Poll: do you want a forum email newsletter and more sticky threads?

[BrandonDrums]

A long time ago, folks were talking about making a grassroots email update tree for whenever Jim or Dave posted on the forums. That died apparently but FFCars tried something similar the other week and I think if done correctly, a REAL email newsletter would just make following the forums so much easier. Also, sometimes updates get posted on facebook instead by Dave, I'd want to see those too. I feel like it's taking me longer and longer to find where the big discussions are and any new info here.

Also, with SEMA coming up and the 818 supposedly getting revealed in full, I dread the thought of 100 new members coming on here and asking some of those same old questions over and over. Some of us older guys can unfortunately get pretty snarky and that doesn't help anyone.

We've asked for sticky's before, what if we got a few "threads of note" sticky's up here for transmission, design, engine and donor discussions so we can focus on the juicy stuff?

Heck, I'm sure a few of us can simply make the stickys themselves if someone would put the adhesive on them haha. Pyyrram's "subaru tidbit of the day" is a perfect example...

We just need some more organization heading into the big reveal, it's going to be a zoo needless to say in a couple months. It's already getting a bit more active as people are logging their donor teardowns. There's so much to learn but a little more structure could go a long, long way.

[PhyrraM]

Isn't it just a matter of someone that feels this need picking up a flag and running?

You can edit your own posts, so you can make a thread where the top post is always updated with proper info and links to conversations of note. I bet it even gets stickied if it's well maintained. The rest of the thread hardly matters after than, so there is not even an issue with thread clutter - only the top post matters.

Or are you asking the mods to pick up yet another job?

[David Hodgkins]

There are already several ways to stay up to date with the latest 818 threads.


Subscribe to a thread for email updates
Check the latest posts in the 818 forum directly, instead of from the front page. try these URL's:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/content.php?253-818
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/forumdisplay.php?28-The-New-Factory-Five-818
Use an RSS reader and set up and RSS feed for specific threads or for the 818 forum. All forums are RSS feed enabled.


I assume you only want 818 - specific info, correct?

As far as stickies go, they are usually reserved for announcement threads...

:)

[BrandonDrums]

Isn't it just a matter of someone that feels this need picking up a flag and running?

You can edit your own posts, so you can make a thread where the top post is always updated with proper info and links to conversations of note. I bet it even gets stickied if it's well maintained. The rest of the thread hardly matters after than, so there is not even an issue with thread clutter - only the top post matters.

Or are you asking the mods to pick up yet another job?

Only a mod can make a thread a sticky. Try all you want, if they don't hit the button a thread doesn't magically become a sticky. The mods won't have to do the research, folks like you and me could easily dig up threads of note, write up summaries for them and post them in a single entry and ask dave to hit the sticky button. Happens all the time on Nasioc, it's extremely helpful if you ask me. We all would benefit after the 818 gets fully revealed, it's going to be nuts and most folks won't take the time to go search for those old threads and instead we'll get a big influx of "why not the 6mt, why not AWD" threads. And on the flip side, I as a rather involved and senior member have missed really important discussions and updates because they've gotten buried or the thread has gotten off topic. Having a simple newsletter or even "featuring" the thread would fix that. Jalopnik, autoblog etc. do that all the time with COTD posts etc.

As for the newsletter, I don't think anyone wants to take the risk of getting factory five into spam trouble. CanSpam laws are real and FFcars' newsletter the other week was a perfect example of a good idea gone wrong and it was not even a fan newsletter. I'd be more than happy going in every other week and finding some cool topics and updates from Dave and the team to paste into an email template and sending out but I don't work for FFR and the last thing I want is to get a message from Dave saying "you weren't supposed to do X" or whatever. Probably wouldn't happen but there have been 2 threads about getting a newsletter started and for whatever reason, both have failed. The demand is there but it needs to be official, even if FFR officially tells one of us volunteers that we can do it.

FFR already does a newsletter for their main site, this would easily be incorporated to or launched as a separate series altogether and I think it would be really helpful for getting some structure as well as some buzz about this forum vs. the other one.

Just my opinion that's why I made a poll...

[BrandonDrums]

There are already several ways to stay up to date with the latest 818 threads.


Subscribe to a thread for email updates
Check the latest posts in the 818 forum directly, instead of from the front page. try these URL's:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/content.php?253-818
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/forumdisplay.php?28-The-New-Factory-Five-818
Use an RSS reader and set up and RSS feed for specific threads or for the 818 forum. All forums are RSS feed enabled.


I assume you only want 818 - specific info, correct?

As far as stickies go, they are usually reserved for announcement threads...

:)

Yeah, subscribing to threads or sections is great but that's operational and doesn't help in cleaning up the overall section. Many of the newest posts or newest threads are redundant or side discussions, most of the threads I'm subscribed to are dead, no posts in over a year yet new threads on the EXACT same topics keep popping up, I miss them unless I go and subscribe to those too and they don't even benefit me while filling up my inbox. That's fine right now when people aren't coming to get help building their cars. When you have actual customers trying to figure out how to wire the engine, for example, I'm sure just having a little guidance to where best to research and discuss a topic will help lots of folks.

I'm just saying, I'm in the middle of an engine rebuild right now and Nasioc is great because they've stickied several great threads that have quickly saved my life. One for Cam removal techniques, another for deleting AVCS and that's just for my current project. Nasioc has gotten a bit rough in recent years being extremely rude and strict about their organization requirements but when you need technical data it pays off and it keeps the forum from dying.

In doing a search ignoring sticky threads, I've found lots of rogue threads, some with bad info, some with incomplete info. Without a sticky, I might have read a bad thread and done something wrong. I just have a feeling that we'll need that structure here soon or we'll be going to FFcars.com or nasioc or wherever instead where they do.

I guess the newsletter would help get more activity here and perhaps earn a few more subscribers. There are benefits abound with a little bit o' love ;-)

[David Hodgkins]

The current plan is to use the "Wiki" - admittedly not the right word for the section - which can be seen in the link above, to "sticky" helpful posts related to the build. Try thinking of it this way: We've already set up an area, subdivided into sections, where important threads will be stickied. That way folks will be able to drill into sections of the build and scour it for info related to that part of the build. EDIT: here's a pic of the current 818 Link List that has bee set up in the 818 section of the site:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=11649&d=1346866456

As far as repeat topics goes, the expectation is that folks will be patient with newbies and answer their questions or point them to a thread that does. That happens on every forum. Treat new members with kid gloves and help them learn how to look for answers or answer a question directly. My experience is that guys who are veterans of the build and who have had their questions answered when they were newbies like to stick around and help out the new guys.

As far as newsletters go, that's a possibility going forward. Perhaps a quarterly to start with, to get folks to visit the site and contribute to the community.

I hope you feel I'm not throwing up roadbocks here, just hoping to get you to see some stuff that has already been set up. As many here can tell you, we are always listening to the membership on how to improve the site.

:)

[Evan78]

One feature nobody has mentioned is the Forum Subscription option.

If you're at any forum level viewing a list of threads, go up to the top right and select Forum Tools, Subscribe to this Forum...

I selected the daily email option to receive an email every day that lists the new threads first and then all the existing threads with new posts. I use it on many forums and never bother browsing.

[BrandonDrums]

The current plan is to use the "Wiki" - admittedly not the right word for the section - which can be seen in the link above, to "sticky" helpful posts related to the build. Try thinking of it this way: We've already set up an area, subdivided into sections, where important threads will be stickied. That way folks will be able to drill into sections of the build and scour it for info related to that part of the build. EDIT: here's a pic of the current 818 Link List that has bee set up in the 818 section of the site:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=11649&d=1346866456

As far as repeat topics goes, the expectation is that folks will be patient with newbies and answer their questions or point them to a thread that does. That happens on every forum. Treat new members with kid gloves and help them learn how to look for answers or answer a question directly. My experience is that guys who are veterans of the build and who have had their questions answered when they were newbies like to stick around and help out the new guys.

As far as newsletters go, that's a possibility going forward. Perhaps a quarterly to start with, to get folks to visit the site and contribute to the community.

I hope you feel I'm not throwing up roadbocks here, just hoping to get you to see some stuff that has already been set up. As many here can tell you, we are always listening to the membership on how to improve the site.

:)

Certainly great news and yes, us veterans like to help point out where to find answers. The challenge is, it would actually be extremely easy to get some of the bigger topics archived in a sticky up top so instead of re-covering basic questions over and over, we can skip that step and move on to real, new, engaging topics and use our time and experience to help in new ways.


One feature nobody has mentioned is the Forum Subscription option.

If you're at any forum level viewing a list of threads, go up to the top right and select Forum Tools, Subscribe to this Forum...

I selected the daily email option to receive an email every day that lists the new threads first and then all the existing threads with new posts. I use it on many forums and never bother browsing.

True and helpful but a little different than what we're talking about here. There's 2 sides to this, there's promoting the forum in general because there is a value to engaging existing members and making sure the forum is active to attract new ones. An automated thread subscription is great for operational updates but isn't really hand selecting important topics or doing the job of highlighting emerging news.

A monthly, or quarterly newsletter could be a good start for sure.

[shinn497]

I think we really need some stickys that is all.

[NicksPapaw]

My opinion is that David is spot on. His is a tried and true method and also brings more discussion to the site. I suspect we hold on a little longer to see how it plays out.

[riptide motorsport]

Absolutly.

[Oppenheimer]

I think what David outlined will work great. But I do share BrandonDrums concern that there will be a dramatic influx of newbies, which will overwhelm the normal forum courtesy David refers to that would otherwise be able to tolerate the same questions being asked over and over.

I think a solution could be a simple FAQ we could point newbies to. Ideally this would be a sticky in the forum, so that many newbies would see it, have their question answered, and never have to start a new thread to ask. Those that miss it could easily be politely refered to the sticky FAQ.

[Evan78]

Stickies are usually created after someone makes a great post/thread. If someone makes a great FAQ thread, it'll get at least be referred to by those aware of it whenever relevant. If it gets stickied, even better. As PhyrraM mentioned, someone has to take the initiative.

[Xusia]

I think what David outlined will work great. But I do share BrandonDrums concern that there will be a dramatic influx of newbies, which will overwhelm the normal forum courtesy David refers to that would otherwise be able to tolerate the same questions being asked over and over.

I think a solution could be a simple FAQ we could point newbies to. Ideally this would be a sticky in the forum, so that many newbies would see it, have their question answered, and never have to start a new thread to ask. Those that miss it could easily be politely refered to the sticky FAQ.

/agree


The current plan is to use the "Wiki" - admittedly not the right word for the section - which can be seen in the link above, to "sticky" helpful posts related to the build. Try thinking of it this way: We've already set up an area, subdivided into sections, where important threads will be stickied. That way folks will be able to drill into sections of the build and scour it for info related to that part of the build. EDIT: here's a pic of the current 818 Link List that has bee set up in the 818 section of the site:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=11649&d=1346866456

As far as repeat topics goes, the expectation is that folks will be patient with newbies and answer their questions or point them to a thread that does. That happens on every forum. Treat new members with kid gloves and help them learn how to look for answers or answer a question directly. My experience is that guys who are veterans of the build and who have had their questions answered when they were newbies like to stick around and help out the new guys.

As far as newsletters go, that's a possibility going forward. Perhaps a quarterly to start with, to get folks to visit the site and contribute to the community.

I hope you feel I'm not throwing up roadbocks here, just hoping to get you to see some stuff that has already been set up. As many here can tell you, we are always listening to the membership on how to improve the site.

:)

This is a good idea and could work, but I don't understand what seems like anti-sticky sentiment. Stickies with good high level/FAQ type info is commonplace on many forums, and I dare say has become convention. Many will expect it, and when they don't see it.. Well, who knows what they'll do. Leave? Ask a question that could have been easily answered in an FAQ? Get frustrated? If they aren't the self service type (which is what stickies are for), then they'll ask their question anyway. So to me there is really no downside to stickies; only an upside.

My $.02. Thanks for listening! :)

[BipDBo]

This may be off topic, but the improvements I would rather see is to searching and navigating. When I have wanted to refer to an older thread or just find an older discussion, I have had a very hard time doing it. For one, I think it would be nice if the advance search offered the option of selecting which section of the forum to search under (ie 818, GTM, Roadster, etc.). More importantly, though, when you search for text, the result page just gives you the forum in which the result was found. The forum could be 26 pages long, so you don't know where it is. You can't see the context in which the text was found so you don't know if the find is relevant. Also, different words may be found in different entries. For example, if I search for "818 hood vent," 818 may be found anywhere (even on a non 818 forum), "hood" may be found on entry 36 on page 2 and "vent" may be found on entry 376 on page 19. I think it would be better, as either default or an option, for the search engine to only return a hit when all of your terms appear in the same entry. Then the results page can show the context in which the terms were found. I think that this will be especially important when people start referring to this forum when looking for help when building. It would be very helpful if a builder could quickly get help on an question that has already been raised and answered.

I think it would also be helpful to open up a new section on the 818 when it is released. The 818 forum so far has had over 22,000 posts, mostly design related, not build related. Most of these threads, which contain a lot of squabbling over design cues, will be irrelevant to builders. The current section could be renamed "818 design" and a new thread could be started called "818 build." A few recent, very cool threads like the "working on the donor" could be moved to the build section. The "818 design" section would likely go relatively dormant after the SEMA release, but could get revived again when rumors of other versions like the coupe or high mpg start up.

Perhaps I'm just experiencing user error, though, which is not at all uncommon for me and computers.

What may be cool is a sticky thread dedicated to posts from Dave and the 818 crew that cannot be added to by other forum members. That way, all of the most important updates would be easily accessible, right on the top, without being derailed on tangeants.

[David Hodgkins]

This may be off topic, but the improvements I would rather see is to searching and navigating. When I have wanted to refer to an older thread or just find an older discussion, I have had a very hard time doing it. For one, I think it would be nice if the advance search offered the option of selecting which section of the forum to search under (ie 818, GTM, Roadster, etc.). More importantly, though, when you search for text, the result page just gives you the forum in which the result was found. The forum could be 26 pages long, so you don't know where it is. You can't see the context in which the text was found so you don't know if the find is relevant. Also, different words may be found in different entries. For example, if I search for "818 hood vent," 818 may be found anywhere (even on a non 818 forum), "hood" may be found on entry 36 on page 2 and "vent" may be found on entry 376 on page 19. I think it would be better, as either default or an option, for the search engine to only return a hit when all of your terms appear in the same entry. Then the results page can show the context in which the terms were found. I think that this will be especially important when people start referring to this forum when looking for help when building. It would be very helpful if a builder could quickly get help on an question that has already been raised and answered.


You can search 1 or more forums directly from within the forum itself. For example if you click the "Forums" button on the top nav bar and then choose the 818 forum a search bar will appear at the top of the thread list. From here you can do a quick search of a specific forum or choose advanced search and choose more than one forum to choose. To refine your search, try enclosing a string in quotes like this:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=11728&d=1347305766

You can choose to display the specific post so that you don't have to drill down into the thread to find the post you are looking for.



What may be cool is a sticky thread dedicated to posts from Dave and the 818 crew that cannot be added to by other forum members. That way, all of the most important updates would be easily accessible, right on the top, without being derailed on tangeants.

Threads/posts have been created, stuck and closed before to do just this sort of thing. We'll be doing more of that in the future.

Regarding a new 818 forum after the launch, it's certainly possible but I'd probably want to treat it as an archived (read-only) forum. This can be discussed further as we approach SEMA.

:)

[David Hodgkins]

/agree



This is a good idea and could work, but I don't understand what seems like anti-sticky sentiment. Stickies with good high level/FAQ type info is commonplace on many forums, and I dare say has become convention. Many will expect it, and when they don't see it.. Well, who knows what they'll do. Leave? Ask a question that could have been easily answered in an FAQ? Get frustrated? If they aren't the self service type (which is what stickies are for), then they'll ask their question anyway. So to me there is really no downside to stickies; only an upside.

My $.02. Thanks for listening! :)

I don't think we're anti-stickies, we are just looking at a way to further organize them. If you think of the "Wiki" as a bunch of categorized and stickied threads then you will get what I mean. I believe a good FAQ stickied thread and a stickied link to the Wiki will allow us to have a lot more threads that can be highlighted and managed than if we just have a BUNCH of stickied threads at the top of the thread list. In my mind it would ease the clutter and make it easier for newbies to drill in to a specific area of the build. And announcement stickies would be easier to spot as well.

:)

[Xusia]

That's pretty much what I thought you had in mind - and as I said I think it's a good idea (excellent even). Too many stickies can be a problem as well.

What I think would augment a wiki are some stickies with higher level info; something like an FAQ, and/or "How to use this forum", etc. -nothing technical. Looking in a wiki on a forum may not be obvious to everyone, and some general, high-level stickies could help. I hope this makes sense.

[David Hodgkins]

Absolutely, I think setting up the forum itself with announcements, Newbie/FAQ and "How to use" stickies and directing folks in those threads to the "Wiki" is the way to go. Ya know, maybe we should come up with some word or phrase instead of Wiki. Maybe "featured threads" or "Thread hall of fame" or something like that. "Wiki" really has a different connotation for the tech savvy...

:)

[BrandonDrums]

Absolutely, I think setting up the forum itself with announcements, Newbie/FAQ and "How to use" stickies and directing folks in those threads to the "Wiki" is the way to go. Ya know, maybe we should come up with some word or phrase instead of Wiki. Maybe "featured threads" or "Thread hall of fame" or something like that. "Wiki" really has a different connotation for the tech savvy...

:)

Sounds good. I think the thought I had for sticky threads was more in line with the wiki. Rather than making each 'important' thread an actual sticky, I simply wanted a few sticky posts that described and linked to those specific threads as an index. Like this: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1431376

Nasioc basically has a "links to great threads" sticky for every section on the site and only a handful of other stickys on other specific write-ups.

A wiki (if somehow part of the actual forum which it sounds like it will be) will be precisely that.

Ideally, yes we'd have this whole forum organized in such a way to mirror most other car forums with technical sections broken down into major components. Perhaps here, have a technical section for teardown/donor work and a technical section for assembly and of course; news, general discussions and graduation threads.

Regardless, any form of "live archive" of existing threads that organizes and encourages users to rely on existing threads for the appropriate discussions will likely work simply because that's how people want to operate.

As for newsletters, I think attracting "talent" to these forums will be a benefit to everyone. A non-automated newsletter promoting the forums with hot topics, specific posts from the FFR team and maybe even special planned events for when a block of time where Dave or Jim might be signed on to a specific thread for a live Q&A would really work some PR magic. That's from a marketing perspective, from a technical perspective you could feature build threads etc. that might give prospective builders ideas for their own build that currently, they have to go to FFCars.com for...

If the forum is well organized and continually worked on to encourage activity, people from other sites i.e. ffcars.com, nasioc, iwsti etc. will want to participate and could help answer questions for non-subaru guys and keep us subaru guys coming here because we can get the info we need rather than spend excessive amounts of time for info that we can probably just as easily find out on NASIOC or something.

I'm sure everything the FFR team has in mind will be great. In the mean time this was just a fun discussion to see what others thought. If for nothing else than our own entertainment as we await more updates.

Thanks for voting everyone and thank you David for all of your feedback!