if you like this forum please read.

i was taken off the msp section because everyone got pissed when i cleaned it up, so i guess im out for the team...(shrugs)
 
Since I was specifically pmed by myp for my feedback, figure I should put some efforts into this.

I personally agree with myp's idea in revamping the board. For that reason, I like uclap5 or LinuxRacr's idea in the new platform. But, since we're here to throw in ideas, I figure I should throw in mine to give it a discussion. My idea is that following NASIOC's format how they seperate thing into specific things such as lighting, security, transmission etc.. My thoughts is that we should do that regardless how we have MSP, MP3, Rotary, 1st Gen etc.. just put everything in one category for easier search. Especially the Newbie & FAQs Section they have in NASIOC.

This is the link to the forum: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums

I hope following their template won't invovlve in any legal issues. :P
 
heh.. sorry.. i just wanted to get oppinions from everyone.. didnt want it to look like i was playing favorites. =)
 
I actually was happy with the way it was set up just a couple of weeks ago. No offense to sedan owners, but I like having a specific forum for P5's, and I don't mind occasional posts that are more or less out of place. Like when someone posts about CF hoods, I might check it out just to see what it's all about. I learn something new that I otherwise would have no idea about, since I seldom visit some of the other sections.

And of course, there is a lot to be said for streamlining things and putting threads in the appropriate forums. It's tought to balance it all out. However it goes, we'll just have to get used to it and tried not to b**** too much...
 
My feedback

I think splitting things up like that will cause a lot of redundancies. All 3rd gen's share the same platform so why not group them all together. I think the subcategories are a good idea though because it zones in on the things more specificaly. I think we should also have primary resources too. You will see what I mean. Here are some of my proposals to make this site a little more inviting for the newbies and a little easier forthe older members so we don't have to answer some of their newbie questions.

First off:Make the search button more obviously displayed We need this button to be the first thing they see when they come to the site, and what we expect of them ie search first ask questions later

Universal Resources:
1. I'd like to see a page full of aftermarket parts and where to get them. It needs to be complete and constantly updated. You all know we have posts saying "check this new part out" these need to be added to that page as they come out. The aftermarket MP3 page was a step in the right direction but needs to be updated.

2.I don't know how many times newbs have come on asking "will this fit on my car. We need a page saying if you own this car this is what will fit and this will not: ex Sedan Exhaust on MP5

3.Dyno page: dyno proven results with full write-ups and details: env. temp, octane gas, mods including the one being dynoed, what dyno was used. I plan on dynoing the racing mazda header just this way. it is the most empirical way of doing it

Moderation:
4.more control for the moderators. they should have the ability to lock out those who make this board unfriendly

Here is what I think a good hierarchical breakdown should be
Resources: Some of the things I listed above plus others
1st gen
>general
>performance
>appearance
>suspension
>photo/video
>tech/how to

2nd gen
>general
>performance
>appearance
>suspension
>photo/video
>tech/how to

3rd gen(this includes MP3's)
>general
>performance
>appearance
>suspension
>photo/video
>tech/how to

Mazdaspeed(6 3 RX-8, but primarily protege)
>general
>performance
>appearance
>suspension
>photo/video
>tech/how to
note: I believe their car is different enough that they should have their own section...no sense in newb thinking they have turboes just because they have a 3rd gen

And of course the universal things<<<I like the way this is set up right now so lets leave it alone>>>
Rims/tires
Forced Induction
Nitrous
Protege o/t Month<---awesome idea Patrick
Meets
Off topic
Reigonal
etc whatever I missed...


I think the things we need to conc. on most are organizing the gen. specific section outlined above, and directing newb's to existing info so people can't get mad at newb's asking dumb questions
 
Antoine said:

The problem I see with that is it's spreading everything thin....it maybe more organized but it's like a parking lot with 20,000 spots and only 5000 cars...lot's of wasted....empty space...?

The way I see our current setup is that having a central performance forum (among others) creates more of a community...for example a p5 guy can see what a turbo mp3 guy is going through....more cross platform info / experience can be shared...with out these central forums...there would be little or no crossover...no strong community feel and without that family vibe...we would loose what is so unique about this forum...we may not be as large as other boards but our stats and donation rate indicates that the members of Mazda Forums are the some of the most dedicated and sincere people I've ever met online...no BS.

You can't force people to post/reply in specific ways...It is very easy to upset the peaceful balance on this site by rapidly shifting everything around and I'm starting to see that balance shift...I think some of you are getting over zealous...everyone wants to implement there own ideas...I want to work with you guys on this but let's take it easy here...we have to identify what problems are really problems...this maybe be more delicate and less straight forward then you think

Why is everyone raggin on the MSP forum.dont go there if their posting style bothers youwhat I like is that each forum has a unique overall PERSONALITY and are not just generic multi model forums.

What is your main motivation to organize the forums in such a way? What things do you think it will achieve? Please...feedback appreciated

Well said antoine, especially the first and second part of the post. I retract my hierarchy but I still think my main idea's are very valid.
Community is what it's all about right?
 
i think the single most important addition to my plan is the "general/ community" sections of the 3rd gen and msp sections.

As of now msp use the msp forum for community posts instead of the off topic forum.

the p5 forum has been reduced even past a "general/ community" type forum because posts are moved to "off topic" which has sucked it dry of much community. it seems like there are a handful of us that stick around the p5 forum to help the newbs but thats it. hell the "how old are you" thread got moved, which was the longest running p5 community thread in there, which i believe SHOULD be in there as it was created to address p5ers in general.

This whole fiasco started because there are different philosophies competing on the board, the msp group uses the msp forum as a community forum, while the p5 forum is reduced beyond that to a "welcome newb" forum.
 
addressing antoines perspective:

i think that the performance section concerns 3rd gens. so does suspension. i think putting them under the 3rd gen heading does not effect them in any way.

the purpose of the proposed seperation between msp and 3rd gen is to better organize the msp section into more useful subdevisions so that the entire MSP section (community, off topic, performance, suspension, tires, audio) arent all under 1 forum, cluttering it with every which thread in every which direction. This is the problem other moderators are upset with. Getting it organized into subdevisions would help msp newbs out and allow better, more focused discussion.

i still think 1st gen and 2nd gen dont require subdevisions like in 1sts modification of my plan as of yet because they are small enough in population on this site still not to warrant it. all posts specifically regauding 1st gens in any way will do better in the 1st gen forum than in a generic "performance" section.
 
i kinda favor the less specific category approach because that way once you go into say the P5 section you can read all about most things in the same place at once, instead of going into specific folders for specific things like suspensions warrenty turbo etc.. etc...
if things were not overly categorized then it would be easier to read things relating to other topics even if you didn't intend to read them in the first place.
 
Nice thread mypfizzle! It's a positive step forward for the forums (2thumbs) and keeping the community together. (group)

As for organization? Keep it simple for categories and too many sub-categories will be confusing for some and have many dead spaces.
 
mypfizzle said:
id be willing to help with the new user guide if you want. anyone want to give me a hand? always better if u have someone to bounce suggestions off of -=)

Any update on this?
 
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