*** Motors Forum Changes ***

Seth Brundle

It has been proposed that due to the increase in traffic to the motors forum that some changes be made to the structure of the forum.
What are people's thoughts?
I reckon that due to the nature of some of the common threads the following ccould be adopted:
* a 'legal' area would be handy - somewhere where people could ask about licences, VRT, tax, insurance, etc.
* a mechanical secition
* a general motors chat forum to take everything else

These I guess would run in parallel to the classic cars, modded motors and the bikes forums

Owen

It's an excellent idea kbannon, we could certainly use the Mechanical, and Legal forums! Trust me, as an admin on my own site (miniclub.ie), the more forums you can break things down into, the better it is for users in the long term.

wba88

Gr8 idea it would sort it out big time.

SoBe

nice idea,wonder could you arrange a garda bashing one also

Hal1

SoBe wrote:

nice idea,wonder could you arrange a garda bashing one also

Yeah, as a sub form and you could put roadrage in there too .

Great idea

Alun

How about a 'fog light' subforum and a 'can I drive unaccompanied on my first provisional' subforum .. that should remove about 90% of traffic from the main part of the forum

jayok

Can I also suggest an "Alfa - Opinions Please?" forum

Don't know about the sub-sections you suggest. It could be that people just simply throw everything into the General forum anyway as people will want to see the most about of views. Some other options:

Motors - Buying / Reviews / Pictures
Motors - Road Rules / Licenses / Tax
Motors - Mech Help (mechanics, etc)

Actually at this stage you could move the "What I saw today thread" into it's own forum!

CrowdedHouse

It's grand the way it is.

The less clicking you have to do on the slowest website in world the better

layke

kbannon wrote:

* a 'legal' area would be handy - somewhere where people could ask about licences, VRT, tax, insurance, etc.

KB, I think from viewing quite a few threads here that this could be an all-in-one sticky. That way people can 'tap the sign' when asked one of the usual questions. I'm not opposed to the legal side of things but surely the legal discussion forum would happy to get that traffic?

* a mechanical secition

Agreed.

* a general motors chat forum to take everything else

These I guess would run in parallel to the classic cars, modded motors and the bikes forums

Sounds good

crosstownk

I think it's a good idea. It'll be a little more hassle having to visit each individual forum, but at least the more recent posts will be on page 1 in most cases.

And I'll be able to conciously avoid the ever recurring 'fog lights' threads!

I'd suggest:
1. Driving behaviour / Rules of the road and related issues.
2. Buying, Selling, Reviews and Opinions on makes & models.
3. Mechanical problems & Advice.

Thats my 2c.

saobh_ie

CrowdedHouse wrote:

It's grand the way it is.

The less clicking you have to do on the slowest website in world the better

Seconded. Having to check Motorbikes and Motors is a pain in the tits.

kippy

Not sure about splitting the forum up would be a good idea-would definetly be a harder option to moderate but thats not my problem.

The first thing I would recommend is a "Bad Beats" sticky thread. For use by all of those who get caught breaking the law and admit to such, but try to garner some sympathy from others.

Then a sticky containing links to all relevant motoring websites, categorised into legal links, paperwork (licensing laws, insurance laws, driving test details)links,buying/selling links, Car review websites, misc. This or perhaps a FAQ which would use those links for more information.
Apart from that, those two things would definetly add to the forum.

Kippy

Vexorg

I think legal may give the wrong impression, to the topics to be discussed, Jayok suggestions seems to fit well.

Regarding the slow servers, we are looking at new hardware which will help the problem, but with a database holding in excess of 5.5 million posts, close to 30,000 unique visitors every day, and over 3000 new registrations last month alone its hardly surprising that the existing hardware is feeling the pressure.

Finally breaking the forums down into sub forums will not add any noticable extra load, no more than clicking to the next page of threads

cormie

CrowdedHouse wrote:

It's grand the way it is.

The less clicking you have to do on the slowest website in world the better

Yeah, I'd have to agree. Less is more and all that;)

When I click into the motor forum, I can see things from all these categories that would interest me and I might read/reply, but if they were put into sub forums, I probably would never go into the "legal" or mechanical forum, unless I need help, where as now if I see someone ask a question in the main motor forum, I'm much more likely to answer because I see it being asked, but I'm not going to navigate somewhere to see if anyone is asking questions.

In fact, I'd be a lot less likely to visit the motor forum over all as I have no real interest in any of the individual topics, but just them all as a whole.

Dades

CrowdedHouse wrote:

It's grand the way it is.

The less clicking you have to do on the slowest website in world the better

Seconded again (thirded?)...

If they are to be split though don't forget a "High Horse" forum for those don't so much drive, as sit atop a large nag.

Gary ITR

cormie wrote:

In fact, I'd be a lot less likely to visit the motor forum over all as I have no real interest in any of the individual topics, but just them all as a whole.

I agree with that

franksm

I'm in the "keep it as it is, especially because of the post-lunch-slowdown response times on the site"

Mc-BigE

What about "Good/Bad Motor Dealer" forum:D

or is that just Mad....?


also, "Why can't i sell my car for the same as i paid for it" forum
"How can i avoid paying VRT" forum

ninty9er

Might I suggest a "what should I buy" sub forum

One drawback is that the traffic slowdown in the main forum could lead to less people seeing questions which they might be able to help with

BrianD3

IMO things should stay as they are. Get rid of most of the stickies and moderate threads as they appear. If there are 5 separate fog light threads started in the space of one day then maybe merge them. Otherwise let posters rant away even if the same topics keep cropping up regularly.

I have seen forums on other sites broken up into sub forums and it often destroys any "atmosphere" that was in the original forum. Personally I don't enjoy browsing through several half empty forums to see if there are any threads that interest me. I don't think there is enough traffic on the motors forum to justify breaking it up into more subforums.

As for a mechanical/technical sub forum, I don't see the need as if people have complex mechanical questions to ask they'll get better advice in a forum specific to their car or in something like uk.rec.cars.maintenance (google groups)

mike65

K, you'll be moving threads to beat the band!

Mike.

_Kaiser_

BrianD3 wrote:

IMO things should stay as they are...

I have seen forums on other sites broken up into sub forums and it often destroys any "atmosphere" that was in the original forum. Personally I don't enjoy browsing through several half empty forums to see if there are any threads that interest me.

I agree with this. There's plenty of examples of this on Boards already. My vote is to keep things as they are and maybe add another moderator if the need is there.

Captain Slow IRL

excellant idea - especially "mechanical" section

Hotblack Desiato

CrowdedHouse wrote:

The less clicking you have to do on the slowest website in world the better

It's always fine for me (I use Opera and I usually have loads of tabs open at once). Turn off javascript, this makes a huge difference. You lose the top nav but can subcribe to the forums you're interested in and get to them from the user control panel.

As regards the point of this thread, I think a "Cars" forum might be a good idea for the what should I buy/how do I fix/what I saw today stuff.
I'm interested in general motoring issues but not the car-specific stuff, just as most car drivers are not interested in the bike-specific stuff in the Motorbikes forum.

ballooba

Might I suggest a seperate Big Nelly forum?

biko

Mechanical subforum ftw
Sticky (another one ) for legal, to start with.

peasant

I'm quite happy with the way things are. You get more variety this way and might read articles that you wouldn't exactly look for otherwise (and sometimes actually learn something new while doing so)

A few less stickies to create more room on the first page would be good though ...and, of course, a motorhome/campervan subsection

mike65

A sticky forum?

Mike.

Seth Brundle

I was literally going to post about the stickies just now - great minds and all that!!!
Anyhow, I am finishing off a new charter and will include links to the current stickies in it.

Wishbone Ash

peasant wrote:

a motorhome/campervan subsection

Yea, a subsection in Travel and Holidays. :D:D

C Fodder

Please don't split it as the mix of topics is what keeps it popular.
Just my 2c.


on second thoughts maybe a high horse forum isn't such a bad idea.......:p

Our man in Havana

May I suggest that any legal forum have a rule prohibiting posts like "You should take the points" and "the Gardai are great and are never wrong" etc.

SouperComputer

How about 3 Subs:

Buying\Selling\Importing
Mechanical\Technical\Maintenance
Road\Traffic Discussion

Oh and add this to the stickies

I wouldn't touch the word legal with a barge pole and be sure that it is empahsised as a discussion forum. The last thing we need is some muppet getting advice from the mechanical board regarding brakes for example, having an incident and trying to blame\sue boards.

Our man in Havana

Instead of legal call it Traffic law discussion?

_Kaiser_

ballooba wrote:

Might I suggest a seperate Big Nelly forum?

I wholeheartedly endorse this event and/or product!

DanThe

BrianD3 wrote:

I have seen forums on other sites broken up into sub forums and it often destroys any "atmosphere" that was in the original forum. Personally I don't enjoy browsing through several half empty forums to see if there are any threads that interest me. I don't think there is enough traffic on the motors forum to justify breaking it up into more subforums.

My opinion too. I don't think there would be enough activity in the seperate forums and it would die a slow painfull death.... It's been quiet in here lately anyway.

mike65

Says the man with 13 posts!

Mike.

colm_mcm

mike65 wrote:

Says the man with 13 posts!

Mike.

Maybe he's going for quality...

Fey!

colm_mcm wrote:

Maybe he's going for quality...

Here? Surely not!!!

I think that the removal of a few stickies is a very good idea, as they are a PITA.

I also have to agree with several others about splitting the forum - the number of people subscribing to motors may well drop, and those genuine people looking for advice may lose out as a result.

Good idea about merging all the foglight and bad garda threads, though!

crosstownk

I'm in favour of splitting them - but I do see the points that others make for keeping the forum as it is. Either way I'm not really bothered, but given the choice I'd like to see a seperate 'Mechanical' section.

Any sign of a decision yet, kb?

testicle

Leave it as it is

_Kaiser_

Maybe add a poll? Although the majority opinion (which I agree with) seems to be leave things as they are from what I can see..

JHMEG

And a "what BMW should I buy" section? Seems to come up often enough.

Interceptor

JHMEG wrote:

And a "what BMW should I buy" section? Seems to come up often enough.

Ooh, ooh, can we have a sticky for 'What Hyundai should my dad buy?' he had a Fiat but had to keep fixing it (his names Tony BTW) and now he wants something not too powerful in a neutral colour and without lots of extras to 'go wrong'. Some day I hope my dad will let me get driving lessons in it but until I am thirty he says I can't. What about a Skoda or are they still rubbish like Ladas used to be? When I grow up I want a 316i like Damien down the road - he is so cool and he doesn't give a toss about the environment with his huge engine and electric windows...

unkel

Leave it the way it is. Same arguments as BrianD3 and peasant, except I'm not in favour of a caravan / campervan / motorhome subforum

Interceptor

unkel wrote:

Leave it the way it is. Same arguments as BrianD3 and peasant, except I'm not in favour of a caravan / campervan / motorhome subforum

I have a caravan and would like to discuss important issues with like-minded individuals in a non-judgemental forum, away from jeering numbskulls and boy racers.... Oh, I see what you mean.... Eh - ok then, I agree with unkel and anyone who said leave it the way it is.

Apart from a sticky for funny Youtube links with relevant Irish motoring videos showing loonies speeding away from midlands Gardai in diesel Puntos. Have you seen the Gardai in Tullamore have a Yaris? Try and catch me now yis feckers...

'cptr

green123

no split
leave as is

JHMEG

Interceptor wrote:

Ooh, ooh, can we have a sticky for 'What Hyundai should my dad buy?' he had a Fiat but had to keep fixing it (his names Tony BTW) and now he wants something not too powerful in a neutral colour and without lots of extras to 'go wrong'. Some day I hope my dad will let me get driving lessons in it but until I am thirty he says I can't. What about a Skoda or are they still rubbish like Ladas used to be? When I grow up I want a 316i like Damien down the road - he is so cool and he doesn't give a toss about the environment with his huge engine and electric windows...

WTF was that about?

mike65

That was Interceptor that was! He has a point there are too many stickies...ahem!

Mike.

Sandwich

CrowdedHouse wrote:

It's grand the way it is.

The less clicking you have to do on the slowest website in world the better

Agree also. Its easier to browse a wide range of posts from one page rather than scanning through categories. If anything I would prefer the Classic and Modified Cars sections integrated into the main Motors board.

(I dont find the site slow though??)