Notice on the use of Beginners Forum

[penfolderoldo]

It isn't a case of "going with the flow" its a case of getting members (and not all of them new either) to post in the correct places on the site. No different than using any other forum structure and software. Locks only come out to repeat offenders since its unfair to expect mods to continue to move threads when the member has had more than enough reminders/time to know better.

As for the section, sure it gets a lot of views, but a large number of the regular site members already surf the site in "new posts" rather than section by section - so the post views isn't that much of a factor.

Alright here's my input. Ditch the nikon/canon/Sony sections. Simplify the damn site by having ONE equipment section. One beginners C&C/Technical questions section, one advanced version of the same thing. The subsections for film, and macro are understandable. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few other ones that are good too (business district, photo galleries, etc).

This site simply has WAY too many subsections. Organization is good, but the large amount of subsections divides your user base a bit too much, meaning that the person who can help with a question may very well not ever see it. So what happens? Well, we all know that the beginners forum gets the most traffic so we post there because it's the only chance of getting a reasonable amount of answers.

You want people to post in the correct sub-sections? Cut the site down to 10 or so subsections, with better (clearer) descriptions of what should go in them, and people will actually use them. Right now, it just takes too long to dig
Through the list and find a fitting subsection.

I've been using the site for over a year now, and it takes me a while to dig through the list and find a proper subsection. I can only imagine how a new member, still learning the layout of the site must feel.

Absolutely spot on. Reduce the sub sections and everything will find it's own level, and will hopefully reduce your jobs as mods - ie you should end up shifting loads of wrongly-placed posts.

 

[12sndsgood]

could always just ditch the beginners section and let everyone just post in the subsection that fit. well once the subsections are streamlined a bit. any other site im on if someone posts something in the wrong section the mods always just move it to the proper section. that doesnt seem to happen here.

 

[Overread17 5]

any other site im on if someone posts something in the wrong section the mods always just move it to the proper section. that doesnt seem to happen here.

Um we do move things A fair bit
However that isn't an excuse for members (esp those who have been on site for a good while) to just put things in the wrong places and expect mods to move them around all the time

 

[bennielou]

could always just ditch the beginners section and let everyone just post in the subsection that fit. well once the subsections are streamlined a bit. any other site im on if someone posts something in the wrong section the mods always just move it to the proper section. that doesnt seem to happen here.

Sounds like my boys. They throw crap all over the place, and thought it was my job to pick up after them.

 

[12sndsgood]

any other site im on if someone posts something in the wrong section the mods always just move it to the proper section. that doesnt seem to happen here.

Um we do move things A fair bit
However that isn't an excuse for members (esp those who have been on site for a good while) to just put things in the wrong places and expect mods to move them around all the time

i do agree its not an excuse. but when things go so far and it gets to the point that the majority of members actually tell you to post in the beginner section because you will get more responces. that just tells you that the problem is way out of hand. see about shrinking the amout of subsections and just do away with the beginners section. any question in the beginner section can be asked in any other subforum.

 

[Overread17 5]

The view that you have to post in Beginners to get attention is a false one - esp since most of the active posting longer term members surf the site in new posts rather than subsection by subsection. Beginners might nab you more views, but its not views its replies that count

 

[12sndsgood]

its not my view. its what has been told to me by more experienced members in a few posts ive made in the proper section.

 

[MTVision]

its not my view. its what has been told to me by more experienced members in a few posts ive made in the proper section.

Most people on here don't just view the beginners forums. They view active/current topics so it actually doesn't matter if you post in the beginners because everyone will see it no matter where you post.

 

[mrpink]

Now that you mention it... I am looking for a new lens for my D90, any suggestions?






p!nK

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

I'm yet to see what is the change that no one likes on facebook. However Google + might just do FB in

Well, I personally will not be subscribing to multiple social networking sites. Maybe Google will take over... After all, they are after world dominance aren't they???

 

[Ballistics]

I'm yet to see what is the change that no one likes on facebook. However Google + might just do FB in

Well, I personally will not be subscribing to multiple social networking sites. Maybe Google will take over... After all, they are after world dominance aren't they???

I would imagine so. I mean, it's the next/newest thing that will eventually take over. I believe it's the same scenario with facebook/myspace. I used myspace and was one of the last of my friends to make the transition to facebook... I have a google+ account just because I have a gmail account, which is attached to flickr and I had myself a look around. Google+ is just like facebook with subtle changes that I prefer. The syncing ability that google+ has is huge and you have everything together. Convenience will do facebook in, and it's funny too because facebook is convenient.

 

[Derrel]

Canon - for Canon specific questions (note section is split into lenses, accessories and general)

Nikon - for Nikon specific questions (note section is split into lenses, accessories and general)

Sony - for Sony specific questions (note section is split into lenses, accessories and general)

I think the various brand-specific fora need to be split up a bit more. Maybe have Lens caps, 49mm-58mm, Lenscaps 62-77mm, and Lenscaps Over 77mm to 122mm. Also add a Manufacture's Flash section, as well as an aftermarket flash section, plus Radio Frequency and Infrared Flash Triggering sub-sections. The ***more*** subsections there are, the more the responses will be uh...well, uh...compartmentalized.

There also needs to be a Polarizing and Neutral Density Question Section, as well as a camera-maker neck strap vs aftermarket neck strap sections, so that would be Canon, Nikon, and Sony straps, then the various aftermarket straps, for a total of four sub-sections devoted to neckstraps.

Sound good? I mean "Canon accessories, Sony accessories, and Nikon accessories" just does not seem to be specific enough. By adding lenscaps, filters, flashes, and neck straps, in BOTH camera-maker versions AND aftermarket versions, the accessories sub-categories will be totally blanketed, and each and every question will have its proper place, and there will be a proper place for every question!!! Just like in the military!

 

[2WheelPhoto]

May I please suggest a pocketwizard section too

 

[Overread17 5]

Canon - for Canon specific questions (note section is split into lenses, accessories and general)

Nikon - for Nikon specific questions (note section is split into lenses, accessories and general)

Sony - for Sony specific questions (note section is split into lenses, accessories and general)

I think the various brand-specific fora need to be split up a bit more. Maybe have Lens caps, 49mm-58mm, Lenscaps 62-77mm, and Lenscaps Over 77mm to 122mm. Also add a Manufacture's Flash section, as well as an aftermarket flash section, plus Radio Frequency and Infrared Flash Triggering sub-sections. The ***more*** subsections there are, the more the responses will be uh...well, uh...compartmentalized.

There also needs to be a Polarizing and Neutral Density Question Section, as well as a camera-maker neck strap vs aftermarket neck strap sections, so that would be Canon, Nikon, and Sony straps, then the various aftermarket straps, for a total of four sub-sections devoted to neckstraps.

Sound good? I mean "Canon accessories, Sony accessories, and Nikon accessories" just does not seem to be specific enough. By adding lenscaps, filters, flashes, and neck straps, in BOTH camera-maker versions AND aftermarket versions, the accessories sub-categories will be totally blanketed, and each and every question will have its proper place, and there will be a proper place for every question!!! Just like in the military!

Hmm not bad ideas, but we'll roll out the "Artists only" "Fanboys" and "Fangirls" groups first

 

[vtf]

I have to laugh at all the complaints about Facebook, every time they change something. I really don't think that a billion dollar company has 'killed itself' because they made a few minor changes.

I agree, and these complaints are coming from the same people that are updating their computers every year or have to have the 5th Iphone in 3 years. If it's techonology, it'll update tomorrow.