I think there is always room to improve something it's just finding the right way to do this and I hope that this thread may lead to something constructive as it has prompted many people to comment.
Here are some rudimentary thoughts from me -
Scenario:
I wish to start a new thread....
I'm thinking that the Post New Thread page could be redesigned? Would it be helpful to prompt the author with a drop down menu to classify the nature of their thread: for example - this is my first post, getting help with a diagnosis, care home advice etc etc
There would of course have to be a list of no more than say 10 options with Other at the bottom to catch the less common questions.
The prompt list would be helpful to new users as well as more seasoned users in that it will help give focus to the question.
It may be possible to help the user to specify whether they wish to convey emotion so a good news thread is highlighted as such and likewise a desperate plea for help. And anyone wishing to talk about subjects that do not require "answers" e.g rants or general points of view could be filtered too. This would help the moderators who must find it hard to have to move posts on occasion.
It would then be possible to design a search engine within the forum for members to quickly search for content so they don't have to read all the new posts on a daily basis and can sort out post where they can offer relevant experience.
This should not make the page more complicated than it is, in fact I think the tool bars and Smilies get in the way and why is the Tags window so prominent? It is hardly ever used because it's not understood, which is a great pity.
So my thought would be to replace the Tags section with a drop down Category section.
I think there is a wealth of information and experience on TP which is growing every day and every hour but where does it all go? There must be a way of capturing the most valuable information and filing on Topic Boards. That would cut down the amount of new posters as they could find answers to their concerns more easily without trying to search using the current search engines. Or am I not using the search engines in the right way?
Just thoughts, I am not an expert and I do realise that web sites are expensive to develop in this way.
Here are some rudimentary thoughts from me -
Scenario:
I wish to start a new thread....
I'm thinking that the Post New Thread page could be redesigned? Would it be helpful to prompt the author with a drop down menu to classify the nature of their thread: for example - this is my first post, getting help with a diagnosis, care home advice etc etc
There would of course have to be a list of no more than say 10 options with Other at the bottom to catch the less common questions.
The prompt list would be helpful to new users as well as more seasoned users in that it will help give focus to the question.
It may be possible to help the user to specify whether they wish to convey emotion so a good news thread is highlighted as such and likewise a desperate plea for help. And anyone wishing to talk about subjects that do not require "answers" e.g rants or general points of view could be filtered too. This would help the moderators who must find it hard to have to move posts on occasion.
It would then be possible to design a search engine within the forum for members to quickly search for content so they don't have to read all the new posts on a daily basis and can sort out post where they can offer relevant experience.
This should not make the page more complicated than it is, in fact I think the tool bars and Smilies get in the way and why is the Tags window so prominent? It is hardly ever used because it's not understood, which is a great pity.
So my thought would be to replace the Tags section with a drop down Category section.
I think there is a wealth of information and experience on TP which is growing every day and every hour but where does it all go? There must be a way of capturing the most valuable information and filing on Topic Boards. That would cut down the amount of new posters as they could find answers to their concerns more easily without trying to search using the current search engines. Or am I not using the search engines in the right way?
Just thoughts, I am not an expert and I do realise that web sites are expensive to develop in this way.
