[Suggestion] Optional flat sub-forum view and virtual sub-forum groups

[matthiaspaul]

Hi everybody,

We run a photo forum with some 180 sub-forums organized 3 levels deep. This is all well layed out and quite easy to navigate (with lots of context-sensitive crosslinks between related sub-forums). The structure helps people to find the best-suited place to post their topics and at the same time helps other people to find back information in older threads, which would otherwise be lost among the thousands of other threads.

The structure looks similar to this example (omitting much stuff here, of course, but I hope, you get the idea):

[...]
> SLR systems
>> System A DSLRs
>>> Model A-D-1
>>> Model A-D-2
>>> Model A-D-3
>>> [...]
>> System A film-SLRs
>>> Model A-F-1
>>> Model A-F-2
>>> Model A-F-3
>>> [...]
>> System B film-SLRs
>>> [...]
>> [...]
>>> [...]
>> lenses
>>> System A lenses
>>> System B lenses
>>> [...]
>> flashes
>>> System A digital flashes
>>> System A analog flashes
>>> System B flashes
>>> [...]
>> accessories
>>> [...]
> rangefinder systems
[...]

While this structure has its pros, it also has some downsides for people interested in many level 3 sub-forums, as they will have to visit many sub-forums instead of one large forum.

It would be great, if we could let the users decide for themselves, if they would prefer to browse the native board structure, or "flatten" the deeper levels for a broader view. In this "flat view mode", a user on level 2 would see all the topics on level 2 as well as all topics in all levels 3 sub-forums of that sub-tree. Recursively, downto the leafs of the tree.
Basically, on level n, he would see all threads in the corresponding level n sub-forum, as well as all threads in all n+1, n+2, n+3, ... sub-forums for that sub-tree.

This would be similar to navigating, for example, eBay: The deeper you go in the categority tree, the narrower your focus and the fewer items (threads) will get listed.

In the most basic implementation, I can imagine this as a user-setting for the whole board: "Normal view" or "Flat view" (and admins should be able to define the default in the ACP.)

Ideally, the user should be able to easily toggle the mode while viewing a sub-forum (instead of having to go to "My controls" first). This should toggle the view mode, but not save the setting. If the user actually wants to save the preferred setting, he will have to change it in "My controls".

Even better: The user could save the setting on a per-forum basis. And admins should be able to pre-configure the setting as a per-forum property as well.: "Use global default", "Use user setting", "Force normal view", "Force flat view", "Preset: Normal, but allow flat view", "Preset flat view, but allow normal".

./.

A related feature would be to allow users to create virtual groups of forums. They could, perhaps, decide to create one or more logically grouped forum views on top of the existing physical sub-forum structure. Assume a forum structure similar to the example structure above, where there would be a sub-forum for each camera model. On top of that physical organization, some users may be interested in all entry level models or all pro models and therefore create a virtual forum which contains all the corresponding model specific sub-forums. Another user may have a very different opinion on how to group the sub-forums and would combine the models into generations or families. Such a feature would allow users to set up a meta-layer ontop of an existing forum structure, so they can optimize their view of a large board to fit their individual needs.

What do you think?

Greetings,

Matthias

[bfarber]

I'll be honest - I like the ideas (a lot, actually) but worry about the confusion it might cause for less-experienced users. :unsure:

[Luke]

Hmmmm... So the idea basically involves them only seeing what they want to look at (or at least somewhat)? How about a customized forum view? Let the users pick which forums they want to see, and which ones are hidden. That way they only see the content they want, and the rest of it is hidden, until they decide to "view all".

[bfarber]

Well, his first suggestion would be akin to going to IPS Company Feedback and seeing all the topics in it, plus IP.Board, Gallery, Blog, Downloads, Converge, and Nexus. Then clicking one of those subforums would filter out the topics further.

[Luke]

Oh I see. Isn't that like search, but without keywords? Nice idea though.

[BlackDrag]

I have been reading many times this topic and I think I understand the idea....(not so sure) :lol:

'll be honest - I like the ideas (a lot, actually) but worry about the confusion it might cause for less-experienced users

Lot of feature in IPB exist as option, so users will try anyway. I think all of us did that when using for fist time IPB.As I said i am no too sure to understand at 100 % the idea but if it can exist as an option, why not...
Less-experienced users will try it an d if they don't like it, just don't us it.. NO? :huh:

[bfarber]

As stated elsewhere, everything is cost vs benefit. If 3 users out of the thousands of customers we have would use the option, it's not worth our time to add it. If 1000 users out of the thousands of users we have would use it, maybe it is. :)

[China J]

I like it... I think this would be a nice option to have. Brandon is right though, if it were to be considered, a lot more people have to be interested in it being an option or add-on.

[BlackDrag]

As stated elsewhere, everything is cost vs benefit. If 3 users out of the thousands of customers we have would use the option, it's not worth our time to add it. If 1000 users out of the thousands of users we have would use it, maybe it is.

Yes of course. I was speaking about the "confusion" point but I agree with you for the cost vs benefit.

[Louis M.]

I can definatly see the use for this, espicially on some of the larger forums I participate in. One site has as of last count 83 different forums (including sub-forums). Something like this to create "views" would be heavenly.