It's been pointed out by a number of members that scrolling down to reach content is bothersome.

Some have suggested that by removing the descriptions and the "Popular Threads", leaving only the forum title. This would make things alot easier to navigate the site.

Is this a valid solution to the problem?

 

I think forum description should STAY as it helps newbies go to the right board. However, popular threads should definitely GO, IMO.

 

I'd agree. I don't know why you'd even consider removing the forum descriptions that are there, which likely help newer members find the most appropriate forum to post in. Yes, some are obvious, but not all. Some are important for members to know where to post. As it is, I move (almost daily) posts from the Problems/Help/Suggestions/Comments forum that are vehicle tech questions, as well as general questions from the FAQ board. I suspect removing descriptions wouldn't make that any better.

If the forum descriptions add to some of the clutter, it might be because they contain "Camaro" and "Firebird" throughout all the descriptions unlike before. That does add to the overall length.

I can't think of much benefit for the popular thread listings that Dave added a few months ago. They appeared to have little benefit but to help TGO's rank with the Camaro keyword. Most of the complaints I've seen about clutter have been specific to that feature.

 

The ones that are not straight forward i would leave up or make them more brief. But A LOT of boards are self-explanatory .

Popular Threads need to go...

 

Yes, there are a lot that are self-explanatory forums. But I doubt a great deal amount of room (scrolling down) will be saved by eliminating them. You still have other things such as the moderator user names list and the thread title/date that might line break anyway, so you won't gain all that space back.

The forum descriptions have been there since I can remember, self-explanatory or not. Most websites I visit, and the famous z28 website that is often mentioned here, have forum descriptions, self-explanatory or not. When Dave had lengthened them by adding Camaro and Firebird throughout those descriptions, as well as reworded them, that, along with the popular threads, added to the "clutter" and scrolling problem. Of course the ads did as well but that's a different matter that doesn't have a lot of better options to work with.

 

They never bothered me; I never even paid much attention until this was brought to my attention. One suggestion I have is stating to new members in 40 point bold when that get their membership confirmation is "PLEASE READ AND SEARCH THE BOARDS, MOST QUESTIONS YOU ASK HAVE BEEN COVERED EXTENSIVELY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING OUR COMMUNITY AS YOU ARE WELCOMED HERE AND GREATLY APPRECIATED, BUT THE SEARCH BOARD CAN BE YOUR BEST SOURCE OF INFORMATION.)

 

Keep the descriptions, drop the "popular" threads. Descriptions help the novice feel comfortable on their first few visits to an unfamiliar site. Jumping immediately to a popular thread that started four years ago, as in
(Tech / General Engine: Camaro Engine Pictures)
just doesn't give a warm and fuzzy feeling, nor is it indicative of the forum purpose or content.


A little of-topic, but add a "Search Count (xxx)" to encourage more searches. More informative than: iTrader (0).

Dave

 

I agree that the popular threads have to go...

would it be possible maybe to give an option to members as to hide or display the descriptions, that way the new users can navigate easily and the old ones can go straight to it... im not good with computers so i am not sure if this is an option...

 

The descriptions, in vB's present forum, cannot collapse/hide. As I mentioned above, when you factor in the Moderator user name list, the thread subject and date, those take up some line breaks. Due to the table format, you will not gain a whole lot by dropping the description and popular threads. The popular threads seem like the better bet to drop, and perhaps trim the unnecessary Camaro & Firebird and other filler in the description that wasn't there at one time, and really isn't needed.

 

How about ditching the thread and post counts? Do most people really care how many threads there are as long as they find what they need?

 

Yes, I agree, popular threads are pretty useless. It's just the threads with the most posts ever in that forum? Not really applicable.

Descriptions are valid however. The power adder board desperately needs that to stay

 

it looks like if moving the ads an 1/4 inch to the right would give atleast a 1/4 ince more space without it looking too cluttered, idk im an architect major and always looking for space...

 

The description and Popular threads are all built from the same block within vBulletin. that's why we are limited to show all or hide all from members.

 

oooh. I see, ouch.
Well then, I suppose I have to vote on, they stay.

 

I think there has been some miscommunication here. I think what Dave meant was that you cannot hide one or the other. The description and the Popular threads are entered into the same field. They're not split into different sections.

I don't think Dave's answer was that he can only remove the entire section (both description and popular thread text). I state this because I know it's not correct. Dave had coded the popular threads into the forum description. The popular threads can easily be removed from the descriptions.

 

They do clutter things, the descriptions could probably be turned into mouseovers and the popular threads could be tossed entirely. It doesn't really matter much to me though, because 99% of the time it's only on my screen for a second before I click on "New Posts".

 

Kill the popular threads.

 

If you're a member and you are signed in;
Consider them dead.

Read more here
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/prob...ml#post3125886