Topic Control- input please

[MrS]

After seeing all the great info we have on the "mods" page, I feel (IMO) that we could inprove our format.

We have alot of pages on many parts of the vehicle in the "Uwe's, Baja's, etc. mods" we cover sliders, hubs, campers, tires, etc.

I think it would be easier to use the info later if we had a topic for each, I know it real easy to rolls from bumpers to sliders,to skide plates, but if we title it "rock protection" or something like that.

There is tons of info there, and I'm going to need some of it over the next few years, and it would be real nice if most of the info I search for, is under one topic.

What you think? Too much hassel? Worth the effort? May not be doable, but just something I though was worth bringing up.



KF6YSB

[JackSilb]

Not a problem. I kind of was thinking about it, but did not want to look inflexible and make the Forum 'free' for ideas and discussions.
Just in case some good discussion is going, we can basically leave it going and collect the best articles from an specific area.
Just need to create generic areas under the Tech / Mods discussion.

How about we decide on the categories first?

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[WhiteThaiGer]

I agree with Jack, let the discussions flow and then come back to extract the important point. The problem is that we need a volunteer to go through the threads and pull out the good stuff. Some of Scott's posts in the mod's section kind of do that already, they sum up what was discussed before.</div>
Once we have a thread digest like that we could put in on a simple web page rather than having it in the forum.</div>



***************************************
http://www.confluence.org
http://www.usgo.org

[JackSilb]

If we start with the list of divisions / categories that will help us keep the summary and cool posting there.
I would not be worry of having duplication. That is, there is a cool discussion going about tires and someone talk about gas can. Then one of us can just copy and paste the coll info on gas can to the Gas Can Thread. How is that as a plan?
Flexible but not out of control.

SteveS?

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[BajaTaco]

It seems like it would clutter up things a bit, but it would be nice for the times when you want to reference stuff. The search function is always there too.. but that isn't quite as effective in providing a topic index. To avoid the clutter situation, maybe a link could be put into the main topic page, that would open a seperate forum topic page with the long list of items. I assume that what we are talking about here is truck mods and assoc. travel gear? Uwe, the problem I see with a web page is that it doesn't allow the option to edit or add info like a forum page. Also, it would make one or two people responsible for the content (and updating it), whereas a forum would allow the free flow of ideas and more current info.


http://www.bajataco.com

[WhiteThaiGer]

....
Uwe, the problem I see with a web page is that it doesn't allow the option to edit or add info like a forum page. Also, it would make one or two people responsible for the content (and updating it), whereas a forum would allow the free flow of ideas and more current info.Yes, it would create work for the persons in charge of the webpage, but it would also be consistant and organized. Any forum thread where anyone can post will be more unorganized.
I think moving threads around would create a mess too. Maybe we should try to be more organized when we post. Like with the tires. Jack and I could have asked our tire questions in the tire forum rather than in individual mod forums, that way all the good answers would be in one place.


***************************************
http://www.confluence.org
http://www.usgo.org

[MrS]

WhiteThaiGer said... Like with the tires. Jack and I could have asked our tire questions in the tire forum rather than in individual mod forums, that way all the good answers would be in one place.Thats what I was thinking.

Any other way kinda makes work for others. of course its the self-police thing of staying on subject. The big issue is how easy it is for one part of a vehicle to flow into another part.

It just seem there is so much good info, about the same thing under two different topics.

KF6YSB

[GoodTimes]

This is not the first time I have seen this, and Steve is right.

With a small forum like we have, most of us follow most of the threads, so we catch most of what is going on. As the site grows, we won't be able to keep up with everything, and much info will be repeated when new members ask questions that we already answered......in a thread completely unrelated to what the question was about.


olllllllo <---- If you can read that, roll me over.

KG6OWO

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

[expeditionswest]

I have an idea:

We really have two types of activities in the 'mods' section. We have people asking questions about a particular modification, like which tires to choose, and we have people highlighting modifications they have actually performed.

So we dont we handle future mod threads this way:

If you have a question or comment about a particular modification, you start a thread, or use the one for that particular modification that already exists. (that way Jack wont have to think about every mod imaginable). You can carry the discussion in that specific thread until a decision is made.

When you actually make the 'or any' modification, you post it in your individual mod forum.

Here is an example:

I want to query the group about shocks absorbers, so I ask the question in the 'suspension' thread. You guys give me a bunch of great answers, and I make a decision.

After I make the modification, I post comments about my particular vehicle, and pictures etc. in my own vehicle thread (like my Trooper thread)

If someone new has a shock question, they will go to the suspension thread and find all of our comments, and see that I have completed the mod to my Trooper. They can go to my Trooper thread and see the result.


This also allows vehicle specific results to be viewed as a group. If someone wants to know how to modify a Tacoma, they would go to Baja's thread, and see the 'result' of all of our discussions. A 'perfect' vehicle for our needs.


Regarding the stuff already 'lost' in other threads. I would hate for Jack to have to spend the time finding that stuff. We could wait for someone to ask a question that one of us has already answered. We would likely remember where it is, copy it, and post it in the appropriate thread.

What do you guys think???

Scott Brady
2001 Land Rover Discovery II
1998 Isuzu Trooper
1994 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com

[JackSilb]

Hello,

I think we are to something here.

I have no problem cutting and pasting to a particular Thread, as long as you guys know it is duplication. I agree that it will help people find information easier. Scott idea is good too. Once someone complete the mod, then they post on their particular Thread and add a link to the main Thread.

The topics could just get from the discussions. Tires, Suspensions, Air-Compressor, etc. That way we don't have to think on everything up front. Once there is a new subject that got lots of attention we get it its own Thread on the fly. At that point, we ask people to not post unrelated questions or comments on that Thread. By the way, a couple of us here have Moderator power. Then can create new Threads and other things. Once we know what we are trying to do, they can jump in and help.


I will play a bit with it during this weekend. I may have a break on not taking Giovanna for a volleyball tournament his weekend. Georgia will take her, get up at 4:00 AM on Sunday....

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[MrS]

All the input sounds GREAT, I think we are on to something.

If we play with some changes, and work out a format (like scott outlined) we can fine tune it and have a better 'Mod' section in the future.

I know this site is 'Trips' and there is tons of good trip info. here, but we are starting to have a great Mod section. I was just thinking we should look at this issue asap, and you guys stepped up to the plate, with some great ideas.

Cool maybe we can have a 'site mods' topic Ha Ha

KF6YSB