Need Input Re Forum Format

[Forum Boss]

Folks,

I'm considering two limited changes to the format of the Shooters's Forum.

1. Create a NEW sub-Forum for "Match Information and Results". Currently most people are posting these items in the Competition Forum, and only one guy has complained. But, I can see that this could centralize the info. On the other hand, it might create an "orphan" forum that doesn't get a lot of traffic.

What's your view?

2. Consolidate the two gunsmithing sub-Forums. Currently we have a category for "Gun Project Questions" and a second category for "General Gunsmithing" Issues.

When the site was new, a lot of posts came in asking questions such as "what stock should I pick", "what is the best twist rate for varmint bullets", "what trigger should I buy?". Most of these questions related to component selection and how to get started,finding a smith etc.). These project planning questions logically fell into the first category.

The second sub-Forum was intended for more serious gunsmithing discussions--such as how to chamber a barrel, how to blueprint an action, that sort of thing. It was my hope we'd see a good deal of input from smiths in this area.

If we consolidate the two Gunsmithing sub-Forums we run the risk of individual project questions shoving aside the more serious technical debate. On the other hand, grouping the two sub-Forums together would simplify the Message Board structure.

What's your view?

Personally, I'm undecided. Most gun message board have too many sub-categories in my opinion. On the other hand, we've had a lot of requests for new and different categories. Yet a few guys say we have too many categories already. I'm trying to strike a sensible balance. Also, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" certainly makes some sense.

All feedback appreciated.

Mr. Moderator
:comp:

 

[dreever]

I agree on the Match Information and results change, but am not sure a "General Gunsmithing" combination is the way to go. I like the Gun Project forum because a lot of guys building that first rifle look for advice and I'm afraid they would look at a General Gunsmithing forum as being solely related to gunsmiths and gunsmithing, and not planned projects.

Danny

 

[waterdog]

I agree with Danny. A place to post match results would be great.
The rest of the site seems just about right to me.

As far as the items being deleted from the selling sites, is there any way for you to have them automatically deleted say after 14 days?

 

[tightneck]

JMO but there are 14 forums on this site, some of which don't get a single post for days and others that get one or two per day. Seems to me that if anything there are too many forums. If you follow the "other" site, you'll notice that the match results forum gets very little activity. I really like the fact that this forum is so diversified but I think you can get too stretched out. I'd like to see the forums more consolidated so they appear to get more traffic. As it is now I think that a lot of readers dont chime because of the lack of percieved traffic. With time of course the traffic will increase, but for now I think less forums would lead to more traffic. I just think that people are more likely to post if lots of others are doing it. I am just getting into building rifles so I love gunsmith forums, but I think one is enough. I think if the project forum were eliminated, new shooters would get all the opinions they need on the other forums, and some would still ask on the smith forum.

 

[sparker]

I like the idea of a match results page.

I think everyone could be well served in some aspect by having regular feature articles focused on serious gunsmithing. I think building a good working rapport with several smiths in this endeavor could open up a cornucopia of possibilities. One such idea would have smiths propose their ideas for rifles based upon the desires of the prospective owners; sort of a "Designer's Challenge" for rifle building.

There has been a fairly consistent trend in questions about which action to buy. I think several of us could chime in on our likes and dislikes about the actions we own or build with. These could be merged into one post or one page. As it stands now, questions about new rifle projects sometimes go...,continued)

 

[sparker]

... unanswered. This happens because the question has been asked and answered before. The forums are large enough now that keeping track of where those previously answered questions are is difficult. Therefore, it is difficult to direct someone new to them.

In regard to new rifle projects, sometimes less is more. What I mean is that sometimes, really good advise from a few is much better than every idea under the sun. This is also true for reloading/load development.

Scott Parker
Bakersfield CA

 

[BoydAllen]

I think that both of your ideas are worth trying. Having said that it would be with the understanding that it should be OK to refer to the results of, or the announcement of an event on another board.

Given that this is a hobby, and that I am rather broadly interested in learning more almost any area that is accuracy related, I don't often get irritated by off topic posts that seem to be viewed by a few as notable transgressions. The more the merrier. Besides, none of us were born knowing this stuff.

 

[StephenPerry]

Editor
Go simply by the numbers. If the number of Posts justify two new areas try it. I lean more toward the gunsmithing area because that is where I am at right now. BR Central got almost an immediate response to their gunsmith page.
Match announcements and results are jaded by a lot of corresponding Posts like great job, nice shooting, write me a pm e-mail. All fine but better placed in a area of their own. After the kudo's the poster leaves the old news on the page that seems to get the most action now.
A separate area for Match info would be worth trying.
Stephen Perry

 

[zeldabluum]

hi
i am zeldabluum.i am new.i shoot pds. could there a topic or
section on ''where to shoot pds''? i only use small caps. all
those other buttons confuse me.

thanks
zb