forum changes

[SereneReyn]

i realize that all these changes are supposed to be improvements and whatnot, and i absolutely mean no offense to anyone... but i'm highly resistant to change and find them confusing and purposeless. and what's up with all the thread moving? i understand the whys, some of the time. but sometimes a person will post something under a certain thread with a reason as well - perhaps so that it's more visible and might get more responses, for example. or perhaps because it's an issue that isn't necessarily species related, or specific to water parameters, or disease... whatever. some subjects can apply to any tank or fish - regardless of the circumstance up for discussion.

i certainly appreciate the zeal and diligence of all the mods. but i also think that perhaps... maybe... it's a lil overboard. i apologize if i've spoken out of turn, and again, i mean no offense and generally think everyone's doing a great job and genuinely appreciate the time, effort and dedication - it's probably just me (i'm notoriously difficult to please) anyway!

thanks.

[capekate]

Originally Posted by SereneReyn

i realize that all these changes are supposed to be improvements and whatnot, and i absolutely mean no offense to anyone... but i'm highly resistant to change and find them confusing and purposeless. and what's up with all the thread moving? i understand the whys, some of the time. but sometimes a person will post something under a certain thread with a reason as well - perhaps so that it's more visible and might get more responses, for example. or perhaps because it's an issue that isn't necessarily species related, or specific to water parameters, or disease... whatever. some subjects can apply to any tank or fish - regardless of the circumstance up for discussion.

i certainly appreciate the zeal and diligence of all the mods. but i also think that perhaps... maybe... it's a lil overboard. i apologize if i've spoken out of turn, and again, i mean no offense and generally think everyone's doing a great job and genuinely appreciate the time, effort and dedication - it's probably just me (i'm notoriously difficult to please) anyway!

thanks.

Hello Serene
Just thought maybe I can help clear up some confusion that you are having.
I have posted a link below that will take you to the FishLore Forum Rules. They were written in August 2005 and have not changed since. You did not explain what new changes you are talking about that is confusing you, but you did mention Thread moving and I will respond to that and help you with it.
#4 Rule in the list of fishlore forum rules states:
"Please use the search features and see if your question has already been answered. Please use the most appropriate board when posting your question. Navigate to that board and post the topic from that location. This helps keep the place tidy and makes it easier for those looking for answers to their questions."

I will expound further and liken it to going into a library and wanting to find a book on a particular topic. Without a system in place you would have to start on one bookshelf and search the whole library for the book you are looking for. That would be very frustrating and almost impossible.
Personally speaking here, there are very few threads that I would move out of say, the freshwater Beginners board as that does encompass a lot of questions. I did have to move a thread out of the Forum Issues board, that pertained to a fish question and not a forum issue problem. That is an obvious mistake of placing a thread under the wrong board. When moving a thread to the appropriate board, should not be a problem if you would click on the New Posts box, then every new thread and post is included in one list, with the board where it is included in on the right hand side. This gives everyone the chance to look at new posts on a variety of questions and topics without having to go to the particular board.

Forum rule #9 states:
"These rules are very general by design and for a situation not covered under these rules, the moderators are allowed to use their discretion when handling that situation."

I do not believe that the mods, including myself are zealous and on any power trips or trying to confuse folks. Moving threads to the appropriate board should not be considered 'going over board"...
Many topics can include a sick fish.. but may be also asking a question about stocking the tank etc, IMO the beginners board is a good place for this. I would not move it. I would however move a thread that asks about a certain filter..or tank equipment to the appropriate board that handles freshwater equipment etc. and not put it in say.. under a board for fish photos. ( just for example sake)
So all I can really add for advise to newcomers to the forum is to read first, the Fishlore Forum Rules and then from there, look at the first page of the Forum and find the appropriate board that your question should fall under and post the thread there.
It makes everything a lot easier and has been run like this since 2005 when FishLore was formed, long before I came along.

FishLore Forum Rules

[FL CommunityFans]

I do understand where SR is coming from,a s I have felt the same way a time or two. Some parts of the forums simply do not get much activity, others on the other hand are very well used. I know when I first started, I posted a lot in the FW Beginners sections, as I knew I could could a steady stream of answers. If I posted in a specific forum though, posts/answers could be few and far between. I do understand the need to keep things from getting cluttered though.

[Shawnie]

Im lost on all the confusion...whenever I log on, I always just go to "new posts" and ANYTHING new or continued with new answers are listed in the order recieved...hmmm ...if its not a topic either someone doesnt know, or if its not discussed anymore, it goes to the bottom...I think the reason you always see either betta or freshwater beginners threads is because they are the most popular and everyone has questions or topics about those items often

[capekate]

Originally Posted by Shawnie

Im lost on all the confusion...whenever I log on, I always just go to "new posts" and ANYTHING new or continued with new answers are listed in the order recieved...hmmm ...if its not a topic either someone doesnt know, or if its not discussed anymore, it goes to the bottom...I think the reason you always see either betta or freshwater beginners threads is because they are the most popular and everyone has questions or topics about those items often

I agree Shawnie,
Thats exactly what I do when I log on, I just click on the NEW POSTS and I can see all the thread titles without having to go to a specific board and look up a thread there. So its not like someones thread is getting lost in the shuffle, everyone can see the thread title, but a lot to times threads just do not get answered for whatever reason. Ive had threads that I started, and had no responses, its just the way it goes sometimes. Once there is no responses to a thread and new threads get started, the original thread gets pushed back down the page or even to the next page. I just click on the pages and read new thread topics this way, and decide if I want to open the thread and read it.
Its just as easy also to hit the NEW REPLIES as well, and any thread that a person posted in will show up there if a reply has been added to that thread.
It just seems so easy doesnt it?

[Butterfly]

I find using the new post button makes it easier to find topics I'm interested in or able to reply to. Sometimes there are topics I don't know anything about and so I try to direct it to someone who might because I don't want to give erroneous advice.
Carol

[Drea]

Well said everyone! I have a comment that directs a possible reason why some posts get "little" response. IMO it helps to describe (as space will allow) your question in the title for your thread. Using things like...Is it okay?

or what now? Don't know what to do? seem so general. I notice descriptive titles faster. Just thinking outloud......

[Butterfly]

Originally Posted by Drea

Well said everyone! I have a comment that directs a possible reason why some posts get "little" response. IMO it helps to describe (as space will allow) your question in the title for your thread. Using things like...Is it okay?

or what now? Don't know what to do? seem so general. I notice descriptive titles faster. Just thinking outloud......

Very good point! I find myself answering the ones I think I can answer first.
carol

[SereneReyn]

i honestly didn't mean to come across as overly critical, and as i said, i know the 'reasons' behind alot of the changes. i don't think anyone is 'power-tripping'. but i do think that some of the thread moves are inappropriate... and there seem to be ALOT more lately.

anyway, i just wanted to offer my opinion is all - meant no harm, really.

[Butterfly]

Originally Posted by SereneReyn

i honestly didn't mean to come across as overly critical, and as i said, i know the 'reasons' behind alot of the changes. i don't think anyone is 'power-tripping'. but i do think that some of the thread moves are inappropriate... and there seem to be ALOT more lately.

anyway, i just wanted to offer my opinion is all - meant no harm, really.

Thats cool And we want you to be able to able to respectfully express your opinions, which you did. Out of those opinions of yourself and others comes change which makes our site better and better.

but i do think that some of the thread moves are inappropriate... and there seem to be ALOT more lately.

Our site is growing by leaps and bounds. The more threads and posts being made the more we're going to see threads moved and different things done.
Having a post moved or merged isn't a criticism in any way just an effort to see that that post or thread gets the attention it deserves.

(i'm notoriously difficult to please)

No you're not
Carol

[angelfish220]

I never even realized there was a new post button ontill today, if I wanted to answer post I usually went to the freshwater beginners, but now i will use that button.

[Shawnie]

that has been the only button I have ever used ....unless I want to post a new thread, and then I do a search for the topic I want to post about, then hit new thread in that section...

[capekate]

Originally Posted by angelfish220

I never even realized there was a new post button ontill today, if I wanted to answer post I usually went to the freshwater beginners, but now i will use that button.

And if you want to see if anyone has replied to any thread that you had left a post in, all you have to do is hit the "NEW REPLIES" tab, next to the NEW POSTS tab. and then the list of all the threads that you have left a post in will show up on the page. It makes it a lot easier to see it all in one place, rather than search through the different topic boards.

[FL CommunityFans]

Never knew about those buttons myself until they were mentioned here.

I wonder if it's be possible to change the layout so recent posts, etc are at the top of the forum? I had never scrolled all the way down before as salt water and such doesn't really pertain to my keeping or anything of that sort.

[capekate]

Originally Posted by FL CommunityFans

Never knew about those buttons myself until they were mentioned here.

I wonder if it's be possible to change the layout so recent posts, etc are at the top of the forum? I had never scrolled all the way down before as salt water and such doesn't really pertain to my keeping or anything of that sort.

Im not sure that I understand the question FCF? The most recent post is at the top of the forum page when you click on New Posts, regardless of what board the original thread is located in.

[FL CommunityFans]

Originally Posted by capekate

Im not sure that I understand the question FCF? The most recent post is at the top of the forum page when you click on New Posts, regardless of what board the original thread is located in.

I was referring to the bottom of the main forum page, that shows the most recent, active threads. I hadn't seen it myself til this convo broke open.

And I guess I still don't know where/what this "new posts" button ya'll are talking about is? I just click the forum and see which titles are bold and read. I may just be completely clueless also though

[capekate]

Originally Posted by FL CommunityFans

I was referring to the bottom of the main forum page, that shows the most recent, active threads. I hadn't seen it myself til this convo broke open.

And I guess I still don't know where/what this "new posts" button ya'll are talking about is? I just click the forum and see which titles are bold and read. I may just be completely clueless also though

well, thats just the way it is set up, as far as going to the bottom of the main page to see what new posts are there.
BUT.... I can tell you right now where the NEW POST tab is located..
If you are reading this post, then all you have to do, is scroll up to the top of the page.. and you will see a blue bar.. it has tabs that say: SUBSCRIBED THREADS, MY THREADS,MY POSTS, NEW REPLIES, NEW POSTS, UNANSWERED POSTS, GAMES. They all do, just what they imply.
If you click on NEW POSTS, you will come to the list I am talking about.
and then if you want, click on the others and you will see what shows up.
try it and let me know..

[sirdarksol]

First of all, Serene, you have not, in my opinion, spoken out of turn. You've offered a polite, well-stated critique of forum operations.
I mean, we're not going to listen to you. We're tyrants here, if you hadn't noticed. In fact, I expect that we'll randomly modify your posts to say precisely the opposite of the original meaning, just because we're like that.

Anyway, part of the reason, I would guess, that there are more posts being moved is that the forum is getting larger. The larger a forum gets, the more things need to be controlled a bit, or the forum will go entirely out of control. I watched a martial arts forum I was part of fall apart and become a huge flame war simply because the admin didn't want to seem like he was stifling people.
A lot of threads have been placed inappropriately, and even with all of the diligent mods (and then me), it's difficult to keep everything sorted properly. It's very likely that we're getting overzealous because we're trying (perhaps even subconsciously) to get people to start posting their threads in more appropriate places. (A recent discussion regarding a member who claimed that threads were only answered in the "beginner" section comes to mind)

FLCommunity, I'm guessing that Mike will see your suggestion regarding the "10 most recent threads" and take it into consideration (whether or not he'll make a change will be up to him, but he's excellent about taking advice and really considering it).

Glad that people are learning about the "New Posts" button (and "New Replies", for when you're in a hurry and just want to see who has responded to your posts). Sorry that it hasn't been stated before. I wonder if it's suggested in the forum guides at all.