Site Forum

I have very, very few complaints with what many of us call the best website out there, period. And even this isn't so much of a complaint as it is an idea - and even if you want to call it a complaint, I shall at least offer a solution so I'm not just whining into thin air. I also want to post it here before cluttering up the "New Idea" tracker.

One of those few complaints is the layout of our forum postings. Currently, on the main page, you see the five most recently commented on forum threads, and the five most recently commented on Buy/Sell/Trade forum threads. If you click on "More" under the "Forum Threads" box, you can see the 10 most recently commented on forum threads, no matter what forum.

Here's my issue: If I post this thread, and five more threads are commented on/posted on before this one, this one immediately slides off the front page. Do I care? Not too much - unless I'm hoping to get information or a question answered. Then it's kind of frustrating, because someone with your answer may never even see the question. This is compounded by the fact that many threads are revived and commented on frequently; the Pay It Forward thread comes to mind. I love that thread, and have voted for it being my favorite since the site awards started. But the point is that it can continually bury new posts in the current format.

Here's my proposed solution to my issue: Instead of displaying the five most recent threads on the front page, display the six different categories that we have: General, Buy/Sell/Trade, Card Identification, Card of the Day, Site Forum, and Off-Topic Forum. Use those six links to take you to the next page, where you can view the 10 most recent threads in that category. Obviously we would also need to add the ability to have a forum link to the most recent postings in "People" forums and "Set" forums, with the same concept.

As I always do when I bring up a proposed solution, if someone with more knowledge on this type of thing than I have can shoot me down with a very simple explaination about "Here's why this won't work" I'd appreciate the knowledge. Other than that, I would like to hear other's thoughts. Personally, I feel that the reasoning of "that makes me click three times instead of once or twice to get to a thread" isn't a good reason not to explore this one (again, personal feelins - I browse the forums at my leisure; I can understand the desire to make adding thousands of cards as easy as possible). The only thing I find as a negative to this is that if I don't frequent a particular forum I may miss threads - but that's more to my doing than them getting buried amongst others.

Personally, if this doesn't work, I would like to see more than just five threads displayed on the front page. Perhaps the 10 that are currently displayed after clicking the "More" link would be a possible solution to this. As always, all thoughts, feelings, and opinions in this particular post are mine and mine alone, and are in no way meant to attack, belittle, or upset any other members. And with that - discuss!

I definitely support this idea.  Although, usually my forum posts deserve to get buried. 

I would make a bit of an alternate suggestion- give the Card Identification section it's own main page header, like the BST section has away from the main forum. I would wager that about half the forum posts are ID threads, give or take.

I always read the main threads on the home screen, then check and see if there is anything else to read that has been posted since the last time I was on. The proposed system would make it more likely I would miss stuff, but, I don't know how many people are checking the site as often as I do, or as thourougly as I do/used to do as well. Until a few months ago I was reading every single thread posted except the BST. I don't anymore but I still read most. 

I like the concept, Jason, but I'll have to reread your suggestion for a format to see if it's like my idea, which is to have it similar to other parts of the main page, in this case like the "New Galleries" section with five columns and a series of links below each along with a "More" link to go to that forum. So basically you'd have something like this:

It's incomplete, but you get the idea.

Edited to add: I think that's what you suggested.

I would be in favor of additional forum entries showing on home page as well.  I am open to any of the different format suggestions above,  I just would like to see more forum topics on front page

thanks, mark

I simply click The More... link under the main forums list on the home page, then the More... link under the list that shows on the forums page. Since I review every forum, they show up with the purple links if they've already been read, or blue if there's something new. But if there's a revamp to the main page, I'd be okay with it.

Yep, gotta be honest, I like this idea better.  This helps ID cards better, and also allows for those they may want to help with the site but don't always comment on posts where heavy discussions or just chit chat take place a chance to help out.

I like the format as it is now, but adding the ID card section would be nice.

Like the idea !

I would like to see the Buy/Sell/Trade completely separated from the All Forums, kinda like it's own forum. ????

if its feedback or just keeping track of what we're looking for (as an individual) why not something like a quick link or a caption within the persons profile (much like a Colleciton hyperlink) where all that persons Initiated threads are kept followed by forums they commented on?

I'm fine with the way it is.  When I'm away from the site for awhile, upon returning I check all the forum threads I missed.

I agree with one part you mentioned. If you click on "More" under the "Forum Postings" you should NOT see any Buy/Sell/Trade forum threads.