What do you the readers want to see on the 'Mech?

[Toaster]

Hello folks!
Time to speak your mind and let the 'Mech know what you want to see as far as content and offerings.
Please try to be as concise as possible and explain in gory detail.
Feel free to explain your opinion/suggestions as you see fit.
Just one simple rule, be civil!

For the 'Mech to evolve and fit the needs and wants of all its readers, now is your golden opportunity to have your say.
BTW, this poll is unsoliceted by the ADMIN and I am soley responsible for its eventual outcome. So long as we keep civil, we'll keep my butt out of hot water.

So long as you folks act civil, I will go beyond the call of duty to protect those who speak "freely". Please refrain from "poor" language such as cussing and the like.
So long as those that post remain civil and speak truthfully, I offer my protection. If you flame however, your a$$ belongs to me.

[aym]

First I have to say that this site ROCKS!
I found PC Mech 2 months ago, and I got addicted to it, everyday I visit it and spend hour reading and posting, I get more info, improve my PC experience, get answers to my questions, and try to help as far as I can.
In addition, members here are so nice and friendly, no aggressive members, and no flaming, everything is under control (Thanks to the admin and the mods).
Another great point in PC Mech is that it has a big number of members and that many of them can answer nearly any question.


And now my suggestions:

1. Where is mosquito?? He is the mod of win 2k/xp forum, but I haven't seen a single post from him!
2. Maybe you can reduce the limit of 1000 to 500 or something, 1000 is too much, and it will take a year or so for me to complete it!
3. Perhaps an e-mail account ending with pcmech.com will be nice! I'll be proud of it!
4. Maybe the "Graphics/Gaming Discussion and Support Forum" can be divided into 2 forums, one for 3D support (How can I install a video card?), and the other for gaming support (How can I finish this level?).
6. PLEASE don't change the allowed content; letting members to flame each other will destroy the forum.
7. Usually, I don't visit the other parts of PC Mech (I mean other than the forum), the technical info in PC Mech is good, but I'd like to see technical news too.
8. PC hardware forum is too crowded; I think that dividing it won't harm.
9. That's all; keep up the good work!

[Hpro]

Leave it as it is..

I think most of the members here love the boards as they are - if I would choose one thing then it's the PM stuff -

1.if someone has 70 messages then he can't receive or sent PM's
2.If you go over 1000 letters then again - the member has to resize it..
3.there is no way to safe the PM's to the members hard drive - this would be something good if the member could DL the PMs to clear up the PM space given to him.. as I do not like to delete someones PM just because I can't download it..

that's about it..

Comment to aym_7

I did 1000 posts in about 4 months and I didn't spent that much time on the boards as I do now...I made some good posts and some bad posts - I was told this by some Friends, in private ,and I had to adjust my " attitude" as americans call it - even they didn't tell my this so direct - OH it was only one - MOD - if he reads this line he knows - but he was right and, so I think 1000 posts are a fair number if one is really interested to give out help and sofore it doens't matter if you have a Avatar or not because it's the post you make and the containement of them.. which makes this board the best on the web...
thanks for reading..

[mairving]

I would ...

• Close the terrorism forum but leave the link pointing to Forumclick. That way you would get more people on Forumclick and get rid of some of the bad blood that can brew in there.
• Expand the Internet forum to include such things like Website Critiques, Coding, Graphics, etc.
• Change Alternative Operating Systems to Linux and Other Operating Systems. Either that or change Windows 2000/NT/XP to Mainstream Operating Systems.
• Drop the Novell from Networking and Novell.
• I would have tie-ins in the various forums to reviews on the PcMech side. A lot of people only hit these forums and never go there.
• Do the upgrade to VB 2.2.

Other than that I wouldn't change the no-flaming rule, like Dok would ever do that any way.

[alan]

I like the suggestion that the Games forum be subdivided into game installation of software/hardware/3d and another section for tips and trick to play the games. I know there a zillions of Counter Strike and Quake sites I feel a discussion would be better than someone compiling page after page after page of non-interactive data.

[Reedimus]

I think the forums are great; I can't think of anything that could improve upon them. but one thing I would really like to see is an added channel for power supplies. I would love to see just one article about power supplies that really gets down into what is going on in that box, and what makes a quality power supply. There have been some very good posts on the subject, but unfortunately I have a hard time searching for them because they are usually in response to someone else's post. At the very minimum an added channel with some links to some particularly good posts would be nice.

[PMich]

I want to make it clear that I feel a little uncomfortable for giving my opinion when I don't put in any of the actual work that keeps this site the best on the web but here goes.

1. I would like to see a "Before you post a question" forum that would serve as kind of a forum FAQ. It could consist of a series of polls such as "Who makes the best mobo/HDD/mice/scanners/etc. and I think this would eliminate a lot of the posts that ask these questions. If I had to throw numbers at it, I would guess that 10-15% or more of the posts here refer to these kind of questions and this may be a way to help reduce them.

2. I would also like to see a standard format for your system specs in your sig. If you could enter your system specs into fields in your profile, the number of systems described, the size of the sig and the level of detail could be controlled (e.g. I don't need to know that you have a blue core T-bird or a ratpadz mousepad). I would really like to see these as be required fields in your profile with an unknown or generic option so that people trying to help don't have to ask for system specs every time there is a question.

3. I don't know how this can be done, but I would like to see the search option improved. It seems to be (or I am) pretty ineffective in finding info for me. It's not uncommon for me to get a couple hundred hits of which 3 or 4 are relevant. Maybe I'm just not using it right.

4. I too would like to see the hardware forum divided up. Although sometimes I wonder if it gets so many posts just because it is on top of the boards.

Lastly, I want the mods to realize it is because they have done such a bang up job operating these forums that changes may need to be made. Everyone loves this place and as membership continues to grow, I look forward to seeing the site as a whole grow along with it. I think there is a large contingent of the membership here that would like to be more involved. I'm not talking about being a mod or anything like that, but I would be more than willing to proofread articles or help in some of the other activities of tedium if I were asked.

[audiyoda]

More and yet specific forums. The idea of a audio/video forum has been thrown around. And like mairving said, existing forums can be epanded upon. Rather than a College of Tech Support and General Hall, I'd create new categories and create/move forums as appropriate. This place has gotten fairly good sized and is well recognized now -- there's a need to do some form of re-work.

-Craig

[Gintaras]

Originally posted by mairving I would ... Close the terrorism forum but leave the link pointing to Forumclick. That way you would get more people on Forumclick and get rid of some of the bad blood that can brew in there. Expand the Internet forum to include such things like Website Critiques, Coding, Graphics, etc.

Good suggestions.

[highrisemech]

All the suggetions so far are very interesting. I suggets of possibly
having more sub catagories. Instead of just hardware break it down a
little further into sound cards, hardrives, motherboards and cpu's.
Also in the areas of O/S,web content and site development
just to name a few things.

[Hpro]

Got to reply a second time here - reading about brekaing the hardware forums down into categories - this has to be done very well and planned with one big thought in mind - I for one if I have to click on a site more than 3 times then then the site - is DEATH MEAT for me - will never return to it again and I know many others which think exactly the same way - and you can see it here -

If the users only WOULD READ and understand the way to enter questions and on what board and What Topic should go where - then there would no break into categories be necessary -

This and the reason that you actually can find something here if you use the finder the right was is one of the major reasons besides that PcMech is the best on the web - and this is what accounts for the steady member Increase ..

If there would be a thing to do beside what I already place in my first post then - instead of getting someting to TOP - except for announcement make a READ ONLY TOP folder where you place the most important issues on so on click and the user would have what he is looking for - this would or should include all the TOP Posts of the tricks section ..and then split this on into categories.. os it still wouldn't be over three clicks to get to read what is important...

[Kubie]

I'm very easy when it comes to this site.
If you don't change a thing, I'll come here.
If you make all kinds of changes, as long as the content and meaning of this site doesn't change, I'll be here.
Carl

[bob]

General Discussion
Got a Rant or a Rave about something? Got a discussion you wanna carry on? Post it here!

Change to

General Discussion
Got a personal Rant or Rave about something? Got a friendly discussion you want to carry on and get to know other members? Post here!

Contemporary Terrorism
Forum for Civil Discussion and Debate on terroristic activities including September 11th Suicide airline attacks on the United States

Change to

Contemporary Issues
Forum for Civil Discussion and Debate - where your Rant may be an other’s Rave - but all opinions are respected. Post polls here.

Networking & Novell
Ask your Networking and Novell questions here.

Change to

Home Networking
Ask home networking questions here.
Do I need a router, switch, hub, special wire to connect my computers

Alternative Operating Systems
Tech Support for Linux, and Other Operating systems, such as UNIX, and BeOS.

Change to

Alternative OS and advanced networking
Including Linux, UNIX, Novell, BeOS, large network problems, and CISCO NOS.

[lil Jimmie]

Well, the only thing I would like to see is an A/V forum added. The rest of the forum I feel is in great shape.

BTW Where is mosquito?

[bob]

Anyone using C#???

[Carl Price]

I have great respect for the level of intelligence of these forums. Therefore I like to know the opinions of everyone about all sorts of different things. I would like to see general discussion changed so that all topics including religion and politics could be discussed in a friendly manner. There is no better way to get to know each other as to know how we stand on topical ideas and contempory topics.

I also would like to see locations mandatory. It is plain fun to talk to people around the world and know that your knowledge and opinion has been taken into consideration in other countries.

[LawyerRon]

For my purposes, no changes are necessary.


I also like Carl's idea about making locations mandatory. You get a better perspective on a person's ideas if you know from where he/she is posting.

[christo418]

I just wanted to say how much I enjoy visiting PCMechanic. I would like to see a new section, perhaps called Emerging Technologies. Under this section would be Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Nanotechnology, for instance.

[Charliey]

For emerging technologies, thats sort of what the Think Tank is used for.

Just a suggestion, if you want to more closely tie to Forum-Click, have links directly to the forum click forums from the main pcmech forum page. It would tie them together, and ensure that pcmech is only used for more computer related disscussion. Its just an idea though, i enjoy Pcmech just the way it is.

[Computer Hobbyist]

Originally posted by LawyerRon For my purposes, no changes are necessary. I also like Carl's idea about making locations mandatory. You get a better perspective on a person's ideas if you know from where he/she is posting.

Like Ron said, no changes are necessary, but if your going to make changes I'd change the networking and novell forum to home networking,and I'd think about adding a forum for large networking. Alternate OS is not the place to put large networking. Linux is fast becoming an OS for general use. Mairving is right the Alternative OS forum should be Linux and other Althernate Operating Systems.


CH

[archie]

Just pointing out that the Think Tank is no longer here.

[fred]

Hi Archie,
I blinked. When did Think Tank go under then?

[archie]

Hi Fred, it was a few months ago if I recall correctly ... it was due mostly to lack of new topics in that forum.

[fred]

Shame.

[Charliey]

Oops, my mistake. usually i dont go any farther down the page then General discusion.

[fred]

You know what?
I have have been around these forums for a long time. But coming back after a big break, I think there are too many posts. Dok's little speech made me think that things have changed and perhaps we need to re-think everything!

The problem is it is all too rushed and impossible to follow all the threads and so on. Jeees! It’s hectic. There are just so many more posts than there used to be. I remember when I could easily read every single post in a day. I am sure I couldn't now.. It is extremely difficult to follow what is going on and the moderators must find it hard at times. In an attempt to spread the load, you make more forums, but then those forums don’t attract as many posts as desired! Well, not enough to spread the load! Still, most posts go in one or two forums. I think the basic problem here is that some Forums are attracting too many posts and it is getting out of control. It's getting too big!

I wonder if it would be possible to approach it all from a different angle. The aim would be to create small forums with a nice friendly and familiar atmosphere - and an overall even load!
SO! Plan A......

Get rid of the topics!

You start with a dozen general purpose forums. I am sure Dok could think up some great names for them all. Classes. Lounges......anyway, tell the users to post questions in whatever forum has the least number of posts. That way, each forum gets the same number. The load is distributed. To make the friendly familiar atmosphere, each forum has a moderator to end disputes, and a number of resident “experts”. These are regulars given a special title ( Doctor, for example! Ha ha!) who answer questions. Of course, anyone is free to wander through all the forums answering questions, the residents are just to maintain a balance of expertise on each forum.

So, we create a number of small friendly forums with a balanced level of posts and experts! Some people would like to ask and answer questions in all the forums. Me, I would like to stick to one – it’s less hectic that way! I think Henry Ford would be proud of us if we could make it work..

[archie]

Yeah, it's sometimes an habit to check just some of the forums and miss the others ... there's some good stuff down there too.
Hey Fred, check your PM [top of the main forum page].

[archie]

Oops ... posted my reply before seeing Fred's ... the pace is so fasssst.

[Xayd]

On the topic of Mosquito (and forgive me for speaking for him, hehe), if I remember correctly he mentioned when he was made moderator his job required him to travel a bit at times. He does check in regularly on both his forum and the admin forum, just may not have enough time to post alot.

It's not the mod's job to answer every question posted in his forum, after all. Some post more than others, yes.

[Computer Hobbyist]

I have noticed that on the hardware forum there are a significant number of messages that can be described as "calls for help" with a particular system (eg why can't I format my hard drive? My computer is making a funny noise, etc), another significant group asking general hardware questions (eg which is the best Athlon MOBO? Explain the difference between PC 800 and PC 2100. What do they mean when they talk about DDR-Ram? etc), a third group that should have been posted in the assembly/over clocking forum and a fourth group of miscellaneous messages asking questions that might be better handled in another forum (eg questions about video cards etc.)

That first forum receives the bulk of the messages on PCMech (it looks like over twice as many as the second place winner "assembly and over clocking.") If you think the first forum is too big, you might try breaking the first forum in half, one half to handle the "calls for help" and the second forum to answer general hardware questions. Then you might encourage folks to post other messages in the correct forum.


Just a thought.


CH