Forum tweaking

[peterb]

Hey guys,

We have been taking a look at the forum structure and we think it needs a bit of a spring clean.

As a start we have removed the "Welcome to HEXUS" section - it didn't really do much, and I don't think we are so frightening that it is needed.

We have also merged Question Time into GD. It was good in its time, but it tended to imply that GD wasn't serious, so one forum for general topics seems sensible.

Other things we are looking at is simplifying and merging sub forums in other areas.

Tablets and smart phones of all persuasions are generally well understood, does each flavour need its own sub forum?

What other simplification could we do? We have some ideas, but we would like to see your input.

Clearly we can't satisfy everyone's ideas, but we will take them into consideration.

[stevie lee]

glad you saved http://forums.hexus.net/general-disc...r-rewards.html unless its been in general for a while, last I looked it was in 'welcome'

is there a way of making a 'welcome to HEXUS' intro email or popup screen thing. so when you sign up it gives a link to the post count' thread, and also mentions that the User setting page is locked until a certain post count aswell. I've noticed a few people recently wondering why they couldn't access it amongst other features.

that's all I can think of at the mo.

[peterb]

Yes, post count and other rewards was in Welcome, it was preserved! I like the idea of the pop up/ email. I'll pass that on to the those with real powah!

[kalniel]

Is there a sticky with the forum rules/FAQ anywhere? Losing the welcome board may do wonders for introduction posts, but it's lost the first point of contact that newcomers may find useful.

[peterb]

Is there a sticky with the forum rules/FAQ anywhere? Losing the welcome board may do wonders for introduction posts, but it's lost the first point of contact that newcomers may find useful.

http://forums.hexus.net/faq.php

http://forums.hexus.net/general-disc...r-rewards.html

The first has always been there, the second was copied from the old welcome pages.

[kalniel]

http://forums.hexus.net/faq.php

http://forums.hexus.net/general-disc...r-rewards.html

The first has always been there, the second was copied from the old welcome pages.

Like I asked, is that stickied anywhere obvious? It hard to spot IMHO.

I saw the post count sticky had been moved, but again it's not what I'd look for as a new user looking to find the rules.

[Bagnaj97]

While we're talking of forum tweaking, is there any chance of https on the forums? Also, if you browse to Hexus using https it redirects you to the basic http site - that seems to defeat the https setup somewhat!

[peterb]

Like I asked, is that stickied anywhere obvious? It hard to spot IMHO.

I saw the post count sticky had been moved, but again it's not what I'd look for as a new user looking to find the rules.

Well look at that, but I'm not sure how much more obvious a banner button marked FAQ can be
The problem with too many stickies is that in itself becomes complicated, so we will look at removing some of those.

Edit: some older stickies 'unstuck'.

We are looking for opinions on merging forums and sub forums to make the site look cleaner or less complicated.

While we're talking of forum tweaking, is there any chance of https on the forums? Also, if you browse to Hexus using https it redirects you to the basic http site - that seems to defeat the https setup somewhat!

I'll pass that on. It would be good for authentication, but brings its own problems of certificate management etc. I'll pass it on up the chain

[peterb]

For the less eagle eyed, we have just made some changes to the mobile phone and tablets forums as part of the rationalisation of the forums. The new forum is more prominent and all encompassing for tablets and phones of all flavours.

[virtuo]

I was looking for this post and couldn't find it, so posted in the suggestions forum:

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-sugges...drop-down.html

Would be a nice little time saver

[peterb]

Quick update...

HTTPS will happen, although no timescales, and we will look at seeing if we can add a drop down or something for user trust, perhaps linked to profile, but that is a developer change and will need careful testing.

The current update is more about rationalising some of the sub-forums in the light of changes in technology and making the forums simpler.

[Zak33]

I'm finding it easier on my phone

good work Peter and DR et al

[peterb]

OK, the final bit of tweaking is done, and I think the forums look a lot more streamlined, and perhaps better for those on mobile devices.

As part of the shakeup, we have been looking at the moderation team, as some moderators - for perfectly understandable reasons - are less active now than they were.

This has left a couple of gaps in the team, so I am delighted to present our latest addition the mod squad, your very own battle hardened moose, Cat-the-fifth.

Its quite awesome becoming a mod, so I hope you will all support him in his role as guardian of the HEXUS ethos. (You know, peace, justice, liberty, egalite, fraternity 'n'all )

[Bagnaj97]

This has left a couple of gaps in the team, so I am delighted to present our latest addition the mod squad, your very own battle hardened moose, Cat-the-fifth.

Its quite awesome becoming a mod, so I hope you will all support him in his role as guardian of the HEXUS ethos. (You know, peace, justice, liberty, egalite, fraternity 'n'all )

There goes the neighbourhood, and woe betide any Nvidia shills should they rear their appendages in this forum!

[Output]

Congratulations CAT!

I guess this means spammers and others incurring his wrath will be trampled by his multitude of moose minions!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I guess this means spammers and others incurring his wrath will be trampled by his multitude of moose minions!

Moose tend to that whether they intend to or not!!