Owners & Discussion Threads

[StereoNET]

For a while now, once a specific product (or brand) "owner's thread" becomes popular we then move it into a dedicated sub-forum of that parent forum, sorted by alphabetical order. 

I know we made a mistake recently where we merged some non-related model number Marantz owners threads into one - it was not intentional at all. So with that aside, I'm putting it out there to the community to ask if this is the best way to manage "owners threads"?

 

Keep it as is, or move them back into their respective parent sub-forums, and let them slide up and down the topic index as interest dictates (by latest reply)?

 

Open to all and any suggestions.

[NonPlayableCharacter]

The only issue I can foresee with allowing the owner threads to float freely as interest waxes and wanes is that duplicate threads are more likely to emerge unless we keep thread start-up approval on in perpetuity. Whether we like it or not, human nature is likely to result in the creation of a new thread under many circumstances instead of a member searching for a pre-existing owner thread and posting their content in that topic.

 

I offer this from my own portfolio of "dumb things I have done before".

[Guest]

Totally agree.

[Guest]

I am suggesting a lighter touch to  merging product threads into owners threads, and put up with more duplicates.  

 

[Guest]

Are you suggesting not having them contained in a dedicated section then? Otherwise, why/how would there be duplicates?

 

[GC Hifi]

While it adds work load a method that was adopted on AULRO (Land Rover forum) was for topics that were in a sections page that could / should end up in another specific area are marked by moderators in the original post name with say a *** or similar prior to the topic name that can be seen and found at a glance at a later date.

 

Where the edit area is at the bottom of the first post the name of the section the thread is to be eventually moved to is listed after Mods agree that the post should eventually be moved and to where.

 

Every three or so months Mods look up threads that start with the specific added by the Mods markings and if the thread is no longer being discussed and hasn't been for some time then it is moved to the agreed section.

 

If the thread is still alive and is being discussed then it is left where it was started until it is checked at the next three month period. Yes this is labour intenstive but it stopped the vast majority of arguments about topics being moved and it still cleaned up the site to be a historically more accurate site to find old topics.

 

I accept that there would need to be a larger Mod pool for this to work easily. On Aulro they used to have roughly six active Mods at any one time, it is also a large site and believe it or not Land Rover enthusiasts like to debate(argue) over just about everything there is to do with LR's even more than Audiophiles do.

 

I am just offering up this example of a possible solution, it in the end was a relatively easy work around for what became a Great Debate in its own right. However I'm not saying it should be introduced here, but it or something similar is an option.

 

cheers,

Terry

Edited October 3, 2023 by GC HiFi
Added content and hopefully made it read easier.

[Guest]

10 minutes ago, Marc said:

Are you suggesting not having them contained in a dedicated section then? Otherwise, why/how would there be duplicates?

Suggest keeping product threads as long as possible rather than enthusiastically merge into owners thread 

[Anthony1]

It can take a good bit of experience to even know certain owner threads exist. Hence a policy to move threads into a brand area.

 

When I see an owner’s thread is up to say 75 pages and started in 2016, it’s daunting and pretty random whether one would efficiently find the content one seeks. Especially if one seeks the latest Mk3 version info and the initial discussion starts with an impending release of Mk1.

 

Way forward - if there’s folders of topic posts within eg. CHORD DACS, to me a folder is preferable to navigating 75 pages of random contributions and growing. AND Administrators can move random post subjects of brands to the respective folder.

 

What is tricky is when a poster focuses on one brand and then the discussion morphs to advice on other brands.

[Guest]

I agree with all being said, and have always had my own reservations about the "management" of Owners threads. It might be easier to not have them as "official" or managed at all - and just let the forum organically do its own thing with them. 

[GC Hifi]

9 minutes ago, Marc said:

I agree with all being said, and have always had my own reservations about the "management" of Owners threads. It might be easier to not have them as "official" or managed at all - and just let the forum organically do its own thing with them. 

 

With the Aulro example I offered up the intent was for there to be specific Mods who basically only looked after this part of website / forum management. This introduced new people to the Mod pool and gave them an understanding / training of how the forum works and is expected to work so they could easily then step up when older Mods eventually moved on, as happens.

 

As I said this is just one idea, needless to say there will be plenty more to come.

 

cheers,

Terry

Edited October 3, 2023 by GC HiFi

[Guest]

Thanks for your input Terry. Let's keep the conversation (and ideas) going.

[Hydrology]

16 minutes ago, Anthony1 said:

When I see an owner’s thread is up to say 75 pages and started in 2016, it’s daunting and pretty random whether one would efficiently find the content one seeks.

 

While I do agree with this that it is hard to find specific info in an official thread, if I am interested/excited/just pulled the trigger on a specific brand, I would tend to read all 75 pages of said thread. Usually, regular contributors would be aware of specific questions and discussions asked and would link back to that conversation, which for me is the point of and showcase the idea of "community".

Edited October 3, 2023 by Hydrology

[Anthony1]

Well I do admit StereoNET has a good search engine. And one can end up learning a lot from surfing around the brands.

[Guest]

I don't there is a stand out alternative to how it's being done now, other than lighter touch on merging product threads into brand threads. Thanks for feedback all.

[Cafad]

I was wondering, is it at all possible to get older threads pulled back out of the general discussion threads that they have been rolled into?

 

 

 

[Guest]

Nothing is impossible (well mostly). 

It may require a few hands, a few goes, and done over time depending ...

Feel free to pick this up on PM with me regarding specifics and we'll take a look at it.

[Cafad]

Will do mate, thanks.  I'll PM you tomorrow.

[betty boop]

1 hour ago, Cafad said:

I was wondering, is it at all possible to get older threads pulled back out of the general discussion threads that they have been rolled into?

 

 

ive asked this too.. these general discussion an owner threads have unfortunately bundled up and muddled up a lot of threads ...

[Guest]

We'll work through it.

[Guest]

Moved the thread here as it wasn't so much as a "Support" issue, but actually related to this original discussion.

Let's try and make the threads that need to be fixed, right , once again.

[Guest]

I have a question that I would love some feedback on related to this topic please?

 

This thread was started today:

It relates very specifically to Kii and more relevant to Kii owners as a whole.

Would it not make sense to merge this thread into the Kii Owners Discussion Thread?

 

To me that makes sense and likely more helpful to the OP.

But ultimately, if you all prefer threads to have their own (more niche and specific) identities then that is what we will do (while also trying to unpick some of the merged owners threads over time). 

[Dolphy]

Some people probably don't search before posting. 

 

[rantan]

2 minutes ago, Marc said:

Would it not make sense to merge this thread into the Kii Owners Discussion Thread?

IMHO, yes.

Personally I find that sometimes there can be too many niche and very specific threads , which could easily and efficiently be placed under the specific brand owners thread. If this were to happen forum wide, I think it would enhance owners threads greatly.

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, rantan said:

If this were to happen forum wide, I think it would enhance owners threads greatly.

 

Well it did/does. And that is how we've found ourselves in a situation where some members have expressed quite deeply they don't like it.

[rantan]

I can only give my own thoughts and don't presume to speak for anyone else, but I just cannot see why this is so unpopular.