could LAB start a 2nd forum ?

[swooshdave]

If you look through the Commando forum every single thread is on topic: Commando (aside from the joke thread that snuck in). I'm not sure what more you could ask from a diverse group with a common interest?

I second the request for a Build forum, but it's not like there are that many of those going at one time. I think about 5 or so are being regularly updated now and those drop off as the bikes get completed.

The Norton section on BritBike is dying off, but it tends to be much more technical. INOA is ok, for a mailing list. Doesn't seem like there are too many other options.

I think everyone here likes the way this forum is as it is.

[pvisseriii]

Lynxnsu, I certainly feel you frustration. Some seem to rattle on and make it their own and others chime in with very good advice. A technical/specific problem related forum may seem a little dry to some but as a Norton owner I really see the need.
Seriously I relax by the fireplace with a good Technical manual while wifey reads Steven King. Both can be frightening.
Anyhow, I would welcome a purely service type forum with pictures as needed for clarification.

Perhaps a "Restoration" forum would clear the way. I know it would draw interest.

I know, how about a Hobot/Swooshdave forum. That would clear a ton of useless garbledeegoop. You could also put it on a separate server and reduce the possibility of system crashes.

[ludwig]

I don't know if this is possible , but it would be nice to have a tech section , with the most relevant posts about topics that come up all the time ,
Or with generally accepted fixes for typical problems , like layshaft bearing , isolastic replacement , ignition timing , Amal tuning ..
Someone using the search function would first be directed to these threads .
Just out of curiosity , I did a search for " Boyer " and got over 900 results for last year alone .
If next week someone wants advice about troubbleshooting his analogue Boyer , and you can bet your ass someone will , I for one am certainly NOT going to reply . (I believe we have an expert somewhere in Oregon ?..) . Neither on questions about headsteadies , wheel bearings , crankcase ventilation , valve seal replacement , fork seals , etc .. Many of these subjects have been discussed to death ..

[highdesert]

I vote for no change of any kind!

I think things are great here.

Perfectly structured and moderated right now.

Just as much fun as "before". There are no good old days, those days are here and now.

[rick in seattle]

I really don't understand this complaint (speaking as an old guy with toys). A typical day on the forum offers 10-12 new posts on a variety of subject classes, but all concerning Commandos. Even these tired eyes can scan the new postings list in a few seconds. Many of us work through our renovations with the help and encouragement of the forum members, and proudly post the result when the bike is completed. I can understand a variety of emotions while scanning the postings list, but pissed-off?

Leave it as it is, Jerry. It's a very successful formula, and it makes my day.

Rick

[swooshdave]

I don't know if this is possible , but it would be nice to have a tech section , with the most relevant posts about topics that come up all the time ,
Or with generally accepted fixes for typical problems , like layshaft bearing , isolastic replacement , ignition timing , Amal tuning ..
Someone using the search function would first be directed to these threads .
Just out of curiosity , I did a search for " Boyer " and got over 900 results for last year alone .
If next week someone wants advice about troubbleshooting his analogue Boyer , and you can bet someone will , I for one am certainly NOT going to reply . (I believe we have an expert somewhere in Oregon ?..) . Neither on questions about headsteadies , wheel bearings , crankcase ventilation , valve seal replacement , fork seals , etc .. Many of these subjects have been discussed to death ..

No mattered how structured and easy to find most people will post their question anyways. It's just the way people are.

[grandpaul]

I don't know if this is possible , but it would be nice to have a tech section , with the most relevant posts about topics that come up all the time ,Or with generally accepted fixes for typical problems , like layshaft bearing , isolastic replacement , ignition timing , Amal tuning ...headsteadies , wheel bearings , crankcase ventilation , valve seal replacement , fork seals , etc .. Someone using the search function would first be directed to these threads

I had the admin guys at TriumphRat.Net create a "tech sticky thread" section, "Member bike photos" section, and a "Member's project" section for the classic, vintage and veteran area of the forum, so that those three major typical posts could be easily browsed. I drew the line at attempting to determine how to subdivide all the other posts, it's almost impossible.

No mattered how structured and easy to find most people will post their question anyways. It's just the way people are.

I have to move several posts a day from the "tech sticky thread" section to the general section every other day it seems, even though there is a sticky top thread saying "post general tech questions in the general section". Oh well...

[swooshdave]

I have to move several posts a day from the "tech sticky thread" section to the general section every other day it seems, even though there is a sticky top thread saying "post general tech questions in the general section". Oh well...

The more sub-forums you have the more work for the mods and it's actually harder to find stuff as a member. There isn't even enough traffic here to worry about it yet.

I'm on one forum with 250,000 accounts. That's when you need the hundreds of sub-forums.

[DogT]

Since I'm an old geezer with a restoration thread, I will chime in. Seems to me the header of the thread or the poster will usually be indicative of what it is about. Like I am not interested in Racing, or heave technical stuff beyond my understanding or capabilities, so I mostly just avoid those threads, however, they don't piss me off. There are plenty of threads that get right to the point about the issue and many turn into what works best for a particular person. I find the forum fine for me. Just because there is a heavy metal station on the dial doesn't mean you have to tune it in.

Dave
69S

[grandpaul]

The more sub-forums you have the more work for the mods and it's actually harder to find stuff as a member. There isn't even enough traffic here to worry about it yet.

That's your opinion (about not enough traffic to worry about), but have you scrolled through the pages of old posts in the main section? That's a LOT of pages.

The search function IS a very valuable resource, but adding another subsection or two wouldn't distract (in my opinion), and would actually allow much easier navigation of the various over-arching subjects. Adding a cuople of new sub-forums still wouldn't grow the main forum section listing to more than a single screen full.

I agree that there would be a significant amount of moderator activity needed to go back and move all the appropriate threads (member projects, tech stickies, etc.). I suppose it could begine with just NEW threads, and/or those that members request be moved to the new section...

[marinecommando]

Reading Lynxnsu's post I only have 1 piece of advice... DONT GO THERE!!!!!! Living in England and being ruled by the EU, based in Belguim, and being totaly ruled by our new masters, with more and more, out dated imperialistic dogma from our near nieghbours who have never won anything in their history. They try and change everything that dosent fit into their perfect world. This site is Great!!! And I for one enjoy letting others see what I spend most of my money and all of my spare time on.. Keep posting guys love it..........

[batrider]

I also vote leaving it as-is. I am on the AudioKarma forum also and it is split into so many subgroups that overlap - totally redundant - that it becomes a real pain to read.

I guess I'm one that doesn't object that much to goat stories or kill button threads. There are some on here where I've just decided I will agree to disagree and when I see their posts I know what is coming. Sometimes I learn something though.

Other groups are much more adamant about people not using the search function before posting and it can get downright nasty. There probably could be more sub-"stickies" to help out newcomers but hey, it ain't that bad guys.

[ludwig]

..I'm on one forum with 250,000 accounts..

Now wait a second ...are you telling us that you are on other forums TOO ??.. not with another 3000+ posts I may hope ?
This is the only forum I am on ( apart from Alpineroads ..) and I feel I am already spending way too much time here ..
The day I reach a 1000 posts ..I'm out of here .
It's like sitting in a bar too long : at a certain moment , everything worth saying has been said ( or twice ..) .

[willh]

I realize that I am new here and shouldn't have much say in the way things are run. I like the way ADV does it in orange crush, (KTM big twin section on adventure rider), http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=34. They have a sticky http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137838 with links to all the technical threads that make searching as easy as reading a thread. I'm sure this may be more work for the mod but would probably satisfy most of the need to have another board and keep the character that we have and most enjoy. Personally I don't have much need for the technical aspects of the site but like being able to tap the awesome knowledge and wisdom of the members when the need arises. I come for the character. Otherwise I would only come when I needed something as would others and almost no one would be here when a question needed answers.
My 2 cents

[lcrken]

I'll also vote for leaving the forum pretty much as it is. I don't quite understand the distinction between "technical" threads and build threads. Some build threads have a lot of technical discussion in them, and some don't. There's no way of knowing when you start one whether other listers will post a lot of technical questions and responses, or if they will be more concerned with where you found those original Craven luggage mounts. You certainly wouldn't expect the moderators to sort through and divide them into categories.

My experience with other fourms is that if you add more categories, you'll find "technical" posts turning up in all the categories. One of the prices you have to pay on any forum for finding the info you want is spending some effort sifting through posts. Oh yeah, and learning to use the search funtion.

Forums do tend to eventually attract the fanatics, who sometimes monopolize discussions and hijack every thread with their own personal obsessions, but that's a fact of life in on-line society. You just have to learn whose posts to ignore, and let the moderators take care of the really serious offenders. It's sometimes a fine line between wanting to post about what interests you to excess, versus posting what you think others might enjoy. I suspect a lot of us are guilty of that sometimes, but as long as it doesn't get out of hand, I don't see the harm.

I suppose an FAQ section, with things like Boyers, layshaft bearings, base gaskets, and so on, might help stop seeing the same questions repeated, but then again, it might not. As someone pointed out, many people can't be bothered to do a search before posting. I assume they also wouldn't bother to look at the FAQs. And having one would also be more workload for the moderators.

Must be a slow morning here. I've rambled on way more than I planned. It's that old guy thing again.

Ken