Following on from a brief discussion on another thread earlier, I thought it might be an idea to bring this question up because lots of good topics are just getting missed simply because they are in the wrong place, and some forums have got messed up withtopics that don't belong there.
We all know how difficult this Community is to navigate to the right forum, but with a bit of effort and patience, it is possible (eventually!!). Posting in the wrong forums causes problems for others who enjoy browsing through a particular favourite forum for threads on topics that interest them because they are likely to miss such a lot of good threads. The Mods do move as many threads as they can, but they aren’t on line all the time and can’t move them all.
At the moment, it seems to me that many contributors are putting everything either in the Tea Rooms or in Photography. This is just confusing and making things messy. The Tea Rooms are for general chit chat or discussions on gear etc. that has nothing (or very little) to do with wildlife. The photography forum is for questions, discussions, help and advice on photographic matters rather than for photos of wildlife.
As a general rule, if your post concerns wildlife, either in your garden or elsewhere, it should be posted in one of the forums under the WILDLIFE tab. If your post concerns technical or website issues, it belongs in a forum under the ABOUT tab. If the post is just general or about gear, and nothing much to do with wildlife, then it belongs in a forum under the CHAT tab.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
I really dont think sparrow is trying to offend you or any other group, shes simply proposing that popular threads in some groups do appear every day on the main page.
I agree with most of what you say sparrow - i know finding my way around was very tricky, and some posts I still dont know if they're in the right place ! At least I know my way about now.
Junior Humble!
"it is not only fine feathers that make a fine bird" ~ Aesop
Thank you Hawky and people that call people newbies, so hurtful and I have zero tolerance for that. I know how that hurts.
What I cannot understand is why there is a problem about Ospreys and there are dedicated pages for that and yes I am excited about the return of Ospreys.
Yes I am offended by sparrow's comments but no more and will enjoy reading and maybe joining in. If anyone calls someone a newbie I think is shocking.
No more said and a happy birding season all :)
Newbies is just a new member, its not meant to be offensive.
Thank you hawky and Newbie can be offensive and so pleased you clarified and sparrow I am smiling as I know what you meant and others have elaborated.
You take care and no more and as I said I do enjoy reading your posts :)
Nitey all and here's looking forward to spring and heard my first woodpecker drumming this morning :)
I apologise sparrow and it was not you that said about the Osprey threads but others.
What I cannot understand is why people say the Osprey threads too many as I have to look on the community.
I will enjoy reading all posts and maybe a thread for Robins, etc can be started but I hope not :)
edit as it would spoil things :)
I need to elaborate as what I mean is I love the community as it is :) There are no dedicated threads as with the Ospreys and maybe it might be right all.
Sorry I am so angry and I cannot find an osprey thread on the community now.
I have looked and one thing for sure sparrow, I am always honest and sparrow I like your honesty and a can of worms opened but closed now :) lol
I wasn't on-line last night. I arrived this morning with a cuppa ready to spend a pleasant hour on the forum only to find all this! I wouldn't care, but I didn't use either of the words Osprey or Newbie.
I was merely trying to help the whole Community by stressing the importance of using the appropriate forum for a particular topic, and not making an already complicated forum even more confusing.
No-one blames new members for posting in the wrong places. The layout is illogical and disorganised. However, we seem to be stuck with it, and until the Mods come out and take proper charge it is down to us all to make the best of it and help each other.
In my opinion what it needs is a revised Home Page with a complete list of all forums and a brief description of what topics to put in it.
Susan H said:In my opinion what it needs is a revised Home Page with a complete list of all forums and a brief description of what topics to put in it.
Yes, that format is definitely needed.
I also think there should be a "frequently asked Qs and As "page to guide folk re posting photos and links and general use of the forum etc. - with a reminder of the Ts and Cs as well!
"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom" - Wlliam Blake
I agree completely, Sparrow (and ClaireM, that's a fab idea).
My blog: http://mazzaswildside.blogspot.co.uk/
My Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/124028194@N04/
Susan H said: I wasn't on-line last night. I arrived this morning with a cuppa ready to spend a pleasant hour on the forum only to find all this! I wouldn't care, but I didn't use either of the words Osprey or Newbie. I was merely trying to help the whole Community by stressing the importance of using the appropriate forum for a particular topic, and not making an already complicated forum even more confusing. No-one blames new members for posting in the wrong places. The layout is illogical and disorganised. However, we seem to be stuck with it, and until the Mods come out and take proper charge it is down to us all to make the best of it and help each other. In my opinion what it needs is a revised Home Page with a complete list of all forums and a brief description of what topics to put in it.
Spot on Linda I totally agree with your comments,the groups need to be separated from the forum with an easy to see link on the main community page then everyone would have a fair crack of the whip.
There is no need for anyone to get stroppy it was me who mentioned Ospreys and this being a forum I and everyone else is as long it's within the rules allowed their opinion.
Regards Mike
Pssst! Nudge nudge Wanna see some pictures Here