Categorization Idea for Forum

[rlpeeples88]

I'm new to this website and forum, and I have a suggestion.

Just as you can view forums based on boat make and models, so should you be able to look up maintenance troubleshooting solutions under the gear and maintenance forums.



So, say I have a rigging problem with my 272 O'Day. I should be able to access a rigging problem forum by clicking forums, Oday forum, Oday rigging forum.

I think this would narrow the search process down for someone whos trying to find a solution to a problem that's already been answered.

[Minnewaska]

That seems logical in theory. However, most posters seem to use general discussion or gear and maintenance for everything.

Personally, I would advocate fewer sub forums, as they aren't being used well.

No need to worry about our slightly diff views. I've yet to see the admins (diff from the moderators) even acknowledge these suggestions, let alone actual technical problems.

[arf145]

I'm with Minnewaska: the many subforums just make it difficult to go through posts. Gear & Maintenance, fine. But the breakouts for Diesel, Atomic 4, Electrical? Just more barriers to hop over.

But since so many issues--maybe even most--cross boat brands and models, I would hate to see posts hidden off in smaller and smaller bins. Even a rigging problem on particular sailboat can apply to many others. The vast majority of what I have learned here that has helped me take care of my Pearson 28-2 was not posted about 28-2's or even Pearsons.

Instead of putting so many categories up front, it might be nice if we could tag a post (or a thread) with a search tag, such as a particular boat. That might actually help searching but not hide it away in that bin. But then what would really help would be a decent search function, which Sailnet most definitely lacks.