FridgeFreezer Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 My vote is a P4x4-esque Tech/Fab section would be a Good Thing, non-vehicle specific and with the emphasis on tech, leaving the international forum for more general sort of banter and the vehicle forums for specific repairs, servicing and mods. I was under the impression that the Tech Archive could only be added to by mods - certainly when I tried to add to an old post in there I wasn't allowed. IMHO the tech archive should be just that - those threads about something that are the best example of the solution to a problem, or a great piece of information, or just the quickest answers to the most frequently asked questions. As for forum dilution (and this is NOT a dig) - for me what dilutes forums are people not searching for questions already answered, and posting general questions on vehicle-specific forums and vice-versa. Perhaps a bit more ruthless moderation, or moving/combining threads when they've run their course, would help with this. How many times do you get "How to bleed brakes", "Will X engine fit into Y vehicle", "Which tyres go on my truck" etc. etc. These threads should either be killed, told to look in the Tech Archive, or joined onto the last thread on the subject to keep from cluttering the place up and making it easier for the next person to find the answer they want. Edited to add: Perhaps this should be made mandatory viewing for all newcomers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
istruggle2gate11 Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I have had a look there , thats good! Shame about file size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Not for me as too many forums dilutes the inputI can't be ar5ed to look at all the pirate ones. there is a tech archive that houses anything that is useful, there is far more than the few topics you list already in there winches/recovery/mntnce tips/vehicles/EGT systems/onboard air/waterprrofing V8 etc etc anyone can suggest stuff to go in there. What he said. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro_Al Posted February 16, 2006 Author Share Posted February 16, 2006 I suppose I should have first asked the question 'is there any point in this thread'? Right now the LEAST popular idea still has the support of over 2/3rds of those who have voted, but is this going anywhere? If we have no say, then go ahead and delete the thread to save everyone's time. If the result of the poll will lead directly to a change in the forum, then let it run. Cheers, Al. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthdicky Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Well I voted no to all of it I'm all for progress, but I look at far too many forums already. When everything is in one place it's easier to read what people are up to. Use the Technical Archive once a thread has finished so it's easy to find - IMHO we don't need 4 sections when 1 will do... Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid_From_Hell Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 You could look at maybe sections within the tech section, still 1 section but have the tech stuff split up a bit in sub sections. Would IMHO Improve the tech section - a mini "Index" almost, but a fair bit of work maybe ? nige Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I think there is a grey area between stuff being in the forums and not being 'accessable' without Tony having to get involved once it's in the Tech archive, and as has been suggested - on-going work. As I work on catflap I add to his thread in the members vehicles section, and occasionally post snippets on the int forum as well. I think moving the Tech archive up a bit is a good idea though, maybe in a more prominent position it might get used more. If I was, say re-building an axle, I would take pictures as I go and store them in the gallery until the job was done, then work out the script and make a full thread which then goes mostly in the Int forum for people to see and perhaps comment on. Once the thread is off the page I then move it to the tech archive, which is where nearly all of my threads end up. I think better use of the Tech archive would help to solve this current situation, having another forum is not a problem, and the website can certainly afford it. It's just a matter of if there is a real need for it. Shame that some people just vote and don't comment, as it does look a bit odd. It seems that people that object - say so, but those in agreement, just tick the box. Suggestions and comments are encouraged and welcome Al, any thread is worth the typing as it's how you guys tell us what you like and don't like. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbeaumont Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Well to be honest - the tech archive isn't contributed to enough. The catch with the Tech Archive is that it's just that - an archive. It's fed by the other 'active' forums - a sort of 'best of LR4x4' collection. So if we do have a gap in the coverage of the other forums, it'll inevitably lead to a weakness in the Tech Archive - Tony does a great job of editing the Tech Archive, but if the material isn't there in the first place, it isn't there. I agree that if we create too many specialist forums we'll end up with nothing much going on in most of them, but on the flip side providing a focus point for people with common interests fosters some really good collaboration - just look at the vehicle forums. I think a 'Routine tasks and maintenance' forum would be too generic and incapable of generating sufficient enthusiasm to work, but there are plenty of skilled and very enthusiastic fabricators on here so that could work quite well. I'm not sure about workshop skills and tools - I think it probably suffers from the same problem as routine maintenance. The novelty of the new power toy wears off pretty quickly, and then the tools are simply a means to an end (well, mostly ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LR90 Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 While I'm not a fan of lots of potential quiet forums why don't we just try a new tools and fab forum? Just by having it there suggests this is something this forum cares about and will engender more posts on just that subject much like the getting out there forum. I've got some trivial tools I've manage to fab in the past I'm still proud of and such a forum would encourage me to dig them out, photo them and post up (fnarh, fnarh..) Equally I'd be very interrested in alternative to LR special tools or just fab work (I dream of doing some fab work one day). And if it doesn't work, well just merge the posts back into Int and carry on WTF. Secondly though I think getting Tech Archive moved up the stack sounds equally or even more important. Again it better reinforces what this forum is about. It may also be worth considering making the Tech Archive a gouping with two distinct sub forums, one covering vehicle tech and the other for tools and fab. This would make the archive move accessible, prominent and provde a home to save all the best tool tips. I would like Tony's view on this though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I believe all of the titles in the poll get/are covered by ech vehicle model forum anyway, so I don't see having 3 more forums is going to be any use, mostly I just use the Defender [cos I'm the Mod] International & tekky archive. lots of forums just get minimum use/readers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddyplugger Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 This is the only forum that I use (cos its the best!), and as an ammeteur to Landys, I welcome the Tech Archive, but I would also enjoy threads on basic servicing and routine maintainance (for example): How to change your front shocks, replacing a wheel bearing etc. There are some people on this forum with masses of experience and sometimes it is forgotton about the owners who are still running with L plates, so to speak! I feel quite inferior to the expertise on this forum, and I congratulate those who take the time to document their work and add it to the site, as it must take a lot of time. If, as Astro_Al suggests, there was a workshop section, then I may not feel too embarrased to contribute. I agree that adding new sections can dilute the forums, but personally I only ever visit 4 or 5 of the sections, and now I have looked at the others I note that threads on the Australian/Middle East/American forums are pertinent to all. Its now going to take me even more time to keep up with whats going on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbocharger Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 As was said, more forae means more clicking - not for me! Subdividing the Tech Archive is a good plan too, as is a good search facility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbeaumont Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 While I'm not a fan of lots of potential quiet forums why don't we just try a new tools and fab forum? ...And if it doesn't work, well just merge the posts back into Int and carry on WTF. Sounds like a plan. Secondly though I think getting Tech Archive moved up the stack sounds equally or even more important. Again it better reinforces what this forum is about. It may also be worth considering making the Tech Archive a gouping with two distinct sub forums, one covering vehicle tech and the other for tools and fab. This would make the archive move accessible, prominent and provde a home to save all the best tool tips. I would like Tony's view on this though. I like this idea - how about we split the forums into categories (instead of the whole lot under one category - 'Technical')? Something like: Global (someone think of a better name for this!)International Getting Out There [*]Tech Archive Vehicle Tech Tools and Fabrication [*]Vehicles Members Vehicles Series Defender Freelander Discovery Range Rover Military [*]Around The World (Colonies? ) North America Australia and New Zealand Middle East and Africa This is the only forum that I use (cos its the best!), and as an ammeteur to Landys, I welcome the Tech Archive, but I would also enjoy threads on basic servicing and routine maintainance (for example): How to change your front shocks, replacing a wheel bearing etc.There are some people on this forum with masses of experience and sometimes it is forgotton about the owners who are still running with L plates, so to speak! There's a simple answer here - ask! I've asked some pretty dumb newby questions and got patient, helpful answers from many of the members on here. It would be a huge task to catalogue all the more generic knowledge available amongst us, and as others have observed it would largely duplicate noble tomes like the Haynes manual - I'd suggest it's better to answer those questions as and when. Experience suggests that people who are new to the forum and/or land rovers will often post their question without searching (or at least without knowing enough about what they're looking for to find it) anyway. as is a good search facility. I feel unappreciated After we went to the trouble of getting the advanced searching facilities enabled a few weeks ago... Maybe we should have announced them? On the search screen, click 'More Options'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LR90 Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Sounds like a plan.I like this idea - how about we split the forums into categories (instead of the whole lot under one category - 'Technical')? Something like: Global (someone think of a better name for this!)International Getting Out There [*]Tech Archive Vehicle Tech Tools and Fabrication [*]Vehicles Members Vehicles Series Defender Freelander Discovery Range Rover Military [*]Around The World (Colonies? ) North America Australia and New Zealand Middle East and Africa There's a simple answer here - ask! I've asked some pretty dumb newby questions and got patient, helpful answers from many of the members on here. It would be a huge task to catalogue all the more generic knowledge available amongst us, and as others have observed it would largely duplicate noble tomes like the Haynes manual - I'd suggest it's better to answer those questions as and when. Experience suggests that people who are new to the forum and/or land rovers will often post their question without searching (or at least without knowing enough about what they're looking for to find it) anyway. I feel unappreciated After we went to the trouble of getting the advanced searching facilities enabled a few weeks ago... Maybe we should have announced them? On the search screen, click 'More Options'. Looking good Geoff, been wondering for a while if we should be grouping the forums. Could you add 'Tools & Fabrication' (or pick a better title) below Getting Out There to see what it looks like? I think arround the world is better than colonies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I don't like Global, how about just remove it, have Int forum and getting out there, then as you have listed Geoff? Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbeaumont Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I don't like Global, how about just remove it, have Int forum and getting out there, then as you have listed Geoff?Les. Okay - Don't think they have to be in categories. Trev - can you see any way to move forums between categories, or do you have to create a new forum and move all the posts and copy the settings? If it comes to that, I think I'll get down and dirty directly in the database instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LR90 Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I don't like Global, how about just remove it, have Int forum and getting out there, then as you have listed Geoff?Les. I suspect we may have to have a grouping (as we have Technical now). How about Lounge Bar? But it needs Tools and Fabrication adding to it. Also I've had a quick trawl thro the tech archive and there are few threads there at present on tool (but the one on welders is a good example) so am having second toughts about whether this should be split at this stage (though I do like Geoffs layout). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbeaumont Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I suspect we may have to have a grouping (as we have Technical now). How about Lounge Bar? But it needs Tools and Fabrication adding to it.Also I've had a quick trawl thro the tech archive and there are few threads there at present on tool (but the one on welders is a good example) so am having second toughts about whether this should be split at this stage (though I do like Geoffs layout). Doh! forgot about the non-archive fab forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LR90 Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Geoff, this may be quicker over MSN but I've moved tech archive under yuor new tech archive grouping. Go to forum index to see the change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro_Al Posted February 17, 2006 Author Share Posted February 17, 2006 Wow - this has moved on a bit since last night! I see we have a new forum! (At least on a trial basis I guess...)? One though occurs, having read the recent discussions - why do we need a separate Tech Archive of Tools and Fab - since most/all of it will be good tech anyway, won't it be it's own archive? I don't see the point in removing the best posts and putting them separately in another section??? If you search, you'll find it anyway, and the logical place to look for tools/fab tech is in the tools/fab section, not the archive? Can we not just leave this forum to grow and not touch it's content? I don't see the need, though I'm happy to go with the majority of views of course. Cheers, Al. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbeaumont Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 I see we have a new forum! (At least on a trial basis I guess...)? Correct One though occurs, having read the recent discussions - why do we need a separate Tech Archive of Tools and Fab - since most/all of it will be good tech anyway, won't it be it's own archive? I don't see the point in removing the best posts and putting them separately in another section???If you search, you'll find it anyway, and the logical place to look for tools/fab tech is in the tools/fab section, not the archive? Can we not just leave this forum to grow and not touch it's content? I don't see the need, though I'm happy to go with the majority of views of course. Depends how the forum develops - one of the benefits of the tech archive is that if necessary Tony edits the threads that move there to remove the 'waffle', which makes it much easier to glance through and find the bits you need. The other thing, of course, is simply maintaining a consistent approach across all the forums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pugwash Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Love the new look of the forum- find it much more user friendly. Just my two penneth worth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Just logged in and saw the new arrangement - my immediate thoughts: 1) Excellent, a good structure with not too many sections 2) Kudos to Al for suggesting this, and kudos to the admin team for listening - would this ever have happened on the old forum? 3) Damn I need to think of some tech to post now, means I gotta get on and build my truck I guess! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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