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Here is a list of ideas to improve these forums.  Some have been suggested recently and others come from my suggestions file where I have noted ideas.  I have tried to represent some pros and cons of each, as well as other possible solutions.  I would really appreciate additional comments on advantages and disadvantages I have missed.   Feel free to comment on one idea, several or all.

Thanks for thinking with us on this.

David Johnson
Webmaster

A.  Change forum behavior so new posts in a thread make it rise to the top PROS = Makes ANY interest in a subject bring it back to a place of easy discussion, and makes for easy visibility  CONS = “Old news” keeps being recycled  OTHER SOLUTIONS = 1) Make alternate displays (currently at forum bottom) easier to access; 2) Encourage URL  referencing of older threads in newly started threads so older threads do not have to rise

B.  Add edit function PROS = Allows users to correct mistakes CONS = Editing could make threads confusing if posters change messages based on responses received  OTHER SOLUTIONS = 1) Allow edits, but display the legend “EDITED at <time> on <date>; 2) Encourage use of offline text editors and copy/paste

C.  Add delete function PROS = Allows users to delete messages that are no longer appropriate CONS = Could make threads confusing if messages disappeared OTHER SOLUTIONS = 1) None known

D.  Add image function PROS = It would be very useful to be able to illustrate messages with pictures CONS = Large disk space usage on an already heavily disk space intensive system OTHER SOLUTIONS = 1) Publicize other websites that specialize in pictures and that could be easily referenced by URL

E.  Add bold & italics PROS = Allows easier to emphasize text CONS = Allowing HTML code could compromise system security OTHER SOLUTIONS = 1) Develop a non HTML system to bold or italicize text

F.  Add emoticons PROS = Allows emotions to be expressed CONS = OTHER SOLUTIONS = 1) Use text-only equivalents

G.  Maintain current color PROS = It has long standing on this forum and makes it obvious to users CONS = Makes management of website more complicated OTHER SOLUTIONS = 1) Use white throughout website

H.  Option to be emailed when replies are posted to a given thread PROS = No need to check back on messages each day CONS = 1) Potential for website SMTP server being blacklisted by ISPs because user forgets he has asked to receive emails; 2) Could generate a lot of email for prolific posters OTHER SOLUTIONS = Set up login system so that users can instantly see when their messages have replies

I.  Place forum subjects in vertical toolbar on left with thread contents at right PROS = Easy to see the thread structure CONS = OTHER SOLUTIONS = 1) None known

J.  Show all posts in a thread on the forum home page rather than the current setup where “greatgrandchildren” and below are represented by a black square and dots. PROS = CONS = OTHER SOLUTIONS = 1) Display a legend instead of the black square and dots to show that there are more messages at this level or below.

K.  Set up a place for users to post a resumé so that others can read about them PROS = Very helpful to know about other users CONS = None known OTHER SOLUTIONS = None known

L.  Set up a “forward to a friend” function PROS = Users could easily send an interesting message to a friend CONS = None known OTHER SOLUTIONS = Encourage users to forward interesting URLs

M.  Allow users to choose to automatically receive emails from the forum when messages are posted with certain combinations of keywords (e.g. Alaska + goat + hunting) PROS = Reduced necessity to visit forum CONS = More email OTHER SOLUTIONS = RSS feed

Message Thread:

• Forum ideas summary & request Webmaster Aug 25 2005
  • Edit/Delete suggestions WDChurchJr Aug 26 2005
    • I think you will see less 375ultramag Aug 27 2005
  • Forum akfishinguy Aug 26 2005
  • my thoughts bushrat Aug 26 2005
    • Sounds good Michael Strahan Aug 27 2005
      • Not so fast martentrapper Aug 27 2005
        • Heh heh heh! Michael Strahan Aug 27 2005
    • Me Too martentrapper Aug 26 2005
  • New Great Ideas from a warped mind Jeff Varvil Aug 26 2005
    • Format Terry Sacora Aug 26 2005
      • Which format Webmaster Aug 26 2005
  • Get R Done 375ultramag Aug 26 2005
  • thanks oregonhunter Aug 25 2005
    • RSS Webmaster Aug 26 2005