Administrative Issue: Threads

[boboli]

There doesn't seem to be a forum to address this, so here seems as good a place as any.

I have noticed that when I post a new thread about a specific program (MS-FTP, TyStudio, TyTool) that the powers that be move the post to a huge thread that deals specifically with that product.
Now, on the one hand, I can see the logic in this, as it keeps all the issues and questions about a program in one place.
However, there does seem to be several drawbacks to this practice.

1. It creates huge threads of hundreds of posts that could be intimidating to newbies, looking for info on the program.
2. It makes searches all but useless, as you cannot search within a thread. Say I do a search for "MS-FTP Troubleshooting", it points me to a thread that contains 500+ messages. Wading thru all of those messages trying to find the one issue is very time-consuming. It seems to me that the search function would work a lot better if there were a lot of threads with a few posts attached, rather then less threads, but much larger threads.

Just wanted to put my thoughts in on the issue of threads. No offense meant towards anyone.
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[ronnythunder]

try showing results as posts when you search.

ronny

[boboli]

Originally posted by ronnythunder
try showing results as posts when you search.

ronny


Thank you very much. I was not aware of that option.
I withdraw that particular objection.
However, I still think that such large threads are intimidating to those just starting out with the programs. It would seem that it would generate more questions, rather then alleviate redundant questions.
Again, just my thoughts, with malice towards none.
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[rc3105]

would you prefer to sift 3000 posts scattered through 75 threads or 500 posts in one "monster" thread?

it's comparable to searching the entire net versus a single forum

one thread with all the info is MUCH easier than 50 scattered ones

at 40 posts per page even the big threads aren't that many pages. once "show all posts on one page" works again you can use the browswer search function within that page

edit: look for keywords that describe the issue in posts not thread titles


--
Riley

[boboli]

Yep, the Search By Posts feature negates quite a bit of my argument, I must admit.
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[captain_video]

The "monster" threads are there for a reason. There are certain topics that garner a huge amount of interest and discussion. It is much easier to sift through hundreds of posts on the specific topic than having to search through the entire forum to find what you're looking for. It may take a while to look through the vast number of posts but we all do it all the time. If you've looked through the large threads you will notice that a lot of the posts tend to get off topic once in a while and it's easy to weed them out while looking through them. I find that it's not all that difficult to sort through the posts in the larger threads once you learn to recognize what is pertinent and what is just idle chit chat that is of little use to the vast majoprity of readers. I find it extremely helpful to cut and paste the posts containing helpful tips or tutorials into Worpad or MS Word to keep as a permanent reference. I routinely print out threads or posts conatining topics of interest and I refer to them on a regular basis for answering questoins in the forum or for personal reference when upgrading a Tivo.

[boboli]

Originally posted by captain_video
The "monster" threads are there for a reason. There are certain topics that garner a huge amount of interest and discussion. It is much easier to sift through hundreds of posts on the specific topic than having to search through the entire forum to find what you're looking for. It may take a while to look through the vast number of posts but we all do it all the time. If you've looked through the large threads you will notice that a lot of the posts tend to get off topic once in a while and it's easy to weed them out while looking through them. I find that it's not all that difficult to sort through the posts in the larger threads once you learn to recognize what is pertinent and what is just idle chit chat that is of little use to the vast majoprity of readers. I find it extremely helpful to cut and paste the posts containing helpful tips or tutorials into Worpad or MS Word to keep as a permanent reference. I routinely print out threads or posts conatining topics of interest and I refer to them on a regular basis for answering questoins in the forum or for personal reference when upgrading a Tivo.


That sounds like a great plan as well.
Thank you Captain.
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[AVD]

may I suggest a new thread with every software revision?

What we really need are some FAQ threads, but who wants to spend the time to write them?