View Full Version : Is it time to rationalise some of the forum topics?
If you look through some of the manufacturer specific forum topics you will see that there are quite a few that are either dead or in the throes of dying. Are manufacturers with such poorly supported forums as Epson (January 08), Kyocera (June 07), Leica (November 07), and Toshiba (June 07) worthy of having their own space on DCRP? IMO even Pentax (April and May 08 since the last post in these sections) would have to be questioned but at least they do still manufacture digital cameras.
Is it time for these unsupported forums to be deleted or at least moved into the "Other" section?
bascom
07-21-2008, 12:27 PM
I agree the less-used brand forums should be removed. I suggested it a year or two ago but it hasn't happened.
DonSchap
07-21-2008, 01:56 PM
Personally, I do not see the problem keeping these iconic remanents of past glory stuck to the walls of the DCRP mansion, much like trophy heads of animals in a hunter's den.
Back me up on this, Rooz.
Sorry ... LOL ... what's the problem?
Nickcanada
07-21-2008, 02:06 PM
I think the Nikon folder should be moved up next to the Canon folder. I like going in there from time to time but it's quite a bit of scrolling to get there..... yes I'm lazy. ;)
SpecialK
07-21-2008, 06:12 PM
IMO even Pentax (April and May 08 since the last post in these sections) would have to be questioned but at least they do still manufacture digital cameras.
Is it time for these unsupported forums to be deleted or at least moved into the "Other" section?
Pentax has its own very active forum elsewhere.
So just because manufacturer X hasn't made a camera in years, their owners should receive no support. That's very Microsoft thinking for you!
I say leave them up. Some companies quit making cameras then restarted again. I can't name one but recollect (maybe Ricoh) that it has happened.
So just because manufacturer X hasn't made a camera in years, their owners should receive no support. That's very Microsoft thinking for you!
The fact that some of these sections have had no activity for over twelve months indicates that there is no requirement or interest in support. The owners of these now obsolete cameras can always post in the "other" category if they have any questions and I am certainly not using Microsoft thinking here.
What I am saying is that I think the forums should reflect current realities not what in technology terms is ancient history. Jeff has been prepared to modify and update other areas of DC Resource so why not this one?
If anybody believes that companies like Epson, Toshiba and Kyocera who are not traditionally in the photography business will suddenly re enter what is now a very crowded and extremely competitive market full of well branded established players and well funded aggressive Asian newbies then I hope that they are not holding their breaths and if they want to contact me I have some Peruvian Gold Mining shares they may be interested in at a bargain price. :)
Technically it's difficult to merge forums.
I still fail to see why forums should be removed if nobody has posted in a while. The fact they're there as a resource for casual readers is invaluable. Suppose I found an Toshiba (http://dcresource.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=31) camera and wanted to look up how to use it and what problems people had. This forum would be very useful...
With a total of 11 threads and a whooping 14 posts in 4 years that Toshiba forum is certainly a vibrant hotbed of activity. Are you serious?
What I don't understand is the animosity toward infrequently used forums. They're not wasting much space. They will attract other users here and they don't offend anybody.
DonSchap
07-21-2008, 08:26 PM
If anything ... it shows inclusivity ... and that is a noble element in a forum environment.
a seperate "other" folder could be created further down the list to include all the infrequently used forums. that way they dont dissapear but the more active forums are closer together making navigating between the main ones a heck of alot easier.
a seperate "other" folder could be created further down the list to include all the infrequently used forums. that way they dont dissapear but the more active forums are closer together making navigating between the main ones a heck of alot easier.
Which is a wonderful idea IMO and goes back to the last line of my original post,
DonSchap
07-21-2008, 09:35 PM
Oh, I could go with the notion of rescaling the forum list and putting the most active at the top. But the out and out deletion of inactive forums ... that's just a little too elitest in my point of view. Having them still available serves two purposes:
1) No one is dissed as an "other"
2) Forum Archives are clearly sorted for those who still use the "relics."
I think the Nikon folder should be moved up next to the Canon folder. I like going in there from time to time but it's quite a bit of scrolling to get there..... yes I'm lazy. ;)I was holding off on buying a Nikon for that very reason! :D:D:D
bascom
07-22-2008, 10:05 AM
What I don't understand is the animosity toward infrequently used forums. They're not wasting much space. They will attract other users here and they don't offend anybody.
To me they make the main screen cluttered and harder to find the active forums. I'd say it detracts, not attracts.
To me they make the main screen cluttered and harder to find the active forums. I'd say it detracts, not attracts.
The forums are in alphabetical order by manufacturer. I don't find negotiating the alphabet that much of a problem and I even speak Russian which has 33 letters in its alphabet as opposed to 26 in English and that's not a problem for me. I fail to see why 30 - 40 forums should be too many for anybody when they're clearly laid out.
IMHO this is a BS thread.
its BS for someone that doesnt agree with a suggestion to say it's BS. the suggestion is not only valid, but it benefits the majority of members.
cdifoto
07-22-2008, 10:10 PM
I think Nikon and Canon should be in one section called "Pimps" and everyone else should be in another section called "Hoes."
TheWengler
07-22-2008, 10:11 PM
Maybe add another section (Manufacturer Heavyweights) in between "General Topics" and "Manufacturer Specific Forums". Include all the manufacturer forums with over 1000 threads in this section.
I don't really think it matters that much anyway. If you don't like scrolling then you can bookmark the page. Many of you don't leave your camera section anyway.
Don Kondra
07-22-2008, 10:21 PM
I think Nikon and Canon should be in one section called "Pimps" and everyone else should be in another section called "Hoes."
LOL :D
I just hit "new posts" every visit, I'm curious about it all...
FYI when I first joined I found the "Olympus" section helpful even if a bit sparce.
Cheers, Don
toriaj
07-23-2008, 12:20 AM
LOL :D
I just hit "new posts" every visit, I'm curious about it all...
yep, I have New Posts in my bookmark toolbar, I just click it and it takes me to DCRP New Posts, easy as pie :D although admittedly I usually scroll right by about 1/2 the new posts.
I think Nikon and Canon should be in one section called "Pimps" and everyone else should be in another section called "Hoes."
Or Nikon and Canon in one group that was called "real cameras" and the other cameras groups bundled together with the Fischer-Price cameras :p
Paradox
07-23-2008, 08:11 AM
yep, I have New Posts in my bookmark toolbar, I just click it and it takes me to DCRP New Posts, easy as pie :D although admittedly I usually scroll right by about 1/2 the new posts.
Likewise - New posts on the bookmark toolbar, one click and I see all the updated threads since I last turned up. Simple. ;)
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