samwise
New member
t is a fact of forum life that the same old questions and queries come around at the same point in the yachting season. Currently antifoul is the hot topic, later on it could be polishes and potions or seacock overhaul. There are at least a half dozen or more regulars that keep on popping up.
I belong to a forum for BMW GS motorcycle owners with the same issue and they have resolved it by developing specific subject sections headed by two or three "stickys" with definitive posts designed to provide most if not all the answers. Have a look at the site to see what I mean: www.ukgser.com
There is still the facility for forumites to post questions or experiences that are outside the general coverage or offer a new solution to a problem.
The subject headings are clearly defined so that if, for example, you have a query about a particular GPS installation on your bike, you can usually find an answer or at least a direction towards a solution.
With the YBW forums it's a bit of a hotch potch with no order to it. The same or similar queries appear on Reader to Reader and Scuttlebutt and sometimes on both. All too often valuable information and experiences can be lost in the hugely varied list of subjects covered in just a few days. If it was possible to pick out and create those "sticky" definitive posts it would mean that people could access the forums and find the answer without having to post a query.
There might, for example, be a "sticky" on Liveaboard Link about getting to the Med through the French canals, with another about mast transport. A Vyv Cox sticky on anchor chain and swivels might be good as would Refueller on fuel issues. It would not mean than anyone else was prevented from putting an alternative view or limiting the wide range of subjects and situations covered, but I think such an arrangement would a real benefit to all the newbies who really need some basic information and advice.
I know there is the search facility and that it is better than it was, but a more organised approach devoted to the key FAQs might provide a better service. On the other hand we may just enjoy having the opportunity to put in our five pennorth and enjoy the eclectic style of the forums as they are.
I belong to a forum for BMW GS motorcycle owners with the same issue and they have resolved it by developing specific subject sections headed by two or three "stickys" with definitive posts designed to provide most if not all the answers. Have a look at the site to see what I mean: www.ukgser.com
There is still the facility for forumites to post questions or experiences that are outside the general coverage or offer a new solution to a problem.
The subject headings are clearly defined so that if, for example, you have a query about a particular GPS installation on your bike, you can usually find an answer or at least a direction towards a solution.
With the YBW forums it's a bit of a hotch potch with no order to it. The same or similar queries appear on Reader to Reader and Scuttlebutt and sometimes on both. All too often valuable information and experiences can be lost in the hugely varied list of subjects covered in just a few days. If it was possible to pick out and create those "sticky" definitive posts it would mean that people could access the forums and find the answer without having to post a query.
There might, for example, be a "sticky" on Liveaboard Link about getting to the Med through the French canals, with another about mast transport. A Vyv Cox sticky on anchor chain and swivels might be good as would Refueller on fuel issues. It would not mean than anyone else was prevented from putting an alternative view or limiting the wide range of subjects and situations covered, but I think such an arrangement would a real benefit to all the newbies who really need some basic information and advice.
I know there is the search facility and that it is better than it was, but a more organised approach devoted to the key FAQs might provide a better service. On the other hand we may just enjoy having the opportunity to put in our five pennorth and enjoy the eclectic style of the forums as they are.