
I sent a message testing the "Rigging" sub-forum. I would like to see if there 
is a way to have the sub-forum name in the subject line so that you could 
quickly see if the posting is of interest to you. Need to check on that... 
 
-Bud 
 
 
DCLewis1 at aol.com wrote: 
 
>Bud, 
> >A good start but how about the following additional categories: 
> >Misc. 
>Humor 
>IMF ( it’s not sails & it’s not rigging) 
>Lifts/UPP (Would that be under motors? It's really not motors) 
>PTE/Boom Rooms(maybe separate PTE and Boom Rooms?) 
>Trailering/trailers 
> >Where would things like nav lights, GPS, compasses, depth gauges, LEDs, >batts, batt status gauges, auto-tiller’s and tools fit in? Maybe a category for >instruments & lights and another for maintenance? 
> >Where would specific sailing issues be addressed, like anchoring, how to >come about, how much heel is enough? Maybe a topic area for sailing/operating >techniques? 
> >Regarding paying: how much and how often? You might be able to make it run >on donations. Suggested donations from established R22 members would allow >prospects to easily join the list without being immediately hit to support it, >they could support it once they got their boat (perhaps a once/yr >solicitation to the entire list). This lets people get on the list easily to ask >questions when they are deciding what boat to buy. Maybe just acknowledging >donors on the intro web page would be enough to encourage people to support the >website and the list. Whether or not this is approach is feasible depends on >how much $ is needed and how list members respond. I'd respond. 
> >Regarding posting to the list via nabble: how about linking to nabble on the >Rhodes22.org web page, that would make it happen for people like myself. If >you do that, include the category prompts on the Email/Post web page to >facilitate categorization. Regarding the Rhodes22 web page, I've always liked how >the Montgomery board is organized (msog.org), you might take a look at it. >This comment is in no way a hit on the Rhodes board or the people that >support it, it's very good also. > >Dave 
> 
>__________________________________________________ 
>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list 
> 
> 
> > 
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