One board for sub 15 minute 5k runners and attractive women, and another board for all the losers.
you really want to be affiliated with runnersworld(and it has the same look as dyestat)?
I like the message board the way it is. I hate it on other websites being so categorized. For me, it takes the fun out of it. I enjoy just opening the message board and seeing what is going on. If you were to categorize, no more than "running" and "secular." When you categorize, people only look at what they care about, potentially letting good threads go to waste. People on TNFnews worry too much about a thread being in the wrong spot. For archiving, I agree there should be some type of categorization, but how long would it be before it went there (2 weeks?, what if it is a never ending thread like "describe your running.")
Louis
i agree with some of the other posters..
the main reasons this board is so successful(active) is that
1. its fairly unmoderated...only the most offensive/inappropriate/off-topic threads get deleted..
and
2. its just a big dump of topics that everyone is exposed to..as soon as ppl lose interest in a thread it quickly falls off page 1....right now it functions like a "most-popular threads" function on a forum with multiple sub-forums..
i have seen a few new forums that take the best of both worlds... all threads are lumped into one, like letsrun, but they can be flagged as pertaining to certain topics. Users can then filter based on the flags if they wish..
Tony wrote:
Is it possible that every thread could show on the "main" board, while threads could also be categorized by the person who starts said thread? That way, if I want to look at training threads, I'll go there, but those threads will also be available for everyone to see as soon as they sign on? That would be my suggestion.
2nd that idea
and also chuck d's running and non-running split idea.
So, basically, the "main" board would have running and then non-running
but they would also have sub-categories
it would be much easier to look for things like 'college running' or 'training'.
As for the categories- don't make a category called "general" these normally end up having 10x as many threads because people are lazy picking categories.
I also worry that creating catagories would ruin the board. wejo, I don't think you were asking for opinions about whether or not to do so, but I'm going to give you my opinion anyhow.
The best analogy I can think of is cable TV. Cable providers sell a package of TV stations to consumers, and in so doing attract a wide variety of advertisers. These advertisers know that, even though only a small number of the 50 or so chanels on basic cable attrack lots of viewers, in a package deal they can reach way more. The product of this arrangement is the existence of chanels like Versus, which could never survive on their own outside of cable.
On the message board, I think the same principle applies. The threads about Webb, Teg, and even Allison Stoke or whoever, attract a lot of viewers to the board, who then in turn may spend a little time contributing to some of the less sexy but still important threads- the ones about injuries, coaching jobs, and training that are less popular but which help make the board a vital part of our sport. I worry that separating the board into sections will kill the exposure the lesser threads get while sandwiched between the more popular ones.
I suppose you could always try the switch and see what happens. Maybe the lesser threads will actually get more exposure once they're not overwhelmed by the more popular ones.
Hope my unsolicited advice helps,
Peter
Weidman wrote:
how about following a similar format to nzrun.com??
They can post their pictures and other things along with their name
also a system where it is not so anonymous would increase the legitimacy of posts
I know on nzrun.com prety much everyone who posts there knows who everyone is
I don't like looking at a jumbled mess of photos, links, quotes, avatars, and smileys attached to a post. A better idea would be to have it where you can click the name of the poster (link) and then see a profile on another page.
This board is unique which might be part of it's immense success.
There will be complaints but I am sure people will adjust to any changes.
I can't believe how many posts are in this thread in like 30 minutes.Anyway, if you have examples of boards you like feel free to post them here or email me.The way I see it the poster who starts the thread would pick the category.And I am up to taking suggestions. This isn't a done deal. I'll change the original post and put a ? in it.
Mr Arms wrote:
i agree with some of the other posters..
the main reasons this board is so successful(active) is that
1. its fairly unmoderated...only the most offensive/inappropriate/off-topic threads get deleted..
and
2. its just a big dump of topics that everyone is exposed to..as soon as ppl lose interest in a thread it quickly falls off page 1....right now it functions like a "most-popular threads" function on a forum with multiple sub-forums..
i have seen a few new forums that take the best of both worlds... all threads are lumped into one, like letsrun, but they can be flagged as pertaining to certain topics. Users can then filter based on the flags if they wish..
2 categories only. One for Registered Users, one not. The best / serious / unspoiled discussions will drift to the first category. The "entertainment" value will still be there in the second category.
Two categories: Running and non-running. No sub-forums.
Wejo,
It is about time you got around to appropriately setting up your board. You need a separate board for the broadsso they can stop bringing down the intellect of the threads they participate in.
Thank You,
NewRD
I also like it the way it is, but would be fine with something like the proposal from "Ask better questions" - I could still look at the ADD "one big glorious mess" view of all topics while some of these OCD anal guys who fret over the precision of their GPS wrist computers can see everything sorted into a hundred neat little subcategories.
Simple is good.
Color-coding threads by topic is a great idea. Sub-forums, terrible idea.
If I have a few minutes, I can go to the board and quickly scan what's on the first page. What I don't want to do is have to click on ten different sub-boards to see what's on the front page of each one.
Wejo. As has been previously posted, thanks for asking.
I have mixed feelings. A large part of the attraction of LetsRun is its current set up. You never know what's going to be there.
Maybe set up various trial boards and see if any get the thumbs up.
This forum is classic. Change will be difficult but is worth it.
THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN:
1. Upgrade to a newer forum software package. Any newer package (such as phpBB/vBulletin) will have a MUCH better search function than the relic that is used right now.
2. I repeat: the search function needs to be improved! I repeat: upgrading to new forum software would fix this problem. Simple as that.
3. Either keep one board or split it up into running/nonrunning. Having too many categories would mean the death of LetsRun.
4. Choose a forum package that allows anonymous posting. You can't get rid of this: it is half the fun of letsrun.
5. Choose a forum package that allows TAGGING of posts. This has been discussed already, but each thread should be able to be tagged. (i.e. "running" "NCAA" "Rexing" "legend") This keeps all the threads visible in one place, but allows the user to see what each is about before wasting an hour reading the whole thread. It breaks posts into subcategories without breaking the board into several forums.
6. Choose a forum package that allows thread rating, where each thread is rated on a scale of 1-5 stars (or some similar scale). This will allow the best posts/threads (regardless of whether they were created by a troll or Henry Rono) to rise to the top. People will be able to have fun on the best threads and ignore the crappy ones.
7. Don't allow pictures, avatars, fancy signatures and stuff like that. Keep it clutter free if possible.
For an example of some of my suggestions. Look to the slickdeals.net forums.
Take this thread:
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=583958
It has a rating (4 thumbs up)
It has tags ("sears" and "apparel")
It has other features (RSS, repuation, ability to edit posts AFTER posting) that may or may not be useful for letsrun.
I'm pretty sure it is vBulletin.
wejo, good luck with your decision.
yetanotherchick wrote:
Two categories: Running and non-running. No sub-forums.
Yes, end of discussion. No sub-categorizing. Even the people who don't want the board changed cannot possibly be hellbent against this: if you want running related stuff, click on that section. If not, then click on the other one. It's that simple, and you wouldn't have to wade through pages of useless threads by 'i love peeps'.
Wejo,
Agree you leave the default page just as it is now timeordered subjects of varied merit and appeal.
Ability to departmentalize a post only to registered members.
So if you make a Running Lifestyle subforum to cover topics like fitting in running and a new city, job, wife, child, dog that only registered can use it stays about on target but the same thread posted by an unregistered name goes on the default or common board only. A Current Topics sub board that is fluid and inclusive IE all the races /events that week or month, death of a Legend, new rules changes/general current events and after it's currentness it gets moved by fiat or popular vote function into another place.
Pure play by play reporting & results section that is day of race(48hours maybe).
Alot of postsand idea rate consideration but most of all the ability of staying the same or as close to the base board now with other things added is important to a lot of posters it seems. This is a unique site and it's appeal my well be just that.
A better search feature that deals with phrases,and poster specific as part of it ie malmo has a post about steeple water jumps that explains inside versus outside is impossible to find now but enter in the new search feature waterjump, steeple and in the author box malmo gets a reasonable number of posts to manually deal with.
While you are doing this Remember NEW COKE !!
http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/newcoke.asp
from Report 103: jpb.com
In spite of their failed idea, Coca Cola did two things right, thus minimising their losses. Firstly, they realised that their idea did not work and dumped the bit that failed which, it is important to note, was the dropping of the traditional Coca Cola, not introducing a new drink. So, they relaunched the original drink.
When an idea looks good and we implement it, it is easy to become overly attached to the idea. When it does not work, and analysis shows that it is unlikely to do so, it is hard to drop the idea. It is harder still when you have invested money in the idea. There is the temptation to hold out in order to recoup your investment. Still, when an idea is not working and evidence shows that it will not start working, it is best to drop the idea and count your losses. Hanging on will only cost more. Imagine the losses to Coca Cola had they stubbornly refused to relaunch the original Coke and had only sold the new Coke.
The second thing Coca Cola did right was to learn from their mistake. They learned how amazingly devoted their customers were to the original Coke. They learned that the flavour of the drink was so sacred, in most people's minds, that they would not change to an alternative – even if the alternative tasted better. Doubtless Coca Cola learned a lot more which they presumably have been implementing in their marketing strategy since.
Indeed, Coca Cola came through their failed idea fiasco so impressively that there have been rumours that it was all a grand marketing campaign. I doubt that is true. But, over the long run, I would not be surprised if Coca Cola gained more from their unsuccessful idea than they lost. But this comes from handling a failed idea very well indeed.
It is a cliché to say that we learn more from our mistakes than from our successes. But it is entirely true. When an idea fails, it is important to learn why. Sometimes it is obvious, as was the case with Coca Cola. Other times it is not so clear. Often, we are too close to an idea to see why it will not work. In that case, it is useful to bring in an outsider to look at the idea and determine what went wrong. With small personal ideas, a spouse, friend or relative can be useful. For big corporate or organisational ideas, a consultant may be necessary
Wejo PLEASE LEAVE THE BOARDS HOW THEY ARE!!!! There is nothing wrong with the current. I only come here because I can get info on everything, not just running which is nice. Also I used to read other boards like runnersworld and dyestat and I feel like they suck compared to this, because, at the time at least, you have to post a question in like 4 different threads to get the answer you want. There are plenty of other mundane sites and if you change this one then you will be exactly like them, boring and average. I think thats what attracts people to this site, and yeah there are some really stupid posts and some trolling going on but that only accounts for like maybe 15% of the time and the other 85% is so much better then effing runnersworld or dyestat or anyother message board.
Thanks