Threads that go bump in the night.

Discussion in 'Network Information, Suggestions and Feedback' started by Ron Goldstein, Jan 25, 2012.

  1. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    I’ve noticed recently that some pretty early threads are being bumped up, presumably for further consideration and additional comment.

    Now, this might be either an indication that we are running out of original ideas or simply that we are thirsting to enjoy once again some of the super threads that we enjoyed when we first joined the forum.

    For whatever reason, I think it's a cracking idea, so, I have "joined the club" and hereby give you all fair warning that I shall be bumping away until further notice.

    Watch out for some of my favourites :lol:


    Ron
     
  2. Deacs

    Deacs Well i am from Cumbria.

    A good idea Ron there are some little jems locked away in the depths of this forum.

    Regards Michael.
     
  3. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Michael

    I've already bumped a couple of threads and immediately realised that I have chosen ones that were of particularly interest to me and probably me alone.

    What I am looking for is others to start "bumping" for gems that have lain hidden for some time and that might also be of interest to the newer forum members.

    Ron
     
  4. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    Not an idea that I would be keen to see.

    At the moment the list of new posts on all board threads turns over every 24 hours or so.

    This gives a relatively simple way for me to consider if I can contribute to a thread.

    If previous posts are brought to the front with no new info then they displace the new posts from this list. I know from experience I will not search each sub board to find new posts.

    At the end of the day all that night bumps do is create a need for new posters to do the same to keep their posts visible giving a board that appears to be full of unanswered posts.

    Regards
    Ross
     
  5. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Ross

    Genuine apologies, I had not truthfully considered how this might affect researchers such as yourself and I do take your point on board.

    If others can think of a solution that will address both our needs I am all ears.

    Ron
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I have been going over old threads in the 1940 sub-forum for over a year now.

    Everytime my BEF war diary collection grows I go back over old ground. Some threads that have not had an answer for several years now have the original question answered and the poster receives a PM to that effect.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  7. At Home Dad (Returning)

    At Home Dad (Returning) Well-Known Member

    time for an "All Time Classic Threads" section?
     
  8. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    I dont think its necessarily that we are running out of things to talk about. The site is growing and at a reasonable rate. New people are coming in withe various interests and adding to subjects that have already been discussed as opposed to starting "new" threads in the subject. I think its a great way of refreshing the forum and may it continue!
     
  9. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    I'm in favour of a bit of light bumping (you may have noticed :unsure:).
    There's a whole heap of stuff on here that lies fallow, and much of it is good fun, interesting, or even unanswered. Membership continues to rise, new bods miss some good threads, and the searching of stuff is a bit hit & miss, so nothing wrong with dragging stuff into the light now and then to see if it floats. Otherwise we might as well be a 'closed archive' like People's war.
    Some forums make threads disappear on a time basis, and I really don't think we're that kind of forum.
    (Oops, I mentioned People's War and their closed archive... sorry, Ron :))

    (Obviously, we can spot pointless or excessively repetitive bumping - that can indeed be a pain in the arse. But I'd also say anyone with a serious or family query that didn't get much of a response is welcome to give it a nudge after a few weeks.)time for an "All Time Classic Threads" section?
    It's been considered in the backroom a few times, still on my mind quite often.
    I've got a little list.
     
  10. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    I would like to see an 'all time classic threads' section - problem is who would decide what threads are 'classics'?
    I think it would have to be Admin or Mods only, even if it is another tiresome task for their poor overworked fingers!
     
  11. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    time for an "All Time Classic Threads" section?

    It's been considered in the backroom a few times, still on my mind quite often.
    I've got a little list.
    But there is a problem if you move threads from their rightful home (and if it's 1940, you're dead)

    I've never considered it a great idea, it is used elsewhere, I believe.

    Could it be done with linking?
     
    von Poop likes this.
  12. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    But there is a problem if you move threads from their rightful home (and if it's 1940, you're dead)

    I've never considered it a great idea, it is used elsewhere, I believe.

    Could it be done with linking?
    The 'moving stuff from the 1940 section' angle is one of the prime reasons I haven't dared. I don't want two strange blokes chucking bits of ambulance & old motorbike at me...

    Really hadn't thought of linking (duh), plenty of space on the forums page to balance out the external links... hmmmm...
     
    Rich Payne likes this.
  13. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    Ah, 1940, nineteen Shmorty!!! :P Everyone knows the Classic threads are to be found in the Eastern Front Section (well the Classic arguments are in there!)
     
  14. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    That seems like a good idea - much better than moving (and having to duck the incoming).
     
  15. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Down 12 places to Number 13 is all that 1940s stuff and this weeks Number One is Geoff's Search Engine!



    http://www.********.co.uk/WW2talk/blackburn.jpg
     
  16. At Home Dad (Returning)

    At Home Dad (Returning) Well-Known Member

    it could be done by the thread rating
     
  17. Roxy

    Roxy Senior Member

    Notwithstanding the 'new posts' part of the forum, I think that there is something to be said for 'bumping' some threads. It can give folks an opportunity to add to a thread that, for some reason, they may have missed. There are some very well informed individuals on the forum and they can't always see every thread.

    I admit to have 'bumped' one of my own threads when it was slipping down the list with little information forthcoming. After the 'bump' - success!

    Bump!;)

    Roxy
     
  18. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    The 'moving stuff from the 1940 section' angle is one of the prime reasons I haven't dared. I don't want two strange blokes chucking bits of ambulance & old motorbike at me...

    Really hadn't thought of linking (duh), plenty of space on the forums page to balance out the external links... hmmmm...

    I resemble that remark...:unsure: and if 'classic' means 'classic arguments' then you'll find very few of those on 1940 since old Fred went down with his converted inland waterways troop-carrier. :)
     
  19. jacksun

    jacksun Senior Member

    One thing I have noticed that gets missed most of the time (and I'm guilty of it as well) is using the "tags" functionality on a new post.

    This applies to the other post as well - "Use the search engine". Tags would help with results, but only if they are applicable.

    Seems we cannot add tags to existing posts, can this be changed?

    Bumping and re-linking have their place, but tags do as well. We can say the same for subscribing to a thread as a useful tool for managing questions and input to threads, subscriptions let you find them again quickly.

    My other comment is about the search engine on the site, just how effective is it? Should one investigate a custom, site specific Google engine?
    I notice that Google indexes this site very quickly, tags may help that, but if we cause double content it may cause a negative impact.

    My pennies worth,

    Wayne
     
  20. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    I agree with the Tags thing, they could be very useful if more people used 'em - shall have to re-investigate how usable they are for standard members. Thought it was set up OK, but haven't really checked properly for a while.

    Vbulletin's search Engine is 'OK', but given the repetition of certain terms it's hard to beat just using Google's site-search, with all the usual whizzy Google search terms available:
    Search WW2Talk via Google here
    The place has got so wide-ranging over the years, that when even Owen can't remember where a particular thread lies, Google often comes up trumps.
     

Share This Page