Questions about thread redundancy and viewing format

[pete the dog]

I love this site, and want to thank you for providing this for Cubs fans. One thing I've noticed, though, is the very stern approach to overlapping threads. Sometimes it seems like the biggest crime one could commit on these forums would be to start a new thread unnecessarily. I've never seen such strict enforcement of this principle.

 

Of course, I agree that having loads of threads that cover the same material is undesirable. At the same time, it can be a real drag to read through 30 pages of a thread to find an item of information. In the end, I think the strict policy of non-redundancy probably acts to inhibit participation as threads grow in length. I guess what I'm suggesting is maybe just slightly less eager redundancy enforcement.

 

My related question has to do with viewing format. I partipate in other forums in which one is able to see the titles of all responses to a thread on the main page. This format also allows separate trees on side issues to split from the initial topic in a thread. So, you can glance at all the responses and side topics within a thread and find the ones that interest you without having to read through 30 pages of posts. This would definitely help to relieve the redundancy issue raised above. I'm sure you're familiar with that format.

 

Is there any way to achieve that format on this site? On my preferences page I've tried to find a way to change how I view the forum, but can't seem to change it. Is this possible?

 

Thanks for listening and thanks again for the site.

[Banedon]

Let me answer your second question first: To my knowledge that "tree" view is not one available on the PHPBB format, and if it is, it's not something currently installed here at NSBB. If I'm wrong about that, I'm sure someone will correct me.

 

The reason for the strict enforcement of the thread redundancy is simply that forum is much easier to moderate when all thoughts on a topic are in one place. It also has the additional benefit of providing much cleaner look to the forums. When popular topics arise (The Nomar trade, the Maddux signing, the Sammy trade), threads pop up very quickly, and therefore multiple thread topics can become quite confusing and overwhelming. We are trying to seperate threads that become too long to be manageable by locking the original and starting a new one for ease of viewing, but this is a large community, and sometimes those kinds of large threads are going to occur. Hopefully when Tim is able to find a way to balance the site's performance with a viable search ability, this won't be such a big issue.