Build Diaries - Subcategories?

[Ron Earp]

Do you guys want to have subforums underneath the Builders Forum? These would be marqee specific.

On one hand it'd make it easy to find the odd thread or build that isn't very active or has long been completed.

On the other hand it would add more forums and you'd have probably 6-10 subforums for builds - CAV, SPF, RCR, GTD, Tornado, RF, KVA, MDA, ERA, and so on.

What do you think?

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Hi Ron, I think that is a good idea, a lot of questions, ideas etc are specific to certain makes and having them categorized will be a plus.

 

[Dean Lampe]

What would be really cool would be to have sub categories in the threads like for engine, chassis, wiring etc.! Some threads get real long and it can get difficult to find things.

 

[Ron Earp]

What would be really cool would be to have sub categories in the threads like for engine, chassis, wiring etc.! Some threads get real long and it can get difficult to find things.

In the Builders Forum, or do you mean more technical forums?

Ron

 

[Peter Olliviere]

Not that I'm against subcategories but are we approaching the slippery slope here? Do we need to break down each thread into it's component part thus adding to the noise level of catagories. All of us read every build thread regardless of car brand and we take from it what we can apply to our build or needs. Sometimes we read just for the joy of looking at cars. Maybe I'm alone in that I read everything but because I do, I can't see how breaking things down will be of any benefit.

Then you have the concern that sometimes threads are not sequential, much like the build we tend to jump around and do things as they come and that is often reflected in the build thread. Breaking it up would take away from the fel of what the builder was going through.

Just putting in my 2 cents. Peter

 

[Dean Lampe]

I also browse build threads for fun from time to time but usually I am looking for a specific part or application. It is a reference peice for me. I thought it might be easier to navigate some of the longer threads in the builders forum if they had an order to them, subcategories. Just an opinion.

 

[Steve Briscoe]

Subcategories - yes. IMO, it would help to create focus, save time and quicken a search.

 

[Ron Earp]

I might be confused. I would entertain different marquee subforums. That might could help and that is what I was asking about in the poll.

But I am steadfastly against a Builder's Forum that has subforums entitled things like "Engine Build", "Chassis Build", "Body Work", and so on. That is what we have the general technical forums for. I think Dean is asking for this sort of breakdown but that isn't something I would vote for, we have that essentially already.

Ron

 

[Bill Hara]

Ron I don't see the need to have sub-catagories in the builder's forum. Maybe good tech stuff that is posted in the marque forums can be copied to tech forums for general viewing but leave builders forum as is I think..

In an earlier thread there was talk about the validity of non-sponsored manufacturer type forums, should they be removed and the effects on the owners/builders that use them however - that is where type searches should be conducted if you are looking for specific info. For me, build threads are great as you can see everyones efforts without having to dig down into sub-catagories. Most build threads have RCR#... or CAV#.. or MDA#.., so it is easy to search for type if you want to as well.

Leave as is.....

Bill

 

[SteveB]

Build diary threads are of special interest to builders of the same marque, I have certainly gained help, guidance and inspiration from the diaries of same marque builders, others also; the logic of listing them together would be good.
There would be no need to change any of the other tec forum

Steve

 

[Russ Noble]

Ron,

I think it's good as it is, but since you're looking for some work.......

Is it possible for Admins to insert the type eg DRB, Tornado, Scratch etc in the thread title in the cases that it's not shown?

Then a simple search of the Builders Forum, 'Search Titles Only' would bring up all, and only, threads for that type.

Just a thought. Doesn't worry me but could help guys looking to find all brand specific builds without the need to have Sub Forums.

Thanks for your efforts trying to constantly improve the best site of it's type that I've come across.

GT40s.com is invaluable to me, my build would be a real struggle without this forum and help from my new friends on it. I really appreciate your efforts.

Thanks,

 

[Ron Earp]

Well, we're basically about 60/40 now. We're going to need more votes with respect to percentage of members to change it and we'll need more than a 10% lead "for" over the "against" before we change.

Russ, that I could do with an hour of work.

R

 

[Randy V]

Sub-Categories by Mfrg would be great but Russ' idea (Subject Title) as an alternative would work almost as well..
I'm curious if there wouldn't be some areas here that could be combined?

 

[Howard Jones]

Ron, It don't matter to me I read them all anyway.

 

[Russ Noble]

Ron,

I'm not sure how Sub Forums work. They would be good if you could conduct a search for a specific thing within that Sub Forum. It would weed out a lot of irrelevant or unwanted results that would otherwise come up from searching the entire Builders Forum.

If that's the way it works, I'd say Sub Forums would be a good move. If not, I don't think it makes much difference.

This is just my personal opinion, I spend hours searching on here. Although the main problem I find is when you get a result that throws up a long thread, like 'Pete's Warts'. As Deane said, it can take ages to find the particular reference within something that large. Not much you can do about it though? Or am I just missing the boat and it is possible to conduct a search within a thread? Being able to do something like that would be a major benefit!

Cheers

 

[Ron Earp]

Ron,

I'm not sure how Sub Forums work. They would be good if you could conduct a search for a specific thing within that Sub Forum. It would weed out a lot of irrelevant or unwanted results that would otherwise come up from searching the entire Builders Forum. s

The subforums would work just like they do in say the Manufactuers' section. There would be five or six subforums underneath the title "Builders' Forum" and each subforum would be titled the name of a car type - CAV, RF, ERA, etc. The builds of each type would be placed in that subforum.

Ron

 

[SteveB]

Its basic filing really. Do you put loads of files in a big box and hunt for it when you need info , or , would you set up some files in categories, finding things are then far more effective and you are more likely to see all the related files.

I've reached that time in life when I cant find things I put down this morning, so need all the help I can get.

As a matter of interest how many build diaries are running?

Steve

 

[Ron Earp]

As a matter of interest how many build diaries are running?

Steve

That is the thing - only about 200, not even actually. And some categories would only be populated by one.

R

 

[Doc Watson]

I voted yes for subs, but on reflection I think I would prefer it as it is. As long as the type of build is shown in the title a search by thread title will list by manufacturer...... I guess I've just jumped back over the fence, leave it as it is...

Andy

 

[Ron Earp]

I know the polls say put the categories in, but I'm not sure that is the way to go. I'd probably have to make nine categories, as well as a catch all for the ones offs. I think it might be better to simply enforce the build diary "rule" that the thread title must include type of car. For example, it is no problem to search only the Builders Forum and look for MDA builds, they pop up easily, as well as the other makes.

Ron