Over in THIS THREAD we had some discussions on changes to the forum layout that would be beneficial. I've come up with what I think will be a positive change for the forum layout. I've made a few small changes already, but I'm planning to make all the changes below this weekend. The goal was to group things more logically, eliminate/combine where appropriate, and make the location of things more obvious, especially to newcomers. We had three categories (major groupings of forums); "Welcome to Penturners.org", "Community Forums", and "IAP Marketplace", the first two have been unchanged for over 10 years. We added the Marketplace about 7 years ago.
Below is the list/description of the new & reorganized categories and forums.
IAP Central (formerly "Welcome to the IAP")
Announcements & Information (policies, rules, & "a new member guide" (to be developed))
Introductions (no changes)
Show Off Your Pens (no changes)
Casual Conversation (no changes)
Site Support (test posting, help, tips and how to's, suggestions, feedback)
The Library (the Library Managers discussion forum with a link to the library)
The IAP Collection (the Curator's discussion forum with a link to the collection album)
Pen Making Forums (formerly "Community Forums")
Pen Making (formerly Penturning, name change only)
Advanced Pen Making (no changes)
Blank Making (with Segmenting subforum, open to suggestions for others)
Finishing (no changes)
Pen Photography (no changes)
Pen Stands, Boxes, & Storage (added "Storage" to the title)
Shops, Tools, & Equipment (formerly Shops, Jigs, Fixtures & Tools - subforums below)
Tips & Tricks (forum will be overhauled - may be moved to a Resources Catagory)
Other Community Forums (New Category)
IAP Management Team (will be overhauled - eliminating some subforums)
PITH (Pen In The Hat) (very low traffic... keep?)
Marketing & Shows (no changes)
Other Things We Make (no changes)
Polls, Surveys, & Votes (could occur in Casual Conversation? Eliminate?)
Group Purchases (subforum "Group Purchase Research" to be rolled into parent forum)
Local Chapters (sort of a mess -- listing format will be improved)
Past Event Archive (new forum, e.g. Bash & Summer Extravaganza Forums)
IAP Marketplace
Rules (replaced with link, will be incorporated into Announcement & Information forum)
Vendor Forums (no change other than to delete inactive forums)
Trades, Gifts, & Wants (no changes)
For Sale (no changes)
Market Research (no changes)
Vendor Cheers & Jeers (may close or overhaul)
Below is the list/description of the new & reorganized categories and forums.
IAP Central (formerly "Welcome to the IAP")
Announcements & Information (policies, rules, & "a new member guide" (to be developed))
Introductions (no changes)
Show Off Your Pens (no changes)
Casual Conversation (no changes)
Site Support (test posting, help, tips and how to's, suggestions, feedback)
The Library (the Library Managers discussion forum with a link to the library)
The IAP Collection (the Curator's discussion forum with a link to the collection album)
Pen Making Forums (formerly "Community Forums")
Pen Making (formerly Penturning, name change only)
Advanced Pen Making (no changes)
Blank Making (with Segmenting subforum, open to suggestions for others)
Finishing (no changes)
Pen Photography (no changes)
Pen Stands, Boxes, & Storage (added "Storage" to the title)
Shops, Tools, & Equipment (formerly Shops, Jigs, Fixtures & Tools - subforums below)
- Wood Lathes (new subforum)
- Metal Lathes (moved from current forum)
- Other Machinery & Power Tools (new subforum)
- Hand Tools and Accessories (new subforum)
Tips & Tricks (forum will be overhauled - may be moved to a Resources Catagory)
Other Community Forums (New Category)
IAP Management Team (will be overhauled - eliminating some subforums)
PITH (Pen In The Hat) (very low traffic... keep?)
Marketing & Shows (no changes)
Other Things We Make (no changes)
Polls, Surveys, & Votes (could occur in Casual Conversation? Eliminate?)
Group Purchases (subforum "Group Purchase Research" to be rolled into parent forum)
Local Chapters (sort of a mess -- listing format will be improved)
Past Event Archive (new forum, e.g. Bash & Summer Extravaganza Forums)
IAP Marketplace
Rules (replaced with link, will be incorporated into Announcement & Information forum)
Vendor Forums (no change other than to delete inactive forums)
Trades, Gifts, & Wants (no changes)
For Sale (no changes)
Market Research (no changes)
Vendor Cheers & Jeers (may close or overhaul)