This thread is dedicated to the many good suggestions that all of you have for this board. It will help Matt if you confine the suggestions to this thread alone though, and try to refrain (:)) from making them in the other threads (off topic). Feel free to cut and paste what you already have suggested, and your input is appreciated!

Chicken

Okeedookee,

here is my thread from the thinkhost thread which I believe sums up everything I had to say:

I do agree that newbies usually go to the "Main" forum. The problem is that the "Technical Forum" is a sub category of "Business Forums". Now, if I were a newbie, I would not wander into a "Business forum". Just sounds too serious. Which brings me back to my point of the structure of the forums.

My suggestion (as Learner pointed out):

3 Main Headings:

1) Technical / Support Forums

2) Reviews / Opinions Forums

3) Advertising / Commercial Forums


And then a couple subcategories under each, for example:


1) Technical / Support Forums:

A. Hardware

B. Software

2) Reviews / Opinions:

A. General Webhosts Discussion

B. Hate your host? Post here.

C. Love your host? Post here. (or combine the love and hate posts to one forum)

3)Advertising / Commercial

A. Sell your Hosting services here.

B. Solicit Hosting services here.

C. Check out my website type posts here.

D. Anything goes here? (Maybe a suggestions forum or...)


Same number of forums = 9, better structure (my opinion of course!) And doesn't intimidate newbies = better participation by everyone.

I think this format would increase participation, clarify what goes where, and make it a lot easier on the Moderators.

Being as there is such a vast amount of humor wanting to be spread, we need a joke type forum.

E.g. general jokes, and hosting related ones(tech support humor)

Just a thought. ;)

Have ya' read through the archives at Annette's http://www.technogirl.net ???

She has put up a fantastic compilation in there... simply hilarious... :D

A MUST READ if you are a web admin or offering technical support for a web hosting company !!!!!

Learner

Another good one is http://iamanidiot.com