I don't mean any disprespect to anyone in the post below. Am only sharing my thoughts and views to improve the forum.
Deleted threads and Organizing topics Quote:
Originally Posted by .anshuman Everytime a thread is deleted the OP gets a PM with a reason clearly mentioned. Most of the threads from the What Car section are deleted because they are about the same topic that is being discussed in existing threads, for example- What's the point in adding another thread for discussion on Verna vs Fiesta or Fortuner vs Endeavour when some existing threads cover the topic well. A note is attached to the closing posts of most threads where BHPians are asked to Report the Post to request for opening the thread again if they have a similar query and want to continue the discussion.
As a person who wants to buy a new car or is just casually seeking info, What would you like to see when searching for topics- 60 new threads on new Verna(just an example here) with scattered info or fewer threads with all the info in them? |
So totally agree with you .anshuman, on making more and more threads talking about the same car.
However when people want to decide on a car, they have a few cars on mind. One can pick up some information on them from the car specific threads (like Official Reviews, which really become a common watering hole for that car).
But then what matters is the comparisons between cars on various aspects and then arrive at the car which has the least 'relevant' compromises.
Now, how can this be taken care of? Do we allow threads for each person who just has a thought of buying a car and is not even half-serious? That may be stretching things too far. So now what to do?
As I lived through this experience called T-Bhp (especially with the What-Car thread I started - some 700 posts), it seemed that it would be a very good idea to have a few more general 'What-Car' threads. They could have segmentation on the basis of:
- Body type
- Fuel used
- Price range
I realize that may lead to quite a few new threads, but it would make things more systematic and would be a very good starting point for any search. Members who have more specific needs could then start their new threads (which too, could ideally be by mod approval, IMO).
One example of such a thread is the "Choosing a Spacious Diesel Sedan upto 12L" thread
link :
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/sedans...-upto-12l.html
Rather, it was closed after some 48 pages to my surprise. Yes, it was eventually becoming an Optra discussion thread, which didn't seem ideal. But IMO, that is what we needed to control, than close what seemed to be a meeting ground for people considering a diesel sedan up to 12L.
Now that leads me to the next thought
A thread for each car
(probably not about mods, ICE etc, but a more general thread)
Now, taking the example above forward, why were people discussing the Optra on that What-Car thread? The reasons I see:
- The other cars in the segment had car-specific threads in the form of Official reviews. The Optra Magnum had none.
- Since I was the OP and had found a lot of merit in the Mangum and was talking about it so often, given the above point, the discussion got around the Optra Magnum
So what I am suggesting is that - Let us have a thread for each car around. Such interactions anyway happen on on ownership threads. Such threads will lead to more focused and complete talk about a car. People starting ownership threads on that car, can then just put up the links to their threads, which would lead to better awareness of relevant threads and make things better organized.
Eventually what I am suggesting is- General need based What-Car threads, which compare cars based on price, body type and fuel used.
- A thread for each car, which doesn't have an Official review.
(model/trim specific really not needed. Even MT and AT should be in the same thread). - New threads by mods approval, unless the member is a senior or a distinguished member
(even if it means lesser newbie posts being checked by mods, to compensate for more work load)
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The PM reaching the OP does serve a good purpose and takes care of why thread was deleted to him. However it isn't sensitive enough to the other people who have posted on the thread to help the OP. I feel that they too need to be addressed and acknowledged.
Taking this further below, if the above suggestion is not taken up and threads are created without approval we could consider what is there below.
What should happen when an inappropriate thread is closed - some thoughts:
- The thread being moved to a new area of the forum where one can't post and doesn't interfere with the normal forum experience.
- With the above, the posts are still available to be read, as some replies could contain good information.
- The last post by mods to close the thread could contain the following:
- Reason why the post was closed (the PM is sent anyway) - it would lead to others knowing why a thread is closed, which in turn would let others know what type of threads are acceptable and which aren't.
- A link to the thread, where the topic should have been discussed
- A link to guidelines to check before starting a new thread.
(The above should help in making fewer inappropriate threads)
- If the above isn't done, the very least would be to merge threads, as suggested by honeybee as well. Given threads are merged in general, it may be a viable idea.
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee Why not merge the threads into the existing ones instead of deleting? It's indeed a shock to find a thread in which you have posted deleted overnight. If instead of deleting it it can be merged with another thread, you will also be able to preserve any posts that the users have made to the new thread. Much simpler and should make both sides happy. |