Turning MEGATHREAD's in to sub-forums, please read.
polycounter lvl 20
Hey everyone,
We're shooting an idea around for Technical Talk that will involve us dissolving our MEGATHREADS in to their very own sub-forums of Technical Talk. The idea is that our MEGATHREADS are growing really fast and good information is getting lost in the fray.
It will be navigated by loading TT, then loading the sub-forum. This will give each major engine (read: each MEGATHREAD topic) a place to be organized, searched, and updated without having to remember which page that nugget of information you wanted to remember was on.
As an example, the sub-forums would be:
This won't be happening on this iteration of Polycount, but rather on the new site when it launches.
I just wanted to give a heads-up on the idea and gauge interest in it.
Thank you
We're shooting an idea around for Technical Talk that will involve us dissolving our MEGATHREADS in to their very own sub-forums of Technical Talk. The idea is that our MEGATHREADS are growing really fast and good information is getting lost in the fray.
It will be navigated by loading TT, then loading the sub-forum. This will give each major engine (read: each MEGATHREAD topic) a place to be organized, searched, and updated without having to remember which page that nugget of information you wanted to remember was on.
As an example, the sub-forums would be:
- Unreal Developer's Kit
- Source Engine
- idTech
- Crysis Sandbox
- Marmoset
- xNormal
- WhateverelseIammissingbuttoolazytogobackandcheck
This won't be happening on this iteration of Polycount, but rather on the new site when it launches.
I just wanted to give a heads-up on the idea and gauge interest in it.
Thank you
Replies
Those "Master Threads" are full of good information, but they're always growing and they're much harder to browse through than a full forum with specific threads with pointed questions and answers.
"Q:How do I export a model for Crysis?"
Thread titles could be renamed based on the original issue. Or we could strictly enforce a naming convention like this so we dont have things like "UGH ue3 is being a jerk!!!" as titles. This keeps it clean and easy for anyone to find a thread that might interest them.
Great idea.
So much of the valuable information in those threads is hard to find, and with multiple issues / topics covered on each page, this kind of organization would make the gold easier to find.
But yeah, definitely organising them along those lines make 100% sense.
If you guys start separating by app I think we'll have problems as some of what could be generic questions and handled by users of other software would go unanswered as they don't check every sub-forum for software they don't use.
I know this isn't what you guys are aiming for, as most of the mods and all of the admins have voiced the same concern back when we switched from the old board set up, so I'm not too worried about it just want to make sure that its still part of PC's DNA not to be a copy cat.
Long story short, functionally I think its brilliant, go go go!
I do think having a continuation of "How do you model dem shapes" the hardsurface Mega thread would make good sub forums. And another for organics with Zbrush and Mudbox.
As for subforum ideas? Can we have one for Google?
What was fresh on my mind was that I had just come across a solution to a Maya annoyance, and thought "hey, I should pass this info along". It didn't really warrant its own topic, and megathreads are kind of a chore for sharing information past a certain post count. So I just didn't post at all.
So what about (optional) tags for forum posts? I don't know if you're looking for ideas for the new site, but it may be a good in-between solution.
BUT
this only is an advantage if it is highly moderated - threads with the exact same questions are merged or all except one will be deleted.
navigating through a whole subforum is just for its sake not more helpful then navigating through a big big thread.
But it CAN...
Edit - To ease with it If there is possible to put report button on easy post [repeated question/problem]
also.... new polycount site? isnt that a myth? :P
Rather than getting extremely specific, maybe something like this:
- Technical Talk (General)
-- Game Engines
-- Dev Tools
Game engines/dev tools threads would have to require labels and the good ones need to be star-ed or something, like
[UDK] [Basic Guide] to importing object and setting up materials
[UDK] [Advanced Guide] to setting up collisions and destructible objects
[UDK] [Q] How do I get better shadows?
Also, there were a couple other threads (one where PC was changing servers or doing something along those lines) and another where people can use FaceTwitter while the site was down and get a sneak peak at the new one. Both indicate that things are within a couple months.
I hope the wiki is integrated more into the new site and updated more frequently, so that commonly asked questions have answers easily accessible
Also its not like its a change that can't be undone later so this isn't a life or death situation. I bet it will work out fine.
Of course its worth talking now. Imagine if we sprung new stuff on you guys without warning? It'd be chaos.
So yes, I wanted to ask now before we roll out BEFORE two months from now*.
*So help me god.
I think Polycount right now already does a superb job when it comes to minimalism (colors, font size, restrictions on signatures + formating). I prefer it certainly over most other CG boards out there and the automatic resizing of to big images is also a pleasure because usually its just a few people that have the ability to tear apart readability in a single thread.
But minimalism is always welcome so maybe check every element on the page twice, like if it is really needed or if it could be more passive.
As is I come in every now and then and check what's up. Take a quick look on the off chance that I can help someone, that kinda thing. If I had to visit 5+ subforums to do that same thing I'd just stop. Am I the only one?
I could see splitting up some more sections for Level Design and Tech Art or something. But Unreal, Sub D modeling, etc... Too much for me.
[noparse]C:\Windows[/noparse]
EDIT:
Never mind, I guess they don't work in code tags after all.
- Code formating for FX shaders, maxscript, melscripting and python scripting, or at least something that is available through the GUI of the bb.
Use the Advance posting mode (not just Quick Reply). There's function in there for Code tags (right beside the Add Image button). Is this what you mean?- Google redirected searching (this board search functionality just uber sucks like almost any other bb.
The new one is working just fine. If we need to later, we can.- More integrated WIKI: easier access for those that deserve and ask for permission to add stuff. Also more frequent updates in it would be nice. That way it actually makes sense to refer to it.
The wiki is not on mine or anyone elses radar who's apart of this. It will be once the new site is up and running.- Shortcut or integration of popular image hosting service (like imageshack.us,..) or at least some links to them when posting stuff for the ones that don't know how to use FTP or don't have their own FTP server.
I do think something linking directly to Imageshack or another service like it would be nice, but really its not a concern. If you can't figure out how to get an image on the web then a message board is probably to advanced for you. (Not you specifically, speaking generally here).That said, our new site will allow image attachments... 99% sure.
- ability to remove the fucking smiley's in code or php tags or just in general because they destroy files path examples i.e. c:\windows\system32\
You already can. Again, go to Advanced Reply and check off the 'Disable Smilies' box.Tulkamir, yes. Sub-forums. While the extra click might be a demerit for you, the increase in organized thought will more than make up for it I promise.
Smiley intended
I suspect he means syntax coloring as well?
I remember something about it not registering lines that start with $ correctly? Maybe it was fixed?
EDIT: The above should read "$this is a test".
Any word directly following a $ unless there is a space will be removed. $ is used quite a bit in maxscript and I suspect other code as well? Hopefully we can sort that out.
advanced reply mode eh?
i see no difference to quick post reply instead of the title bar
Go to the top of the page, click User CP, on the left click Edit Options. Scroll down to the bottom and change "Basic editor" to "Enhanced Interface".
^ ROLLLF!
On a serious note, wouldn't be better to see the text within code tags rendered with monospaced characters rather than serif, like in standard programming editor?
(was really too much work just to make the post look rediculous)
thanks