Reader Input Wanted on New Forums

[Scott Sherman]

Hi gang,

We are in the process of redesigning the site from the ground up. In this move I would like to get input on what forums you the reader would like to have. Since I am working hard at growing the forums and the site this year I want to give you the reader what you want. My goal is grow the forums 20 fold this year from where they are now. So your input is very important to me on what you would like to see and what you think your friends and other people would like to see so they would join and partake.

Please make an orgainized list off all the forums you think the site should have and in the order you think they should be in.

Thank you.

Scott

[liqnit]

hi
First i would like to say i like the forums as is and the site as whole.
here is my suggestion for forums:

Hardware
-- CPU / MotherBoards/RAM
-- Video Cards
-- Storage
-- Network\Sound
-- CASE\Modding
-- OverClocking
-- Other
Software
-- Oprating System
---- Linux\Unix\BSD
---- Windows
-- Applications
Games
-- StandAlone
-- Online
-- Free
Console
Mobile\PDA
News
OffTopic
Humor
Site Suggestions

hope it helps

[Kangg]

Hardware
- Reviews
-CPU
AMD / Intel
-Motherboards
AMD/Intel
-Video Cards
Nvidia/ ATI
-Memory
Tweaks, Settings,reviews
-Storage
-Sound
Soundcards/Speakers
-Cases
-Cooling
CPU/Video card/Extreme Cooling
-Power Supplies
-Case Modding/Cabling
-Overclocking
-Networking
Software
-OS
Windows/Linux etc..
-Games
-OS Performance tweaks
-Productivity Apps
General
-Hardware
-Off Topic

:D

[zachig]

I really liked liqnit's list, so mine will be based on his, I'll just make some changes (hope that's ok with you, liqnit :wink: ).

Hardware
-- HW Reviews (I really think that hardware reviews are very important)
-- CPU / MotherBoards/ RAM
-- Video Cards
-- OverClocking
-- Storage
-- Network\Sound
-- CASE\Modding
-- Other
Software
-- SW Reviews (I'm missing some software review on the forums)
-- Operating Systems
---- Windows
---- Linux\Unix\BSD
-- Applications
Games
-- StandAlone
-- Online
-- Free
-- Game Cheats, Tips and Walkthroughs
-- Consoles Gaming (PS1/2/3, XBOX, Nintendo)
Mobile\PDA
News
OffTopic
Humor
Site Suggestions and Feedback

Here are some more ideas I just thought of:
* Make a daily/weekly/monthly poll that will appear on the front page.
* "Tip of the day" (can be hardware/software-related tip) that will appear on the front page.

If I'll think of more things and/or good ideas I'll surely let you know. :wink:

GOOD LUCK. :)

[3D_Mind]

When it comes to other alterations, the following are minor points to refine:

When quoting someone, it would be nice to just highlight the text in the window above the text box and hit Quote, rather then having to copy and paste.

Include a built in spell checker. I know it is customary for the internet to have horrible spelling and grammar, but it would encourage better quality of posting.

When trying to view my user profile as others would see it, I have to go to the member list, then search for my name and click it. Instead, just clicking profile should display a summary and allow me to hit an edit button, rather then taking me straight to the editing mode.

Also have a forum section called "Bugs and Solutions". Nothing is more frustrating then bugs like crashing and freezing in Windowz and games. Having a place to ask for and post solutions or workarounds would be great addition and help refine the "general" section.

More Emoticons!! :D :) :( :o :shock: :? 8) :lol: :x :P :oops: :cry: :evil: :twisted: :roll: :wink: :!: :?: :idea: :arrow: should be visible without the "View More Emoticons" button, just make all of them visible, there is enough space.

For posting images and setting them in posts, the current process is long and drawn out. Just have an "insert image" button with a drop down menu on the post creation page that automatically scans what you already have in your image gallery, and allow it to be selected and automatically added. I know that attachment options are already available, but not from your gallery, just you’re HD.

Allow for multiple color schemas for the look and feel of the forum.

If I think of anything more, I will post it!

[Null]

An Official Manufacturer Information & Support section would be nice.

Rubbin' elbows with the big wigs.

Hearin' it right from the horse's mouth all about (relating to technical issues & performance) mobos, ram, video cards, etc.

[zachig]

An Official Manufacturer Information & Support section would be nice.

Yeah, XFX Support and Info (if possible), especially since XFX are the main Sponsers of the site. :wink:

[liqnit]

An Official Manufacturer Information & Support section would be nice.

Yeah, XFX Support and Info (if possible), especially since XFX are the main Sponsers of the site. :wink:

i agree this is a very good idea

[pym]

Thanks for letting us participate and think "loudly" about the future design of the site.
My suggestions, although the current formation is satisfying as it is...

Hardware
>>CPU / MotherBoards/ RAM
>>This forum will gather all the info about these three...
>>Display and Graphics
>>Forum about video cards, TV cards, 3D game engines, display types etc.
>>Storage devices
>>Hard drives, CD/DVD burners, Floppy, backup tapes, data Transferring devices etc.
>>Network and Internet
>>File Sharing, Building a network, routers, hubs etc.
>>Audio
>>Sound cards, speakers, computer sound systems
>>Modding
>>Modding ideas and pics, case cutting, rotary cutting tools etc.
>>OverClocking
>>Gain speed, ideas, cooling methods etc.
<<Computer Specs
<<Buying computer? discuss the spec according to your budget and needs, Q&A about certain specs etc.
>>General Hardware
>>Other hardware and peripherals forum, UPS, devices, game controllers etc.
>>Technical Support
>>Hardware troubleshooting and questions only

Software
>>Operating System
>>>>Windows
>>>>Dedicated to windows and all its versions and editions
>>>>Linux,Unix
>>>>Dedicated to Unix, Linux and other operating systems
>>Graphical software
>>Discuss and show Freehand, Photoshop, PaintShop, Flash projects
>>General Software
>>Applications, drivers and other software issues
>>Technical Support
>>Software troubleshooting and questions only

Games
Not a must, but we could separate it as follows:
>>Action Games
>>Action games discussions and news
>>Strategy Games
>>Strategy games discussions and news
>>RPG Games
>>RPG games discussions and news
>>Simulator Games
>>Simulator games discussions and news
>>Sports Games
>>Sport games discussions and news
>>General Games
>>Discuss games in general, game designs, ideas, recommendations etc.
>>Consoles
>>Playstation, XBOX, Nintendo, others

>>Digital photography
>>Cameras (stills & video) news, questions, pictures you took and want to share etc.
>>Gadgets and Handlers
>>New gadgets news, cellular phones, MP3 players, iPod etc.
>>News
>>Site's news, discussions and so on
>>Off Topic
>>Share any thoughts and news from other worlds ;)
>>Jokes & Humor
>>Just for fun, smiling is important!
>>Site Suggestions and feedback
>>Suggest, innovate, share your thoughts about the site

[Schwarz]

I know most people really tend to single out every details by making a forum but I would have to disagree.
I think so far in my opinion the forums are fine.
Let's just take operating system for exemple.
You would have Windows XP windows Vista and Linux.
I don't see much people on this forum talking about Linux and therefore would make it a useless forum.
Plus for the new people that come personnaly I would rather see a cozy forum where there's not too much things instead of having to surf to every single forum to see what's new and what people have posted.
By the way I am not saying it is a bad idea either but as of right now I do not think its really nessessary.
I would on the other hand add a Help section and like i said in my original idea add some sub forums later on but not as of right now.
This is my opinion only though.

[pym]

Schwarz, I agree with you, for now.
As I said in my post, although the current formation is satisfying as it is...
But as this community grows, and we expect more and more people to participate, I am sure you'll have enough people posting on Linux alone.
Also, in my opinion (which I wrote on my post as well), Windows should have just one forum for all versions and editions (including Vista) ;)

[liqnit]

[b]Windows should have just one forum for all versions and editions (including Vista) ;)

i agree windows diffrent version is for OS forum only and not for general site like here.
the amount of people that take intrest in special OS is very low.
also linux has little fan base for now it will grow i expect as it will be more and more windows like (gui side i mean)

[CATALYSTMAKER]

would like to see a "Catalyst" specific forum

[XJnine]

Catalystmaker,

I remember about 2 years ago there was a big shakeup here and there was some talk about you being around some to help ATI users in this forum. Obviously things never caught on. Whether it was from lack of ATI help needed on this forum or lack of time on your end I don't know. With the action picking up here and the reorganization happening do you think your presence here will increase?

I'm just wondering because I'm sure if people know there will be an ATI specific person here more often to help them out they may be more inclined to do more forum work here instead of visiting here for some type of forum posts but heading over to Rage3D for ATI help.

[liqnit]

i would like to suggest another forum
Group Buy (or a better name)
here is my idea
we coming to a large group of people surrunding the site and i seen it in sveral other forums that we can run a poll with some hardware options like memory,HD,VGA card,CPU and other and see if there is enough people that are intrested we can ask a company for a group price .
also because XFX is very much supporting this site and there is only 1-2 winners each month maybe get discount code for the card of the month or somthing like it.
Scott please let me know if you think it is possible?

[zachig]

I really liked the idea of a "daily/weekly/monthly discount" (especially for XFX products) :D .
You can make a "daily/weekly/monthly Coupon Code" to be entered on purchase, or something similar.

[Scott Sherman]

Well lets get the support forums going by them first and then I can talk to them about that. I do not want to push my luck with asking for alot all at once. I need to make Bjorn3D worth it to them.

[liqnit]

Thanks Scott.
i guess you are correct .
we shouldn't push them too fast or too hard

[Fantasma]

The forum is now great but if I had to do something I´d do the following:

General:
-Off Topic(I´d quit the announcements page as it isn´t updated)
-Folding@Home....
-Buy/Sell/Trade

Hardware:
-XFX Technichal support
-HW Reviews
-Video Cards
-Processors and mobos
-Sound cards(This could be omitted
-General Hardware
-Modding
-Consoles

The rest of the forum is great or at least I like it, there is no that amount of video cards post to divide the Video Cards section in ATI cards and Nvidia cards, I think it´s good as it is
and the rest of the forum, I like as it is now

[Frank Marino]

My only gripe with the new forums is that the Quote button is so close to the Ignore button, especially with the problems that have arisen with removing people from your ignore list.

Since, hopefully, ignoring people will not be a very frequent occurence, there's really no need for the button to appear in such a conspicuous spot.

One other minor suggestion would be to be able to pick a date, and highlight any new posts since that date. Sometimes, I have to sign out or close a window before I'm done reading all of the new messages, and of course, when I come back in, they're no longer highlighted.

[Schwarz]

I know it doesn't have anything to do with the forums much.
But like i tried posting before we should hold a bjorn3d logo contest.
Dunno what the price would be but over at techpowerup these guys had 4 sticks of ram as a price.
This brought up a LOT of people competing for the ati tool logo.
Plus I have another idea but I will PM it to you scott.

[PUTALE]

with mac taking onto the intel cpu, I wonder maybe we can expand the forum to incorporate mac products(so are the reviews) so that we can cover more grounds.

[Schwarz]

What could also be cool is a FOLD contest.
Where the person who folded the most in a month could win something.

[Null]

we shouldn't push them too fast or too hard

We need to be vewy vewy kwiet when hunting those wascally wabbits.

[liqnit]

we shouldn't push them too fast or too hard

We need to be vewy vewy kwiet when hunting those wascally wabbits.

not quiet but very very posting :wink:

[liqnit]

I thnk tehre should be a furum or a sticky for windows Tips .
that way we all can shre a good tip or application we find .

i started a thread here if it work maybe do it a sticky
http://www.bjorn3d.com/theforum/viewtopic.php?t=61848&highlight=

[zachig]

That's a very nice idea, liqnit :) . I always like to learn some new windows tweaks and tricks :wink: .

[liqnit]

thanks i think it could be benefit for all of us
there is always sonmthin that looks native to you and new to others and vice versa

[pym]

In addition to liqnit's sticky, which is great, I miss several other stick threads that repeat themselves every couple of days:

The subjects I see as sticky are:
- Spyware.
- Concentrated info on new hardware (AM2/M2, Next gen V.Cards details etc.)
- glossary of terms related to the forum (not all members know everything about all the subjects...)

Also, I would like to offer a "Guides" forum for software and hardware where we can write or link to some guides and "How To"s on applications, hardware, OC and other stuff.