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Sub-forums

tommy_ed

Android Expert
Feb 26, 2010
1,004
145
does anyone else think some of the sub-forums are thread graveyards?

I just saw IOWA's post get moved to "Other Phones (Android and Non-Android)
I've been on this forum since last february and I've never even seen this sub-forum.

I had a question about mono/stereo playback on music players and it got moved to "Incredible Support and Troubleshooting"

Sometimes it just seems like the mods are bored. As soon as you see your thread moved to one of these crypts you can bet it's done for. You guys do a great job at keeping everyone in line, especially lately. But pleeease stop the excessive moving of threads!
 
We move threads to where they need to be. Just about every thread has a place that it should be on this forum. If it is a questions seeking help for a specific phone then it belongs in support. If it is a comment or question about an app then it belongs in applications.

The only thing that makes a sub-forum a graveyard is the membership. If you guys/girls aren't willing to look into sub-forums then there isn't much we can do.

Now you are really going to hate this, but I am moving this to the Suggestion Box & Feedback Forum. :D
 
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does anyone else think some of the sub-forums are thread graveyards?

I just saw IOWA's post get moved to "Other Phones (Android and Non-Android)
I've been on this forum since last february and I've never even seen this sub-forum.

I had a question about mono/stereo playback on music players and it got moved to "Incredible Support and Troubleshooting"

Sometimes it just seems like the mods are bored. As soon as you see your thread moved to one of these crypts you can bet it's done for. You guys do a great job at keeping everyone in line, especially lately. But pleeease stop the excessive moving of threads!
Keep in mind that if people were to correctly utilize these subforums to begin with, that we would not have to move them. I cannot even begin to quantify the amount of threads for dealing with a particular subject that have their own subforum be made in the main forums. Also keep in mind that just because you aren't using these subforums or don't frequent a certain device forum, doesn't mean everyone is in the same umbrella.

Edit: Just for example purposes, I went into the Incredible forum and the first thread on the list is: http://androidforums.com/htc-incredible/206485-getting-tired-stock-weather-app.html. That would clearly be a support thread, however, the OP decided to make it under the main forum. This user has over 500 posts so "being new" probably isn't the reason.

When we move threads, there is always a rhyme and a reason - for the most part, it is going to be pretty evident; fairly black and white in terms of where it belongs. Typically, we'll run into a grey area type of thread and we try to use our best judgment. In such case that you feel like a thread was wrongfully moved, I encourage you to use the Report button to bring it to our attention, and we, as a staff, will decide whats best.

Edit #2: I have also looked into your case about a thread you thought should not have been moved to the Support forum (I'm assuming this thread?), and although I did not move that particular one, it seems to be rightfully placed. You are having issue playing music, hence need some type of troubleshoot. If you feel like it was more directed as an iPod Touch question, then it should not be in the Incredible forum all together, and should be moved to one of the subforums in The Lounge forum. Hopefully that explained your situation.

Edit #3: I am looking at IOWA's thread that you are questioning, and it is about the iPhone. I do not see how "Other Phones" would not be the right forum for this? Would you care to explain your reasoning? That forum is for other devices that we may not have a specific forum for (Android or not).
 
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Edit #2: I have also looked into your case about a thread you thought should not have been moved to the Support forum (I'm assuming this thread?), and although I did not move that particular one, it seems to be rightfully placed. You are having issue playing music, hence need some type of troubleshoot. If you feel like it was more directed as an iPod Touch question, then it should not be in the Incredible forum all together, and should be moved to one of the subforums in The Lounge forum. Hopefully that explained your situation.

I could maybe see how it would be moved to the music subforum or even possibly computers and IT, but I have no idea why it was moved to incredible support and troubleshooting. I don't even listen to music on my incredible now that I have the itouch.

Edit #3: I am looking at IOWA's thread that you are questioning, and it is about the iPhone. I do not see how "Other Phones" would not be the right forum for this? Would you care to explain your reasoning? That forum is for other devices that we may not have a specific forum for (Android or not).

On this one, I see why it was moved. This addresses another point I was going after, which is questioning the existence of that subforum altogether. It seems like it would be fine to just have the minimal amount of threads pertaining to other phones in the lounge, rather than sending them somewhere nobody looks. It's been happening a lot lately it seems. Someone posts something, it gets moved and then immediately dies. If you see your thread moved you might as well consider it gone.

Don't get me wrong, I think you guys do a great job on here. Especially at keeping people in line. It's great to see people banned who do nothing but cause problems. You guys have really been on your toes about that lately, and it's greatly appreciated. But I think the excessive thread moving is unnecessary at times, that's all :D
 
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I could maybe see how it would be moved to the music subforum or even possibly computers and IT, but I have no idea why it was moved to incredible support and troubleshooting. I don't even listen to music on my incredible now that I have the itouch.
So then basically it was created in the wrong forum to begin with (the Incredible forum), so I do not see how the staff would be at fault here? It should have been in the music subforum as according to you it was unrelated to the Incredible, yet it was in that forum. If you would like, I can move it to the music subforum.

On this one, I see why it was moved. This addresses another point I was going after, which is questioning the existence of that subforum altogether. It seems like it would be fine to just have the minimal amount of threads pertaining to other phones in the lounge, rather than sending them somewhere nobody looks. It's been happening a lot lately it seems. Someone posts something, it gets moved and then immediately dies. If you see your thread moved you might as well consider it gone.
Again, just because you do not go there does not mean that it would be correct to umbrella all members of this forum as not visiting the more active forums. Also, forums/subforums are created with a purpose, and it is unfortunately that members still cannot utilize them correctly. This has been largely an issue which would probably be why you feel like threads "die." If members, including yourself, would properly create threads in the right forums/subforums, then not only would we not have to move any more threads, but they'd also be more lively within slower forums.
 
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So then basically it was created in the wrong forum to begin with (the Incredible forum), so I do not see how the staff would be at fault here? It should have been in the music subforum as according to you it was unrelated to the Incredible, yet it was in that forum. If you would like, I can move it to the music subforum.

I thought i originally posted it in the lounge, if it was posted in the incredible forum then it was a mistake on my part

Again, just because you do not go there does not mean that it would be correct to umbrella all members of this forum as not visiting the more active forums. Also, forums/subforums are created with a purpose, and it is unfortunately that members still cannot utilize them correctly. This has been largely an issue which would probably be why you feel like threads "die." If members, including yourself, would properly create threads in the right forums/subforums, then not only would we not have to move any more threads, but they'd also be more lively within slower forums.

the problem is that most of the subforums get so little attention, it would be more convenient to just include them in the lounge. I never even knew this thread existed and i've been on this forum very frequently since last feb. It's hidden in a random spot most people don't even think to look at. THAT is why the threads die. Because a majority of the users don't know the threads are even there.

but i can see you're becoming offended, so I'll just let it be :rolleyes:
 
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but i can see you're becoming offended, so I'll just let it be :rolleyes:

I think he's becoming offended :thinking:

Either way, if Iowa has a problem with the moved thread, he can PM me as I was the one who moved HIS thread to the appropriate section.

Also, not trying to beat a dead horse here, but what they have said above is correct. Just because users don't know about an area doesn't mean it doesn't exist or isn't where a thread belongs ("graveyard" or not). :) Organization is a double edged sword. Sometimes it great (think phone forums) and everyone loves it. Other times it creates "graveyards" that people don't know exist because they haven't looked at it before.

Beats having ONE forum for EVERYTHING in my opinion!!!

At the end of the day though, that's how the boss has the site set up so that's what we do and adhere to! Trust me when I say that it's NOT because we are bored though. :D
 
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the problem is that most of the subforums get so little attention, it would be more convenient to just include them in the lounge. I never even knew this thread existed and i've been on this forum very frequently since last feb. It's hidden in a random spot most people don't even think to look at. THAT is why the threads die. Because a majority of the users don't know the threads are even there.

but i can see you're becoming offended, so I'll just let it be :rolleyes:
I'm not sure where explaining the reasoning behind subforums and where your reasoning is flawed is sending an "I'm offended" message?:thinking: We are all mature adults here, and trying to accuse people of things to get your message across probably isn't the best way to go about it.

Convenient for you, sure. But others may not feel that way. Realize that if you just bunch threads together, it makes it very inconvenient for people to navigate, especially with the high volume of threads that are created daily on this forum. Most, if not all, your reasonings for other people are assumptions. You are assuming people don't look; don't know; etc. They could be seeing those threads and just have nothing else to add, thus not posting in them.
 
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I see the sub-forum setup here as a tiny little version of human evolution (yes, I'm laughing as I type this, but still... :p).

If you've ever traveled much to areas where there is little organization, you'll see chaos, but a sort of "system" wherein people do find ways to get things done as best they can.

The alternative to that is to have an organized layout for things, wherein things get done with the added advantage of predictability within the structure, facilitating efficiency.

The latter method is called "civilization." :D

When an uncivilized region undergoes structural change, there is often resistance, but things fall into place over time.

The choice is ours. ;)

I feel that stickies are the real thread graveyards, by the way. :p
 
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I'm not sure where explaining the reasoning behind subforums and where your reasoning is flawed is sending an "I'm offended" message?:thinking: We are all mature adults here, and trying to accuse people of things to get your message across probably isn't the best way to go about it.

sorry, you seemed to be getting a little flustered? haha thats the problem with a keyboard conversation, you can't read tone :D However, I don't beleive I was accusing you of anything to get my message across :thinking:

Convenient for you, sure. But others may not feel that way. Realize that if you just bunch threads together, it makes it very inconvenient for people to navigate, especially with the high volume of threads that are created daily on this forum. Most, if not all, your reasonings for other people are assumptions. You are assuming people don't look; don't know; etc. They could be seeing those threads and just have nothing else to add, thus not posting in them.

I don't think ALL the subforums are unneccessary, just a few of them. And I'm not assuming, I see it firsthand. Just check out this thread that got moved yesterday:
http://androidforums.com/verizon/207435-verizon-offering-smaller-data-plans-smartphones.html

Jussssst sayin!
 
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I don't think ALL the subforums are unneccessary, just a few of them. And I'm not assuming, I see it firsthand. Just check out this thread that got moved yesterday:
http://androidforums.com/verizon/207435-verizon-offering-smaller-data-plans-smartphones.html

Jussssst sayin!

First, let me say that I'm sorry this is so long. There is a lot I wanted to say and it took a lot to get it all out there. If you read through the whole post though, I think you'll find it helpful.

While we do understand your point it doesn't change the fact that we do have forums for carriers and manufacturers. The thread you linked to was talking about Verizon so it logically belongs in the Verizon forum. There is nothing we can do to change whether or not people actually visit these other forums though. There are plenty of people that never make it past the lounge or their specific phone forum and probably never will. There isn't anything really wrong with it, but they are missing out on the forum as a whole. How many people know we have a chat room? I personally have no idea, but I know that it doesn't get used that often and it is a shame it doesn't.

This is a really big forum. We have a total of 8 sections with 176 main forums and 154 sub-forums total. While that comes across as a lot to view, it really isn't. Every section of the forum has a forum or sub-forum for everyone. As an example, I have a Samsung Fascinate and there is a forum or sub-forum for me in almost every part of the forum.

~I can go to Android Community to see what people are doing and what new fun things are going on. I can talk about my favorite Hockey team, the new book I'm reading, the TV show or movie I watched last night as well as the current events.

~I can head over to Android Discussion and look at Android news, talk about Android in the lounge, complain that I don't have 2.2 yet, see what apps people are raving about or having trouble with, find out about new games, look at new wallpaper and icons or see what people are doing with music and video.

~I can go to Android Phones and check out any of the Galaxy S forums to see what is going on with problems and solutions. There I can look at sub-forums for accessories, rooting, trouble shooting, learn about new tricks or just sing the praises of my phone.

~I can go to Android development and see what people are working on with apps and roms.

~I can go to Other Android Devices and learn more about Google TV, tablets or any other devices coming in the future with out beloved OS involved.

~I can go to Manufacturers and check out what people are talking about Samsung as a whole or look into one of the other companies to see how people feel about their build quality for my future phones.

~I can go to Android Carriers to learn about new events with Verizon or any other carrier I may be interested in in the future.

~I can also come her to see what people are talking about wanting or not wanting with the forum.

As I said before, it is a big forum and there is a lot to see. If people choose not to see it, that is on them. We can't make someone go to a specific forum anymore than we can make someone learn more about there device. We can only offer the place to do such things and keep things in the places they should be so that everyone can find it.
 
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First, let me say that I'm sorry this is so long. There is a lot I wanted to say and it took a lot to get it all out there. If you read through the whole post though, I think you'll find it helpful.

I understand why the subforums exist and it makes logical sense. I just wish there was maybe an "all lounge categories" section, or something along those lines.

It's frustrating, but I understand why it's done.

For the record, it's been pretty fun giving you mods a hard time the past couple days, we should do this more often! lol :p
 
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I understand why the subforums exist and it makes logical sense. I just wish there was maybe an "all lounge categories" section, or something along those lines.

It's frustrating, but I understand why it's done.

For the record, it's been pretty fun giving you mods a hard time the past couple days, we should do this more often! lol :p
Its not a hard time when we all know it isn't going to change.:)
 
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