IDEA: Reverting to traditional forum format

[Marked 197]

Hi all 

 

I have been thinking if simplifying the forum structure (i.e. all the categories) for a pretty long while. I think one thing we could potentially try out it is the traditional forum style where the board index is simply a list of all recent topics, rather than a list of categories like we've got now. That just makes it super simple to see all the recent activity on the forums - the only thing that really matters on the forums is the recent posts. Topics die like they're meant to after a few days. 

 

What do you guys think? 

[Polraudio 122]

Not sure i get what you mean. So remove categories and just make it show recent posts?

[Marked 197]

Not necessarily remove the forums, but the main thing you see is the recent posts. There are still forums, but you're just extracting all the posts out and having a topics list. Like here: https://www.dotabuff.com/forums/general

 

There'd still be a sidebar showing all recent content etc 

[Polraudio 122]

Worth a try to see how it works out.

[Ardaceus 21]

We can try it, and we'll see which one turns out better, I suppose...

 

I like this version of the website, but whatever will attract more people to the website I'd say.

[Noob Saibot 38]

Sounds like just changing the forum home page.

[Marked 197]

Sounds like just changing the forum home page.

 Yes, that's correct. A lot of forum systems are like this, mainly where the forums are not the sole focus of the website (kind of like us but not really?). It's a method that really emphasizes the temporary nature of a forum topic: it's relevant for a few days and then it's tucked away into the archives, and only relevant to those searching Google.