Closed or Resolved: Forum Categorization and Search Options

[Gordon Clarke]

This is mainly a question (suggestion?) to the moderators, but if anyone else feels like giving an opinion then that’s fine by me I’m putting it here as this is probably the most looked at thread by all moderators If it’s moved please give me simple instructions on how to find it again
I found “Computers for Dummies” difficult!

There are a large number of search possibilities to the multitude of threads in the Cove and I find many of them rather confusing. Maybe it’s because I’m not American, or it could be that I’m just not as familiar with computers as the majority seem to be in here. I’ll give an example. I stumbled across a thread a few days ago and saw some things that interested me. After a couple of days of mulling things over, I decided I had something to write in this thread. Don’t misunderstand, it isn’t life or death if I don’t find the thread again, it’s the “principle”. In “my” list of suggestions for a new search mode I’d have gone in under Measurement to find the thread that eludes me. Isn’t there a list of thread titles so that possible relevant threads can easily be found? I can see that I’m not the only one that tries to use (misuse?) the forum site for newcomers as a messenger delivery forum when I’m not sure “where to go”.

I detest when people criticize without offering an alternative, so here's my contribution

A keyword (or as few as possible) to indicate the scope or contents of thread. I’ll give a few examples (in no particular order or priority) to show what I mean:

1. ISO certification (subheadings as used below could be relevant)

Starting up
Almost finished
Good and bad experiences
2. Measurement

3. Workshop measurement equipment (use and calibration)
4. Process control (SPC)
5. Production companies and quality issues
Machine industry
Medical industry
Aerospace industry
Automotive industry
6. New thread suggestions

For finding out if others are interested in the same subject before proceeding to start a new thread. There are 50 pages of thread lists that respond to the search word “quality”. Even narrowing it down by adding more keywords might unintentionally eliminate the most relevant existing one.
7. Supplying to large organizations (i.e. military)
8. Quality and environment

I can keep on going, but the secret is to limit it to what can preferably be on one page. I’ll bet there are others much better at that than me. I tend to suffer from writing diarrhoea – when I get started I don’t know when to stop.

“Miracles can be done quickly, the impossible takes a little longer”. I’ve no idea as to who originally said this but I’ve always liked it.

[BradM]

NOTE: This post was moved from the introduction thread. A redirect was left in the introduction thread, and sent to the original poster.

[BradM]

Actually, your predicament is common. Hence, that is why Marc is asking us about adding tags to the threads. When everyone are in looking at threads, go ahead and add relevant tags for them.

Once we have tags assigned to most of the threads, they will be much easier to organize, like you stated.

Also, I believe you can add threads to your favorite list. So, if you're in surfing and see something you think you might like, go ahead and add it. You can always remove it later.

[MIREGMGR]

For those who are familiar with current internet usage, tags combined with searching are an efficient answer to the problem of finding (or re-finding) a particular thread, or finding a thread on a particular topic.

That's internal searchability.

The tag approach also greatly enhances the external searchability, and thus discoverability, of the Cove as a resource for potential new participants.

The value of individual participation here is to some extent a function of the overall participation-numbers. The more people are here, the more likely it is that even a complicated or high-expertise-level question will be helpfully answered. Thus enhanced external searchability is highly desirable.

So, tag your threads.

[SteelMaiden]

So guys, to help the terminally computer challenged, like myself, you just go down below the posts to the box that says tags, and then click on the edit to add a tag? (where I come from tagging was using a can (or more) of spray paint to leave some visual reminder that you had been somewhere)

[MIREGMGR]

Originally Posted by SteelMaiden

So guys, to help the terminally computer challenged, like myself, you just go down below the posts to the box that says tags, and then click on the edit to add a tag?

Yes. I just added the tag "tags" to the list. It's easy.

(where I come from tagging was using a can (or more) of spray paint to leave some visual reminder that you had been somewhere)

Heh. Brush-marker work is better looking.

Until you get into multicolor art projects, of course.

[Atul Khandekar]

If you need to find/track a particular thread, you can "subscribe" to it using the menu Thead Tools->Subscribe to this thread. When you subscribe, you can be notified of any new posts to that thread.
http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=10692

You can find the subscribed threads through your User Control Panel (UserCP).

[Marc]

Originally Posted by BradM

NOTE: This post was moved from the introduction thread. A redirect was left in the introduction thread, and sent to the original poster.

Note to Gordon - Please do not use the Introductions thread to start new topics. It is not a matter of whether someone will see a thread because of the thread it is in. All new posts are listed and monitored.

I know Wes and others have asked you not to take the introductions thread 'off topic', so....