[wp-forums] This one is for Podz, because he asked.

Tue Aug 9 09:34:03 GMT 2005

TechGnome wrote:
And I guess I should reply then :)

> The first suggestion is to dump bbPress.
One of the reasons I wanted this list was that discussions about the 
forum software are pretty much off-limits. Not in the sense that we 
cannot say what we think, but that bbPress is here to stay. If this was 
in the forums it would already be bombarded with "phpBB ROOLZ" and other 
junk.
What I think we need to do is work out what it is that makes vB (one of 
the better ones) as good as it is and what can we bring into bbP that 
will benefit both the code and us.

> Second thing. Dump that infernal style.... People constantly bitch about 
> blogs that only use up a portion of the screen.... and then we have this 
> in the forums. Let's free up some of that real estate and use it.
I've read Skippy's reply. It's not something that bugs me, but how about 
we throw out a challenge for someone to use one of the Firefox plugins 
to skin WP ?

> Change the support link. I think people don't look in the Codex because 
> it's too easy to get to the forums. Make the Support link go to the 
> Codex, from there they can get to the forums.  If we're about empowering 
> people to help themselves, let's shove them in the right direction. Even 
> if the Support link doesn't go right to the Codex, at least have a page 
> that lists the Codex, along with links to some of the common problem 
> areas of WP (themes, template tags, and the like).
I'm working on something which may help here. News soon :)

> Add a last posted date to the search results.
Excellent idea !

> A more advanced search.
I would hope that this is in the pipeline. The ability to search just 
one forum, for multiple terms that can be changed.

> Speaking of Next, Next, Next....nothing is more annoying than having to 
> click Next Page> 5 times just to get to the end of the thread (or the 
> middle were you left off) - it would be nice to have better pagination 
> both in the forum threads and in the search results.

The pagination has got better recently with the 1,2,3 .. links at the 
top. Pretty much as it was way back in the mists of time.

> Previously some one (I think it was podz) stated that it (the forums) 
> was no one's child. That needs to change. Some one has got to care and 
> take charge. It just isn't me. There needs to be a clear list of who the 
> moderators are and what they can do for you, and how to contact them if 
> necessary.

Skippy has listed the people, and as he has said, the ability to move 
posts would be good, esp if forum specific searches are on the agenda.
I did write out on my User page at Codex what we could do - when editing 
is restored I will get the history back if possible and place it where 
you think would be helpful ?
'take charge' - I have always viewed my role as Moderator / Maven / 
Whatever to be as invisible as possible. If I'm doing everything Skippy 
has listed but you do not notice, then as far as I'm concerned I'm doing 
a fine job. The main job I did was keeping the forums tidy more than 
anything. As soon as anyone starts to 'take charge' and try to do what 
they think is good, there are very personal attacks made both in the 
forums, on blogs and in people's blog comments. It's a fine line to tread.

> Subscriptions -- despite what Matt thinks, subscriptions are a good 
> thing. It allows people to keep better track of the threads they 
> participate in or start.
Tried the 'favourites' ? It's very good !

> I'd also like to see a link to "View posts with no replies". I don't 
> think I need to explain that one.
Agreed :)

> Now, here's why I don't think anything is going to some of it. WP-F uses 
> bbPress exclusively.

True, but that's like saying Six Apart use MT exclusively isn't it ? And 
while there may be not huge forums running bbP yet, there is a sizeable 
userbase and it's code is far from being set in stone (from following 
the list there and looking at how Matt and Michael are changing things).

> And they are just not going to happen.

I really do think that if we can make a solid case for why a certain 
feature set should be there, then we will be listened to. Of course that 
does not guarantee that change will happen, and aesthetic change is and 
always will be down to Matt - it's his site.

I genuinely do think that discussing ways of improving the forum 
software are needed and useful. If I didn't I'd unsub from this list.

P.