23
Ralex
raidarr
Greeting PMC forums users!
As time has progressed, we are aware that the current structure of our forum is both lacking and ineffective in both usability and clarity. We have sat down long and hard at looking at how to restructure the forums in order to make the navigation and classification of the threads easier to find, and to bring the content you want to see first.
As such, we are looking for your own inputs into the structure.
A few ground rules about this though, so you do not get carried away:
A) This will likely be a full forum restructure, so do not expect anything to stay outright. If there's no value that we can see, expect it to disappear.
B) We do not need a full structure from users. If you only want to offer a suggestion for a part, feel free!
C) This would only be a structure change. Actual functionality of the forum is not changing. We will not change how threads look, but will change how they are grouped.
D) This change will result in a rules change in order to address the new structure. Just because the rules say you can or can't do it now does not mean it will not change. You can suggest rule changes if they are fitting with the new structure.
So give us your ideas and thoughts about the forum structure! What works, what doesn't, what would you change if you could?
As time has progressed, we are aware that the current structure of our forum is both lacking and ineffective in both usability and clarity. We have sat down long and hard at looking at how to restructure the forums in order to make the navigation and classification of the threads easier to find, and to bring the content you want to see first.
As such, we are looking for your own inputs into the structure.
A few ground rules about this though, so you do not get carried away:
A) This will likely be a full forum restructure, so do not expect anything to stay outright. If there's no value that we can see, expect it to disappear.
B) We do not need a full structure from users. If you only want to offer a suggestion for a part, feel free!
C) This would only be a structure change. Actual functionality of the forum is not changing. We will not change how threads look, but will change how they are grouped.
D) This change will result in a rules change in order to address the new structure. Just because the rules say you can or can't do it now does not mean it will not change. You can suggest rule changes if they are fitting with the new structure.
So give us your ideas and thoughts about the forum structure! What works, what doesn't, what would you change if you could?
Create an account or sign in to comment.
81
11/27/2017 11:21 pm
This reply was removed by the poster or a moderator.
1
That looks easy on paper, but I doubt it would be quite as effective in practice, or particularly simple to implement without having a number of possible false alarms, bugs and other hiccups. Sounds to me like the issue is better handled +1 or two folks to check the section and a clear set of rules at the top (not that many people even read them, given the amount of people that post "looking for ___" threads).
2
We should change how you bump your forum thread. Maybe you could make it so anyone except yourself can bump your thread.
1
that would turn into crazy spam
1
How. Everyone bumps their own thread, so if we modified that so only other people can bump your thread, that would take away needless, pointless, idiotic threads. I've seen a thread with more than 300 replies, and more than 200 were from the person who made it. And as a result, that thread was in the PMC forum activity for more than 3 weeks straight.
1
the idea of the new forums is bumping isnt needed, if the thread stays active it wont vanish, threads left untouched for a month with no activity will become inactive, meaning they no longer appear in the "active" tab, people bumping threads wont do anything, the thread will already be in the "active" tab for at least a month and can be acted on accordingly, bumping doesnt need to exist
3
"Wanna join my server?" has to go.
2
when we tweak the rules i think we should have a look at formats and/or guidelines for how people post their server threads
1
Wanna join MY server? ;))))
4
As said by many others, I wholeheartedly agree in the sense that server posts need to be completely removed from the equation in the forums. I think PMC Forums still have a use these days, but for those that are posting, their posts won't get seen at all because of the constant spam of servers that 9/10 people are 100% uninterested in joining. Keep the servers under the server page, not in the forums that were designed for a complete different use.
5
Make it so I can find MY posts again. I don't like having to click on forums then realizing I have to go back to my profile agains to look at the posts I've been in.
4
Coming soon, yes.
1
I know right? I said the same thing!
2
Duz dat mean we're 'great minds'?
2
Heck yeah! We think alike, don’t we?
2
I would like my search function back. I don't like spending 20 minutes sorting through my 900 posts to find what I'm looking for. It's making transferring info from my sci-fi thread a real pain.
3
A more powerful search is on the list, but it's gonna be a while. Searching is a pain to implement. I have a rudamentary system working, but I didn't want to put too much energy into a MySQL searching engine if we're going to push it all to solr in the future, which will allow for advanced features like "search for my posts between January and June with "sci fi" in the title".
1
Thank you for the update. It's definitely going to make my life easier.
1
My honest opinion is to just straight up remove these forums since 1) nobody uses them and 2) when they are it's nothing but server ads.
Waited for two and a half years to get a new forums and it's worse than it was before. You'd be better off just focusing all the resources just for the uploads of maps and such (probably should also remove Blogs while you're at it).
Game's dead and if anyone new or old came they'd most likely go to MCF.
Waited for two and a half years to get a new forums and it's worse than it was before. You'd be better off just focusing all the resources just for the uploads of maps and such (probably should also remove Blogs while you're at it).
Game's dead and if anyone new or old came they'd most likely go to MCF.
5
1) the forums are frequently used, you apparently have not paid attention.
2) your vision is skewed by the fact that the forum throws every thread created onto the front page, and the bulk happens to be servers. It does not mean other threads aren't there, simply that you have to search for them.
3) Where's my salt emoji?
2) your vision is skewed by the fact that the forum throws every thread created onto the front page, and the bulk happens to be servers. It does not mean other threads aren't there, simply that you have to search for them.
3) Where's my salt emoji?
1
1) 2 non-server related posts a day on a site of two million does not an active forum make
2) A cursory glance of any section will net you at least 1/3rd server-related topics
3) Try Twitch.
2) A cursory glance of any section will net you at least 1/3rd server-related topics
3) Try Twitch.
6
Irrelevant. There are posts and activities being held outside of the server forum, and there are very few sites dedicated that legitimately compete with PMC in terms of overall activity, as well as forum activity.
The server forum being particularly active does not make the forums as a whole dead (and by the way, doesn't that mean that since a section is particularly active, it would be asinine to remove it?). There are still uses to the forum, and if your suggestion to remove it is serious, then there is little good reason to follow it through.
Especially when your ending statement is "game's dead" which is a bald-faced lie, with the second part being unsubstantiated.
The server forum being particularly active does not make the forums as a whole dead (and by the way, doesn't that mean that since a section is particularly active, it would be asinine to remove it?). There are still uses to the forum, and if your suggestion to remove it is serious, then there is little good reason to follow it through.
Especially when your ending statement is "game's dead" which is a bald-faced lie, with the second part being unsubstantiated.
4
Also don't forget he could unfollow the section.
5
With almost 8 years of content, it's a bit of a stiff decision to "straight up remove". Not much is gained by removing something that people do use. Admittedly, they aren't used as much as I want them to be, but they are still being used quite heavily, and as such there is still a reason for keeping this alive.
Server advertisements are definitely a problem, and I agree whole-heartedly that we need to figure out a way to keep them from being the only thing people see. The fact that so many new servers pop up there is kind of nice, in my opinion, but it's not fun to see only servers on your feed when you have no interest in joining them. For that reason, you can unfollow that category, and you'll never have to see them again; I didn't understand why this argument came up since I had unfollowed it from the beginning of the new forums, but I definitely see it now. We're going to see what we can do about that.
Same deal with removing blogs. There's a ton of good content there, and contests for blogs do quite well. No good reason for doing so.
Game's not dead; Minecraft is an enigma in that it's had so many peaks over the years. I don't think it'll be dead any time soon. If it had died, I wouldn't have a job any more.
Server advertisements are definitely a problem, and I agree whole-heartedly that we need to figure out a way to keep them from being the only thing people see. The fact that so many new servers pop up there is kind of nice, in my opinion, but it's not fun to see only servers on your feed when you have no interest in joining them. For that reason, you can unfollow that category, and you'll never have to see them again; I didn't understand why this argument came up since I had unfollowed it from the beginning of the new forums, but I definitely see it now. We're going to see what we can do about that.
Same deal with removing blogs. There's a ton of good content there, and contests for blogs do quite well. No good reason for doing so.
Game's not dead; Minecraft is an enigma in that it's had so many peaks over the years. I don't think it'll be dead any time soon. If it had died, I wouldn't have a job any more.
1
doesnt the fact that it dying puts you out of a job make you a little biased
1
I agree with most of this, but, what's your definition of "quite well"? The past two blog contests or so got less than 100 entries. Even for a non-skin contest, and considering it's 2017, it's still kind of sad, to be honest.
2
I agree.
1
Server advertisements are definitely a problem, and I agree whole-heartedly that we need to figure out a way to keep them from being the only thing people see.
Setting Table of Contents as the front would be a good start instead of Trending.
Game's not dead; Minecraft is an enigma in that it's had so many peaks over the years. I don't think it'll be dead any time soon. If it had died, I wouldn't have a job any more.
I'm not talking about dead dead because the Game has a lot of content, but in the same way that World of Warcraft is not quite as alive as it was back during Burning Crusades. The community is not as it once was and the game is not as it used to be albeit that 1.12 did do a lot of good for the game, other titles have come to take its place.
3
The community has shifted, but it's got more and more players than it did before. The fact that so many servers are popping up is quite evident of this, + our visitor stats being fairly consistent within the past few years. It may have passed its initial major super duper peak, but it's certainly not in the valley of death where we have only a handful of maintainers left.
A ToC-Feed hybrid is something we're going to investigate. For a quick-fix, allowing persistent front page (either ToC or feed) and setting ToC as the default will probably help, but it's not a fix-all because they'll still see them if they go to Minecraft as that's where the majority of them are.
A ToC-Feed hybrid is something we're going to investigate. For a quick-fix, allowing persistent front page (either ToC or feed) and setting ToC as the default will probably help, but it's not a fix-all because they'll still see them if they go to Minecraft as that's where the majority of them are.
1
You're the one with the stats, I generally go by what I see personally as well as live statistics sites as well as generally scope around gaming and social sites.
Funny enough, I was going to suggest a mix of stuff, but maybe a soft / hard cap on a particular section might do one better.
Funny enough, I was going to suggest a mix of stuff, but maybe a soft / hard cap on a particular section might do one better.
1
The reason we can't really delete this stuff is because not all of it is game-related. Look at my sci-fi thread for instance. Can you even fathom how angry I would be if over a year's worth of development was just straight-up deleted? I feel many others would feel the same if their most dedicated threads disappeared.
1
As much has all the server adds bug me, I must disagree, I think the forums are a great way for the players to talk, since no one is ever on chat and it's always down. I feel server adds however should be put into a different area, not the forum, because A, they are extremely annoying, and B, they flood the forums. I also do agree though, that yes, they should focus on maps and better ways for the more popular things, and to be honest, get rid of blogs, they are never used.
1
Chat's been down like three times in the past few months, and they've all been fairly recent & caught quickly.
1
well for me its always down, it never works, is more of what i meant.
1
What does it say when you try it? Are you using a modern browser (Chrome/Firefox/Edge/Safari)?
2
Across all platforms, Minecraft has sold 122 million copies, 16 million of which were sold this year. As of February, Minecraft has averaged about 55 million monthly players - that means 45% of purchases are being used on a monthly basis. Those figures should be expected to grow as the killer cross-play feature expands to more platforms.
The game's far from dead.
The game's far from dead.
2
Also, what if there was a karma-like system where you lose xp for reported and deleted replies, so that it's not possible to spam posts for xp, because they'll lose xp instead of gaining.
1
you do loose exp from having your thread/post if you spam threads for exp karrthus will have ya
2
I somewhat agree.
I'd like to see a module on profiles that show how many approved reports a username has made. That way someone can show off how much they're helping the community.
I'd like to see a module on profiles that show how many approved reports a username has made. That way someone can show off how much they're helping the community.
1
i for one think this is an excellent idea :P karr
1
if the count started from now there would be like three people with these numbers on their profile, people do not activity report things which makes it harder for us as staff to find everything
1
well maybe those 3 people deserve to be mentioned ;)
10/27/2017 6:49 pm
This reply was removed by the poster or a moderator.
1
You can; that's what favoriting is for.
The poll thing is intentional, to prevent users from skewing the results. You can't rename existing options or delete them without wiping the votes. You can, however, re-organize or add new options without wiping them.
The poll thing is intentional, to prevent users from skewing the results. You can't rename existing options or delete them without wiping the votes. You can, however, re-organize or add new options without wiping them.
1
You can favorite threads, which is basically the same thing as pinning them.
1
But what if I'm too lazy?
1
It's the same amount of work, unless you want mind contolled forums where it reads our mind and automatically pins them for us without any clicking.
8
In my opinion the should enlarge the size of replies, because currently they feel more like comments than replies, which is the main thing I don't like.
Also it would be nice to be able to see a short excerpt from the original post in the sidebar, like you used to be able to, or if not by hovering over it should be visible.
Also it would be nice to be able to see a short excerpt from the original post in the sidebar, like you used to be able to, or if not by hovering over it should be visible.
1
I'll think about the first part. The only reason they are the size they are is for consistency with the site & submissions. We wanted them to feel like they were part of the same website (and potentially re-use this code for the submission comments in the future).
I like the idea about the excerpt; I don't remember that being there in phpBB.
I like the idea about the excerpt; I don't remember that being there in phpBB.
4
Replies have been bugging me and I didn't know why. Now I know why. xD They do indeed feel like comments. It doesn't really have that discussion feel.
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