Forum sub-groups

[k9swx]

I had a feature request for the forum here, just curious what others think about this. How about adding some sub-groups to the Uniden group for specific scanners. So instead of having to sift through pages and pages of posts on the Uniden forum, I could click on the BC246 group or the BC396 group. That way you could sticky firmware and other important topics per scanner group. Obviously you could do this with Radio Shack and other scanner groups. Maybe stick with current production models / popular models, that way there wouldn't be a gazillion sub-groups to deal with. Thanks for listening!

 

[mciupa]

I'll play Devil's Advocate :twisted:
The search this forum feature takes care of finding all pertinant postings of different scanner models within both Scanner Models forum.
Chances are it has been discussed on RR at least once !:wink:

Important "hot topics" are stickied including firmware updates.
The Wiki has tons of info and related links for each brand.

I'd be suprised to see the forums spider - web even further than they are now.

 

[k9swx]

With all the discussion about the increased subscription fees, maybe the moderators could add this as a subscription-only feature? All the posts would still be available in the generic scanner manufacturer list, but paying members could go directly into the specific model forum. I'm in the minority I guess here, but it was just an idea. Personally I just don't like to scroll through a ton of pages to find topics related to my specific scanner. I understand the search feature, but a tad more organization would be nice. Thanks for the comment!

 

[mciupa]

It's still good to throw the idea out there , Stan.

I had read and voted in the poll and noticed no response to your pitch. I just thought I would assume the flip-side of the argument.
It's refreshing for someone to respond to my knocks good-naturedly as you did.

Good luck , let's see how this pans out.

 

[loumaag]

Actually I think it is a bad idea. Too many models would generate many many duplicate issues in each model. Sure maybe you have a specific question about a specific issue with a specific frimware update on a specific model; but that can be handled by a properly titled thread subject. How about all those general questions that get asked usually several times. If you have model specific forums that will just multiply the number of times those general questions get asked.

Actually I am against stickies on issues once the issue has grown more that a couple of weeks old. If a topic is popular enough, it will stay at the top of the forum without being a sticky. I know that was not really part of your question or poll, but I just thought I would throw that in also since mciupa mentioned stickies.

 

[k9swx]

Well according to the poll, the opinions are very close. I can see reasons for both sides and everyone who has replied so far has very good points. I guess before I completely give this idea up, I will be more specific in what I am looking for here. For Uniden, I would recommend making subgroups for the following models:

BC246T, BC296D, BR330T, BCD396T, BC796D, BCD996T.

That's 6 subgroups which I don't think is too bad at all. All the other models would go in the main Uniden forum. It just seems like an easy decision to make sub-groups. Of course I can hear the anti-subgroup folks (and maybe moderators) asking me what about the folks who want other subgroups added? I think we all know that we can't please everyone no matter how hard we try. As I mentioned earlier, we could make this a subscription feature so only those folks would get access to these specific forums. (therefore giving another perk to those who are donating to the site) Thanks!

 

[DaveNF2G]

I voted against, for the same reason as I voted against another proposal to multiply the number of forums. People are already unable to select the correct forum for starting threads. Why add to the confusion?

 

[b52hbuff]

One thing that might be useful is if there were ways to 'tag' a message for one or more scanner models. The problem with the search is that it is only as good as the people entering the data. Sometimes folks will transpose or mistype the model number.

Even worse, some people feel the need to advertise which scanners they own. In these cases, search pulls up every post. What a pain....

 

[k9swx]

I voted against, for the same reason as I voted against another proposal to multiply the number of forums. People are already unable to select the correct forum for starting threads. Why add to the confusion?

So because some people don't know where to post, we can't add more forums? It seems pretty obvious to me where to post for whatever I'm asking about.

 

[k9swx]

One thing that might be useful is if there were ways to 'tag' a message for one or more scanner models. The problem with the search is that it is only as good as the people entering the data. Sometimes folks will transpose or mistype the model number.

Yeah, that'd be pretty cool too. Not sure if the forum software will allow that or not.

Even worse, some people feel the need to advertise which scanners they own. In these cases, search pulls up every post. What a pain....

I don't mind that at all. It's kinda nice knowing which scanners people have. I admit I do have a listing in my signature for my BC246T. I can see where that would skew the search results though.

 

[loumaag]

...I do have a listing in my signature for my BC246T. I can see where that would skew the search results though.

Signature blocks are not included in forum searches, just a tidbit of info.

 

[John_M]

How far back do you want to go with scanner models. Is there a model year cutoff point. I voted no.

 

[k9swx]

How far back do you want to go with scanner models. Is there a model year cutoff point. I voted no.

Yeah, I'm done with my push to get this to happen. It's obvious no one but me is interested in doing it this way, so moderators can lock/delete the thread at their convenience. Sorry to have wasted everyone's time.

 

[loumaag]

Closed at OP's requet.