To Many Forum Topics?

JC,

I like the idea of different sub-sections and forums. Instead of having one or two (or 10) general forums that I have to go through(or use the search button), I can go to the area that interests me and find information on something I need.

On this forum, I go to two to four areas and bypass the rest. I'm not into metal detectors, I haven't a clue what a VAM is (well, I am learning this, but don't ask me any questions yet ), and foreign coins are beyond my area of interest at this time too, so I don't need any information on these areas yet. But, if I ever do, I know exactly where to go to find what I need.

Regarding you example, "Australian Coins" is a big subject. The sub forums help you narrow down your search more. Once you go through them and find the area that fits, you know where to go every time and don't need to spend unwanted time going through things that you don't need. Or, if you search and find where your topic is, then you can go right to that sub-forum every time.

It just seems more efficient to me, but maybe that's just my personality too.

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Just kind of wondering. But why stop with Australian coins? Why not six sections on Brazilian coins, German coins, Russian Coins, etc.?

Sort of like saying we collect US coins and Australian coins only here. Odd thing is I have about 1,000 foreign coins and not one Australian one. Not only that but I don't even collect foreign coins. For some reason people keep giving me those things.

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Carl, we have to have a balance between member needs and functionality.

If we put 6 different subforums for every countries coins, the home page would take an 10 minutes to load. (20 if you're on dial-up) Susan and I, with the help of the staff and members, keep a close eye on the topics.

If we see that Brazilian coins are popping up 2 and 3 times a day, or a tremendous amount of Brazilian collectors sign up, we'll add a forum for it.

Then if the Brazilian forum starts getting busy enough that topics are pushing off the first page without replies (most people don't look past the first page), then we'll split it up as needed. But, for now, Brazilian coins share the World Coin forum.

The scenario above is exactly what happened with the Aussie forums. We started getting more and more Aussie members, Aussie topics then increased, which in turn attracted more Aussies.... it's a viscous cycle. Now here we are with a whole Aussie category.

Trying to push growth too fast can be just as harmful as growing too slow, believe it or not.

And besides, we just plain like Australians!

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Originally posted by dsking

The more the merrier! The Aussies are great contributors both to the forums and to other members as well! I agree with Bobby's explanation and it seems to be working well for the majority here. Thanks for making this a diverse group!

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Without sap's (who is Australian by the way, but don't tell everybody) knowledge of foreign coins there are many I would still be trying to identify. There is diversity here and that is why I am here, to help and to be helped. That is what this place is all about. That is why it is popular. I don't think it needs to be any other way. There are plenty of the other types of coin forums to go to. If you are into that sort of thing.

Too many forum Topics?
I'd say no, IF the topics SUBJECT NAME is properly LABELED.
For example in the Variety and Error coin section, there are topics that have a "denomination and year" and it's a great way to find details on one particular coin.
Vague topic subject names makes it harder to decide to read or skip the subject. I open some of these and read them and a week later wonder what if I read the thread or what it was about. Bad Memory, LOL.

A good clear "subject name" is very important when posting a new topic!

Very simple answer, No.

I am in the same boat as you, I probably have a couple thousand foreign coins, no Australian that I am aware of. They just don't excite me, nor do any foreign coins really. They just accumulate over time.
But there is quite a strong Aussie population here at coincommunity, and I think having a forum for Australian coins is a great idea. That way I never have to look at it, lol. But if I get an Aussie coin I want to know something about, I will go straight to that section and someone there is sure to help out.

So I really like the "specialized" categories, and I think it is great.
Jordan

Hi just carl, the many topics make this what it is, a super nice clean family place where you can find specifics on whatever interests you quite easily...and just ask anything you want to know and it is truly amazing to see the expertise explode out of the ether.
Many public places on the internet are not nice for kids and are full of ranters and expletives not deleted...here we have dancing fruit baskets (thanks bobby)


and most important of all, we have a subject (coins)near and dear to us all that is explored from angles I had never imagined, from genuine encouragement for beginners to highly technical discussions on counterfeits, as an example.

And back to the subject, don't get lost in the forest, just focus on the trees you like!!!

all the best.
Dennis

I never really notice the number of categories and sub-categories on the forum; I always browse this site using the "Active Topics" option, unless I'm searching for something specific. (There you go, Bobby, some people do use the Active Topics option! ) That way, all the newly posted threads anywhere on the forum can be seen all on one page, and any "boring bits" can simply be scrolled away.

Thanks to Irish and dsking for their kind words, by the way.