Wanting your opinions on my idea for different forum layout.

[Shaggy]

So I am thinking of changing up the category layout of this forum. I want it to be a little cleaner because as of now, its a little messy.

So right now, we do have sections for each generation and thats where I want to go with this, but as you can see, each gen forum has no sub forums. I want to take Engine and Performance, which is all ready there, but it has threads from every Gen in it. What I want to do is change that up. For example:

-Ford Expedition Generation Forum
--4th Gen : 2018 to Present
--- General Discussion
--- Engine & Performance
--- Suspension
--- Interior
--- Exterior
--- Audio & Electronics
--- Tech Info

--3rd Gen : 2007-2017
--- General Discussion
--- Engine & Performance
--- Suspension
--- Interior
--- Exterior
--- Audio & Electronics
--- Tech Info

--2nd Gen : 2003- 2006
--- General Discussion
--- Engine & Performance
--- Suspension
--- Interior
--- Exterior
--- Audio & Electronics
--- Tech Info

--1st Gen : 1997-2002
--- General Discussion
--- Engine & Performance
--- Suspension
--- Interior
--- Exterior
--- Audio & Electronics
--- Tech Info

So you can see, everything will be within its n generation, so people that own 4th gens won't have to scroll through question about 2nd gens. This has worked great on my other forums and it keeps it all organized and clean.

What do you think? Love to hear your opinions on it.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Perhaps move that tiny icon on the bottom left of the current forum (which is used to change the dark to the light style) to the top of the reorganized forum - and make it more prominent.

 

[Shaggy]

Perhaps move that tiny icon on the bottom left of the current forum (which is used to change the dark to the light style) to the top of the reorganized forum - and make it more prominent.

That's a default location for it. I would have to tweak the whole skin. I will see what I can do. What do you think of the forum layout I mentioned about though.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

That's a default location for it. I would have to tweak the whole skin. I will see what I can do. What do you think of the forum layout I mentioned about though.

I like the idea - and that each generation is organized the same way.

 

[Boostedbus]

I think it’s a good idea to organize each generation but you could somehow separate the 15-17 gen 3’s in there own sub category? Their Ecoboost powertrains make them unique in the gen 3 category and have very little similarities under the hood with the 5.4 V8’s.

 

[TheDoug]

I like the idea, I honestly have just been posting everything in 4th gen even it probably belonged another section because I only wanted replies pertinent to my generation.

 

[Motorcity muscle]

Looks like a nice layout, make a good site even better.

 

[whtbronco]

I'm kinda new so.... The proposed layout would result in less clutter and be easy to find what you're looking for. My only negative thought is that some of the more experienced members that may be able to provide useful responses might not even see the thread if it's outside the forum they tend to frequent.

I was recently looking for stereo threads for Gen 2's and I did have to filter through a lot of newer vehicle threads that were mostly not pertinent so I certainly understand the desire to break it up a bit.

 

[macbox]

Would there be a way to see all posts for each generation without having to go into a sub-forum? For example, the 1st gen forum isn't real busy, it would be nice to have an option to see all the posts without having to dig through the sub-forums.

 

[Shaggy]

Would there be a way to see all posts for each generation without having to go into a sub-forum? For example, the 1st gen forum isn't real busy, it would be nice to have an option to see all the posts without having to dig through the sub-forums.

I'll see if someone has developed an add on for that, but I have never seen one that can do that yet. Might be one out there.

 

[GlennSullivan]

I would like to see 3rd Generation broken into 2 Groups 2007-2014 and 2015-2017. As an owner of both a 2011 and a 2017 Expedition, they are very different vehicles, especially with regard to engine and electronics as well as driving, handling and towing characteristics.

 

[tommyddsr]

I like the suggested layout. Much cleaner.

 

[Bruce Mitchell]

Sounds good to me.

 

[tommyddsr]

Where would Forscan info be listed? And would it be separated since 3rd gen is different and not much info is there.

 

[Trainmaster]

I like the forum as it is, but the changes proposed are minor so it wouldn't matter to me. I do think the suggested format may get you more search engine listings, so it may bring in more traffic. You may also get better web analytics to drive advertising.

 

[sjwelds]

I always just use the "New Posts" button and read everything that pops up, even if it doesn't apply to my vehicle.

 

[probstct]

I think your idea for the new layout is great!
Thanks for your work on maintaining this site.
As a new owner (June 2021) to a 2011 Expy Limited, it has helped me SO much already!

 

[Shaggy]

I always just use the "New Posts" button and read everything that pops up, even if it doesn't apply to my vehicle.

Yep, I know alot of users dont even view the main forum and just hit the new post. Most of this idea is for a few reasons. One being that most new members to the forum dont know all the functions of the forum and they search by the main forum list. The other is I really like the look of the gen and sub forum layout.

 

[HILLY]

Looks like this was just implemented? I love the new setup and have always thought this was the best way to layout a site to keep things organized and relevant within model years and generations. Good luck with all the migrations!

 

[texsn95]

Don't like it. There's not near enough traffic here to justify separating everything. Having the model years / generations separate is fine, which has a posting section in its specific year range (4th Gen 2018-2024 for me). But to then have another general discussion sub-section there, along with Forscan, engine, suspension, transmission, audio, etc broken out into their own sub-sections...it's just too much.

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