Choosing meaningful subjects - categorization

[Jim Sower]

I like the idea of posts accumulated by subject. If the Cozy or C-A lists were that way, all of the accumulated wisdom on a subject like epoxy or finishing or baffles or interior lighting or instrument lighting would be at my finger tips (I haven't mastered Rick's search engine yet, so I think just adjusting how far back I go on a subject is more convenient). I do keep some archives of my own on stuff of particular interest, but they're awkward since many contain previous posts already saved.

 

My biggest problem with this forum is the lack of subject discipline (also a problem on the other lists, but not as severe IMO). Everyting goes on in the Coffee House. Perhaps if there were a way to move a post to another (more appropriate) area and edit the subject to make it a little more accurate. Of course that would involve someone to monitor these things and do the re-posting, but I believe that by and by folks would self govern better.

 

What would be really nice is if there were a list available of subjects already posted to peruse instead of always making something up on your own. A list of subjects to choose from would eliminate a lot of confusion and vague subjects.

 

How might we make something like that happen .... Jim S.

[unick3]

When John and I set the originally set the forum up we envisioned members posting messages to the appropriate areas. Currently, I think the coffee house does get over used, but with the small number of active members I dont think this is entirely bad.

 

Eventually when we have a lot more activity, I cant start moving threads to the appropriate subject areas.

[John Slade]

Jim,

In case Nick didnt make this clear, it's very simple for the administrators to "drag and drop" complete threads into the appropriate catagory. We haven't bothered with this much yet, but as data accumulates it will be a handy feature.... unless, of course, we can get people to start the threads in the right areas in the first place... then we won't need it.

[Jim Sower]

Don't get me wrong - this is easily the best forum/list format I've ever seen. I never knew such a thing existed, but it's the perfect platform for a forum like ours. It's great for someone to come on board for the first time with a question about which epoxy system to use, or what kind of shop climate control he shoud get and be able to search for the thread on his subject, read up all of the accumulated wisdom and THEN start asking questions. It eliminates all the periodic rehashing of insurance, vacuum bagging, epoxy choices, paint choices, finishing techniques, etc. It simplifies research enormously.

<... we envisioned members posting messages to the appropriate areas ...>

Who wouldn't expect that with general areas pretty clearly defined

 

<... but with the small number of active members I dont think this is entirely bad ...>

It's currently a manageable problem, but a problem all the same. More people could make it an UNmanageable problem. Then it would be too late. I can't help thinking that right about now, you have a manageable number of threads to move/rename etc., a manageable number of members familiar enough with the system to be " easily trainable" and who would follow your lead and help you establish the "culture" of the forum.

 

<... unless, of course, we can get people to start the threads in the right areas in the first place ...>

That probably should have happened, possibly could have happened but sort of didn't happen. I think one useful tool would be a drop down list of all the subjects and threads and sub-threads currently in existence that would be available at post time to be selected for the subject line and thread to post to. That would tend to eliminate multiple threads on the same subject with vaguely similar names, and duplicate threads under different subjects. I haven't thought it out as well as you guys, and I don't know how to make it happen, but I can't help but think now is a real good time to start getting things organized the way you want them to end up - before it gets away from us.

 

I think that if you did it now, the current members would be much more careful where they posted, and newcomers would see a logical "thread/subject tree" when they came on board and fall right in step with the rest of the folks. The occasional errant post could be quietly moved to the appropriate location and everything would kind of straighten itself out.

 

I believe (hope?) .... Jim S.

[John Slade]

>The occasional errant post could be quietly moved to the appropriate location

 

For example.... this one.

This was orginally part of "Forum Existence - Meta Discussion" but it got off track and became a discussion of how to make this forum work better. So... I split it off and moved it over to "forum tips" where it should be.

 

While this is fairly easy to do, I really dont want to spend my time catagorizing posts. I have a plane to finish. I'm sure Nick has better things to do as well.

 

So...Whenever you're about to hit the "new post" or "reply" button, think about what you're about to say. If it belongs under a different catagory, start a new thread in that area with a meaningful subject name.

[ekisbey]

Other forums of similar layout often have a locked thread on the main menu titled "Important: Read this before posting."

 

It lays down the basic rules and etiquette for new members, and can direct them towards FAQs or give them an idea of how to find relevant information without having to start a new thread.

 

Something else that's simple for us to do is politely tell someone the proper category for their thread if they post it in the wrong area before it gets too much attention, or even "move" it for them by starting an identical thread in the proper category/subject and copying the pertinent information.

 

Just a thought.

[John Slade]

Jim Said:

> A list of subjects to choose from would eliminate a lot of

> confusion and vague subjects

 

Here's a list of appropriate subjects I cobbled together from various sources. Someone would have to get into the JAVA code of the forum or do some fairly tedious editing to incorporate a pop-up list, but at least it's a start in text form.

 

accidents

adhesive

air conditioning

air vents

airfoils

aluminum corrossion

aluminum info

angle of attack

anodize

antennae

armpit scoop

auto gas

avionics

baggage

bar cream

bearings

bench seat

boat tail

bondo

books

brake fluid

brakes

cabin air

cabin heat

cabin width

cad files

carbon fiber

cell phone

certificate

C of G

check list

control system

cooling

covers

crosswind

cruise AOA

data plate

deep stall

drag reduction

electric trim

electrics

ELT info

engines

epoxy info

epoxy measurement

epoxy protection

epoxy pump

europe material

exhaust system

exhaust vents

FAA docs

fairings

finishing

fire extinguishing

first flight

flaps

flight reports

flight suit

flox

flutter

foam

fod info

fuel gauge

fuel sump

fuel system

fuel valve

gear up

getting started

glue

gross weight

hard shell

hardware

headsets

heat

heater

hot wiring

icing

ID plate

inspections

instrument panel

instruments

insurance

intercoms

interior

jigs

kevlar

land lights

landing brake

laser point

layups

left stick

lightning

load test

low winglets

machining

maintenance

make or buy

metal fabrication

metal finish

metal plate

metal prep

micro

modifications

mold plexi

molded wings

music

N number

naca scoop

newsletters

noise

nose ratchet

operational costs

oxygen systems

panel

panel lights

parachute

peel ply

performance

pitot heat

pitot info

plans

post cure

pour foam

pre planning

prop bolts

prop fabrication

props

refueling

register

relief tube

repairs

retract gear

retract step

rigging

rivets

roading

safety

sanding

save money

scales

seat support

short canard

software

spar strength

spar tape

stat elect

stick force

strain gage

strake wind

struct test

structures

subaru

suppliers

supplies

taxi test

templates

test fly

throttle quad

tiedowns

tire press

tires

tolerances

tools

trailering

triax biax

turn over

twin eng

v speeds

vacuum bag

vacuum system

ventilation

visibility

vortilons

water leak

wax paper

weight & balance

weight time

weights

wheel pants

wide fuse

wing area

wing bolts

wing test

winglets

workshop