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Starting a Forum

Discussion in 'Forum rules and information' started by STEJYN, Mar 30, 2008.

  1. STEJYN

    STEJYN New Member

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    How does one start a forum? I'd like to start one under Recreation titled Adult Sports (mens). Is that possible?
     
  2. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    yea, that is a pretty good idea. I am also looking for interest in Roller Hockey. I have pick-up games that I organize and would love to reach out to others if there are people interested in some casual pick-up hockey games.
     
  3. Forum Administrator

    Forum Administrator Member Forum Staff

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    We general create new forums based on traffic or if there is a specific conflict in the topics.

    The tennis forum specifically exists due in part because of previous community activity. The community specifically runs tennis programs and there used to be more specific interest in tennis people gathering.

    Without specific traffic or conflicts, I think discussions such as this would best be handled in the General Topics or Sports Talk forums.

    You can start new threads on the topics you are interested in and if there is enough interest we can look at sectioning off the traffic then.

    If anything probably something like an 'Area Pick-up Game' or some other description would probably be more appropriate.
     
  4. STEJYN

    STEJYN New Member

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    Can I ask what merits as traffic? I started a thread in the general topics section last year re; adult bball and softball and there were over 1,200 views. I started an "all-Broadlands" softball team last year - starting with this thread - and in 2 weeks timeframe, not only did I have a team but I had 20 reserves. There is not only a need for this forum, but an overwhelming call for this forum.

    It's difficult as an adult to find a group of others adults to get an organized game going. This is the perfect vehicle to allow like parties to sync up. Not asking for 20 diff. forums with specifics - ie; softball, basketball, etc. Just one general "adult sports" forum where anybody/everybody can go to get something started. To keep this alive in the "general chat" section is too difficult given it will be buried by the next thread.

    I believe along with around 1200 others that such a forum would be a very good thing for the Broadlands. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
     
  5. jjenkins

    jjenkins New Member

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    i agree
     
  6. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    1200 'views' doesn't mean that 1200 people looked at the thread. It means that the thread, its pages and individual posts were looked at a total of 1200 times since the thread was first created. So if you posted to that thread 10 times, and checked it 5 times a day for 2 weeks, that in itself is close to 100 views. Each time someone loads a page within the thread, the view count increases. If you click the reload button in the thread 20 times, 20 views will be added to the count. It has nothing to do with individual users. This is simply an example and not based on the numbers for your specific thread. The particular thread you are referencing got over 1200 views over a period of 9 months. That's far from being 'overwhelming' demand for the creation of such a forum area.

    Just recently, a thread in General Chat all about 'jokes' got over 1800 views. Should we create a forum just for Jokes? The thread about the opening of Dulles 28 center got almost 1300 views. Should a forum be created for "New Shopping Center Openings"? When does it end?

    What we look for is a consistent increase in traffic in a particular topic area, over an extended period of time. We're also trying to limit the amount of forums we offer, so as to not 'dilute' the information available here. We would hate to have our users come to the forums and be presented with 25/40/50 different areas to look at each time they visit.

    You're free to start a thread on a particular subject in an appropriate area. If people are interested, they will post. By posting, the thread will remain at the top of the section it was created in. If people aren't interested, they don't post in that thread and it slowly drops, while more popular threads take the forefront. Look at the hospital thread; it's been going on for years, and it's consistently 'up there' when you look at the Community Issues forum. Even that 'thread' hasn't created a need for it's own forum section, yet it's still one of our most popular threads. It's just the way most forums work.
     
  7. jjenkins

    jjenkins New Member

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    my question, how many people actually look at the forum post list compared to the "new threads" list?
     
  8. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    While I don't have that count, I can tell you from simply monitoring the forums on a daily basis that many, many users go to a forum area, such as General Chat, look at the posts in there chronologically, new posts on top, and then move to another area they are interested in. The General Chat forum still gets a HUGE amount of traffic/eyeballs compared to other forums, depending if some issue has become popular which drives users to the Community Issues forum, for example. If something is posted in General Chat or Community issues, you can be sure that most of our users will see the topic. If they click on it to read it is a different story.

    Many users avoid the Politics Forum like the plague.
     
  9. jjenkins

    jjenkins New Member

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    I could see that, I am just lazy and hit the "new posts" ... but then again I'm a daily checker :)
     
  10. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Yep, the 'power users' usually click on the 'Unread Posts' on the top-left and go through those first, then if they have time (or any sanity left!), they visit their favorite forum area(s).
     
  11. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    One thread a forum does not make

    :)
     
  12. STEJYN

    STEJYN New Member

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    So, if I start an online petition to get this launched, will you consider? How many names do you need?
     
  13. gunzour

    gunzour "Living on the Edge"

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    STEJYN,

    I'm not sure what benefit you think you will get by having your discussion in a separate forum. As Mr. Linux pointed out, the general chat forum is where topics get the most views. Moving your discussion to a new separate forum is just going to reduce the number of people who see it, and make it harder for you to get people interested in your activity.

    If you really want to push the issue, an online petition is not the way to go. You need to show up at an HOA meeting and ask the tech committee.
     
  14. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    just my 2 cents- and worth- EXACTLY 2 cents... a thread WOULD be more effective for your purpose. if each thread was entitled "xx Men's Sport" you would get EVERY post about that sport in the thread. a full forum would result in spin off threads, then you end up with 10 threads about the same topic and info is missed. one thread- one place for info, on one subject.
     

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