One thing that has disturbed me about the recent rantings is MY impression that Administrators probably do a good job but seem to be hovering ready to jump to defend any perceived criticisms to their brethren.

I'd agree with you there, we've been far too lax in applying item 10 of the guidelines.

For reference

10. Moderators and Administrators have the final say in all forum matters. If you have a problem or a complaint raise it with them using Messenger, e-mail or the Report button - but NEVER in the forums. They will then take the appropriate actions. Bad mouthing, insulting and criticising an Administrator or Moderator decision in the public forum will be heavily frowned upon. Depending on the severity, appropriate action may be taken against the offending member(s).

Back to the changes, I think we may have a solution to separate communities and allowing inclusion.

Each post would require the selection of a suitable pre programmed prefix. Say engines, pre-sales questions, modifications & tuning, Skoda Audio and Navigation, lighting, towing, wheels & tyres etc etc. Each model forum, and gen car chat would share these prefixes. There may be room for a small number of model/community specific ones, but not many for ease of posting and backend admin of prefixes.

As prefixes will be shared amongst forums, we'd need consensus on the best way to group items

By clicking on a prefix you can search the whole forum for that prefix so info can be shared and still locatable even if not in completely the right place. Prefixes are shown in new content, or simply only browse the forum of your choice.

It'll add another way to use the forums, to find content, and mingle through common issues and interests.

The main page could also be simplified, simply listing the model 'communities', and a generalised car chat area for anything cross model, generic or non skoda further broken down into categories used as prefixes.

How does that sound? Hopefully I've explained it, as it's in a staff testing area so I cant show you. If you want a rough idea what I mean, look at the http://www.andoidforums.com as they prefixing to help people find content easily.

From what you have described, it sounds as if it might be a good solution.

I would like to see exactly how it would look on briskly though.

I agree that the forum home page could be cleaned up to just model headers and the usual general headings.

Although the current index allows users to find the section they need, I find it takes a bit of time to read them all and decide which is the one I need.

A simplified index page would also be less daunting for new visitors.

Give it a go, i say. what's the worst that can happen?

Sorry, but too complicated, (and I've got an Android phone!)

If it is going to be used it has to be simple.

Sorry, but too complicated, (and I've got an Android phone!)

If it is going to be used it has to be simple.

Have you tried the mobile version of the site, works well on the droid browser.

Have you tried the mobile version of the site, works well on the droid browser.

I have and it does, but if there are more complex links to multiple areas (as I understand there may be from gadgetman's post b#103) will it?

Has to be tried and tested; yes?

I don't see why it would'nt work on a smartphone,(note, we don't offically support them, the mobile version is built into the site software, it's just a bonus that it's there)

I just clicked on home(I usually use new content) and the home page display with the models etc, I guess you would click on a model then have another list of liinks to sub groups.

It's just like the normal site as far as I can tell.

will it break tap a talk? (I guess not) but as another android user I mainly access via tap a talk and I know there are many others who do likewise.

Sorry, you forget I'm a Luddite.

I got an Android phone because that is what O2 gave me, and about the only thing I've ever connected to on the internet with it is Facebook. I find it much too slow to try surfing anywhere else!

What I meant was that having all these prefixes, etc just complicates matters and removes the simplicity that there is now. I looked at that link and didn't understand 75% of what they were trying to get to, let alone the technical side. For example I thought I'd look for a mapping app, other than the Nokia one loaded.............................I gave up!!

And I still haven't worked out what "tap-a-talk" is??

I'm lost, why mention it if your not going use it ?

Another option is to leave the site as it is now, and you keep posting where and we'll keep moving it to where it should be, The simplicity is there and always has been, it was only since all this kicked off that it's been suggested that we change it. As you say it works, why change it.

I don't think anyone was ever saying when they said intergration was we want you all round for coffee at mine, the main issue is when a member posts random topics e.g. a thread about the cost of bread in the yeti section, we'll move just as if that thread ended up in the fabia section or wherever else. Something random like that goes in the OT section and everyones happy. This is the way I saw the 'issues' anyway.

It was never about anything else as far as I know.

Sorry, you forget I'm a Luddite.

I got an Android phone because that is what O2 gave me, and about the only thing I've ever connected to on the internet with it is Facebook. I find it much too slow to try surfing anywhere else!

What I meant was that having all these prefixes, etc just complicates matters and removes the simplicity that there is now. I looked at that link and didn't understand 75% of what they were trying to get to, let alone the technical side. For example I thought I'd look for a mapping app, other than the Nokia one loaded.............................I gave up!!

And I still haven't worked out what "tap-a-talk" is??

Nokia loaded map app on an android phone?

Did you actually look at the Androidforums.com site at all before rubbishing the idea? There'd be a very short list and it'd help you easily see topics of interest.

So if you have an engine issue, you'd use the prefix so your thread would appear in the forum as. [Engine & Transmission] - Is it normal for a TSI to be so noisy?

Prefixing seems to be supported by tapatalk.

Another option is to leave the site as it is now, and you keep posting where and we'll keep moving it to where it should be,

I'm lost, why mention it if your not going use it ?

Another option is to leave the site as it is now, and you keep posting where and we'll keep moving it to where it should be, The simplicity is there and always has been, it was only since all this kicked off that it's been suggested that we change it. As you say it works, why change it.

I don't think anyone was ever saying when they said intergration was we want you all round for coffee at mine, the main issue is when a member posts random topics e.g. a thread about the cost of bread in the yeti section, we'll move just as if that thread ended up in the fabia section or wherever else. Something random like that goes in the OT section and everyones happy. This is the way I saw the 'issues' anyway.

It was never about anything else as far as I know.

David,

I'm not sure who that is aimed at, and I'm not actually sure I follow your arguement. What I am saying is that the method this Forum is currently laid out seems to work fine. yes there are disagreements sometimes, but to put these various prefixes that Gadgetman seems to be suggesting appears to me to be too complicated.

Nokia loaded map app on an android phone?

Did you actually look at the Androidforums.com site at all before rubbishing the idea? There'd be a very short list and it'd help you easily see topics of interest.

So if you have an engine issue, you'd use the prefix so your thread would appear in the forum as. [Engine & Transmission] - Is it normal for a TSI to be so noisy?

Prefixing seems to be supported by tapatalk.

Gadgetman,

I have to ask, but why the attack?

Yes I did look at the link you provided and I could not make any sense of it. As an example I looked for a mapping app; I could not find one. At no time have I "rubbished" it, just said I found it too complicated.

+ + + + + + + + + +

I use various 4x4, LR and other Forums. They work just like this one; model or make specific areas, then some specialist areas, like Rights of Way or Trialling, then "general" areas. Some examples:

http://forum.landrovernet.com/forum.php?

http://forum.difflock.com/index.php?sid=8dc2e1197f544830c6391a882d28e828

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?act=idx

These work well and are popular, so why does there seem to be a need to "invent" something different?

I'm happy as it is. Everything is easy to find and the information is good. I've posted in different model sections for advice before so I don't see what the problem is. There are a few who will give deliberately obtuse answers or actively go looking for arguments but you get this in forums and anywhere else in life. This I think is the cause of most of this and this does tend to round in cycles.

As some have said already, sections like the Roomster or Citigo are quiet sections but because of this require little to no moderating as far as I'm aware. How do mods view the forum? Just individual sections they like or through New Content? I presume this is why you want a leader type figure for each section as representation?

When I first came here I mainly stayed in the Fabia I section since I owned one but since then I think I've posted in almost every part of the forum. I've contributed to posts on other sections that inevitably cross over. Most of us do this which is why the forum on the whole is so good. Besides I find the search function works well enough anyway

I'm not saying everyone has to participate everywhere but having an open mind helps and if you want it you can join in with some great things too with other members. Want a track day but never been to one before? No problem. Jason runs two at Castle Combe every year not to mention other events and shows people organise too. Then you have meets with like minded people driving round nice roads. vRS or not, all are welcome. This year is my first year I've attended events with the forum and I'm glad I have. It's great fun. If I can afford it I do want to go to meets further afield next year.

David,

I'm not sure who that is aimed at, and I'm not actually sure I follow your arguement. What I am saying is that the method this Forum is currently laid out seems to work fine. yes there are disagreements sometimes, but to put these various prefixes that Gadgetman seems to be suggesting appears to me to be too complicated.

Gadgetman,

I have to ask, but why the attack?

Yes I did look at the link you provided and I could not make any sense of it. As an example I looked for a mapping app; I could not find one. At no time have I "rubbished" it, just said I found it too complicated.

+ + + + + + + + + +

I use various 4x4, LR and other Forums. They work just like this one; model or make specific areas, then some specialist areas, like Rights of Way or Trialling, then "general" areas. Some examples:

http://forum.landrov....com/forum.php?

http://forum.diffloc...6391a882d28e828

http://www.canalworl...dex.php?act=idx

These work well and are popular, so why does there seem to be a need to "invent" something different?

Not an attack, but so far any suggestions you havent liked.

Looking at the links you've posted the first thing that screams loud and clear is that there is no chit-chat in the specific forums. They are for model/specific issues only and everything else has a home. Which is what staff do now.

Not an attack, but so far any suggestions you havent liked.

Looking at the links you've posted the first thing that screams loud and clear is that there is no chit-chat in the specific forums. They are for model/specific issues only and everything else has a home. Which is what staff do now.

I think it was suggested way, way earlier, but maybe a model-specific off topic section would be the way forward

That way, if, for example, a Yeti owner wanted to talk about something totally random, but only wanted it to be answered by fellow Yeti owners, as opposed to the whole site, he could

I can't see why there would be a need, I mean, if I wanted to talk bill hooks, I'm perfectly happy for everyone to have a bash at me, not just Octavia 2 owners

Gadgetman,

Why complicate matters, which your "prefix" idea seems to do?

And it does appear I'm not alone in the idea of keeping it basically as it is, but allowing a little leeway, under the control of a model specific "overseer (say)", so that certain "communities" can keep their identities.

Gadgetman,

Why complicate matters, which your "prefix" idea seems to do?

See the following for what I mean - http://androidforums.com/htc-sensation-xe/

You can see they use 5 'prefixes' so you can see at a glance the subject matter and you can filter to only show prefixes of interest. The system this forum's software uses colour codes them, and makes them clickable so you could click say the Radio & Satnav prefix and search the entire site.

It wont change those that simply want to stick to the one forum other than an extra step when you post.

David,

I'm not sure who that is aimed at, and I'm not actually sure I follow your arguement. What I am saying is that the method this Forum is currently laid out seems to work fine. yes there are disagreements sometimes, but to put these various prefixes that Gadgetman seems to be suggesting appears to me to be too complicated.

Sorry I misred and thought you were having trouble viewing on a phone, I wasn't arguing anything, just trying to be helpful.

Well we all agree on something, in as much as it's fine the way it is.

Gadgetman

Now having looked at that example, it makes much more sense and I can see how it would work.

I think the previous example you linked to didn't appear to be a forum as we know it, so was confusing.

If things do change, they will take a little getting used to but I feel that every quickly well all get used to the new.

I suppose it's a bit like getting a new car.

Essentially it does exactly the same as the old one but some of the buttons etc are in a different place.

If things do change, they will take a little getting used to but I feel that every quickly well all get used to the new.

You would be amazed at how quick! Whenever i change how anything on the forum looks there is normally some kind of outcry.. people hate it, people tell me it will never work, can anyone even remember what the last iteration of the briskoda theme looked like? It normally all dies down after a week.

I am not 100% sold on the prefixes yet, i'm trying to build a system in my head of how it could work most effectively. I certainly think we have a lot of testing to do on the staging site before we consider it.

Out of interest, if this page; http://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/170-skoda-yeti-owners/ showed you the forums here; http://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/118-community/ beneath the yeti forums, would that help in people seeing the wider community and find the correct forum for off topic subjects?

I wonder if part of the reason that I (and others) don't use much of the rest of the forum much is that there are so many sections (though I understand why that's the case).

Rather than scrolling down to the Yeti bit from the front page I just come straight in, bypassing most of the forum.

I'm not sure if anything could be done to change this though - maybe a more "nested" layout for the front page, so you only see the major sections first, then you drill down to the bit you want.

Alex, could you post some screen shots for people to see the staging examples of posting, forum view, and clicking on the prefix?

Could we trial live on the yeti forum as it's easily removed.

Alex, could you post some screen shots for people to see the staging examples of posting, forum view, and clicking on the prefix?

Could we trial live on the yeti forum as it's easily removed.

I think we would be reluctant to trial on the production server until we have it properly tested, configured and styled on the staging site.

I can throw some screen shots together from the staging site so people can see what we mean when i get home from work.

I think Alex is getting close to what I envisaged the original proposal was.

I was thinking of a main heading of YETI then sub-headings along the lines of (say) Engine, Trim, Rights of Way, Chat, etc.

However, what ever is decided, if the Yeti area is to become slightly autonomous it will need 1 or 2 "overseers".