Subfourms maybe?

[Soulysephiroth]

Hello, I was just curious if any admin could maybe comment on this...

I've been a fourm admin for a few pages in my day, and as a new user here, I have to say the lack of subforums makes trying to read subjects rather tedious and a bit overwhelming. As an Example, I was curious about different face masks, and reading through topics is all cluttered up with nothing being subforumed out.

Just sugestion to the community that maybe creating subforums would be a good idea.

[chunkyfrog]

There is always the search function . . .
This forum has tremendous volume,
and regimentation would be an insurmountable task.
Enjoy the freedom.
We do.

[Soulysephiroth]

There is always the search function . . .
This forum has tremendous volume,
and regimentation would be an insurmountable task.
Enjoy the freedom.
We do.

Having personally worked on forums with large volume, I know it can be done, and done very easy. Not sure about the "freedom comment" though...You still have freedom to post, just makes it easier for topics to be grouped and ease of navigation. I get searches...but its still cluttered.

[chunkyfrog]

There are no paid admins, and this is your first day.
Are you looking for a job? Not gonna happen, IMO.

[Soulysephiroth]

There are no paid admins, and this is your first day.
Are you looking for a job? Not gonna happen, IMO.

I didn't not once say I wanted to be paid.
I did not once say I was paid in the past. Everything I did in my previous fourm work was unpaid, not that matter at all.
I did not ask for an Admin position.

I made a suggestion.

[D.H.]

Let me suggest some categories:

• Initial diagnosis and follow-up questions
• Machine specific questions
• Mask and interface specific questions
• Issues involving other medical conditions (including sleep conditions other than Apnea)
• Travel and lifestyle specific questions
• Insurance, DME, and compliance issues
• Humidification specific questions
• Anything else

[Gryphon]

Yes... Biggest issue with creating Sub groups is keeping them all sorted... Who's going to do it? The creators of this forum who pay the bills have a business to run and as much as we appreciate the time they do take to work on issues here when they crop up taking the time to moderate topics would be rather untenable.

Plus I've noticed that the discussions sometimes have a tendency to wander away from the original intent of some posts so you end up with a mixed bag and unclassifiable threads.

It can be confusing having one endless long un-categorized forum but it is what we have. With no paid forum moderators and only newly appointed forum moderators who are here, primarily to keep the peace during extreme situations we don't have a system setup to create sub folders at this time let alone maintain them.

Having folders for discussions about "Masks, Machines, Off topic, Politics, Enter at your own risk.... Etc." would be nice but would be a drastic change from what we all are used to and very difficult to maintain with the limited user resources we have.

[Julie]

It's come up very many times over the years and just as often been shot down. They're not wanted here, so maybe another place would be happy to have you.

[Soulysephiroth]

Maybe, I mean, with all the hostilities coming from a simple suggestion....

[chunkyfrog]

Every so often, this same suggestion is brought up by someone NEW.

[Pugsy]

The forum owner made the decision when he started the forum that he didn't want sub forums for several reasons and since he pays the bills they are good enough reasons. Some people want sub forums...some don't. Main person who didn't want them...the guy paying the bills.
It is what it is though. It's been cussed and discussed many times over the years but it's not going to happen so those that would prefer sub forums might as well adapt because he's not going to change the forum. Been this way 10 plus years now I guess it is.

[Goofproof]

It's come up very many times over the years and just as often been shot down. Not wanted here, so maybe another place would be happy to have you.

Or you could join up with D.H. and his wastebasket and start a forum the way you like it. We are happy here as is. Jim

[jnk...]

One benefit is that posts by new ones aren't accidentally overlooked. It is easier to see when new ones have asked a potentially life-saving question when you can simply glance down the one page to make sure there are no zeros next to an important question.

[Lucyhere]

There are no paid admins, and this is your first day.
Are you looking for a job? Not gonna happen, IMO.

I didn't not once say I wanted to be paid.
I did not once say I was paid in the past. Everything I did in my previous fourm work was unpaid, not that matter at all.
I did not ask for an Admin position.

I made a suggestion.

Soulysephiroth... Ignore rude people. As you no doubt already know, there are rude people on every forum.

As was already mentioned, this forum has functioned this way for over ten years. No chance of it being any other way. And in the case of a life threatening question, it's good if it shows up close to the top of the first page.

Use the search function... altho not the best, it does most times get you where you need to be. Take what is good about this forum and leave the rest. Welcome by the way.

[jnk...]

Then again, there once was a time when there was no active moderator and when guest posts were allowed. So, change happens.

Except, as you say, rudeness; that is a constant on all forums. It gets really ugly when fistfights break out over on the etiquette forums, I hear.